I'll admit that sometimes I question whether or not somethings are really
going to make a difference eternally. I talk about prayer, preaching, and
the lot, that is obviously spiritual work, but how is playing soccer or talking
about school going to save anyone? Well I am realizing that while telling a Bible
story or praying is a key witness, bring someone to Christ involves being their friend too.
And so even by just spending time with someone that is work for eternity.
That's why I am so glad for the frisbee. Around these parts soccer is the game of choice,
some few are into basketball and handball, but most everybody is a soccer
player, and good ones too. I have never been a great player, in high school I could
make the cut, but as goalie my first year, we never won a game, well it was not allmy fault, but I sometimes wonder. The next year was better playing defence or midfield,
we won a few more. But here those who play at my level are usually around the age of 10-12. If
I play with guys my age, I will see the ball most, and not really touch it. But in general
I like real good team sports. Since soccer rules here, people play seriously, no one really
plays just for fun, unless the crowd is below 12 but even they get into some heated
arguments at times. So the solution I have is ultimate frisbee. While Manny still
promotes soccer as better, I have some arguments for the benefist of UF. Mainly
it is such a team sport. If you play the way I have been taught, once you've received the
frisbee, you have to stop or you can only take two to three steps before you throw
the frisbee, and you have to throw it within 5-7seconds after catching it! Thus the focus
shifts from the one in play to the team, it is up to your team to get open and move about. Sure
the skill of throwing becomes evident, you just can't pull athleticism out of the picture, but
unlike soccer, you have to pass. I can't try to be a ball hog or loose the play. And it is fast
too, I just introduced it pathfinders and after a good twenty minutes those kids were wipped.
But in soccer they play for hours, no standing around in UF! And it is harder to cherry pick, if
one or two of the team waits on the offensive end and leaves the other side, the game collaspses,
there is no one nearby to pass to if your team retrieves the frisbee. Plus here it is novel and that
always rouses curiousity. I took the frisbee out yesterday to play, and the kids loved it. They
had fun learning, we had some frisbee fellowship. And while have loads of fun, I build a better
bond with them! And bond that I hope will affect for eternity.
Here goes the Ulitmate Frisbee Revolution, to God's honor!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The answer is not me
It is a difficult lesson for me to learn, that I do not always
have to be the answer to my own prayers. What I mean is that
sometimes I will ask God to really move in a church service or
some other spiritual event, and then at the same I may be involved
in that occasion, and so I feel the entire burden upon me. I must
do something to bring out the Spirit, to inspire everyone. And that
is good, I certainly do prepare ready and willing to be lead by
the Spirit, wanting very much to touch people's hearts. But it is not
me that works on the hearts, it only the Holy Spirit working with Jesus and
Father.
On this particular Wednesday night, just yesterday, I had just finished
the book "If My People Pray", when it came out I was only 7 so at the time
I couldn't have read but up into my teenage years people still talked about
it and its author Randy Maxwell was still very much a popular prayer
seminar and retreat speaker. But for some reason I never got around
to reading it. Well by God's grace I finally did and I was struck deep.
He talks in it that he sees a real prayer revival happening around the nation
(his case the US of A), but that was in 94, 95, so what happened. I certainly
in the following 14 or so years have not see a huge awakening. But I may
be missing something, well that revival subject is a whole other discussion.
But what I do want to see prayer be so much greater in my life and the life
of the church here. So heading prayer meeting I was wondering how we
could make the time really a prayer meeting and not just one prayer, long
talk meeting, like many churches today. Then the speaker could not
be there and I was asked to share, that really upped the expectation in my
mind, what could I do to incoroporate more prayer. I kind settled the idea
by saying I would bring it up at this Sunday's board meeting.
