Picture = 1000 Words … July 26 - 31, 2023
Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
This is a tired moto… engine needs an overhaul… transmission missing 3rd gear… it’s the family mode of transportation besides their one bicycle, walking, or paying for a ride…
From the beginning I had a pull on my heart to give them a boost… to gift them a new moto and asked God about that…
We paid for some repairs for the old moto and that made it some better but after taking the motor apart three times it still wasn’t operating 100%…
Wednesday, July 26 - In my quiet time with God I was journaling what I was hearing from Him… conformations, encouragements, and endearing words from a loving Father to His special son…
A ways down the page He was telling me (excerpt here): “Just like you love doing things for Jeremy… like your desire to buy him a moto… so much more do I delight in doing great things for you and thru you…” His next words left my pen in mid-air… “and by the way, go ahead buy him that moto…”
I hesitated for a moment to inscribe those words on the page, because for one, it was unexpected and two, I knew our current bank account balance… I wanted to be sure… He confirmed what he said and after writing it down the following words gave me a new perspective…
He said, “Tell Jeremy that moto is a gift from me… a token of My Love for him… and every time he sees the moto, he is seeing My Love for him… and every time he drives the moto he can know that My Love is carrying him…”
Wow!! Powerful! A daily witness of God’s unconditional love for Jeremy and his family… And being God’s idea, I knew it would be transformative in Jeremy’s life…
We went to make the purchase and by 2:00 that afternoon we were heading out to the village…
Seth rode ahead… 1.5hr drive…
After a scrumptious meal from Mary’s kitchen 😋… I told them we had something to show them… the moto was driven in front of their home, and the helmet handed to Jeremy… it was a joy to see their reactions…
They immediately began to praise God for His Goodness!! 💞🙌
Sammy went for the first ride…
Jeremy going…
And coming…
Mary said, “Jeremy was so excited… He wore the helmet but forgot his footwear!” 😅
Afterwards we spent some time in prayer and thanksgiving…
And more singing…
More rides…
We brought Sammy and Jojo home with us for the night…
Thursday, July 27 - spent the day at the hotel … The boys played soccer … and other games…
The kitchen crew is working on a meal for a group coming in tonight… they’re making a fancy spread!
Salad plate…
Friday, July 28 - Heading to the lake again…
Another exciting day! Baptism for 4 of Jeremy’s children…
Sammy…
Jojo…
Anita…
Vern…
…and some fun time for the children…
Getting ready for some fufu!! Pounded yam…
Cooked yam is good also… before being pounded…
The art of fufu… notice how Mary keeps her hands cool while handling the yam that just came off the fire…
One, two, or sometimes three will pound the yam into fufu…
Getting ready to serve…
Truly this meal far exceeded my expectations… we had eaten it before but I forgot how savory it was… we ate it with chicken in a flavored broth… 😋
Mary gifted matching dresses to the girls! 💞 Made from a local tailor…
As always there is a soccer game in play…
Saturday, July 29 - Took the car to the mechanic for oil change and check up… to car wash… then took it back.
Packed our luggage and made final arrangements for leaving tomorrow.
The familiar van is back… loaded up and ready to transport us to Lome…
Leaving our hotel… This man on the left is our driver… Samson’s uncle… The owner of the van…
Back in Lome… Coco Beach Hotel… on the ocean… here is where we will part ways with our friends who are now our family…
Farewell!! 👋
July 31 - Last day in Lome… spend the morning at the beach… did some last minute business in town… prepared for departure to the USA tomorrow…
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Psalm 127:1, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Thus ends the first chapter of the establishment of
My Father’s Heart in Togo…
We rejoice to see how the hand of our Lord opened doors, ordered connections, and directed our steps each day in preparation for the next phase…
We anticipate returning next summer to begin work on a mission compound…
In the meantime we have two objectives: #1 - to connect with the hearts that burn with a passion for the people of Togo. #2 - to collect the funds God has earmarked for Togo.
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Once again a heartfelt THANK-YOU to our
Heart💞Partners & Prayers🙏Warriors
for standing with us as this miracle unfolds!
Blessings over you all in Jesus’ name!