Although years had passed since the Koonces had been in contact with the Watchi team, a surprise letter from Jeff and Brenda Holland came in the mail and reunited them. Months later, during a phone conversation Jeff revealed that Frank Bunner and himself had prayed intermittently in the previous three years that the Koonces would move to Africa to do mission work.

In October 1996, Frank and Jenna Bunner visited with Marty and Louise and invited them to join the Watchi work. Their relationship with their church in Virginia became a foundation for their efforts, as the Warrenton church of Christ agreed to fill the role as overseeing congregation. In June 1997, Marty left his job at Wal-mart, although they had raised only partial support, and began touring the States, in search of remaining support. By the time they were ready to leave America, God had provided all their locating funds and most of their ongoing support was in place.

A big decision was made to forego French language school and go directly to Togo. Since the team was already functioning there, they believed the time could be better spent diving directly into Eve learning. In September 1997, Marty, Louise and their two young sons set foot on African soil for the first time.

As they settled into life in Tabligbo, began learning the language, and adjusting to life on a team, they found themselves blessed and challenged at every turn. Some days were filled with triumphs in culture and some days they were overwhelmed by the differences in their new surroundings. With no French to fall back on, God blessed Marty to begin ministering in Eve after only six months of study. Sink or swim, so they say.

The five years since then, have brought the Koonces many blessings as God has provided for them and protected them. He gave them two additional sons, both born with no complication in Togo. They have experienced very little illness, comparitively, and have grown in their ministries.

Marty is working with the two clusters of churches in Tabligbo and Atitogon. The Atitogon cluster is an hour drive away, and thus keeps him on the road several days a week. Each cluster receives Timothy Project sessions once a month, which gives training to the future leaders of the churches. Marty has also been involved in material production; writing study guides, printing and producing them in book form.

Louise has only recently begun teaching in the weekly Saturday ladies’ meetings held in each of the clusters. She serves the team by editing the team newsletter. The rest of her days are filled with the business and busyness of boys.

Tucker, Taylor, Tanner and Trevor round out the Koonce family and keep it filled with activity, noise and a great deal of joy.

Update September 24, 2003

Since coming to Togo six years ago we have grown both spiritually and physically. Our family has two additional boys, Tanner and Trevor, giving us the final total of four. God has blessed us to have been integrated both into this great team of missionaries and into the continual harvest among the Watchi people of Southern Togo. For this we are eternally grateful. Our lives have been forevermore changed and our view of God has grown tremendously as we watch him transform not only us, but also the Watchi people. It is a great honor and privilege to watch his word go out and come back bearing such bountiful fruit, just as he promised that it would. Our hopes are consumed with the potential for growth among the churches here as they mature. What can happen in the next several years here is beyond our imaginative grasp, yet we know that its going to be big and it will be thrilling to watch it unfold. Please continue to be in prayer for us that we will be full of faith and that we will be strong and courageous.

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