But God had a better plan, as always. We got to prayer time, first we
share praises then we share requests for prayer. Simel shared after
several others had shared. He began very hesitantly findly exactly the right
words for the delicate subject he was asking prayer for. He was not specific
but we understood the gravity and sincererity of his confession. He wanted prayer
for a problem he's had since childhood, that this very week came again
to tempt him, and it seems he fell. He had been struggling wanting to share
this request with the church but only now mustered the courage. He never said
the actual problem but he was nonetheless open with us all. Uli motioned to me
(I was up front at the table), to circle around him in a special prayer. How awesome. When
all the other requests were given, we prayed two by two as usual, then had a special
prayer all of us gathering around kneeling Simel. At the end of this prayer I asked
if anyone else had a sin, a problem they wanted to lay at Jesus' feet, I went down to my knees with several others, some ofthe younger kids, and a young lady from our church,
who just recovered by a great sickness. Uli prayed for us. I laid my sin before the Lord, and what joy.
And the verse for that evening, I had chosen asking God to choose the right
one, since I had not prepared. I was lead to what I read in devotion a few mornings before,
Luke 7.23, take up your cross and follow me. How fitting, Simel had shown he wanted
to take up his cross daily, to truly leave self behind and give all to Jesus' cause! And
we others who had knelt with him too. I shared that I hoped that what we experienced that evening would only be the beginning of a real and wonderful prayer ministry from our church. You can know alot from the Bible, the spirit of prophecy and still be dead in the Spirit, dead in prayer, in talking with God, in intereceding on others' behalf.
On top of that myself and my prayer partners Blaise and Aser have chosen an official night
to start having prayer and Bible study, and to invite our friends over to join us. It's is a part of the Union's initiative to reach people through friendship.
have to be the answer to my own prayers. What I mean is that
sometimes I will ask God to really move in a church service or
some other spiritual event, and then at the same I may be involved
in that occasion, and so I feel the entire burden upon me. I must
do something to bring out the Spirit, to inspire everyone. And that
is good, I certainly do prepare ready and willing to be lead by
the Spirit, wanting very much to touch people's hearts. But it is not
me that works on the hearts, it only the Holy Spirit working with Jesus and
Father.
On this particular Wednesday night, just yesterday, I had just finished
the book "If My People Pray", when it came out I was only 7 so at the time
I couldn't have read but up into my teenage years people still talked about
it and its author Randy Maxwell was still very much a popular prayer
seminar and retreat speaker. But for some reason I never got around
to reading it. Well by God's grace I finally did and I was struck deep.
He talks in it that he sees a real prayer revival happening around the nation
(his case the US of A), but that was in 94, 95, so what happened. I certainly
in the following 14 or so years have not see a huge awakening. But I may
be missing something, well that revival subject is a whole other discussion.
But what I do want to see prayer be so much greater in my life and the life
of the church here. So heading prayer meeting I was wondering how we
could make the time really a prayer meeting and not just one prayer, long
talk meeting, like many churches today. Then the speaker could not
be there and I was asked to share, that really upped the expectation in my
mind, what could I do to incoroporate more prayer. I kind settled the idea
by saying I would bring it up at this Sunday's board meeting.
But God had a better plan, as always. We got to prayer time, first we
share praises then we share requests for prayer. Simel shared after
several others had shared. He began very hesitantly findly exactly the right
words for the delicate subject he was asking prayer for. He was not specific
but we understood the gravity and sincererity of his confession. He wanted prayer
for a problem he's had since childhood, that this very week came again
to tempt him, and it seems he fell. He had been struggling wanting to share
this request with the church but only now mustered the courage. He never said
the actual problem but he was nonetheless open with us all. Uli motioned to me
(I was up front at the table), to circle around him in a special prayer. How awesome. When
all the other requests were given, we prayed two by two as usual, then had a special
prayer all of us gathering around kneeling Simel. At the end of this prayer I asked
if anyone else had a sin, a problem they wanted to lay at Jesus' feet, I went down to my knees with several others, some ofthe younger kids, and a young lady from our church,
who just recovered by a great sickness. Uli prayed for us. I laid my sin before the Lord, and what joy.
And the verse for that evening, I had chosen asking God to choose the right
one, since I had not prepared. I was lead to what I read in devotion a few mornings before,
Luke 7.23, take up your cross and follow me. How fitting, Simel had shown he wanted
to take up his cross daily, to truly leave self behind and give all to Jesus' cause! And
we others who had knelt with him too. I shared that I hoped that what we experienced that evening would only be the beginning of a real and wonderful prayer ministry from our church. You can know alot from the Bible, the spirit of prophecy and still be dead in the Spirit, dead in prayer, in talking with God, in intereceding on others' behalf.
