So much has happened in the past few months! God has blessed my life in such amazing ways! On July 1st, in Portland, OR I married my fiancé, Adie Banks. From there, we took time for our honeymoon before visiting with Adie's family near Portland, OR and eventually my own near Buffalo, NY. In mid August after a couple months back in the US, the two of us boarded a flight in Buffalo and flew for 24 hours with two layovers to reach Lome, Togo. Adie had been to Mexico twice before on short term missions trips but nothing could have really prepared her for life here. Thankfully she believes it is God's will for us to be here and that makes adjusting easier.
We were thrilled after having cleared customs, immigration and finding our baggage that we were greeted by many of our missionary friends who also live in Togo. Many of them had driven over 7 hours one way to make sure they could see us as we walked out of the airport. It was such a good feeling to see friendly faces that had given so much to be there at that particular moment--Adie's first moments in Togo.
We spent our firsts couple days in country near the capital city of Lome with JJ and Melissa Alderman before heading north to Kara. Our drive was 8.5 hours on a somewhat decent road--all but a stretch of 40 miles that was riddled with deep pot holes. Some parts were even simply hard packed dirt and this is the main "interstate" through the country! Despite the long trip we made it in without any serious issues. One of the greatest blessings for me and particularly for Adie has been the kindness of our friends nearby who have organized meals and helped us as we have been settling in. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust. Once Adie has her house set up the way she wants she will start her language studies in French. Please pray she will be able to learn the language quickly so she can begin communicating with people.
Our ministry duties will start this very week. I am heading back out to the church in Lossa Bas, which is a nearby village. Since our departure, Randy has started the much anticipated construction project to get the church out of their thatched wall, dirt floor, tin roof building and into a permanent cement structure. Prayerfully, this new building will be completed in the next few months. I will be there filling in as their full time pastor until God raises up a national pastor to take my place.
If you would please pray with us concerning several key things:
1. Pray for Adie's transition into Togo and the culture.
2. Pray for her language skills that they might improve quickly and that she will be able to communicate effectively.
3. Pray for our ministry in Lossa Bas that God will move, souls will be saved and that folks will grow in Christ.
4. Pray for our vehicle situation. Our current truck is 11 years old. I have owned it for 5 years and the engine has been rebuilt 3 times already and is giving us serious problems. It is time for a new vehicle. Pray with us that God would provide this vehicle so that His work can continue here.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are extremely anxious, nervous, excited and thrilled about our future! We can not wait to see what God is going to do, how He will move and what He will be doing in our lives. We are open to His moving and are very happy to be in the center of His calling. We appreciate you; especially your prayers!
