February 2015

January began with our Togo Palms' pastor's conference. This year our keynote speaker was Pastor Tom Messer, the lead pastor of our sending church in Florida. The Lord used him in a great way to teach about doing ministry in light of the gospel. This has become a highlight of each year for the pastors that are scattered throughout Togo.

  

For the entire past year, we have been praying that God would give  us clarity as to where we need to plant the next church.We have identified the community and are in the process of learning about the community.  It is about 3 miles from the first Aneho church plant, yet very needed since most walk or ride a bike to church. Will you pray with us that God gives us great direction and insight. In the coming weeks, we will do surveys in the community to get a better grasp of the growth before we starting looking for land. 

  

On the Tuesday before Christmas I was in a mechanic's shop and struck up a conversation that went for just shy of two hours. At the end of the conversation the gentleman bowed his head and trusted Jesus as his Savior. He thanked me repeatedly before we parted ways. The next time I saw Emmanual on the side of the road, he hugged me like a long lost brother. 

  

On Christmas eve I had the opportunity to speak in a church in northern Togo. After the service I engaged in a conversation about the gospel with a college student from the far north.  I told Ismael that he could go home and make a decision before he went to sleep, but he wanted to accept this perfect gift before he walked home.  He told the missionary up north that his whole life has changed in the past few weeks.

 Upon arrival back home to the south I sat down with a carpenter who is very well connected in the community. It was the first time in five years that I have been able to share the gospel with him. At the end of the conversation he told me that he wanted to continue talking about the things of God. 

  

The gospel still radically transforms lives. It is still the greatest story ever told. We must continue to share life every time that we have an opportunity. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share the light in such a spiritually dark place. 

  

Thank you for your prayers and continued support.