On the road again

God has given us the opportunity to travel for the last couple weeks visiting Churches in Upstate New York.
Though it is a challenge to get 6 people packed and to live out of a suitcase for an extended period of time, we enjoy the opportunity to present the work that God is doing in Benin.
We've been blessed with an apartment which is centrally located 15 to 30 minutes from most of the churches we are in.  This allows Amy and the boys to settle into a routine for school.  It helps with keeping a normal schedule in what is otherwise chaos.

We did get the opportunity to visit New York City traveling by train and Subway while spending time with Amy's brother, sister-in-law, and three kids.  Fun experience (three adults and seven kids) but probably not one that we will duplicate anytime soon.

Thank you for all your prayers, it is a challenge, but we feel tremendously blessed.  God has met and is continuing to meet all of our needs.

Short video

I am posting a short video that I took of the market place in Guene, Benin, not far from the mission. It gives a good overview of the market place and should provide you with a flavor of Africa.

Trip continued

Let me elaborate a little on my recent trip to Benin.  We left the USA on the 25th of February, bound for Cotonou, the capital of Benin.  There we met my aunt and uncle who are working in the neighboring country of Togo, as well as our African host, a Pastor and respected member of the community.  The main purpose for our trip was to work with this Pastor on an agricultural project designed to teach Benin Pastors a way to provide for their families.

We enjoyed a couple days in the capital city checking out all that is available in this port city.  The Veterinarian who was traveling with me then went 3 hours north to the small village where Pastor's project was located and I headed 12 hours north to the place where Amy and I will be in our ministry.

Upon arrival, I was able to observe a week of Bible school sessions under the teaching of Steve Nunemaker and Colin Ovenelle.  On the second day I was given an opportunity to address the 29 Pastors and laymen who were able to come for the week of intense study.  I took this opportunity to thank them for their prayers and faithful work in the field.  They told me that they have been praying consistently for our family for the last two years as we have been on the road to Benin.  As you can imagine this was an encouragement and served to increase our burden for the work all the more.

A short trip

Sometimes we are given the opportunities that we never see coming.  Such was my experience this last several weeks.  I was approached by a member of our church offering to pay my way over if I would accompany him to Benin.  I was delighted at the opportunity, and as his work didn't require all of my time, I was able to take a trip up to the town where we will be working.  God did some amazing things and allowed for me to not only get a ride North with our colleagues who, just happened to be in the Capital when I arrived, but also provided 31 current and former Bible School Students for me to spend time with and interview.
I will post some for the events in subsequent blogs, and try to get in some good pictures.  Here is one of several of the students and myself.

From the Road

The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful MiniVan, and it is being used beyond capacity.  With 235,000 miles on it, it is feeling its age, but is still humming right along.  We Started our trip in Upstate New York for meetings in three churches, and then into the Southern Tier of the Empire State for two more before heading to Florida for three more weeks of Conferences and meetings.
Our schedule is full, but we are excited to be where God has us.  Please continue to pray for our travels, as we have many miles to go, as well as our health, so that we may properly convey the Message.
Thus far, the boys have done very well, Amy is schooling as she can, and we are taking time to invest in their lives with field trips.  Micah does not handle change as well as the older boys, so if you think to pray for him, we would appreciate it.

Work Continues

One of the things that we often take for granted here in the United States is the ability to read God's Word in our mother tongue.  Could you imagine having to rely on a Spanish or French Bible to do your personal devotions or Bible Study? 
  We are excited with the progress of the translation work going on in Benin.  Several tribes have the Bible, or at least parts of the Bible, in their native tongue and the Dendi  will soon be added to their ranks.  A consultant from Bibles International is doing a final review of Genesis through 2 Samuel and the hope is to have these books printed by the end of the year. 
  We rejoice with the Dendi pastors for the wonderful work that is being done in the area of translation.  Pray with us that this wonderful work continues so that the entire Bible will one day be in the Dendi language.

Blessings

The days seem to fly by for us - first one and then another - until we wonder where they have all gone!
God has been blessing us abundantly!
He has answered our prayers in caring for our home in Sharpsville. This past month the papers finalized and we are now 1 step closer to the field! We are amazed as we watch God care for each thing that ties us to the states unnecessarily, freeing us to press forward on our journey.
Our boys are growing big and strong! Logan is now 4 months old. During his first month and a half God walked us through some health struggles but again He has blessed and Logan is doing very well. He is a very contented baby who is greatly loved by our family!
The beginning of June we were able to travel to South Carolina where we are able to visit family and make contact with those interested in our ministry in Benin. Great conversations were had and we have another tentative meeting there scheduled for November.
As we post this update we are preparing for yet another trip! Praise the LORD that Joseph's employer has been gracious in allowing time off as we anticipate a week of VBS at Pleasant Hills Baptist Church in Sterling Ohio. They have asked if we would speak about ministry in Benin and missions to their kids each day! We are very excited and pray that God would both prepare us and the hearts of those kids! Joseph will be presenting our ministry on Sunday evening, July7th as well.
Our family will be participating in the wedding of Joseph's youngest sister, Joy on July 6th in upstate New York before heading to Ohio!
Through all this - though the miles are many - we are so blessed to have kids who take long car trips in stride! (Thank the Lord for Adventures in Odyssey stories that help keep us all entertained!)
Thank you for your continual support and prayers! We look forward to updating again soon!