On top of that myself and my prayer partners Blaise and Aser have chosen an official night
to start having prayer and Bible study, and to invite our friends over to join us. It's is a part of the Union's initiative to reach people through friendship.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Pale Face Phobia
I think it was an Adventures in Odyssey cartoon I saw once based on a true story about
this man who had such an ugly facethat he was part of a circus show. In the streets children would run away from the hideousnessof his deformed visage. It always reminded me to be thankful for the healthy body and not deformed faceGod has blessed me with. I never really thought I would actually experience what that man went through.Now I cannot say my experience is the same as his, not really very many people are afraid of my face, except
little children. I've met a few that upon seeing my pale skin run and hide or burst out crying, and they arekids I do not really know or see often, so no worries. But now it has come close to home, literally, our neighbors. There is a little boy, the second youngest perhaps one and half or two, who is very afraid of bothmyself and Manny. One of the other neighbor kids tried to bring him in our house and he would start wailingas soon as he saw one of us. One morning going out to the toilet, he was returning to the house with his mother and as I passed he started crying. I started feeling angry, and almost gave the kid a hearty scowl, but I realized right away that that certainly would only confirm his fears. It is frustrating because no other kid
in the compound is afraid, even his baby sister, who is still crawling finds us funny, what's his problem? Inthe end it is just one of things that has been water off the duck's back, just roll away. I can only continue to live kindly towards all the children and hopefully someday this other boy will get the idea. Maybe it will help if I learn his name? ooops.
this man who had such an ugly facethat he was part of a circus show. In the streets children would run away from the hideousnessof his deformed visage. It always reminded me to be thankful for the healthy body and not deformed faceGod has blessed me with. I never really thought I would actually experience what that man went through.Now I cannot say my experience is the same as his, not really very many people are afraid of my face, except
little children. I've met a few that upon seeing my pale skin run and hide or burst out crying, and they arekids I do not really know or see often, so no worries. But now it has come close to home, literally, our neighbors. There is a little boy, the second youngest perhaps one and half or two, who is very afraid of bothmyself and Manny. One of the other neighbor kids tried to bring him in our house and he would start wailingas soon as he saw one of us. One morning going out to the toilet, he was returning to the house with his mother and as I passed he started crying. I started feeling angry, and almost gave the kid a hearty scowl, but I realized right away that that certainly would only confirm his fears. It is frustrating because no other kid
in the compound is afraid, even his baby sister, who is still crawling finds us funny, what's his problem? Inthe end it is just one of things that has been water off the duck's back, just roll away. I can only continue to live kindly towards all the children and hopefully someday this other boy will get the idea. Maybe it will help if I learn his name? ooops.
It doesn't take much rain
Benin is above the equator. Well that's good to know. I tell you that
because it means the seasons are supposed to be same, but I am not so sure.
We actually did have cold season and now we are into rainy season. The problem is
that the usually winter then gradual heating up in spring and then heat of summer
and then cooling down of Autumn seems to be forgetten. Instead we experience
a cool season (October-February), a hot and dry season (February-April), then a kind of
light rainy season (May-June), and finally the full rainy season (July-September). It appears
things are reversed, winter right to summer, then spring and not really any autumn.
But whatever the case, it is nice weather. Where the other AFM missionaries are, the Badé's,
up north in Kandi, bordering Niger, it gets so hot that if you get water out of the faucet you have
to let it cool down before you can use, or you will get burned!
The rains have started coming once or twice a week for three weeks or so. I arrived right
at the end of the rainy season, just when everything starts to dry out and the world turns
brown and dusty, and when they burn all the dry grass to prevent wildfires, but also create
a charcoal landscape. Manny arrived in full swing of dryness and we both we always depressed
when we looked to the barren hills surrounding Nati. But the rains have come, and boy it sure
did not take much. Within these three weeks the grass is growing, plants are coming up where I thought
only dirt would live! We even looked to the hills and noticed the wonderful splashes of
green now covering the scenery! It got me thinking of really how little amount of rain it took
to get so much green back again. I've often thought how far I must be from God, how little I have
to offer Him, how hard it must for Him to deal with me. But then I think of the rain and the greenery, if
I would just be remember to be open to Him, he would pour His healing rain into my life, and surely
in mighty was, but also in small ways, and soon I can see that it didn't take much of His rain to revive my
life. And as those little rain showers of blessings come, my thirst grows and I open wide to receive a full
drenched rainy season kind of life! I recently watched a beautiful movie called "The Christmas Shoes"
It's a few years old, but the beginning the main character says, "that if we are open to it, we can see
miracles all around us, especially the small ones." (my paraphrase). Bring on the rain!
