~ Rachel Baker ~

As I write this, I just got through having a lot of excitement. It’s Monday afternoon and the electricity was just out for six hours. It’s mine and Emily’s day off and after both of us being sickly all weekend, we were looking forward to the day of relaxation… but Togo had a different idea! The fans finally came on though after a day filled with heat. But, as soon as I got my computer out, the power went out again. Just this week, Tucker said to Trevor, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” Guess I should’ve listened!

The best part of this past week has to be the day it rained! It’s been almost two weeks since our last good rain and we got a really good one on Thursday. It’s amazing how much the rain can really cool things off. Emily and I spent our entire afternoon after school camped out outside relaxing in our popason chairs! It was a great way to wind down after a hot day… just having our feet propped up, listening to the rain and reading a good book. It stayed cool for us for a good two to three hours.

It was another Saturday filled with tackle football. Luckily, the rain packed the dirt so the boys weren’t as dirty as they were last week. Sooner or later someone’s going to get hurt… but they know the rules – if they play tackle football willingly, there’s no tears or whining unless someone’s bleeding! They’re so funny to watch as even the smallest ones try to take down the bigger ones.

This upcoming weekend, Emily and I are headed to Pendjari (the game park up north) with Lauren and her parents. It’ll be a great vacation for the both of us that we have been looking forward to. Lauren’s parents have thankfully made it to Togo safely and we’re so excited to get the chance to spend some time with them as well. Pray for our safety as we travel this weekend!

~ Murphy and Christine Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog

From Murphy - This past Saturday I finished up four years of training with these two leaders from the Gbagu Kope church. Pictured left is Francois, myself and Nukunu. I gave them their "diplomas" (you can see the blue cup pictured in the far left) and encouraged them to pass on all of the teaching, mentoring, wisdom and encouraged that they have received from me in the last four years to other faithful men who will then pass their mentoring on to even more faithful men so that the chain of discipleship will continue until the Lord returns!

They asked me to pray for two families they are teaching in Agba Kope who want to become Christians. So, join me this week as we pray that God will bless these two men and their families as they serve Him in Gbagu Kope and that He would bless the two families in Agba Kope (A-gba Co-pay) with Life in Jesus.

After my training session last Friday in Kpotonou a young Christian man named Koku (co-ku) came to ask for advise concerning his marriage. (Koku is seated in the middle between Mawuko on the left and Kokuvito on the right). Seven years ago when Koku married Dodzi (doe-gee) he did not pay the bride price to her family as is the custom here (Around $200 plus various gifts).

Now, seven years and three children later, they're having some marrital trouble. It seems clear from her actions that she doesn't want to be married to him anymore (for unknown reasons at this point).

Recently they had a huge argument because she was staying out late "working" for a stranger who had come to their region to cut fire wood. This man is known for his "playing around" with women wherever he goes. Koku did not want his wife to work for him and told her so. She, however, refused to submit to his word and began carrying wood for this man anyway. Each night she came home later and later and Koku confronted her about it fearing that she was having an affair. She did not like being accused of adultery and left with two of their children and went back to her home village to be with her parents.

Koku, along with an elder and another church leader, went to see Dodzi in her home village. The two families (Koku's and Dodzi's) had a "judgement" which sided with Dodzi against Koku. Guess what? The bride price issue came back to the surface. Now her family is saying that she cannot return to be his wife again until he pays her full bride price. However, Dodzi has said that she doesn't want to be his wife any longer.

So, what should Koku do? We discussed all of this for over an hour and asked the Lord to bless Koku so that by some miracle his marriage can be saved. Pray this week for Koku and Dodzi, that the Lord would restore their marriage and increase their faith and trust in Jesus.

From Christine - This past week I met with the Sedome women and we began our lesson series on the Kingdom of Heaven. In the past I haven't felt like I connected really well with these women. They all understand Ewe but never speak it. They all speak Aja which I can understand but cannot speak well. I always felt I could connect better with their hearts if I could teach in Aja rather than Ewe. We had a great meeting though. Praise God for his mercy. The women seemed to really "get it" and asked some really good questions. We had a great prayer time afterwards too. Please continue to pray for these women. Pray that they will catch a passion for the Kingdom of God to come in every aspect of their lives.

On Sunday after worship, we had a family party for Matthew's webkinz (a toy cow) named Annabelle. When we logged his webkinz online, they assigned her a birthday. Matthew asked if we could have a party for her. It was great fun. All her friends came (all the other stuffed animals), she got lots of presents (the boys wrapped some of their toys in towels) and we had chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles (Matthew ate Annabelle's for her). I am so thankful for children and the fun they add to life.

