Update and Photos from Togo

We are all doing well and really enjoying this trip. So far we've spent one day in Agoudja and Vongba and one day in Apissito. Way more kids than we expected, but I need to adjust my expectations because it is always that way. In the two villages we have ministered to over 400 kids.  Gary has had a tremendous impact on the church leaders and pastors.

Today we completed the first half of our cultural exchange by spending the day doing the things that women in Togo do:  making food, husking corn, and shelling corn we were a part of today. 

More updates and pictures as soon as we can. 

--Dennis R.

Preparing the corn with the women

Their new home in Mission Tove, the place they've been staying.

Week 1 Wrapping Up and Week 2 Plans in Taiwan

We just did our final evening with these kids.  They sang, we acted out the Good Samaritan and The Prodical Son, and sang some more. About 6 parents came. Then we had brownies that the kids made yesterday and ice cream we bought today.  They had a great time and hugged us all.   We will meet 1 more time in the morning for a short time just to tell them how important it is to go to church.  Then get on train at 10:30 and take the train to the north to meet with the rest of team.  Then Sunday starts second week.  Thanks for prayers....

--Scott L.

Speaking of the second week in Taiwan, these are their plans and goals:

Bethel - 4 day English Camp where they will incorporate some of English activity and vocab like Star Wars, Cooking, Football with Bible stories, etcl.  The 5th and 6th day still determing the 'activity' possibly performing dramas for parents/community.  Don, Charis and Gabe S., Daphne C., Pam H.

 

Good News (Mother Church) - August 6-8  English camp -  Robin H., Doug U., Scott and Andy L., Lary V.

 

JH Prep -   August 4-5 - Scott and Andy L., Lary V., Doug U., Robin H.

 

Togo Updates

Update from Tuesday Night:

Today they had VBS for 309 kids in Appasitto and will be doing another tomorrow. Gary spoke to several pastors and they were receptive and encouraged. Daniel's wife, Comfort, who has been sick, is feeling better but still needs prayer for healing.  The team is feeling well and rested.

Update from Wednesday morning:

In Agoudja today and may go to Vongba if roads allow.100+ kids today and Gary teaching 8 more pastors. Agoudja church is getting stronger from last time. 

Latest from Taiwan

Well we missed the typhoon...praise God.  Been great the last two days.  Have built some great relationships with the children.  I think there are over 40 salvations now.  More than that, we are teaching the children some great stories about God and unconditional love.  The other teams are also connecting with their kids.  One more final day here on Thursday and then we ride a train north.  We have had rain and heat everyday ..stomachs are feeling better and breeze at night helps.  Continue to pray for next week's kids and prepare their hearts.  Most of group will be home on the 3rd.  Larry, Doug, Robin, Andy and myself will stay another week.  Keep praying.  Thanks Scott

Two Pictures Tell it All from Taiwan

Photo credit:  Scott L.

Children at VBS in Taiwan raising their hand and then praying to ask Jesus into their lives.  Praise Jesus today for these precious children added to His kingdom.  Praise Him for lives and hearts changed.  Praise Him, praise Him!

Togo Team Made It There

The Togo team arrived in Togo around 6:00 pm last night their time (1 pm MO time). All of their luggage arrived. Dennis said it was one of the smoothest travel trips thus far. 

Please pray for them as they adjust to the 5 hour time difference and other cultural differences. 

Also pray for them as they begin to minister to the people in Togo. Pray that hearts would be touched and changed my the message of Jesus. 

Monday Taiwan Update

Children in Taitung.  Photo Credit:  Fran C.

Taitoung Team Update (Shannon B., Lary V., Scott and Andy L.)

Nearly 150 children attended the first day of VBS/English camp in the 4 different mission areas.  We know of at least 24 salvations.  It was a learning day with lots of great challenges. Please pray that God will continue to change lives here in Taiwan.  Please pray that the food will continue to agree with us or get better.  Pray that more children will come tomorrow.

--Scott L.

Good News Team Update (Robin H., Doug and Rita U., Gabe S., Will C.)

We had 38 kids ranging from age 7-12 at our English Camp. We chose I Am as our song for the day.  They picked up on it pretty good.  It seemed to help by just adding simple actions.  We will continue to work on I Am and add a new song each day.  But we have picked out a couple different songs that will be easier for the kids to learn because the same words are repeated several times.  We think it will work better.

Today was certainly a learning experience stepping into the unknown but we are looking forward to tomorrow.

--Robin H.