because it means the seasons are supposed to be same, but I am not so sure.
We actually did have cold season and now we are into rainy season. The problem is
that the usually winter then gradual heating up in spring and then heat of summer
and then cooling down of Autumn seems to be forgetten. Instead we experience
a cool season (October-February), a hot and dry season (February-April), then a kind of
light rainy season (May-June), and finally the full rainy season (July-September). It appears
things are reversed, winter right to summer, then spring and not really any autumn.
But whatever the case, it is nice weather. Where the other AFM missionaries are, the Badé's,
up north in Kandi, bordering Niger, it gets so hot that if you get water out of the faucet you have
to let it cool down before you can use, or you will get burned!
The rains have started coming once or twice a week for three weeks or so. I arrived right
at the end of the rainy season, just when everything starts to dry out and the world turns
brown and dusty, and when they burn all the dry grass to prevent wildfires, but also create
a charcoal landscape. Manny arrived in full swing of dryness and we both we always depressed
when we looked to the barren hills surrounding Nati. But the rains have come, and boy it sure
did not take much. Within these three weeks the grass is growing, plants are coming up where I thought
only dirt would live! We even looked to the hills and noticed the wonderful splashes of
green now covering the scenery! It got me thinking of really how little amount of rain it took
to get so much green back again. I've often thought how far I must be from God, how little I have
to offer Him, how hard it must for Him to deal with me. But then I think of the rain and the greenery, if
I would just be remember to be open to Him, he would pour His healing rain into my life, and surely
in mighty was, but also in small ways, and soon I can see that it didn't take much of His rain to revive my
life. And as those little rain showers of blessings come, my thirst grows and I open wide to receive a full
drenched rainy season kind of life! I recently watched a beautiful movie called "The Christmas Shoes"
It's a few years old, but the beginning the main character says, "that if we are open to it, we can see
miracles all around us, especially the small ones." (my paraphrase). Bring on the rain!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Blue walls and a leaky roof
A few rain storms ago I discovered that our roof is a bit of a leaking one. I was thankful to God that I was there and
able to move things before any major damage occured (particularly to Manny's computer). It seems if the wind is
headed in the right (or might say wrong) direction it lifts the tin of the room where the sheets join and allows rain to
drip drip in. I mentioned it to the landlord and he'd said he would get it fixed but that he had no money since some of the
other tenants have not paid their rent yet. No problem, we could paid the rent a little early this month so he could fix it.
That was about two weeks ago. The carpenter did (here the carpenters take care of roofs too) come over and inspected the problem
and said he'd talk to his boss and see when they could fix it. Sunday was to be the day, then it was moved to Friday. Meanwhile
another work project began in the landlord's house, painters came over and did some wonderful work in their living room
making a nice clear blue colour. I found it interestng that as we paid rent early the next week the landlord's house is painted.
Hmmmm. I would never accuse him pernsonally, there are not enough facts, I suppose, but it seems evident where priorities are.
Why do I tell you this? Well it is simply what I see all around Benin. Our landlord has actually been a very nice person,
given us cultural and practical advice for living in Benin. He has done much to take us under his wing, but yet it does not seem
wrong to him to put his painting before our leaky roof (whether he used the rent money well that's up to him, not my problem).
People here have ingrained into them, get mine. If I have gotten the means I will use them for me. That really is a human problem
but it seems that at least in some other societies (that I have seen) like Belize, or Canada, a bit of help for others is evident.
