Our family is doing well. We ask you to pray for Brenda’s sister Glenda who is traveling to Togo next week. Please pray for her safety and a sweet reunion. In the next few weeks we will be packing. Our container will leave at the end of March. Just one more month! Then we will have a few more weeks to wrap up our work and say our final goodbyes.

We also had the privilege of hosting the Neal family, of the Kabiye team, for a couple of nights before their departure. Their family will be missed in Togo, but we wish them a bounty of blessings in their new role as director at Camp Deer Run.

The men's conference has had an effect on many of the men around the area.
They are still discussing the lessons among themselves and we are encouraged by the growth we see in them. Please continue to pray for the churches of Atitogon, Adakonu Kope, Togbonu Kope, Amuzuglita Kope, Vogan, Tabligbo and Afakomi Kope. We were especially encouraged last Sunday with the group of Christians at Afakomi Kope. Although the are still young and there are no strong leaders, there were over 20 children at the service. We have been encouraging one of the ladies to take a role of teaching them, so after the adult service was finished, this lady kept all of the children in the building for a singing lesson. It was delightful to drive away as they sang "Yesu Lon Mi"Jesus loves us!

We’re excited as we prepare to welcome Tod Vogt, along with his mother and his daughter, Hannah, who will be flying into Lome tonight (Saturday). The Vogts will spend most of their time in Benin, where Anthony will join them as we visit the area where he and Tod worked together. We’re looking forward to a good week of reminiscing about the past and dreaming about the future.

Anthony has continued working on leadership materials and clearing out his office. After the Vogts’ visit, we’ll begin packing in earnest. Though we do not leave Togo until early May, our “stuff” will be shipped out near the end of March, as we combine shipments with the Hollands and the Neals, who are leaving northern Togo. The Neals came through Tabligbo this week on their way out of Togo. We enjoyed visiting with them at the Koonces’ and at lunch in our home. Don will be the new director of Camp Deer Run in East Texas.

We had a little disappointment this week as a potential buyer for our vehicle fell through. We invite your prayers that we will be able to sell out car for a fair price, as well as for the granting of an immigrant visa to the U.S. for Maureen. We have also had some phone interviews for possible ministry roles in the States. Please pray that God will lead us to where we can be most fruitful in his service.

Anthony has written a piece on his blog about “Living Among the Pagans.” This week he was invited to a baby dedication for a neighbor. We’ve witnessed several of these by Christians, and were expecting to see something similar. Instead, though he was assured that there was no voodoo or “gris gris” involved, he witnessed our neighbors pouring out libations and offering prayers to their ancestors. Please continue to pray for the spiritual freedom of the Watchi people.

Wednesday was a fun day for my class. We had Mary Claire from the Kara team join our class. She brought a lot of sunshine to the group of boys (it wasn't just the hair either.....long, blond, and beautiful). With her sweet, cheerful, outgoing, and pleasant personality we were all taken by her. I hadn't realized how strong the presence of a girl can be!!!! Us girlies have POWER!! :)

The rest of the week has been a lot of fun. I just can't help but miss these boys already. I know I still have 10 weeks left but I do not want to forget a smile, a laugh, a story, an annoying habit, or seeing their face light up when having done something good. These group of children (all of them) has made my stay here to be so enjoyable. There is never a dull moment.
Sometimes I would like for there to be, but it's the flavoring in the cake. That's what makes them so alive and wanting more of their time. That is what I have to keep telling myself every time I feel tired and wanting alone time. Someday I will not be able to be blessed by their unreplaceable presence.

The weather is still as you would imagine.......HOT Africa!! Sometimes I try to tell myself that I am on top of the Colorado Mountains about to ski down the snowy slopes with the coldness of the ice on my face due to the fact that I have fallen like 70 times. Ask me if it works?? Surprisingly......NO. It doesn't hurt to try.

Thank you for your support, prayers, love, and for just being in my life. I will forever be blest by each and every one of you (especially the ones I haven't even met...and you still take interest in my life). May God continue to be with you and bless you with the desires of your heart. With all my love.....

I have had so much fun with my class this week--and can't tell you how precious these boys are growing in my heart. The amount of personality in our room is just off the record--those of you who know Tucker, Taylor, and Josiah know what I mean! And the preschoolers add even more variety and energy! It is a blast to teach them, to know them, and it saddens me that my time with them is coming so quickly to an end. I pray that I will know these families always . . . that our paths in the years to come will be in frequent crossings.

At our women's meeting this week, we talked through all the changes that will be taking place over the next couple of months, and I was hit once again with the reality that in a little more than two months, my life will return to--relative--normalcy. But for the Hollands, Parkers, Crowsons, and Koonces, everything they've known for the past so many years will change.
Their faith in stepping out and receiving this new season God is bringing them into challenges me, and inspires me. To be so flexible and open to the will of God, no matter what it is--this is my prayer!

For now, I'm just waiting for God to reveal where He would have me when I return, grateful in many ways that I don't know. Perhaps if I did, I wouldn't be able to enjoy so fully where I am right now. That is just the wisdom of God working for our very best! I love you all, am grateful to God for you, and pray His blessings and grace upon you.