~ Marty Koonce ~

This last weekend we celebrated the change in a people that only Christ can bring as the Watchi gathered together for a weekend of praise, prayer, and study. I cannot imagine that anyone could help but be deeply moved and encouraged from the time together with so many fellow believers.

Murphy and I went out early on Thursday to meet with the leaders prior to everyone else's arrival. It was one of the last leadership meetings we missionaries will guide as the other leaders will continue to assume greater responsibilities. Murphy did a great job encouraging them to take care of the organizational details needed to function well and also in facilitating the selection of regional and conference organizational committees. I was left to encourage them on approaching the work with a balanced perspective in planting healthy churches having been aided greatly by a handout prepared by Jeff Holland prior to his departure to the states.

There were many highlights for me throughout the weekend. It was great spending time working with Murphy and talking together on the road as we walked back and forth from the conference to Simon's compound in Nyinoume where we had pitched the tent. It was incredible the peace God brought to my heart about doing a work that will stand for all of eternity as generations upon generations are brought into a relationship with God. I was also encouraged by all of the unity and love expressed among the Christians from all the different villages as they build friendships that will stand. I guess, though, that our walk home from the conference ranked up there because for the nine miles we were accompanied by Tucker and as each van, motorcycle, and bicycle passed by heading home from the conference we were encouraged that the work we are doing will continue on beyond us.

2006 Watchi All-Church Conference

2006 Watchi All-Church Conference


2006 Watchi All-Church Conference


2006 Watchi All-Church Conference


Children's Worship @ the Conference


Esi (left) with her mother and little brother Giyom. Pray that the Lord would completely heal her.

~ Louise Koonce ~

~ Murphy Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog

Today we ask you to pray for our new teachers Amy Shaffer and Emily Dunnagan as they travel from America to Ghana. Their plane is scheduled to arrive this evening (Wednesday) and then tomorrow they will make their final trip to Togo. The Koonces are going to pick them up in Accra and bring them home. Ask the Lord of heaven and earth to protect them and keep them safe as they travel. Join us in praising him for providing these two wonderful young ladies to minister to our children and families over the next nine months. We are also very thankful to the numerous churches and individuals who give so generously to provide a good education for our children as we minister to the Watchi people.

The all-church conference this past weekend was incredible! We began by two days of spiritual preparation in prayer asking God to bless the churches and Christians as they prepare to come to the meeting. We heard several stories of how people had decided that they would not be able to come to the meeting but then God provided a way for them to come in answer to our prayers. It is also exciting to see the leadership getting more and more comfortable in their roles on a church, cluster and movement-wide level. We praise God for raising up faithful men to lead the Christward movement among the Watchi forward into the coming years. God is indeed working powerfully among the Watchi.

We also praise God and that Dave and Becky Reeves' car is now out of the port and sitting in my garage. I spent a few days the last couple of weeks in Lomé making the final arrangements and yesterday we were able to bring the car home from Lomé. The Reeves still have some funds to raise to finish paying the Togo fees so pray that God will provide so that they can have complete closure on this new vehicle.

Please continue to pray for the young woman named Esi, that God would heal her headaches and restore her health. She has a bad sinus infection which is causing the swelling on her brain. We also ask you to pray for the village of Batoe as they evangelize a nearby village called Lakata. Pray that God would use them to mightily proclaim the good news of Jesus and to save the lost. Continue asking God to pour out his mercy upon this nation, to wipe away their sins of idol worship and to give them new lives in Jesus.

~ Christine Crowson ~

~ Anthony and Maureen Parker ~ Anthony's Blog ~ Maureen's Blog

We are excited because, for the first time in over three months, we are no longer living out of suitcases. Saturday, July 29, we moved into our apartment and we are happy to finally have a place to call home, even though it is temporary (as are all our dwelling places here on earth). We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from local Christians representing four local congregations—Homewood (our home church), Riverchase, Disciples’ Fellowship, and Morris. We have been loaned and given furniture to fill the apartment, and Homewood hosted a housewarming shower for us. We were abundantly blessed with many household items. We have met a few people in our apartment complex and hope to get to know more. A Chinese neighbor took Maureen to a Chinese grocery store where she was able to stock up on some “essential” items that aren’t available everywhere.

We also made the decision this week to go ahead and enroll Jeremy in the public school here in Vestavia. We had planned on homeschooling, but he really wanted to go to school with other children and we decided that he will learn better in that environment. School starts Friday, Aug. 11, and with one car in the family, will require juggling our schedules.

Thanks for all of your prayers as we continue in this stage of transition. We know God will lead us into a healthy and fruitful ministry. In the meantime, Anthony is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to serve and interact with the staff at Homewood.