That is another wonderful reason to bring the gospel to these Ottamari people, they have so much need to not only salvation (the most
important part), but also a new meaningful life focused not on themselves but on others (something we all could work on!).
able to move things before any major damage occured (particularly to Manny's computer). It seems if the wind is
headed in the right (or might say wrong) direction it lifts the tin of the room where the sheets join and allows rain to
drip drip in. I mentioned it to the landlord and he'd said he would get it fixed but that he had no money since some of the
other tenants have not paid their rent yet. No problem, we could paid the rent a little early this month so he could fix it.
That was about two weeks ago. The carpenter did (here the carpenters take care of roofs too) come over and inspected the problem
and said he'd talk to his boss and see when they could fix it. Sunday was to be the day, then it was moved to Friday. Meanwhile
another work project began in the landlord's house, painters came over and did some wonderful work in their living room
making a nice clear blue colour. I found it interestng that as we paid rent early the next week the landlord's house is painted.
Hmmmm. I would never accuse him pernsonally, there are not enough facts, I suppose, but it seems evident where priorities are.
Why do I tell you this? Well it is simply what I see all around Benin. Our landlord has actually been a very nice person,
given us cultural and practical advice for living in Benin. He has done much to take us under his wing, but yet it does not seem
wrong to him to put his painting before our leaky roof (whether he used the rent money well that's up to him, not my problem).
People here have ingrained into them, get mine. If I have gotten the means I will use them for me. That really is a human problem
but it seems that at least in some other societies (that I have seen) like Belize, or Canada, a bit of help for others is evident.
That is another wonderful reason to bring the gospel to these Ottamari people, they have so much need to not only salvation (the most
important part), but also a new meaningful life focused not on themselves but on others (something we all could work on!).
Friday, May 1, 2009
When Elephants fight
(Note: We went to the park on Thursday April 30, 2009)
During the youth training week, one of the presenters, Boni, an evangelist from a nearby town,
shared about the great controversy and spiritual warfare. It was really interesting for us all.
I very muched appreciated the way he described our position in the war over souls. He said
that when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. Thus we have two big elephants, God and
Satan, both have been battling for Kingship of earth, through Jesus, God has already won,
but the defeated elephant (Satan) is still trying to kill as much grass as possible. He explained
that the grass did not really choose to suffer like this. While humans did choose to follow Satan,
we could still be considered innocent grass. In the end though God wants to save us from Satan
trompings.
This is an odd introduction to my actual story but what I saw today is why I mention the illustration.
Today we hit the road at 5AM, we being our missionary team of Uli and her husband, Toussaint, Suzy,
her two charges, Donné and Severen, Manny and I. We headed out in a burgundy and white Toyota 4Runner
for Pendjari (pronounced Pend-jar-ee). What's Pendjari? Ah a very interesting question indeed; of which
I have no answer (I really should have asked that at the front desk). In any case, despite not knowing the meaning
of the word I do know where it is. It is the Pendjari National Game Park of Benin. Just about two hours north of
Natitingou. We hired a guide, well Toussaint talked to a friend of his who takes "tourists" up there (far be it from us
to be called tourists, we do live here). It was a nice trip, bumpy once we hit the dirt road. Coming back I was
actually wondering if we took the same road, because it seems I conked out at our departature and did not
wake up until later.
We entered the park with gusto and fervor, on our way to find lions, cheetahs, elephants, crocodiles,
water buffalo (everyone has one already, but at least these ones are wild), antelope, cantelope (just kidding),
and more. Unfortunately this park is animalist againts giraffes and rhinos and zebras, or something
like that, in any case there aren't any. Less than five minutes after entering through the big gates, we
saw the rear of large grey animal, an elephant. It was fleeing across the road, and we watched it disappear
in to the loose forest. We purchased a map at the front gate, that told us what time the animals come, of course
our driver probably could have told us in his sleep. But for our eyes it was good to have information.
We continued along and some antelope and deer.
Our first destination was a local watering hole. There was an observatory there, where we could wathc the
whole thing. There wasn't amazing animals you could say, but to me just looking out over a real in the wild
watering hole was pretty nifty! We did see some crocodiles, as a large hippo with a baby. But mostly she had
her large rump turned toward so we did not see much of the head, but neat-o none the less.
