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Tabligbo Elders praying for the Hollands
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Jeff teaching @ Tabligbo |
May 27
This week stated off with worship in Nyinoume. Four congregations of the cluster had to gather under a tree as the Nyinoume church house had collapsed in recent storms. Rebecca took advantage of the situation to tromp through the mud. The singing and worship was wonderful and Jeff encouraged the churches to remain faithful even during trials. Later, as the fellowship meal they had prepared in our honor was finishing up, Rebecca decided to go swimming in a nearby mud puddle. There are some aspects of worship in Togo we will miss. And there are other we won't!
We will move to the Koonce house on Monday as we close up our house in the next few days. We have some items to deliver to people. We sold some of the large items and are giving away most of our remaining clothes, dishes, and other things. As our time of departure draws closer, people continue to come over to say goodbye. The women cry. The men chuckle about the past and make sure they don't tear up. Some things transcend cultural boundaries. One thing that is different than American culture is the type of gifts given. West Africa is known for its bright cotton prints. Brenda has received a number of dresses and some beautiful material. Jeff and Josiah now have some new shirts. And the girls have received new clothes as well. It is quite humbling to receive such wonderful gifts from people who are so poor. We praise God for the love and friendship we have found in Togo.
June 3
What a week. We started with our final goodbye Sunday with the church in our town. It was a wonderful time. Jeff has been preaching from Psalms 92 about being palm trees in the house of the Lord. He has given a palm tree to the churches each Sunday and asked them to plant them and take care of them so that they grow and bear fruit. He also encourages the leaders to nurture their churches so that each congregation matures and bears fruit. After the sermon, the church had songs and skits and presentations of gifts. Finally everyone sat down for a meal. It was a good way to say goodbye.
On Monday, we got everything out of the house. Things we had borrowed for the last couple of months were returned to their owners. Because it was our last day in our house, many people wanted to come by and say goodbye. This helped us because we were able to give away anything we were not going to take back to America. We gave away toys, dishes, pots and pans, rugs, clothes, and a host of other things. It was fun to bless others as we have been so richly blessed.
We were blessed this week to stay with the Koonces. While living there, we finalized all of the paying of our bills and took care of other formalities associated with our move on Tuesday through Thursday. Then on Friday, some 30 people came by for final farewells. What a blessing to leave with fond memories. Our plane leaves Togo on Tuesday night. Pray for us as we will travel for more than 24 hours straight--with a 1 and 2 year-old. We arrive in Dallas on Wednesday and will spend a few days with Jeff's parents in Denison, TX. On Sunday, we will see our sponsoring congregation in Tyler and another supporting church at Holly Lake Ranch. Josiah starts Bible camp that day as well. The rest of that week will be spent in Tyler. We look forward to celebrating the oversight of our work by the West Erwin congregation on June 18th. If you are interested in coming, please contact us for more information.
As we make this huge transition, we want to thank you for your love, support, and prayers. Please keep us in your prayers in coming months. If you want a copy of our farewell video, please send us an email and we'll be sure to get you one. God bless, The Hollands--Jeff, Brenda, Josiah, Ellianna, and Rebecca
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The Holland's last day with the Tabligbo church
Jeff teaching from Psalm 92
Jeff planting a tree with the Tabligbo Elders
Marty, Louise, Trevor and Josiah on their way home from church
It's Stephen's Birthday, but Matthew got to open some presents too!
A little car trouble in Batoe
Murphy's Dad with the Kpeve elders
Jeremy and Jonathan on the cable car ride over Sinagapore's harbor
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May 27
Our apologies for missing last week's edition. From the e-mails we got, it may have been a concern for some. We are well, just busy and a little forgetful.
This week our house is a-buzz with home repairs. We are anjoying the excuse of visitors to get some Spring cleaning done. Of course, the work is a little slow due to the rains. Please pray that God will send enough rain, but also enough sunshine to complete the process.
