~ Jeff and Brenda Holland ~ |
Click pictures for larger view!
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Brenda and Jeff have been busy closing out the teacher's house and school and office, seeing visitors who come to say goodbye, and preparing for our departure. As far as the work goes, the Amengran church started worship services a couple of weeks ago in addition to the Bible study they have been having each week. The Sunday attendance has been 25 each week and people seem to be very interested in fully following Jesus and forming a strong group of believers. Pray for the church planting in Gbleta. The weekly Bible study is well attended, but individuals are inconsistent. This has made it difficult to bring about good conversions and form a group into believers.
Also pray for Nyinoume. They were caught in a land dispute. The authorities have sided with the church, but the matter was referred to the courts. Instead of going through a long and costly legal process, the church has decided to move to another property. Pray for them as they have already lost a lot of money on this and will have to start from scratch in constructing a new building. Many have been praying for the VoAsso church. Not only had they suffered from division, their church house had been burned down by an arsonist. On Sunday, we saw the church and what is left of the building. The congregation is recovering from the division and reconciliation may be in sight. The Dagbati church elders, just a few kilometers down the road have initiated a collection drive among the Watchi churches to help the congregation rebuild. One group of churches sent a gift even before the collection drive was started. In the midst of adversity, God continues to plant seeds of hope.
Over the next three Sundays, our family will be saying our goodbyes in the clusters of churches we have worked with most closely. This will be a bittersweet time as we leave but rejoice with the many congregations and many believers we have ministered with since their inceptions.
This week has been the beginning of summer break for Josiah. He has enjoyed having time to read and play more with his friends. He is also gearing up for his last karate belt test and big baseball game with the neighborhood kids. All of this seems to have helped his stress and anxiety. The girls are glad it is the hot season. They have a little blow-up pool that they go to all of the time--often in their clothes! |
Josiah at the Dagabti Reservoir. Dry for only the 2nd time in 12 years. Pray for rain.
The charred remains of the VoAsso church house.
Enyona and her family
Mark Berry with the Crowson family during his visit last month. Mark was instrumental in the Crowson's decision to serve God in Africa.
Swimming @ Jeremy's 8th Birthday Party before they left last week. |
~ Murphy and Christine Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog |
We had a safe trip back to Togo this past Tuesday. We decided to wait a couple of weeks before we redo our fingerprints for the China adoption. We are praying fervently that the Lord would move His Mighty Hand so that our fingerprints will be found, sent to the right place, processed, and approved before May 22. Please join us in prayer earnestly seeking God's blessing on this next and very important step in our adoption.
Wednesday I had a good meeting with the Kpeve elders on discipling new leaders within their church. We had to quit early because of a heavy rain. The Kpeve road is really bad this time of year due to the rains. At one point the car almost slid into a four foot deep hole. Because of the rain I did not get to visit Enyona to ask about her foot. I did hear through the Kpeve Christians that her wound is doing much better.
Friday, after my meeting with the Kpotonou leaders, I was able to drop by and see Giyom. God has totally healed this child in answer to so many prayers! His parents are so excited and thankful to the Lord! Thank you for lifting this precious child up to His Heavenly Father in prayer.
Please continue to pray for a great harvest among the Watchi. As the missionaries decrease in number the prayers need to increase in urgency and in abundance that the Lord would continue to raise up Godly men and women to stand for Jesus and shine His light in the darkness. Let us pray! |
~ Marty and Louise Koonce ~ |
The Koonce boys have swung into the freedom of summer. They were thinking it was going to be easy sailing for a while until Mom and Dad realized what was going on. Then the work was piled on. Monday was spent painting the jungle gym. Thursday and Friday were spent breaking down some concrete walls. In addition to this they have been going to Eve language school with dad every morning. Don't worry too much for them, they'll get plenty of time to do the normal summer boy things too, like mow the lawn, etc...
Our baseball season is wrapping up with three practices and the big exhibition game to go which will be played on the afternoon of the 21st. Louise has been working hard getting the house ready for the summer visitors which include her sister Gloria and our niece Maegan. They will be coming for a week in June. Please pray for their preparations.
For Marty it seem that he has moved into a period of reconciliation ministry for existing churches. This has mostly been in Tabligbo and Vogan but he stands amazed weekly as to how the Holy Spirit leads us in what to teach and how to counsel. Vogan's meetings seem to be going well and this last week was spent mostly in prayer, which was a huge blessing and will bear fruit.
In Atitogon they ask for prayers that testifying for Christ become a daily habit for every Christian among them. In Tabligbo please pray that they will stay the course. In Ahepe please pray for the leaders to step out and be finishers when it comes to evangelism. Thank you so much for your prayers. We love you too. The Koonces |
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Maureen and the boys in front of Notre Dame in Paris, France. |
The Parker family in front of the Eiffle Tower in Paris, France. |
| The Parkers are in Singapore enjoying time with Maureen's family. Drop them a note of encouragement this week and continue to pray for their transition to the States. |
~ Stacey Sexton ~ |
| We heard from Stacey this week that she had a safe trip home and is spending some time with her sister in Dallas. We are so thankful for her service to our families and pray all of God's blessings upon her. Ask the Lord to continue to give her wisdom and opporunities to serve in the Kingdom. |
~ Jenna Stephens ~ |
| We also heard from Jenna this week that she had a safe trip home and was even able to be there for the birth of her sister's baby. This was a huge answer to prayer! We praise God for Jenna and her hard work and service to our families and ministry among the WAtchi. Pray that God will bless her and continue to guide her. |
