The guys in our family had an awesome time together with the other dad and sons on the team (along with a few female tag-alongs), as we all camped for two nights at the Penjari game park in northern Benin. When Anthony camped at the park last year, there were guards posted, a small generator for lights at night, and even workers to bring water from the river for washing. This year there was none of that, only a pile of elephant dung in the middle of the area where we pitched our tents. Thanks to Marty’s planning, however, we had come well prepared with plenty of water, food, and gas lanterns, so we made it just fine. We knew we were off to a good start when we drove up to the first watering hole in the park and were immediately treated to see a large group of elephants bathing and drinking. We eventually saw most of the other animals in the park but, this time, no lions.

While the boys were away, Maureen, with the help of the other women, made a lot of progress packing up our household effects to ship back to the States. Anthony returned and finally—after about three years of work—completed the editing of the Train & Multiply leadership materials in Ewe. We pray that these will be a blessing to the Watchi churches for many years to come.

On Tuesday, Maureen and Anthony drove down to Lomé and picked up her U.S. immigrant visa. We finally have it in hand! Please keep praying about the sale of our vehicle.

Our other big event of the week was the Taekwando testing for the boys on the team who are participating. Jeremy was happy to receive his blue belt and we were very proud of him, along with all the others on the team who have worked hard at this.

Yep.....you are going to hear my side of the story! The adventure in the depths of the wild or as Marty puts it, 'God's Zoo'. The game park was absolutely wonderful. I don't know what I liked best; the animals, the hunt, sleeping in tents knowing that God is the one that is protecting us from the meat eating animals, following Glenda around everywhere (she had the eyes for the animals), or eating over a fire listening to the children make up scary stories (Josiah...trying to be sly by using a Scooby Doo story). It was all so enjoyable and by far the best camping experience I have ever had.

I can't even explain the thrill of it all. All those who have ever been know what I am talking about. Seeing animals up close with out a controller in one hand and stretched out on a fluffy couch made everything so real. Part of the time I sat on top of a trunk tied down by a bungee cord on the top of the vehicle. Only gripping onto the lid of the trunk with every bump in the road brought more thrills to the trip. I felt like I was on top of the world just hanging on knowing that any small sudden move could leave me buried in the ground.

I have learned so much......so much of God's personality and power through this journey. Everything is so real. The sky, the clouds, the land, the creatures of the land, and the gentle touch of the wind. The more I reach out to God the more my eyes are opened to him through nature. I can't help but be amazed. It's just one of those breathtaking times. You know the kinds. When a child looks at you a certain way and has made your world stop for about 10 seconds or when God blesses you with a sky full of colors and you could stand there all day gazing upon it's beauty.......time being paused for a few seconds. It's like God had shut out all things of this world out of my mind for how ever long he captured my eyes and heart with his beauty.

Well....I had to share with you what touched my heart and what made my week so wonderful. If anyone has time on their hands...I think you should go camping or take a little adventure in nature. It is so refreshing.

I of course couldn't end this with out saying something about the elephants.

I will only say one thing.........they're bigger in real life!!!

I love you all SO much and thank you for your prayers. I am blest by you each and every day. Thank you for loving me and my love for you only gets bigger.....kind of like the size of an elephant (I know...I can be really cheesy). God bless you all.....

I think it is finally hitting me that in less than fifty days I'll be leaving here. I've been having these moments of, "No, wait, it can't be ending already." I asked the boys the other day what I was going to do without them . . . they thought I was funny when I told them I was going to cry every day this summer :) I know that many new and wonderful adventures, and many of the most important relationships in my life, are waiting for me back home, but this has really become home in so many ways . . . and so there's a certain sense of dread I have in leaving. Only God can reconcile my desire to be here and with my family, and I'm just trusting Him to do that.

Thank you for your prayers and for your love, both of which I desire greatly! I love you all with His love, and pray that you know this.

We praise God for the ten new Christians in the new Kpodede church! The Kpeve Christians who evangelized this region are so excited to see God using them to bear fruit and advance the Kingdom!

The safari camping trip was awesome! I keep asking myself why we didn't do that sooner! The boys had so much fun. Swimming at the base of a beautiful waterfal, camping in the "wild", seeing all kinds of animals and riding on the roof were all highlights of the trip. It even cooled off at night so much that we had to actually sleep inside our sleeping bags! Now that's COLD! Christine missed her boys, but took advantage of some peace and quiet and finished a Nutrition Dimension education course. Be sure to check out the new Pendjari Game Park slide show on our website: http://watchiharvest.com .

I visited Kodzo today. He's recovering well in the hospital from his hernia surgery yesterday (Friday). He and his wife were praising God for the surgery's success. He had had this hernia for over five years! What a relief to have that burden taken care of.

Also, please pray for a young woman named Enyona (E-n-yo-na). She's had a really bad tropical ulcer on her left ankle area for the last six months. With the advise of Dr. Farrar, I bought the necessary medicines and bandages and showed her how to wash and rebandage the wound. Let's pray that God will heal her quickly.

Please continue to pray for the Sendome church, that the Lord would raise up more couples who can be a strong support for the church as well as lead the others. Pray also that the Sendome/Batoe cluster can plant a new church this year.

Our most common question this week has been, "When can we go camping with the elephants and lions again Dad?" What a good time we did all have on our "Camping Furlough" as Trevor called it. Louise had a good time being home alone as well. Everyone needs a break now and again. We rejoice the news of a new church planted out in the Atitogon region (village name forthcoming). Vogan continues to need prayers for diligence among the new leaders. Ahepe and Tabligbo are beginning to understand that if you are going to try to lead your church forward you must be an example as a leader and if you want your members to be on fire about Christ then you better be as well. Pray for them in this. Continue to pray for the following churches on the "weak list": Afakomi Kope, Amouzouglita Kope, Atitogon, Hompou, Ahepe, and Tabligbo. They are all in need of renewal: new evangelism, new zeal for Bible study and prayer, as well renewed love for one another and wisdom for the leaders. God bless and thank you for your prayers.