Down by the Riverside

Even now as I type the rain is hitting the roof hard but there are no leaks.
First off I have to give credit to our landlord he did try to fix our roof. The first
carpenter was a flop, made more leaks than before. The second tried but just
couldn't do enough. Last Friday night (June 5) we came home and the rain came down hard.
And the leaks opened in the roof like a symphony of drips. In my room along the peak of
the roof there were six or seven, falling nicely on my books, which Manny and I quickly pulled away
from the wall. There were a few other leaks. The living room opened up into another six or seven
drops and Manny's room has some too. He had moved his bed to get away from another leak and now
the new leak was on the place where he moved his bed. That was about it for us, we decided to move.
Where we weren't sure, but somewhere. We waited over the Sabbath and then on Saturday night
I told the landlord we were moving. He tried to say that he would fix it again, but I just told him
that we had to go. Sure we are not our here for luxury but we know that for the price
we can have somewhere where we do not get poured on in rainstorms and by the providence of God we found
one. On Sunday I was at Pathfinders and Manny out to the village with Suzy. We said that if we
didn't find a place on Sunday we'd move into the extra rooms beside the AFM office, in the same
compound where Suzy lives. We walked up to a guardian who said he had a room, but we found
out that it was far away, we wanted to be close to the church. Manny was justing getting into
Malaria unfortunately (he is all better now, praise God), and thus headed home. I continued searching.
I just asked God to lead where he'd like us to go. I walked asking random people. Not much in the quarter
where the church is. I ended up back near our present house. I thought I would just tour down along the way
to a friends house. One empty place was already taken, so I kept going.
I was stopped by a couple children, and was kinda of annoyed at the interuption. One
said "And give me" I was flustered I had nothing to give him. What he was actually saying was
and Donné, meaning how's Donné, one of our church kids, they are in the same class. I had an
embarrasing laugh, and thought I'd ask him if there was some rooms in the quarter, nope, but he'll
let me know. I went on a little. A nice place was up ahead, the lady next door said there were no
rooms. I turned around, the same kid was just up the trial I asked him who lived at that place, he told
me and said there were no rooms. And as if a light went off in his mind, he motioned to follow him.
He took me right near by to a nice little compound. The landlord was in Cotonou, but his little brother
was a renter and showed me a place that is a mirror image of our current location, except the door
is on another wall. Well and the shower and kitchen are outside, yet they have roofs and walls. I asked
the price, cheaper than before. And the roof was a thing of beauty! So I told him I would bring my comrade
tomorrow and we'd sign the deal if it looked good. It is good and we are thankful to be in the new place.
It's actually closer to the church. I had really been praying for what to do about morning worships.
Our old place had no real quiet spots nearby, and usually it was too dark when I spend time with God
to crawl over the highschool wall where there would be some tranquility (the guards will get you!). But here
the river runs right by us, and there is a big tree and an open bank where I can take my chair in the morning.
There is a path near that people use and I am required to greet them, but in the morning traffice is pretty low.
I enjoy going down by the riverside and laying down my burdens. The new place has some new children
whom I am trying to get to know, and also not run me down. If you give them license the children, sweet as they
are, will use the white guy like a candy machine, just do and get what they want. Our house could end up a zoo.
But I would like the place to be a shelter in the stormy lives of the youth around

The Rollerskate

Poverty is sort of an ambiguous thing here in Benin. By stastics clearly Benin is one of the poorest countries
in Africa. But it doesn't get much coverage world wide as such since there aren't really any famines, wars, pestilences,
and other such unfortunate happenings. There are poor people all around, but there are rich too. Many people simply
just do not know how to plan their lives. They may have millions of francs at the bank, but are afraid to use it lest
it be wasted, and meanwhile they suffer. A friend of mine told me that you ask for all the poor in a quarter to come to
recieve some handout be it food or clothes, the prefecture or government official will be the first on their, though he is
one of the richest. Many people simply claim poverty. Others do not plan their families and keep producing children
without the means to support them and they in a way willingly plunge into poverty. Whatever the case we do what
we can to help those around us, although jealously is killer. Help one family and all the neighbors will be down your back
wondering why you did not help them. But that's another topic.
Yet despite the misgivings on who is really poor, it is still a sad sight to see all the children suffer. I was really
moved the today (June 2) as I saw this little girl rolling on a rolling skate down the dirt path. The fact that
she had only one and that back was torn off was not all that got me. I recognized the roller skate, it was one of those
fisher price plastic kind, that I used as a kid. Where you would strap the thing onto your shoe and go skating.
I just realized how blessed I have been. Those roller skates probably got sold in a yard sale. And maybe eventually
some other child in Africa is playing with one or both of them. For this little girl that was all she needed. How much
can I give really? Desire of Ages chapter 9 talks about Jesus growing years, how sometimes He even went without
a meal to share it someone who had none. Ministry of Healing page 87 says that "it was Heaven to be in His presence." Even
with all those burdens and struggles! I know that in one day I won't solve all my issues, that I won't become the completely selfless
person I so dream of being, but as each day comes around I pray to God to become more and more like Him, God is love.
P.S. About the child next door with Pale Face Phobia, he is getting much better, even comes in our house to play, although
he still won't venture too near Manny, maybe it's the beard, makes him look a little I don't know, scarry? Or perhaps the child
has never seen black hair on pale skin, who knows.

