Woah, my squad and I have finally made it Africa after 4 longs days of travel from South America. Our travel days consisted of hours in airports, customs lines, and included overnight layovers giving us the opportunity to explore. We got to roam around San Paulo, Brazil to check out the city and the art in the huge Cathedrals. We also got to go to Morocco and experience a slight glimpe of their muslim culture, however, we were forbidden to evangelize there but it couldnt stop us from praying. Travel days always take a lot of energy and alertness, so I am thanful to be here and to have had the opportunity to rest for a day after arriving. Below is a picture of our neighborhood.
We had 20 opportunities to teach and preach this past week, so we all had to write our first sermons. It was an awesome experience, especially the way God helped me to prepare mine. He allowed me to write from a place of struggle to show my own weakness and to help others that may be struggling with the same thing. My sermon is titled “Love thy neighbor”. Being on the race and in 24/7 community with individuals I didn’t know before this and still barely know, but am rapidly coming to know can be a bit of a challenege, one that I expected though.
I will share my sermon in my next post as a teachable moment for anyone else that may be struggling with the same thing as well, but also, it may highlight some knowledge that may not have been pondered on before.
Having only been in Togo for nearly a week I don’t have a bunch of reports, but I would like to share all that I have gathered and enjoyed about this culture and country so far.
Here is a list of all I have taken in so far:
- The offical language is French, but locals also speak Ewe’ and Kabiye’.
- Women’s postures are outstanding because they excellently executive carrying anything from a water bottle to a cabinet on their heads.
- The children a free to be children and run and play without fear of harm.
- That freedom extends into seeing the private parts of children or older women on a normal stroll through the neighborhood.
- The congregation is hungry to see the spirit of God and they offer all of their worship to him holding nothing back.
- A kitchen isn’t a room in a house with a sink, stove, and a counter top. Instead it is anywhere at any time with bowls for washing and bowls for cooking and coals for a fire.
- Almost everyone rides a motorcycle upto to 4 people.
- You don’t have to go to a shopping center to get what you need, all you have to do is walk along the street and you’ll find someone selling what you need eventually.
- Babies get a complementary piggy back ride from their mothers on a daily basis with a cloth wrap. It allows the mothers to carry them and still do what they need to do.
- The words rich and poor have further been clarified as terms to describe material possessions, but not internal heart postures.
- Seeing an armed gunman is not an unusual occurrence.
- 85 degrees is really 101 degrees after you factor in the humidity.
- Getting my hair down here for $13.50 is so much better than $180 in the states.
- Walking through the neighboor means plenty of conversation, high fives, hugs, and dancing with kiddos.
The people here are amzing, so open, warm and friendly. Our hosts are so willing and happy to serve us. This country may be poor, but the hearts of the people are rich and full. I am so happy to be here to serve them.
Prayer Requests:
- Me and a teammate of mine are having a bit of tension, but I feel like it is a distraction. Pray for our unity, please.
- Pray that we would all be open, willing, and ready for all that God has planned this month.
- Fundrasing; I still have $5,706 left to raise and my deadline is in two weeks. Only God could make that happen. Regardless of the deadline, I am trusting that God will provide, but your prayers would be very helpful. Also, if you feel it in your heart to donate it would be grately appreciated. Your partnership is changing the world more than you know. You can make a tax-deductible donation above a non-tax-deductible donation through Cash App ($AlyciaMathis) or Venmo (@Alycia-Mathis), thank you in advance for your support of all kinds.
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