Lomé, Togo West Africa by Ken
Sunday morning, Dimanche matin, we drove about 45 minutes to the church where we were to visit. Most of the roads had washed out due to the heavy rains. As we entered the area in Lomé where the church was the smell was very strong. The entire area held the stench of garbage; children played barefoot in it. My heart ached as we passed through.
How could anyone live in these conditions?
Right in the middle of this area stood the church. Four concrete walls about seven feet high. It was covered by a tin roof; and palm branches filled in the space between the top of the wall and the roof. No air could circulate so it must have been about 100 degrees.
The drums began to beat, Gods presence filled the entire room. The congregation worshipped like I had never experienced. When the alter call was made and they rushed to the front. They had such a hunger to touch the hem of our Lords garment, not because of the physical hunger; not because of the area that they lived in; not even for prosperity; They came to worship God just because He is worthy.
There is refuge in the house of God, there is safety from life in the house of God, there is healing in the house of God; but most of all there is GOD in the house of God!
We left that service changed. Changed in the presence of God along with the Body of Christ in West Africa. I feel privileged to be apart of such a grand body. The African Church is alive and well!
Please keep in touch.
In Great Christian African Love;
Ken and Gin
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Afrique skies
There is nothing like the African sunsets here. They are vibrant as they lay down over the coconut trees and palms. God really knew what He was doing.
The mornings are filled with the sound of roosters crowing from all over our neighborhood. In the states they crow in the morning, in Africa they crow all day. Jennifer said that roosters crow in America because they are hungry for breakfast, but in Africa they are always hungry. So they crow.
We have been very busy. Everyday brings a new adventure, along with new joy to carry us through. Walking down the streets it is almost as if we are in a parade. The people from Togo are warm; and quick to give up a smile.
Ginny received her oven this past week, she was so pleased. It made me glad to see her so excited to get to bake some peanutbutter cookies. There were 12 so we divided them up between the four of us. 3 each lasted 3 days. In the states I would have enhaled a dozen at one sitting.
Tomorrow I will go to the Bible School early. We will then go down to the market. It is a maze of everything you could imagine, and should not imagine.They tell us not to go to deep into it; but being Cantrells; I am confident we will either get lost; get ripped off; or simply make some new friends. French school is at 5:30 tomorrow night. Please pray that our brains will contain it. Jonathon and Jennifer pick it up quickly; Gin and I pick it up with great effort.
Gin received word that her father has cancer, we know that God knows all things and that He does all things well. Please pray for her father Pete. He will be in surgery this week:
Please keep in touch and pray for Togo/Burkina Faso daily;
In Great African Love;
Ken
The mornings are filled with the sound of roosters crowing from all over our neighborhood. In the states they crow in the morning, in Africa they crow all day. Jennifer said that roosters crow in America because they are hungry for breakfast, but in Africa they are always hungry. So they crow.
We have been very busy. Everyday brings a new adventure, along with new joy to carry us through. Walking down the streets it is almost as if we are in a parade. The people from Togo are warm; and quick to give up a smile.
Ginny received her oven this past week, she was so pleased. It made me glad to see her so excited to get to bake some peanutbutter cookies. There were 12 so we divided them up between the four of us. 3 each lasted 3 days. In the states I would have enhaled a dozen at one sitting.
Tomorrow I will go to the Bible School early. We will then go down to the market. It is a maze of everything you could imagine, and should not imagine.They tell us not to go to deep into it; but being Cantrells; I am confident we will either get lost; get ripped off; or simply make some new friends. French school is at 5:30 tomorrow night. Please pray that our brains will contain it. Jonathon and Jennifer pick it up quickly; Gin and I pick it up with great effort.
Gin received word that her father has cancer, we know that God knows all things and that He does all things well. Please pray for her father Pete. He will be in surgery this week:
Please keep in touch and pray for Togo/Burkina Faso daily;
In Great African Love;
Ken
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Element
Lomè Togo West Afrique Oct. 2007 by Ken
Concrete walls and floor; a tin roof.
The blue sky is covered in grey.
A slight breeze presses through the door.
The Lord is here.
Missionary Adams teaches twelve students in the Bible School.
His words are predeturmined with purpose.
I do not understand the language, but catch the spirit of the message.
Students connect with the word.
Questions are asked, discussion is made.
Missionary Adams is in his element.
The element is filled with the Glory of God.
For in Him we live, and move and have our being.
I sit amazed, tears streaming while watching this labor of love.
The Lord is here.
Oh, Afrique cries out for an understanding of the word of God.
Concrete walls and floor; a tin roof.
The blue sky is covered in grey.
A slight breeze presses through the door.
The Lord is here.
Missionary Adams teaches twelve students in the Bible School.
His words are predeturmined with purpose.
I do not understand the language, but catch the spirit of the message.
Students connect with the word.
Questions are asked, discussion is made.
Missionary Adams is in his element.
The element is filled with the Glory of God.
For in Him we live, and move and have our being.
I sit amazed, tears streaming while watching this labor of love.
The Lord is here.
Oh, Afrique cries out for an understanding of the word of God.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
All is great!
