We Made It!

Day 1 of being in Togo is complete! We finally arrived late Friday night after several more flight delays and short adventure in the neighborhoods of France (see picture above). Please be sure to ask one of our teammates about the culturally enlightening experience we had as we ventured out of the airport in search of sunlight and an authentic French Bistro. ;)

Our team was extremely grateful to not be sleeping in an airport again last night...the sleep we got paid off because today was packed full of joining the 6 Degree team in their ministry activities. The men of the group spent most of the day working on several maintence projects that were in desperate need of attention. Good news- there was only one minor injury so we'll take that as a win!

The ladies spent the first part of the day observing a TTI training. Through the TTI program, men in the community commit to attend training every Saturday morning for 2 years to help them develop discipleship, evangelism, and pastoral skills with the goal of planting their own church by the end of the program. Today, they were learning specific strategies on how to share the gospel and their testimonies. Even though we couldn't understand the words they were saying, their passion was evident in the way the communicated. It's exciting to think about the impact these men are and will have on their community.

After lunch, the ladies split into 2 groups. Both teams went to a church in the area to observe a women's leadership training. Similarly, these women were learning how to share the gospel, their stories, and talking about the idea of discipline. One of the groups got to host an impromptu kids session as they offered to play with the kids outside so their mothers could focus inside! Let's just say that many games of Duck, Duck, Goose were played.

Our team was blown away by what they saw. At every church, the men and women were eager to learn more about the gospel and how to share it. This is completely counter cultural as Togo is the birth place of Voodoo. Just last week, one of the largest Voodoo festivals took place on the streets of Togo. While the men were out today, they came across several Voodoo idols that had been placed around the property. Idols, sacrifices, witch doctors, and spiritual warfare are very, very prevealent here which is why it is so amazing to see so many people choosing the complete opposite when they choose to follow Jesus instead. Not only does it go against cultural norms, but it also goes against years of history and family tradition. Everyone we saw today had a desire to grow in their faith and to help lead others to Christ as well.

Another thing that stood out to us were the strategies they were learning to share the gospel without using written words. There are many people in Togo, especially women, who are unable to read and write. Something we in the States take for granted. Through the use of drawings of simple diagrams and colored clothes folded together these women are able to communicate the most important message there is. Please be praying for them as they learn. Specifically pray for their boldness, protection, and ability to remember what they have learned.

At dinner we all shared stories and learned more about the history of Togo, Voodoo, TTI, and the churches. It was fascinating to be able to put what we saw into context. It also showed us just how significant it is that the gospel is spreading so quickly here. New leaders are being developed each day and the unreached people groups, groups of people who have literally never heard about God before, are being reached like never before.

We can't wait to see more of how God is moving tomorrow at the various church services we will be attending!