Light of Togo

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Double the Fun
As you probably already know, I have been studying Kabiye for around six months now.  I’d like to say that it’s coming along just fine, but the reality is that the farther I get into the language the more complicated it becomes!  I have decided not to let that discourage me, however, but to study and practice even harder.  In fact, a few weeks ago I doubled my Kabiye lessons from two times a week to four, not including my personal study time.  I am now studying with a Kabiye linguist and with an American who speaks Kabiye fluently.

I’ll also be looking for a good conversation partner soon, so please pray that I get connected with someone knowledgeable and patient who can help me practice what I’m learning.  As I’ve said from the beginning, I’m going to learn Kabiye even if it kills me, which of course would defeat the purpose of learning it, so perhaps I won’t go quite that far!

The Miracle Tree
What if there was something growing right in your own backyard that was capable of solving one of the biggest problems in your life?  As wild as it sounds that’s the case with the Moringa tree, which grows naturally here in Togo.  The problem is, very few people know its potential.  Those who do have nicknamed it “the miracle tree” because of its numerous benefits.  When processed correctly, its leaves contain enough vitamins, minerals, and protein to fortify the diet of even the most malnourished Togolese if eaten regularly.  We have already planted some in our yard and told many people about it.  Pray that God will use this amazing part of His creation to bless people around us.

Love Thy Neighbor(hood)
We’d also like to ask you to pray for a project we have coming up soon in our own neighborhood.  We have been developing several friendships with those who live around us, but we’d like to begin meeting with people on a more regular basis to help them solve problems in their own lives by teaching simple methods of water purification, agriculture, and nutrition.  The goal is then to begin Bible studies with them to introduce them to their Creator, whom they can know personally through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Making Progress
As I have mentioned in previous letters, I am currently devoting the majority of my time to studying Kabiye.  Just about two weeks ago, I finally felt like all this studying is starting to pay off as I began forming simple sentences.  What’s unfortunate is that the Kabiye people assume this means that I will understand anything they say.  That is definitely not the case!

Health Concerns
Over a week ago, we noticed a gland under Joshua’s right ear starting to swell and become painful for him.  After seven days, two doctor visits, a blood test, a throat culture, and speaking with an American doctor on the phone, we were still baffled and the swelling was getting worse.  Finally we talked to another doctor on the phone who gave us a good indication of what it might be and how to treat it.  That was two days ago, and since then he has been doing much better.

We are pretty sure that it was a bacterial infection of some sort.  It is definitely a test of faith at times living in a place where you can’t drive 15 minutes to the nearest fully-equipped hospital.  We are very thankful that God directed us to speak with the right people at the right time.  It’s good to have the energetic old Joshua back!

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New Year, New Opportunities
I imagine that you’ve probably heard several times already this year, “What happened to 2009?”  We feel the same way, as if the calendar jumped from 2008 to 2010!

As we are approaching our anniversary marking one year in Togo, we have never been so excited for a new year.  There are so many opportunities for ministry all around the Kara region that we are sometimes overwhelmed in trying to decide what to do next.

In fact, that is something we’d like to ask you to pray for specifically: clear direction from the Lord in taking the next step in our ministry.  Since our arrival in Togo, we have been involved in several ministries and have learned a lot from them.  We are eager, however, to take our next step, but we do not want to make these kinds of decisions based solely on what is most logical or pragmatic, but on what God wants us to do.  So please pray over the next couple months that it will be clear to us what that next step is.

A Great Visit
Over the holiday season, we were so glad to have my parents come stay with us for three weeks.  I think that Africa took them by surprise in many ways, and it was a bit rough on them at times.  Overall though, they really did enjoy their time here getting to know Africa and it’s wonderful people.

On several occasions they were overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of our friends and neighbors as they would thank my parents for coming to Togo and offer them a gift of food from the very little they have.

Safari
In order to get the full African experience, we also took them to a wildlife preserve in northern Benin.  It was our first time going as well, but it certainly won’t be our last!  We saw almost every kind of animal that lives in West Africa, including many elephants and a couple lions, all in their natural habitat with no cages or fences.  It was definitely an experience to remember!

Kabɩyɛ
Please continue to pray for my Kabiye studies.  Even though I started lessons a few months ago, I did not have much time until now to dedicate towards it.  So, from January to April I am committing a large amount of my time towards learning this difficult language.