My heart is so full to try to put it into words what Africa is doing to Ken and I. Everyday that we wake up is a new adventure.
Early, we wake up for our devotion together on the veranda listening to the sounds of Africa waking up, before Ken leaves for bible school. He doesnt understand a word of what is said but loves to just be in the company of our up and coming pastors. While he is gone I busy myself getting the house straightened up, doing some laundry, and trying to think of what I qm going to fix for our evening dinner. This in itself can be an all day event.
We sometimes have to go to the market and then to the butcher store to buy meat. We sometimes can just drive up to buy bananas or eggs. Women are everywhere trying to sell there vegetables and fruit outside on the streets. There are groceriy stores here but nothing like price chopper. The groceries are very very expensive.
Ken is home by noon and we begin to prepare ourselves for our 2 hours of french lessons with Mr. Mike. I love this part of the day. The challenge is more than I ever thought it would be but God is giving me a love to study it. I praise Him for this.
We then take a walk or come here to internet cafe. This is our first day here. Our compiters at home are out of order. Our power source connector got bent so we cant chqrge up. And Jennifers screen went black. Oh well, What can a person do when your all the way in Lome Togo. LOL
It is then time to start to prepare dinner and get thqt all cleaned up and i am ready to relax and be in bed by 9. (just like at home, some things dont ever change even if you are across the world).
Ken is preaching his first service this Sunday. The Adams are going to Benin for the weekend so we will be on our own. We feel very at home here and there is a peace. We thank God for this. We feel the prayers of our friends.
God bless
Gin
Early, we wake up for our devotion together on the veranda listening to the sounds of Africa waking up, before Ken leaves for bible school. He doesnt understand a word of what is said but loves to just be in the company of our up and coming pastors. While he is gone I busy myself getting the house straightened up, doing some laundry, and trying to think of what I qm going to fix for our evening dinner. This in itself can be an all day event.
We sometimes have to go to the market and then to the butcher store to buy meat. We sometimes can just drive up to buy bananas or eggs. Women are everywhere trying to sell there vegetables and fruit outside on the streets. There are groceriy stores here but nothing like price chopper. The groceries are very very expensive.
Ken is home by noon and we begin to prepare ourselves for our 2 hours of french lessons with Mr. Mike. I love this part of the day. The challenge is more than I ever thought it would be but God is giving me a love to study it. I praise Him for this.
We then take a walk or come here to internet cafe. This is our first day here. Our compiters at home are out of order. Our power source connector got bent so we cant chqrge up. And Jennifers screen went black. Oh well, What can a person do when your all the way in Lome Togo. LOL
It is then time to start to prepare dinner and get thqt all cleaned up and i am ready to relax and be in bed by 9. (just like at home, some things dont ever change even if you are across the world).
Ken is preaching his first service this Sunday. The Adams are going to Benin for the weekend so we will be on our own. We feel very at home here and there is a peace. We thank God for this. We feel the prayers of our friends.
God bless
Gin
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Lord is Good!
We arrived safely in Lome, Togo Tuesday eve just as the sun went down. It was exciting to see the country that God has asked us to go to. The people are beautiful and welcomed us with grand smiles.
A lost piece of luggage showed up tonight. Praise the Lord! In it contained 2 cameras, a video recorder, Gin's contact lens' (for a year), and some of her clothing. This was our first miracle.
Our second miracle will be if French, we will start our lessons on Monday. Oui, Oui!
Our home is comfortable. We are in a very African neighborhood, but feel safe behind the walls, guard dogs, and a night watchman. This is a country of "locks". We have locks on cabinets, refrigerator, doors, windows, Locks, Locks, Every are Locks!
Cold showers wake us up every morning, or take our breath away every eve since we do not have hot water. (but is 95 degrees here you know) They say the heat will come next month... 100-115 degrees. So who needs hot water anyhow!
One nice little blessing, is the monkey that hangs out in the lawn. He swings around the banana tree. Yes, this real Africa.
We are excited to see what God has planned for us this next year. I am confident that He has gone before us to make a way for marvelous things!
In Great African Christian Love,
Gin and Ken
A lost piece of luggage showed up tonight. Praise the Lord! In it contained 2 cameras, a video recorder, Gin's contact lens' (for a year), and some of her clothing. This was our first miracle.
Our second miracle will be if French, we will start our lessons on Monday. Oui, Oui!
Our home is comfortable. We are in a very African neighborhood, but feel safe behind the walls, guard dogs, and a night watchman. This is a country of "locks". We have locks on cabinets, refrigerator, doors, windows, Locks, Locks, Every are Locks!
Cold showers wake us up every morning, or take our breath away every eve since we do not have hot water. (but is 95 degrees here you know) They say the heat will come next month... 100-115 degrees. So who needs hot water anyhow!
One nice little blessing, is the monkey that hangs out in the lawn. He swings around the banana tree. Yes, this real Africa.
We are excited to see what God has planned for us this next year. I am confident that He has gone before us to make a way for marvelous things!
In Great African Christian Love,
Gin and Ken
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