Louise's sister and niece have had a safe arrival in Ghana. They will spend the next week with students from Maegan's school doing food relief work and VBS programs for schools and orphanages. It is very difficult to let them be so close and not see them yet. We will go to Ghana to get them and bring them to Togo for a week on the 3rd of June.
The boys have been enjoying as much play time with Josiah as they can get. One afternoon this week they played badminton, croquet and bachi, a rather international grouping of yard sports.
The Atitogon churches are doing well. Hundzo has been approached by a relief organization to start a larger school in their area. Please pray for wisdom in this venture. Boy (that is the man's actual name) of Ahepe has been evangelizing in a nearby village and one man is ready to be baptized and hopes to help plant a church in that village. This gives us great hope for the Ahepe church that all the prayers and encouragement have not been in vain. The Vogan situation seems better, but then again if people aren't being truthful then you really can't tell. On the surface there seems to be a desire for unity and peace, but there are still undercurrents of manipulation and deceit. Pray for hidden agendas to be exposed along with those who are seeking division.
Tabligbo had a great day of fasting today with twenty-five members coming. The church is begining to follow their elders in the spiritual direction they are leading them. Do continue to pray for them to evangelize locally. They desparately need the encouragement that comes from growth. Continue to pray for those on the sleeping list (formally the weak list): Afakomi Kope, Topeglo, Amouzouglita, Hompou, and Topeglo. Pray for evangelism in Ahepe and in Nutifafa Kome. God bless you for your faithful love. The Koonces
June 3
The Koonces went to Accra Friday to pick up Louise's sister and niece. They will return to Togo today (Saturday). |
May 27
We have enjoyed another week visiting in Singapore, and will be leaving early Wednesday morning for our flight to the U.S. Please pray for safety and especially that Maureen's immigration into the U.S. will go smoothly.
After a 20 1/2 hour trip from Singapore (including a stop in Hong Kong), we plan to spend a night in Chicago before arriving in Birmingham at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning (June 1).
We continue to be spoiled by friendship and hospitality. This week we enjoyed visiting the Citivision church where Anthony spoke on Sunday. We visited a fascinating wetlands area with Edwin Choy in one of Singapore's few undeveloped areas. We visited the Night Safari, a unique aspect of Singapore's world-class zoo, with Maureen's parents, and were treated with a visit to the leisure activities on Sentosa island, as well as an amazing international buffet with friende at the Marina Mandarin hotel.
June 3
We had a good final week in Singapore and arrived in the States Wednesday night. The flight was looong, but we had no problems along the way. We praise God that Maureen's immigration process went smoothly. After a night in Chicago, we flew into Birmingham Thursday morning. Three of our bags had to come on a later flight but the airline delivered them that evening. What a contrast to Africa and multiple trips to the airport to reclaim missing luggage!
We are excited about attending the "Parker Pig Out" (family reunion) this weekend. We'll be with Anthony's parents this week. Please feel free to get in touch through email or at 256-757-2871.
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May 27
My parents, Marvin and Judith Crowson, arrived this week for a one month visit. We are thrilled to have them here! After our return from Accra and a couple days of rest, dad and I began our teaching series with the leaders that I'm working with. We will have two special lessons with each of the elderships while my dad is here. The first lesson focuses on leadership styles and how the elders can work with each other to pray, plan and help their churches grow and mature in their faith and service to Jesus. The second lesson will focus on leadership characteristics that they need for people to trust them and follow them. We've had a great time already with several elderships and the leaders are enjoying learning new skills.
June 3
This week we celebrated Stephen's eighth birthday! It's hard to believe that our little baby boy is now eight years old!!! My, how time passes quickly. We had a fun "Science" birthday party complete with a new microscope and science experiments. The boys even got to make their own blubber.
The Hollands just drove away from our house on their way to Lome for the next few days before they leave to return to the States. Their departure along with the Parker's departure has left our hearts sad and lonely. We pray all of God's blessings upon them as they transition into new ministries and service in the Kingdom. We are thankful to have had the honor to serve by their side. Mawu na yra wo! (May God bless them!)
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