More About Rain

A few weeks ago, if I do recall, I talked about rain. How little rain it took
to really get things green. Well the opposite is happening, without a little rain
things are turning brown and dry season is supposed to done. Normally it seems
that rain should be coming at least two or three times a week and mightily but right
now there is maybe a sprinkling once or twice a week! While it does take a little rain
to get grass growing some things take a lot of rain. The crops that people have already
planted will soon be goners if rain does not come. That's not good at all. People here
don't just make money off their harvests they eat it, it is the food they need to grow
which they cannot buy. I thought about that a little spiritually. I said some
things take a little rain, how God blesses us in little ways all the time. How He is very near.
This is true, but it is also true that Devil has caused a lot of dryness in hearts. That
as I see all around me people are steeped in their religions, TV's, their idols,
and all. That it is taking a lot of rain to change their hearts. What I am glad for though
is that God is the rain maker! As we light bearers are faithful He will rain in hearts, and
eventually will reign in their lives! Awesome. Now also I'll say pray for some real watery rain
here, the crops are in jeorpordy. But also pray for rain in hearts! Thanks.

The Drunk Dilemma

An almost amusing, but also sad challenge here has been dealing with drunk people. Unfortunatley
alcohol is a common part of like here, and since people know how to make their own beverage called
Chook-Chook people can be drunk all the time. All throughout the village you'll see little cabaret's or
bars where people go to get their fill. A market in any town will have the section where all the little bars are
for drinking. Some men and women too just go from bar to bar, drunk all day. It is quite sad. You can
very easily tell when someone is not all there. But I just do not want to offend people so sometimes
I get stuck discussing with people that have no idea probably where they even are. Today was a class example.
I passed by a house where the front entrance has benches and has become a small bar. A man called me, he
said he'd seen me walk by earlier and so now wanted to speak with me. After a minute I could tell
he was not at his height of intelligence, not only from his breath, but his demeanor. A drunk, as I used
to believe, is not just a person sloppily dressed, and loud and such. This guy was nicely dressed and
said he was even a director of a private school in town, could be true, so many people even well educated
drink their brains out! He asked what I do, I told him I was a volunteer with the Adventist church,
he asked me if I was really sure that I was, several times even he asked. I declared yes. After this
point it went downhill, he started boasting about his superiority in Bible knowledge, and that he had
every diploma a man could earn, etc. The girl that was sitting on a bench opposite us, told me that I should
just leave, but she did so silently just moving her lips, so as not to disturb the guy. I knew too it was time
to go. When I tried to explain the second coming and he got confused and said I was lying, I knew I
should go, I stood up and shook hands, another boy (they are the people that live there), said quietly that
it was the drink that made him like that. I left. I really do try to treat even drunk people with respect, but
I tend to forget that they forget everything. I get worried that if they see me later they will remember
that I left the conversation without finishing, refused to drink with them, etc. But from experience (like Fidard)
they never remember! So I can be polite but to sit and talk is a waste of time. I am learning here so
much of what is to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Wise to know when someone is
mentally stable enough to actually listen and speak, and harmless to treat them with respect even
though I may fulfill there wants for me to stay and argue with them!

Culture Study Progress

Our main project right now is the culture study, it has been going very well. We now have a running
schedule and thus know when this or that must be finished in order to complete on time. It is enjoyable
but taxing at the same time. I enjoy hearing stories from the older people, traveling to villages (which
we have to do more of soon for collecting info), and such. But finding contacts and getting info is the
challenge. Some people just will not open up unless they are good friends with you or if you are an insider.
Also asking the right question is key, people have lots to say, but sometimes it is not exactly the topic
we are looking for you. Please pray for us as we do all the collecting and gathering, and writing as well.

To the farm and the falls we go

This past week Manny and I headed up to the farm. Certainly not quite like a farm I am
used to, no big red barns, or hay rides and so on. But a farm nonetheless. There is a family from
the US, who live about an hour's drive north of us here in Nati. They are with an organization
called Ministry of Jesus. They currently are leading and developing an agricultural and Bible
school. It is a nice 100 acre place. Their names are Matt and Sarah and they have three
wonderful little children, two sons, 7 and 5, and a daughter around 2, I think, Riley, Duncan,
and Bridgette. It was a real nice break to be up there, enjoy the quiet and tranquility. We also
had a project we wanted to do. After seeing pics from our initiation Matt was really
impressed and wanted to set up a more permanent course at the farm that he could use
for the students that come throught the school. We also then could use it for our initiations, since
it will be set up all the time and on private property. So we set out and in the end our dreaming
ended up very big! We are going to try to some low ropes elements, and maybe a big zipline, as
well some other challenges like a rope swing, rope web, and trust fall. Lots of fun. We marked it all
out and sometime this month I'll go up again to work out more details. They have one half of the farm
dedicated to animals, cows, chickens, goats, etc. and the other half for crops, rice, corn, wheat, etc.
We are setting up most of our things on the cow side, it their pasture, it's not open pastur as you might
be imagining, but loose forest. After a few days there Uli, Suzy, and Toussaint came up and we all went
to the waterfalls another hour's drive north, call Tanagou falls (pronounced Tan-a-goo). It is really nice
and we glad to be there. There are three falls, but the last is the biggest, with a huge pool for swimming
and some places to jump, not too high, but fun! We had lots of fun climbing, swimming, jumping, and
just sitting about.