Looking forward to this week at the Quaker church with these amazing students. Photo credit and quote:  Pam H. (Quaker Church team: Jacob F., Maxx C., Don and Charis S., and Pam H.)

Sunday Taiwan Update

The different Taiwan subteams should have made it to their respective destinations.

Here are some of the stats and prayer requests (via Lary V.) from one of the subteams (Scott and Andy L., Lary V., and Shannon B.) in Tuban, Taiwan:
     -800 people in village 
     -Are Paiwan - one of the original 14 Taiwan tribes.
     -Ancestral worship.  They say they know Jesus.  
     -They don't know about a personal relationship with God.
     -Pastor has good credibility here.
     -All we have to do when talking to people is mention we are friends with Him and will listen.
     -Much alcoholism, people unable to work because of alcoholism.  Also causes many problems including divorce and addictions.
      -Kids are starved for love/attention.
      -Approximately 32 children from 3rd to 6th grade and 15 junior high age (They will be doing English camp with these children in order to share Jesus with them.(
 

Please pray:

     -That God would open hearts and doors this week to the love of Jesus.
     -For God's will to be done this week.
     -For God's safety and protection.
     -That the power of the Holy Spirit would be stronger than the spirits of darkness, ancestral worship, mysticism, and superstition present in the village.
     -That we can communicate the love of Jesus this week.

 

View from camp at Taitung.  "Just got to our camp.  It is beautiful here.  HOT.   Nice breeze this evening though."

Photo credit and quote:  Scott L.

The Taiwan Scoop

Here's the latest scoop from Taiwan via Scott L.:

We saw a great performance of Rock the World last night.  Definitely a different version.  But we had headsets on and they interpreted to us.  

We all have jet leg.  This morning (Missouri Saturday night) we all head our different directions.  Our group heads to Taidoung, which is the mountains on the east coast.  It is about a 6 hour train ride.  Chugga Chugga, some have a 4 hour train ride to another part of the country. Some stay in Taipei to work with churches here.  So, pray for all of us as we spread His Word all over Taiwan.  Thanks for prayers...Scott

Taiwan Team Made It There

The Taiwan team arrived at the church about 1:00 am, Taiwan time.  They had a good flight and all their luggage arrived!  They slept some and are already off and at 'em.  They will be doing a Rock the World production tonight and then tomorrow each subteam will be headed to their points of ministry.

Some things to pray for the team:

--That they can quickly recover from Jet Lag.  The time in Taiwan is 13 hours ahead of our time, so that is a major flop in days and nights.  Pray that they can sleep when it is time to sleep and be awake when it is time to be awake.

--Safety while traveling in Taiwan, especially as they travel tomorrow to their points of ministry.

--For the actors in the Rock the World production and for those who will hear the Gospel.  Pray that their hearts would be pricked and that they would understand the Truth of the Most High God and their need for Jesus as Lord and Savior.

--Please pray for the family members of those who are leaving and will be gone. Some of their family members have medical conditions which makes it difficult for the team members to be gone.

Togo Team Goals and Plans

The Togo team leaves for Togo on Saturday, July 26.  Their trip will focus on three different ministries:  pastor training, women's ministry, and children's ministry.  The goals and plans for each ministry are described below, as well as some ways you can pray for them.  As is almost always the case with misson trip plans, plans are made on this side of the water knowing that when touchdown happens on the other side of the water, the plans may change depending on multiple factors, most importantly because God may direct their time and plans differently.

Pastor Training--written by Dennis R.

Our missional focus has always been on education in Togo, whether that be in health and hygiene, agricultural, leadership, or theological. The pastors training class is obviously focused on the theological education for those who live in rural areas and have no access to theological education.  Now in its third year, we will be seeing our first graduates soon. I am very excited that this year several of us  will be spending time teaching the students on a variety of subjects centered around the role of pastor and leadership development.  We will be meeting with the students as many times as possible to share with them the things we have learned in leadership positions.  This year Gary Jones will be leading this effort.  Gary is a urban pastor from Kansas City and has a lot of great practical experience to share with the students.

Due to time restraints, we will not have an organized program for the agricultural education.  We normally use the trip in January to focus on farming techniques and agricultural business development.  They will be nearing harvest when we arrive so we will be evaluating this years production while we are there and plan for our next ag training in January.

Women's Ministry--written by Jennifer B.