We continued our journey, and things go real exciting. We spotted more antelope, this one we saw sitting on
the ground, didn't move or anything, then we heard a whistle, I told the person whistling to be quiet, knowing
Severen unique ability. But then we saw that the antelope was whistling through his nose. He would strain his neck
and blow very hard, you could see his whole body tensing up. It was very amusing. We then saw some waterbucks,
like deer but with slightly twisting horns, pretty cool looking. We also some big animals of whom I do not know the name, but
they were also like deer, but much larger and stockier. We got a look at some wild boars (Poomba, but no Timone), then we got a real
good sight real, elephants! And lots of them. We counted something like 11 or 13 of them, some babies, and some adults. There
were quite a distance, but with our binoculars we could see them well! Our driver said some people spend several days in
the park and never see a single one! We kept driving and the road turned and we were able to see them even better.
Because of the presence of little ones we gave them space and kept on going. But right up ahead another elephant
was crossing the road, a male and female. The crossed and we watched the big male have a nice meal of leaves. Well we
didn't stay to watch the whole feast, as elephants can eat alot. We continued to another watering hole this time without an observatory,
but we were still able to see some birds and some more hippos.
Our drive continued (there are something like 500Km of road in the park and so we had plenty to drive, and we still
did not see it all), and we saw a family of baboons with papa baboon leading the way, while the little ones play en route.
We some more wild boar too. Antelope were all along the way, herds grazing. We traveled some distance along the Pendjari river
for whom the park is named. The other side of the river is Burkina Faso. (I always seem to end up in or near B countries, went to Belize
and Benin as overseas trips, maybe next is Bahamas or Barbados, fat chance!)
We returned to the original watering hole, and waited some time for what the Africans call, "The King", no not Elvis, but "The king of the forest", the lion. No lion, but we did get a better look at the hippo and crocodiles. We also were treated by five water buffalo that
came for a drink, and some antelope too. The crocodiles got in a fight and one made a rapid swim through the water that was interesting.
But too soon the time to go had come. We hoped in the 4runner and headed for the exited, did not see much on the way out, but
we were all quite tired as well.
The trip was a great one to be remembered. While I've been to African Lion Safari in Cambridge, and lots of zoos, and such
this was special because the animals were really wild. They could really kill us! Well that was the exciting part, it was more so
just to see them in their natural habitat. We were really in no danger with our vehicle we could speed along, well and protected.
And the park stictly prohibits you from getting out of your vehicle. God must have a heavy heart over his creation, so tainted from
its original beauty, but yet there are still amazing sights, that attests to God's wonderfulness and love!
During the youth training week, one of the presenters, Boni, an evangelist from a nearby town,
shared about the great controversy and spiritual warfare. It was really interesting for us all.
I very muched appreciated the way he described our position in the war over souls. He said
that when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. Thus we have two big elephants, God and
Satan, both have been battling for Kingship of earth, through Jesus, God has already won,
but the defeated elephant (Satan) is still trying to kill as much grass as possible. He explained
that the grass did not really choose to suffer like this. While humans did choose to follow Satan,
we could still be considered innocent grass. In the end though God wants to save us from Satan
trompings.
This is an odd introduction to my actual story but what I saw today is why I mention the illustration.
Today we hit the road at 5AM, we being our missionary team of Uli and her husband, Toussaint, Suzy,
her two charges, Donné and Severen, Manny and I. We headed out in a burgundy and white Toyota 4Runner
for Pendjari (pronounced Pend-jar-ee). What's Pendjari? Ah a very interesting question indeed; of which
I have no answer (I really should have asked that at the front desk). In any case, despite not knowing the meaning
of the word I do know where it is. It is the Pendjari National Game Park of Benin. Just about two hours north of
Natitingou. We hired a guide, well Toussaint talked to a friend of his who takes "tourists" up there (far be it from us
to be called tourists, we do live here). It was a nice trip, bumpy once we hit the dirt road. Coming back I was
actually wondering if we took the same road, because it seems I conked out at our departature and did not
wake up until later.
