~ 2008 Interns (This week's entry written by Matt) ~
 When it comes down to it, it took a considerable amount of jumping through hoops to wrangle (and I do mean that almost literally) all the scheduling, funding, training, praying, and stressing into place so we could get to go on this trip. Frankly, I’m not sure just how it all managed to work out, but by the logistical prowess of God, it did. So as a result, we’re here. We made it! Now what do we do now that we’re here?
This early in the game I think we’re all still adjusting to sleeping in a foreign environment, in a bed that isn’t our own. Marty made the point to us during orientation that it’s very likely our time here is going to be quite a bit slower than what we’re used to, and I’m beginning to see that he’s right. I cannot speak for all my teammates, but today’s lethargy gave me a grand opportunity to sing to and speak with God while everyone was out. I don’t do that often enough.
I think it’s quite obvious the humidity’s put a real burden on the interns, one we don’t really have in Tennessee. Though it’s well known for having truly spastic weather patterns, Tennessee is remarkably milder in the summer months than Togo will ever be.
All that aside, Togo is a remarkably different place, and I think we interns have a lot more sight seeing to do before we get a decent picture of it. It ain’t Kansas, but it’s definitely more interesting than Oz. I just pray that our hearts will be open to whatever it is God got us all the way over here to teach us.
~ Murphy and Christine Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog
 From Murphy - We enjoyed having Todd and Daniel here for 10 days. The boys had a blast sharing their Togo life with Daniel and Christine and I enjoyed introducing Todd to many of our Togolese brothers and sisters in Jesus. I took Todd and Daniel back to the airport last Monday in Accra and as they were checking in our interns arrived for the summer! The border officials are getting to know me well as this was my sixth trip accross the Ghana/Togo border in three weeks!
 Pictured left is one of the four baptisms from the Agodeke village that I mentioned last week. God is working His wonders through the Christians in that area to bring many to Jesus. Last Sunday we took Todd and Daniel to Agodeke for worship. It was a great adventure as we walked 30 minutes through mud and water to arrive at the thatched roof building to find several Christians already gathered and praying. The diviner that we've been praying about (Komi) was sitting there waiting on all of the other Christians to show up! Please pray that God would continue to work in his heart to bring him to repentence. We enjoyed a yummy meal of gali (dried cassava), water, sugar and peanuts after worship and then headed home.
 My mentoring/training sessions with the Batoe and Kpotonou leaders continues to go well. For the past four years I have poured my life, energy and efforts into 15 men from seven different churches in an effort to disciple them so that they will disciple others. It's exciting to see their growth as the Lord works in their hearts and reveals Himself to them. It's also exciting to see them discipling other leaders. I planted and watered, but God is making it grow! Praise Him!
We also had a wonderful time celebrating Stephen's 10th birthday. My double-digit son. Wow, time has flown by since the day he was born in Quebec, Canada while we were in Frech language school. Thank you Lord for blessing us with such a wonderful son.
 From Christine - Christine is sick this week so please pray that God would bless her with healing and health.
~ Emily Dunnagan ~
 Last week we had a different school schedule, but flexibility is one of the wonderful things about our school. We had Daniel Wolfe as our guest student the first three days, and then just the Koonce boys came for half days on Friday and Saturday. Then Saturday afternoon we all went to Stephen’s Inside-out, Upside-down, and backwards Birthday party. Rachel and I ended up staying over and joining the Crowsons, Todd, and Daniel for pizza and movie night.
 This week school is back to normal, but our team schedule has changed now that the summer interns have arrived. I am looking forward to having some more young adults around town. We continued our art series on paper airplanes on Wednesday, and the boys had some good flyers this week. The boys have loved working their way through the paper airplane book that was given to the school. This week I have also been amazed that 97 degrees this time of year feels almost as stifling and 117 degrees did back in April. Now that we have had some cooler rainy days it sure is harder to face the hot and humid days.
~ Marty and Louise Koonce ~ Blogs: Marty, Louise, 4T's
From Marty - Times of reflection are greatly beneficial and highly recommended. Our hosting of interns usually provides that for me in a great way. It is a real shot in the arm for us. Not only does our singing sound better, but we get the spiritual benefit of remembering all that God has done here over the years. As well, we get a new group to tell our stories to of how God has changed us and grown us through our experiences here.
The challenges of closing out the work in Togo and preparing for the work in Rwanda are starting to take effect. We are learning language most days now for Rwanda while continuing to live and work among the Watchi of Togo. Our down time is occupied with study relating to the effects of the genocide on the Rwandese and the various ways we can bless them with the message of God’s love. Do pray for us as we are caught in this world between worlds that we can prepare without checking out. Pray that we can balance the daily ministry to the Watchi along with the opportunities we have for preparation for Rwanda.
As for preparations, we ask for continued prayers of provisions for our transition to Rwanda. Thank you again for the love your prayers express for us and the Watchi.
From Louise - We experienced some more trouble with the truck this week which kept us grounded for a few days.
We had a leak in our plumbing that we feared would turn into a major problem, but only required a few tiles torn our in the floor. All the repair activity did occur, as would be typical, when we had the teachers for lunch and out of town guests for the night.
With the interns now here, there is always activity. It has been four years since we hosted an internship, so we are a little rusty. Yet, it is always refreshing to see our work through other eyes. Please pray for them as they learn. I would also ask that you pray for our kids, we have had a bout of illness running through them.
~ Rachel Baker ~
This Sunday, Emily and I were able to spend the day with the Koonces. We had church “American-style” at their house and spent some great time in praise and worship together.
 The day was pretty normal… until the plumber came. Before Louise and I knew it, he had started ripping up their floor in the back of the house because of a leaky pipe. Emily was keeping Trevor and Tanner entertained and Marty was with Tucker and Taylor down the street playing soccer, so it was just Louise and me. There was SO much water in this hole in the floor. I instantly started helping him remove the water and then he looks at me and says (in choppy English), “You are the teacher.” The English was so poor that I had to ask him to repeat himself because I had no clue what he said and then I finally got it! He’s come to our house a couple of times to fix things and here I was helping him fix Louise’s leaky pipes! I think he was definitely confused. Louise kept laughing at me – I was getting all dirty and playing the helper role and then she said, “You really were Daddy’s little helper growing up weren’t you?” I couldn’t help but laugh, cause sure enough, I had slipped back into that role I always held at home!
The summer interns are finally here. It’s funny because I feel like all year we’ve been saying, “Once the interns get here, our year is all downhill from there” and here we are! We’ve gotten to meet all four of them: Aaron, Brian, Matt, and Talisha. I’m real excited about what the summer will hold with having them here!
 ~ Agricultural Ministry - Laté Lawson-Simlen ~
The well drilling in Kpokede continues to progress with ups and downs. They've run into rock, sand (collapsing) and clay. Even so, they're at 18 meters. Tuesday they will do a test to see if they've reached water. The village is very excited and Christians and non-Christians are working hard together in the drilling. Please ask the Lord to continue to bless the whole process so that this village can have clean drinking water and more importantly that God will be glorified as the people of Kpodeke learn to drink from the river of life.
To those who have given so generously to this project, thank you! The Watchi are being blessed and God is being glorified! |