Plans and steps

A man's heart plans his way, but Jehovah directs his steps.
Proverbs 16.9 (MKJV)

As I have mentioned, there are not many regular days here in Africa!
And I hope there is not for you either, a regular old day can be boring.
To me even if there is nothing particularly "exciting" a day serving Christ
is full of fun, adventure, challenge. Well then there are days that are exceptions,
like Sunday (that would be May 24).
It was a pretty rough morning. I awoke early (also going to bed a little early
to compensate), well that is my alarm went off and I turned it off early and struggled
in bed for some minutes, and then awoke, needless to say though it was still early.
There was a workbee at the church, and though our hoe has gone missing I thought
I would go up to see what I could do to help. I madguiddance e breakfast, had morning devotions
and then went up on a motorcycle taxi, since I was a bit muchly late. The youth were mostly
present and working away. Some of the young guys in the church have been recently made
deacons, and they were there to help. The bee was for everyone, but especially the deacons
and deaconesses. Unfortunately the deacons held up, but the deaconesses were a bit of a
no show (that is until an hour and half after the work started). Pathfinders started nicely,
we did our opening 8 points, and then went on to some discussions on the future.
We had a bit of issues on how we were to run things. Some of them have been in Pathfinders
for a number of years but in the past there was not a solid program and no record of what requirements
for any classes. There were some different ideas on how things should be done, and
well it was a bit frustrating, they all had good points to make, but to organize all the requests together
is a challenge. With the younger kids we were washing the "A" or formal parade uniforms.
I have tried to get the uniforms very organized, but it has seemed to constantly end up
short. So hopefully with the boxes that are now set up everyone will have their clothes permanently.
After all this I was pretty tired. I went home, but also stopped by a friends house to say hi,
he was up high in a tree bring down mangoes. We chatted a few minutes. I got home and made lunch
and after some rest decided to head up to look at some homes to rent. We have been trying
to get our landlord to fix our roof, but it has bee difficult, the repairs are pretty major, and
if it is not done soon rainy season will be upon us! So we are looking at other options should
we have to move. I was told of some places up in the higher parts of Nati. Nati is very long
and narrow since it is situated in a long valley, so from the main highway it does not take
long for one to start climbing up the side of the valley. In the eight plus months I have been here
this was section I had not visited and it was really nice. The other side of the valley is too steep to build homes, so the
houses end at the commencement of the incline, but here the slope is gentler and all of sudden the town became
peaceful. There was little noise, the sky was blue, without asking God really refreshed me! I never really found
the house, but the walk was real nice. I thought of a name maybe "Cloud City", like the Jetsons living up there in
the atmosphere. It was pretty neat-o. I was sad to come down actually.
On the way back home I stopped by Fidard's house. He was not there but as I left he was coming, so I went back with
him to the house. We talked. He showed me this movie he had watched about a corrupt priest in Rome. He said
afterwards he is questioning life, is there really nothing after the grave. He always believed that the soul
goes to Heaven, but this movie seemed different. I explained to him about the Biblical concept on death, and also
that you cannot believe movies, though it may be a true story, that doesn't mean it present absolute truth!
It was just a perfect opportunity I asked him if he wanted to study the Bible more. He was very happy about that.
He went on to tell me about the problems he has had the last few weeks, how he cannot sleep at night because he
feels a heavy presence on his chest, and even during the day sometimes he is feels heavy and cannot move. Only by
prayer does it go away. I told him about the spiritual conflict we are in. He has done much to leave all the fetish things
behind, but I thought I would ask him if there was anything still in the home that might be a connection
from his father's past to the fetish, and he should me the altar. The tv cabinet has always been up on stools, but is
because in the corner of the living room, behind a big flat calender is a bunch of little stones, each one placed
to represent someone's death, and his father would often pray to the little stones for help. Since his father's death,
Fidard has had nothing to do with them, but has known what to do. I suggested we get rid of it. He agreed. So we set
a time for the next day. (We did not do the getting rid of because I talked with Suzy and she amply pointed out that
we would sweeping the house clean for perhaps worse spirits since Fidard, has really not commited all his life to Jesus,
ie he still prays to the virgin Mary, does confessions, things pretty similiar to fetishes, thus I talked to him that we
should study first and when he understands and accepts we can get rid of those things, but of course we can pray for
the mean time). I went home wondering how the whole day happened. I had not planned having a challenging pathfinder
meeting, being refreshed up in Cloud City, meeting Fidard and starting Bible studies, but somehow as I had commited
that day to God he had simply lead each step! And to top it all off, when I visited Suzy that evening she had made
cinnamen (that's not spelt write is it?)rolls, a real treat.