Dapaong Foundation Trip

This past week, Randy, two Togolese masons, three apprentices and myself have all been working on two foundations of two village churches. Much of the prep work has been done to help expedite and facilitate the builds but without foundations the projects have been stalled so this was our focus on this most recent past trip to Dapaong.

Dapaong is a three hour drive north of Kara and we transported the guys up with us. Meanwhile, Mrs. Alderman was conducting VBS in three different villages. We started work on a Thursday evening and by Saturday morning were pouring the first foundation. The next foundation was completed by Monday evening.

We took the transit, shot the level then began the lay out process. Once the simple structural design was laid out, we began to dig the footers. Obviously, here in Togo there is not a worry of frost so we dug about 10 inches down and reinforced the concrete with rebar. While the concrete was still fresh, Randy had the men put the first row of blocks on in preparation for the next phase and to place the rebar columns into position.

All in all, it took four days to pour two church foundations. I had my doubts whither we could pull it off and thought it to be a bit ambitious. However, the Mason’s and their apprentices really were the ones who made this phase a success.

At both sites, we constantly were needing water so the women of both villages fetched water with their huge water bowls and carried them back on their heads filling our barrels. It was such a neat thing to see these women volunteer to assist in their church construction. They had such a great spirit about them.

One of the churches foundation was high due to it position to a near by road and consequently needed four inches of gravel backfill. The village again, armed with buckets, bowls and donkey carts have volunteered to carry back the gravel from a quarry about ¼ of a mile away.

Really, to be out and doing something for God is truly a rewarding experience and it is so humbling to see people that have so little and yet are so very thankful that God is giving them a permanent place to meet, especially since both of these churches have been meeting under trees and one of them for nine years now.

Baptism at Lama Fin

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to see Lama Fin’s first baptism service. Philip, a Bible Institute graduate had started the church a year ago last Easter and now the church is averaging about 40 in attendance each Sunday.

A couple months before the big day, Philip had taken 18 people who had received the Lord as their Savior and began working them through a “Baptism Class” which really doubles as a discipleship class. They worked through about 8 or 10 lessons and by the end of the class, there were six who had completed the class, gave clear testimonies of their salvation and were ready to be baptized. Randy being the missionary was asked to conduct the service and it was a blessing to watch them each be baptized and to hear their testimonies before and to see their joy after.

Truly, Togo has some great moments and God has been doing a great work. It was a privilege to be a part of a special day where so many people not only claimed to know Christ personally but were willing to walk in the foot steps of his commandments.

Probably the youngest person of the six was a girl that they call “Mama.” She is no older then fifteen and is the oldest of several children. They call her this because she has the duel responsibility of being a sibling but also a mother like figure to her other siblings. She has been attending the church for some time and has recently accepted Christ. Her parents and family were against her coming to church as opposed to her getting baptized. Yet she felt that God’s word was clear and she chose to obey God rather then to please those around her. It was amazing to see the story of such dedication unfold before my own eyes. Dedication; something that we all long for, something that is so difficult to have at times of pressure and yet something that is so precious to see in believers! She along with the other five displayed their dedication this past Sunday and it was a blessing to share the moment.