We entered the park with gusto and fervor, on our way to find lions, cheetahs, elephants, crocodiles,
water buffalo (everyone has one already, but at least these ones are wild), antelope, cantelope (just kidding),
and more. Unfortunately this park is animalist againts giraffes and rhinos and zebras, or something
like that, in any case there aren't any. Less than five minutes after entering through the big gates, we
saw the rear of large grey animal, an elephant. It was fleeing across the road, and we watched it disappear
in to the loose forest. We purchased a map at the front gate, that told us what time the animals come, of course
our driver probably could have told us in his sleep. But for our eyes it was good to have information.
We continued along and some antelope and deer.
Our first destination was a local watering hole. There was an observatory there, where we could wathc the
whole thing. There wasn't amazing animals you could say, but to me just looking out over a real in the wild
watering hole was pretty nifty! We did see some crocodiles, as a large hippo with a baby. But mostly she had
her large rump turned toward so we did not see much of the head, but neat-o none the less.
We continued our journey, and things go real exciting. We spotted more antelope, this one we saw sitting on
the ground, didn't move or anything, then we heard a whistle, I told the person whistling to be quiet, knowing
Severen unique ability. But then we saw that the antelope was whistling through his nose. He would strain his neck
and blow very hard, you could see his whole body tensing up. It was very amusing. We then saw some waterbucks,
like deer but with slightly twisting horns, pretty cool looking. We also some big animals of whom I do not know the name, but
they were also like deer, but much larger and stockier. We got a look at some wild boars (Poomba, but no Timone), then we got a real
good sight real, elephants! And lots of them. We counted something like 11 or 13 of them, some babies, and some adults. There
were quite a distance, but with our binoculars we could see them well! Our driver said some people spend several days in
the park and never see a single one! We kept driving and the road turned and we were able to see them even better.
Because of the presence of little ones we gave them space and kept on going. But right up ahead another elephant
was crossing the road, a male and female. The crossed and we watched the big male have a nice meal of leaves. Well we
didn't stay to watch the whole feast, as elephants can eat alot. We continued to another watering hole this time without an observatory,
but we were still able to see some birds and some more hippos.
Our drive continued (there are something like 500Km of road in the park and so we had plenty to drive, and we still
did not see it all), and we saw a family of baboons with papa baboon leading the way, while the little ones play en route.
We some more wild boar too. Antelope were all along the way, herds grazing. We traveled some distance along the Pendjari river
for whom the park is named. The other side of the river is Burkina Faso. (I always seem to end up in or near B countries, went to Belize
and Benin as overseas trips, maybe next is Bahamas or Barbados, fat chance!)
We returned to the original watering hole, and waited some time for what the Africans call, "The King", no not Elvis, but "The king of the forest", the lion. No lion, but we did get a better look at the hippo and crocodiles. We also were treated by five water buffalo that
came for a drink, and some antelope too. The crocodiles got in a fight and one made a rapid swim through the water that was interesting.
But too soon the time to go had come. We hoped in the 4runner and headed for the exited, did not see much on the way out, but
we were all quite tired as well.
The trip was a great one to be remembered. While I've been to African Lion Safari in Cambridge, and lots of zoos, and such
this was special because the animals were really wild. They could really kill us! Well that was the exciting part, it was more so
just to see them in their natural habitat. We were really in no danger with our vehicle we could speed along, well and protected.
And the park stictly prohibits you from getting out of your vehicle. God must have a heavy heart over his creation, so tainted from
its original beauty, but yet there are still amazing sights, that attests to God's wonderfulness and love!
On the bus with Maradona
The week has past at remarkable speed! Our field director came, Lorance Johnson,
so we had lots of meetings, but we accomplished much. The Badés who are in Benin
but farther north with AFM came down here to make less travel time for Lorance. It was real wonderful to fellowship
with everyone! Also the mission president, the African coordinator for Gospel outreach, Gordon Grey, and our pastor
were here on the weekend, with all the evangelists employed by GO. I have never seen the church so full of people,
it was really nice.
The weekend was also special because of a baptism and a marriage blessing. There were seven people
from village south of Nati, near Djougou, about 75km. They were mostly young people between the ages I'd say about
15 and 20, there was one older lady who had a small baby (no the baby was not baptised, just to help show her age).
