We moved out of our house in Cotonou a couple of weeks ago. In November 2006, we decided then that May 2008 would be our exit from Benin. The leaders are well-established (of course, they need more practice, but who doesn’t), the work is progressing, local leadership has taken the reigns from missionary leadership. I’ve been telling folks that we live in Benin, but work in West Africa. My travel schedule reflects that reality.
We’ve been available for the Benin church as a resource and partner in ministry, and we have many good friends here, but it’s time to move on as hard as it is. In August 2004 when we arrived in Benin-Togo, a missionary was district superintendent, there were about 20 churches (only a few were serious) and 750 members on the books, and no volunteer teams had ever come to Benin. Now, there’s a local leader, Moise Toumoudagou as DS, more than 160 churches, and over 8,000 members. Since May 2005, we’ve hosted 10 teams of 100 volunteers from the US who have spent time in Benin/Togo. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
The boys are handling it okay. Payton has lived there for half of his life. Parker is firmly established in the French school. They both have lots of friends here. Sonya and I have lived in that house longer than any other house in 16 years of marriage. So, last Sunday afternoon we had a “goodbye” ceremony walking to each empty room and sharing memories in each one. It was a good time, but still difficult.
The future is pretty wide open right now. Help us pray into the unknown. (Well, at least unknown from our limited perspective!)
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