~ Emily Dunnagan ~

This week has defiantly been HOT! The rain on Thursday afternoon was a much needed break for us and rain for the farmers. I just love a good rain storm! Drinking hot tea on our front porch during a rain storms is one of my favorite times in Tabligbo.

We finished another chapter in science this week. This chapter was on fruit, how it is dispersed, and how it is categorized. We created a board game on Thursday and then played on Friday to review the different fruit families (pictured left). The book suggested calling the game “Tootie Fruity” , but the boys said that sounded girly so Tanner came up with “Fleshy Weshy” since we had studied the Fleshy fruits. I do not remember ever studying this deeply before, and knowing that beans and grains are technically fruits.

This coming Friday we are headed up north to Kara and then on to Pendjari with Lauren and her parents. Rachel and I have laughed at ourselves for being almost more excited about staying at hotels with air conditioning than seeing animals. Air conditioned induced deep sleep sounds pretty fantastic right about now.

~ Marty and Louise Koonce ~ Blogs: Marty, Louise, 4T's

From Marty - As it is planting season, most of the small talk we engage in is related to farming and the weather. In almost every conversation, whether it be of the rains or tomatoes, corn, or cassava, eventually it takes a turn. As if to squash any potential hope for a good year, someone will say, “The land is dead.”

In II Chronicles 7:13 and 14 it talks about what we are seeing in Togo. The Watchi are a people that have lost themselves to the worship of idols and in turn have lost God’s blessing of fellowship. The land no longer is fruitful. What I have seen in the past few weeks, though, has given me great hope.

We worshipped Sunday in Atitogon again and I watched in awe as they gave time for everyone to share the struggles with sin of the previous week and then spend time praying for each other. I found out on Saturday that the same thing is happening in the Vogan church. I just have this feeling that is something God can’t resist. God does promise healing for the land if they will humble themselves and pray. Please pray this for the Watchi. Pray for us too that we will be examples of humility and lead them in this procession of confession.

I am feeling stronger each day and continue with wrapping up my leadership training. As well Murphy and I are spending quite a bit of time revamping the structure of different aspects of the work here such as the library system and conferences. Pray that God give us wisdom as we plan and restructure things with our brothers here.

From Louise - We did receive a nice rain this week in Tabligbo, hard enough that the boys couldn’t ride their bikes home from school. But not all areas around us have gotten that kind of rain, so please pray that God will send his drenching mercy on the fields.

We would also like to ask you to pray for Bertain’s son (pictured left) who is very sick, we suspect he may have sickle cell anemia. Bertain lost another son a few years ago who had the same symptoms.

~ Agricultural Ministry - Laté Lawson-Simlen ~

Laté (la-tay) returned from northern Togo this week. This Thursday he will begin buying supplies and materials so that we can try the same well drilling technique that they are using in Kabiye land down south among the Watchi. If it works, we will be able to dig two wells for the same price as one well using the previous method. Pray that God would bless us as we work hard to bless the Watchi with physical and spiritual water!

Please pray that God would pour out His blessings on this harvest season so that the Watchi farmers can bring in a great harvest with plenty to provide for their families and to share with others in need.

Last week's report from Late: "This year things started for us very soon, yesterday I received a call from a soya (beans) buyer in Lomé, he wants to buy 40 tons of soya (beans) this year from us. We need to pray, motivate ourselves and the members for this project. This year we prayed in the beginning at Adangbé to God to help us produse 40 tons this year, and the buyer called asked for this same amount of soya!"

2008 Watchi Team

"I have resolved to pray more and pray always, to pray in all places where quietness inviteth, in the house, on the highway, and on the street; and to know no street or passage in this city that may not witness that I have not forgotten God." T. Browne

The Atitadome Church in the Dagbati Cluster.

Children singing during worship on Sunday with the Atitadome church.

S.T.'s brother leading us in worship on Sunday.

God did an amazing thing! A few weeks ago I asked Him to have somebody fix the Batoe road. Tuesday when I drove to Batoe the road had been plowed that morning! (The first time in the seven years!) Amazing! Why was I so surprised! God knows how to give good gifts to His children.

Happy Birthday Annabelle! Matthew's webkinz, Annabelle, turned three on Sunday. Notice how many of her friends came to celebrate!

Taylor making a run for it.

Tucker taking a rest after being tackled up by all of the younger boys.

Botany Board Game

Everybody tackles Taylor.