Around the world, baptism is always somewhat interesting to see. It is a joyous occasion but it also an unusual one. There
is not much in our realm of experience that is like baptism. Thus people are kind of nervous and you have to
ask whether or not they are happy. Going through the list of doctrines is also a little nerve wracking, what if I do the wrong thing.
But all in all it seemed despite nervousness the candidates were glad to join the Adventist church and proclaim their
allegience to God.
The marriage blessing happened on Sunday morning. Two couples were blessed. In Benin couples do a civil marriage
and once this happens then the Pastor will bless their marriage. I suppose Pastor's are not recognized to do marriages themselves. One couple was from the Nati church, Basile and Lucrece. Basile is our church's papa or old man, he's the oldest
male member (even though he's only 44) and thus is kind of like the unofficial pastor or elder, though he is not ordained
as an elder yet. As is the case in Benin, many couples simply start living together, have children, and many never get officially
married, mostly because the thought of having such a permanent relationship is scary for them. What if the marriage should
crumble if you are officially married you will have to through an official divorce, yikes! And since all the couples of our church
became Adventist after marriage, they started the same. But Basile knew that it was about time to make it all official,
to show his kids at least, of which there are five, a lasting example. We are all very proud of him. The other couple was fromanother village, I had never met them before and do not much about them.
I then also had the privilege to accompany Lorance back to Cotonou. We had a nice trip and it was really superb, because the movies were acceptable! One was on Diego Maradona, a very famous soccer player of whom I had never heard of.
It was just another sad reminder of the waste of a life not commited to God. Maradon was an amazing player, but as fame
became his, he turned to cocaine alot and was dismissed from playing numerous times. He could have an amazing career
if he had not fallen to this temptation. What a lesson for us, one fame does not make happiness, and drugs destroy.
What an amazing privilege it is to know ahead of time the dangers!
so we had lots of meetings, but we accomplished much. The Badés who are in Benin
but farther north with AFM came down here to make less travel time for Lorance. It was real wonderful to fellowship
with everyone! Also the mission president, the African coordinator for Gospel outreach, Gordon Grey, and our pastor
were here on the weekend, with all the evangelists employed by GO. I have never seen the church so full of people,
it was really nice.
The weekend was also special because of a baptism and a marriage blessing. There were seven people
from village south of Nati, near Djougou, about 75km. They were mostly young people between the ages I'd say about
15 and 20, there was one older lady who had a small baby (no the baby was not baptised, just to help show her age).
Around the world, baptism is always somewhat interesting to see. It is a joyous occasion but it also an unusual one. There
is not much in our realm of experience that is like baptism. Thus people are kind of nervous and you have to
ask whether or not they are happy. Going through the list of doctrines is also a little nerve wracking, what if I do the wrong thing.
But all in all it seemed despite nervousness the candidates were glad to join the Adventist church and proclaim their
allegience to God.
The marriage blessing happened on Sunday morning. Two couples were blessed. In Benin couples do a civil marriage
and once this happens then the Pastor will bless their marriage. I suppose Pastor's are not recognized to do marriages themselves. One couple was from the Nati church, Basile and Lucrece. Basile is our church's papa or old man, he's the oldest
male member (even though he's only 44) and thus is kind of like the unofficial pastor or elder, though he is not ordained
as an elder yet. As is the case in Benin, many couples simply start living together, have children, and many never get officially
married, mostly because the thought of having such a permanent relationship is scary for them. What if the marriage should
crumble if you are officially married you will have to through an official divorce, yikes! And since all the couples of our church
became Adventist after marriage, they started the same. But Basile knew that it was about time to make it all official,
to show his kids at least, of which there are five, a lasting example. We are all very proud of him. The other couple was fromanother village, I had never met them before and do not much about them.
I then also had the privilege to accompany Lorance back to Cotonou. We had a nice trip and it was really superb, because the movies were acceptable! One was on Diego Maradona, a very famous soccer player of whom I had never heard of.
It was just another sad reminder of the waste of a life not commited to God. Maradon was an amazing player, but as fame
became his, he turned to cocaine alot and was dismissed from playing numerous times. He could have an amazing career
if he had not fallen to this temptation. What a lesson for us, one fame does not make happiness, and drugs destroy.
What an amazing privilege it is to know ahead of time the dangers!
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