~ Rachel Baker ~
 "There are times when I'm really glad that life is not a musical." That was the first thing Rachel said when we realized we were stuck in a car in the middle of Pendjari, the wild game park. We went with Lauren and her parents, Ralph and Elaine Anthony, to Pendjari this past weekend and it was quite the trip! We rented a car and had an African driver and all went well until we got stranded at dark in the middle of the park because the car broke down (Our taxi pictured left). So… we camped out in the car all night long. We stayed in the back of the car and were in charge of watching for animals and "taking care" of whatever may come our way. Rachel held the hatch of the car open with a luggage strap attached to the outside wiper so that she could pull the door closed if anything were to come and get them and Emily stood guard with a "mono-pod" (which is like a tri-pod for long camera lenses, but only one leg) so if the door didn't close quickly enough, she could beat a lion! This just made the day complete after all our traveling which included stopping for directions four times, turning around twice, and getting completely filthy due to the lack of AC and dirt roads.
 Thinking back, we were both excited about this trip because we were going to get some good sleep in an air conditioned room… nope, we got to stay up all night in the back of a car. Thankfully, we were rescued the next morning by some other people staying at the park. Some of the missionaries from Kara were also at the park that weekend, so they took us around to see the animals that afternoon. Since our car was caput, we fired the driver and were left to find rides home. Lauren's parents rode home with the missionaries and us three gals hitched a ride with two French guys who had room left in their car. This was a good idea because we got to stop and see a beautiful waterfall on the way. They let us ride to Natittingou, which was about two hours from the border.
From here, we caught a "cab" (pictured left) to the border. This taxi was held together with reflective tape, the doors didn't open, one window didn't work, and they gassed it up using old Gin bottles and a funnel. (awesome) From the border we got another car that was in just as bad of shape plus a busted windshield. Finally, though, we made it to Kara. We stayed there for the night and then took a charter bus back to Tsevie on Tuesday. From Tsevie we had to get in another crummy car to take us to Tabligbo and it almost didn't make it. The usual 30-45 min drive took almost an hour because our car kept stalling. When we finally got to our house, Dah Emily greeted us and we've never been as happy as we were to see her!!!
 Overall the trip was great. We made some amazing memories and got to see parts of West Africa that were just beautiful. Getting to spend time with the Anthonys was well worth the dramatic trip and we are both so grateful for the chance we had to get to know them. God truly protected us in many instances where we otherwise could have been in some major danger. We are both so glad to be home!
~ Murphy and Christine Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog
 From Murphy - Pictured from left to right are Nledzi (N-lay-gee), Denni, Norbert (Nor-bear) and myself. I've been mentoring/training Denni for almost six years now and this past month he began meeting with Nledzi and Norbert to train them as leaders and workers in the Sedome Church. Please pray for these men, that the Lord would bless them with His Spirit so that they will know their strength in Jesus and produce much fruit in the Kingdom.
Tuesday (April 29th) Emmanuel and Kokuvito (two leaders from Adangbe) are meeting together to fast and pray asking the Lord to guide them as they seek to plant another church this summer. Please join us in prayer asking the Lord to bless them as they seek to advance His Kingdom!
I'm getting over a case of malaria that put me down for several days this past week. I don't get malaria often, but when I do, it wipes me out! Pray that God would restore me back to full strength. (Now you know why the Times was late again! :) )
 From Christine - Sometimes at the end of the day, I reflect on the events I just experienced and I overwhelmed with gratitudel that God allows us to be in Togo and witness His work among the Watchi. Last week I had one of those days. I spent the day with Jackino and Doneno (pictured left) from Batoe. The three of us walked an hour to Agodeke to visit the christian women there. The Batoe Chrisitians started the church in Agodeke last year. Before leaving Batoe, Daniel, a leader from Batoe and Jackino's husband, asked us to stop and visit with a bokono (a practiotioner of voodoo) who had visited church in Agodeke the past Sunday.
 We had a nice, rather hot walk to Agodeke and then went around visiting with all the women in there homes. Doneno, Jackino and I took turns praying for each of the women. One of the women fed us lunch and then we started on our walk back to Batoe. About half way we stopped to visit with the Bokono. His name is Komi. He is an older man who seemed to have an air of importance about him. We sat down to visit with him in his compound. As he was talking, I was wondering what we should say to this man. He told us about his background and about visiting church on Sunday. He said that he was afraid to tear down his idols because he would die. After saying this, Jackino spoke with conviction. She told him, "there is only one God and He will decide when you die, you must have faith in Him, he is the only God!" I was touched to be able to witness this Christian women boldly proclaiming her faith in God to a man who has lived a very wicked life.
Thank you for your partnership in prayer with us and the Togolese. Pray for Bokono Komi that he will trust in God and turn from his idol worship. Pray for the Christians in Agodeke and Batoe that they will be light in the darkness around them and that they will boldly proclaim the good news!
~ Emily Dunnagan ~
Emily and Rachel wrote their Tabligbo Times together this week...
~ Marty and Louise Koonce ~ Blogs: Marty, Louise, 4T's
 From Marty -When we, Edwin Slack and then myself months later, went to Adankonou Kope for our first visits it was one of the smallest and backwards villages around. So few people know that it exists, even among the Togolese. Yet, over the years, the impact of Jesus on this village has brought about an unreal amount of progress and hope. It was thrilling to see Bertain, a man of very modest education and a farmer by profession, receive such an important post from the government (Pictured above being inducted as an officer of records for his region). It gave me great hope that other leading believers such as he will rise to positions of authority while continuing to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. Oddly the government officials even got lost while trying to find the village itself.
My leadership training continues to go well for the groups of men in Atitogon, Ahepe, and Tabligbo. Very soon we will be wrapping this up. Please pray for these leaders to be conduits of faith. In addition to this I have been preaching and teaching a lot on confession and repentance. Whereas I had thought this would be a depressing topic, in reality it has brought great joy to me as well as those listening.
 I had quite an experience with Tucker this weekend as we jumped off of a cliff near Kpalime and glided down to a runway fifteen minutes later. You can read more about it on my blog. It is amazing watching your son launch off without you into the wild blue, it was a little on the scary side too. We are back now with all bones intact and memories that will last for years to come.
Please keep praying for us, we need it as do the Watchi. Thank you for your love.
From Louise - What a full week! Our brother Bertain, (whose son’s health is improving, thanks for the prayers on his behalf), was inducted this week as an officer of records for his region. It was quite a large affair. There was a delegation from the Government as well as the local chiefs of the area.
 Bertain had asked us to come to take pictures for him. I had a great time following people around. Since I was in ‘official member of the press’ mode, I felt less inhibited about snapping off pictures.
Our Peace Corps little sister, Lauren’s parents are visiting and we had a great lunch visit with them.
We are enjoying the outpouring of God’s mercy as the rainy season is fully underway. Even the challenge of hanging clothes to dry indoors (we are experiencing a bottled gas shortage that is altering the way we cook and dry clothes) is seen as a reminder of God’s provision.
Sunday took us to Togbonu Kope for cluster worship. There was a good turnout, considering the distance many have to walk to get there.
~ Agricultural Ministry - Laté Lawson-Simlen ~
 Please continue to 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.
Kokuvito and his son Marcilan are pictured left in front of his pineapple field. Pray for a great harvest! |