​ 

In Togo this year we are starting Women’s Ministry.  Our goal is to show these women their value in the eyes of Christ.  It is our heart that they know how they were created, that they are beautiful, and they have a Savior who sees them, hears them, and loves them.  We will talk about how we were created by Him and for Him.   During the women’s ministry the Togo team will be immersed in the culture of Togo by shadowing a woman during her daily routine.   This enables us to see the needs for future ministry and how we can best serve these women.

The second part to the women’s ministry is serving the women during a banquet. Our culture will be shared with the women through a meal and worship. The team will prepare a banquet meal and serve these women dinner. The actual serving the women is an integral part of this ministry. This will allow us to impart some understanding of their value in Christ.    The message of the Gospel will be shared at this time and also a time of Worship, both American and Togolese (there will be some chicken dancing going on).  We are encouraging those who already attend the church at Mission Tove to bring a friend and we are planning on 100 women.  The banquet will allow us to share some scripture and testimonies with these women.  We will also leave them with a picture of themselves to hang, cards of scripture to encourage them, and each woman will receive a T-shirt that says Be-You-tiful with Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” on it.  

Please pray:

For woman who will be attending, that her heart is open to the message

That the team would be an encouragement to these women

For boldness for the women who are inviting friends who are unbelievers

That the women would understand the Gospel and see God as the One True God.

That the team would be able to communicate effectively with the women through the translators and that even without the translators, the message of Jesus shines through.

For those giving their testimonies, that the words that He would have us speak would come through.

For protection from any health issues for those going

For spiritual awakening for those going and the Togolese people.

Children's Ministry--written by Janel D.

Tuesday, July 29 we will be doing a one day VBS in Appissito.

Wednesday, July 30 we will be doing a one day VBS in Adgouja Baja and possibly in Vongba.

Saturday, August 2 we will be visiting Compassion International Sites

In the evenings while we are in Mission Tove we will be flying kites, blowing bubbles, and having fun with the kids!

Thank you for praying for this team!  Prayer from us on this side of the water is key and instrumental to what happens on that side of the water.  Check back on the blog as the team is in Togo for updates and possibly pictures!

 

Taiwan Mission Team and their Week 1 Plans

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."  Proverbs 16:9 NLT

This is never more true than on a mission trip!  The best plans are made...the correct supplies are packed...everyone flies around the world...and, then, God does His thing...which may or may not follow the plan...but is always best because it is HIS PLAN!

The mission team for Taiwan leaves in one week, July 24.  Durng the first week, the team is subdivided into four ministry teams, each with its own goals and plans as well as location of service.  Below are the plans and goals for the first week of the trip, along with the names of people who are working on each ministry team.

Hualien Mei Ren - The first 3 days is English camp with Bible stories/dramas/music/crafts for around 40-50 elementary children and the last 2 days is for about 30 teenagers.  They will be playing volleyball and basketball with the salvation balls (a way to share the Gospel using colors on a basketball or volleyball) and incorporating the good news of Jesus into other parts of the camp too.

Kelly and Grace F., Jeanne and Arden M., Fran and Daphne C.

 

Taitoung - 5 day English camp like the one in Hualien Mei Ren with about 60 children.  Maybe some prayer visiting (visiting people, offering to pray for them, and share the gospel with them) with the elderly or families in the neighborhood.  

Shannon B., Scott and Andy L., Lary V.

 

Quaker Church - 5 day English camp like the other two teams with the teens from that church teaching about 60 children.  We will also go with them (the teens) on Saturday to the Night Market they go to once a month to do a drama/music/dance in order to share Jesus.  

Jacob F., Maxx C., Don and Charis S., Pam H.

 

Good News - - 5 day English Camp different than above - they will incorporate some English activities and vocabulary like Star Wars, Cooking, Football with Bible stories, etc. 

Robin H., Doug and Rita U., Gabe S., Will C.

Please be praying for each ministry team, unity among them, the plans and goals they have, and the people they are going to serve.  Ask for an openness and hunger in the hearts of those who will hear the Good News of Jesus. 

Stay tuned for the goals and plan for week two of the Taiwan trip!

Togo Mission Team 2014

The following people are going to Togo, leaving in less than two weeks on July 26.  Please be in specific prayer for them as they prepare to go, finalize plans to meet the needs of those they will touch in Togo, and for open receptive hearts of those who will hear the Good News.

Jennifer B.

Janel D.

Shawn G.

Audrey G.

Elizabeth G.

Hannah G.

Jacob G.

Gary J.

Lara J. 

Tony J.

Mikki M.

Jason R.

Karen R.

Dennis R.

Howard S.