Another Day In Togo

Friends,

The day started early today. What would take just a few minutes in the states takes a few days here. The only thing quicker here is a smile and an embrace.

I had taken a moto to a cross road to meet a friend. Naturally, I was 20 minutes early. Everyone here is 20 minutes late.

To redeem the time I walked to the corner where a woman was selling fruit and I purchased an orange. She peeled the skin for me and cut a small hole in the top. I began to squeeze the juice from it. We do things much different here. I must have worked on that orange for 30 minutes making sure not to waste any of it.

Hundreds of Africans drove and walked past watching this Yovo, (white man), make a mess of something so simple. Juice had poured down my chin and on to my shirt.

An older man in rags walked by asking for something in Eva, the local language. I smiled. He laughed since we could not communicate. It would have been great to have been able to find out his story. Everyone has one you know. Most stories are filled with pain, but lathered in Joy.

Every wild moto ride;
Every smell;
Every taste;
Every embrace;
Lets me know that I am still alive.

Africa has taken my heart and I pray that it will not give it back.

In great African Love,

Ken

Village Life

This village was different than what we had seen in the past, beautiful palm and coconut trees lined the road we traveled. At times it seemed that the truck would topple over from the extreme terrain.








Women sold fish and vegetables from the side of the road. There was barely enough room to pass.
They live on less than 2.00 per day.

We were in awe of the conditions here, no electricity, no running water, the homes were modest at best. Most consisted of mud huts with thatch roofs.The streets were clean, and children played.

Around different areas there were wooded or stone idols. There is a great deal of Fetish worship that goes on in these villages. A tradition that has gone on for several thousand years.





The chief from the village came with his delegation to our service; from the picture you can tell he enjoyed himself. I preached about your faith will always make room for you. It came from the story of the 4 men who lowered the lame man down through a hole in the roof to get to Jesus; it is so true that God always makes room for our needs.

We were able to pray for these men. The chief came in contact with the King of Kings that day!



After the service Gin and I were invited to a pastors home for some refreshments. We enjoyed coconut milk together. After the milk was finished the coconut was opened and we ate the coconut meat from it. Awesome!




Gin and I, through the grace of God, have found where we are the most happiest; among our brothers and sisters in West Africa.

We appreciate your continued financial support. Without it we would not be here.

In Great African Love,
Ken and Gin

A few Pictures!

I finally figured out how to put pictures on our BLOG. I know, I'm a little slow!!!! None the less, here are some pictures of events we have already blogged about.




Ken praying with Pastor Stephen before baptizing 7 people from the Village church of Bagbe. Ken was wearing borrowed pants of a 29 inch waisted African man. Hilarious!

















Pastor Stephen and Pastor Severans children the day we had dinner in their home. Precious!














Sister Vigoreta, Pastor Stephan's wife, and I are in front of the Village church in Bagbe. She speaks English well, and is a new found friend.

Pastor Serveran praying for his Father that just recently gave his life to God.

Hello to all,

I cant believe its Christmas time. I wake up every morning and thank the Lord I have been delivered from the hustle and bustle of retail during this time of year. But it sure is giving me a whole different perspective on what the holidays are all about. We try our best in the states to remember what is really about, the celebration of Christs birth; but living in the American culture, it truly can be a fight not to get caught up in all the gift purchasing. I can only speak for myself. I know I have been guilty.

This year is truly different, and I give God the Praise for allowing our family to experience this perspective of Christmas thru the eyes of the Togolese people. We were invited to the home of the Pastors family. Just getting to this families home was quite an endeavor. Kens journey on the moto itself made me cringe seeing the sea of motos that surrounded him. His body absorbed every bump in the road. We followed in the taxi behind.

The home was void of electric, just a one room cinder building. Basic Christmas decorations was not to be found anywhere; no tree, no gifts. Still the spirit of Christmas filled our fellowship. They went above and beyond to make us comfortable. A box of corn flakes and Fanta soda was served to us as the appetizer. (finger foods) The main course consisted of chicken and yams w/red sauce. All served under the big shaded tree in the middle of their yard.

Thelma, their youngest son of 4 years would sneak up as often as he could to steal sips of our drinks and then giggle and run, while their daughter Iouda stayed on my lap. She just wanted to be close.

They were giving beyond there means, in the spirit of sacrifice. The true spirit of Christmas was found that day.

Merry Christmas to all

Ken and Gin

What A Gift!

Bounjour à toute mes amis et ma femille,

We miss you all very much. We are now beginning to experience some of the discomforts of Togo. The most inconvient is not having electricity. Even now I hold my breathe hoping that the power does not go out as I type this message, for one does not no when it will be turned off. It started about 3 weeks ago, being just 4 or 5 hours at a time. It is increasing daily the time it off. We are now up to 10 hours at a time. A few days ago, Carmen our landlord, bought us a small generator that will allow us to at least have a fan on alternating with the refrigerator. I thank God for this. I was really concerned about our gorceries going bad with it being out for so long at a time. Nobody but the government knows how long this will last. They say that last year it went on for almost six months. SO..... We shall see. But lets talk about some more positive things..LOL

This past Sunday, we had our first opportunity for Ken to preach at a village church. I dont even know how to express to you the how amazing the people. The worship that went forth would put us to shame. For people that dont have anything, have everything. As I followed the leading of Sis. Stephen in worship we single filed in line (the rest of the women following)out of the thached roof building and danced outside around the entire property. The worship went on for over an hour for the people would not stop praising God, and with such intensity. The custest of all is to watch the children dance and worship. Precious!

We are excited to report that 3 recieved the Holy Ghost and 7 wanted to be baptized, one being our taxi driver that we use on a regular bases. (He also recieved the H.G. that day) So off we go to our first adventure of going to the river. We hiked about a half a mile from the property of an elderly man that helped begin the work in this community. We found ourselves taking our shoes off to tregde through some swamp like area to get to the part of the pond that would be deep enough for the baptism. You should of seen Jonathons face when I told him to take off his shoes and to keep walking. HIlARIOUS! Of course Jen and I are all about it and so caught up in the Africa moment I wasnt thinking about anything Yucky. There was a concrete slab that we were able to climb up on once we arrived to get out of the water. It was then when I looked around and really checked out the situation, watching my husband in the water waiste deep I thought about snakes, and leaches. About that time, I saw aonther young african man reach down and pull off of his leg a leech and nonchalantly tossed it aside. What can you do! We were there and there was no turning back. Ken baptized all 7 and then we had to return. So in the water we went interceding all the way. All was good and no leeches attached. LOL

When we returned to the home of this villager, we were resting a bit on our little stools and being cordial to sit and look at each other. It was then I noticed two women chasing this one particular Rooster. It was the biggest one there. After they caught it and bound up the feet, they handed it to the man. He walked over to Ken, bowed and presented Ken this fine rooster as a gift. We were stund. They have nothing and yet give so much. So we gracously accepted the gift and gave it to our driver to put in the taxi to take home. And then in turn, when we got home, we blessed the pastor that had gone with us from Lome to take it home. Im just not ready to be plucking feathers out of a chicken yet.....LOL

The adventures go on and on and I wish each one of you could experience what God is so gracously allowing my family to be apart of. I must be getting off here for now. Just know that we concider ourselves very blessed to be a part of this work here in Togo and cant wait to get to Burkina.
God Bless to you all
Gin

The House of God is a Refuge

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

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