October Newsletter 08

October 2008

Togo! An insight into the ministry of LCMS Long-term missionary Megan Birne y serving Christ in Togo, W est Africa

Tall Grasses We returned from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso late in the afternoon in the last week of September. The six of us (minus Jesse & Glenn in France for Jesse’s sugery) rode the five passenger truck the five hours back to Dapaong, Togo. Needless to say, when we got home we were a mess of sweaty, stinky, grumpy people. I was glad to be ‘home’ and experience some much needed quiet. The next day I got up and rode my bike to the classroom. Little did I notice from the previous day that in the three weeks we were gone, the grass had grown three feet! Over the next few days I had some close calls with a few goats, chickens, and even some little kids who popped right out of the grass in front of my bike. However, those were nothing compared to a few days later when Susan told me that there was a rabid dog in the neighborhood and the Africans couldn’t catch it to kill it because they kept losing it in the tall grass. The first thing that came to my mind was thinking how funny that would be! After all of my recent West African adventures, it would only be right to be chased and bitten by a rabid dog. You see I tried like the dickens to get vaccinated for rabies but in the state of Florida (at least from May-August) there weren’t any vaccines available. The next few days after this news, I not only rode my bike much more feverently but also freaked out at every sight of a strange dog (which there are a lot of!) Besides the fear of rabid dogs, children, and goats jumping out of the grass, I also had to fight Samuel, Abby, and Caleb on staying on the road when we went on walks. Despite Susan’s warning of SNAKES, the kids love the tall grass and go outside with the specific purpose or running through it. At first, I didn’t even notice the tall grass that is until I had to trek through it with the bike. Then, I became utterly afraid of it, because of what could come out from hiding in it or what I could accidently run over. And after that I became the bad guy forbadding the tall grasses. Trying to explain this phenomenon to anyone at home I failed miserably. While I thought it was amazing that grass could grow so high and be so extensive

in only three weeks, it also was able to hinder my awareness of my surroundings. After a week or so I began to realize that this tall grass must be the perfect breeding ground for bugs because even inside my house under my mosquito net, I still felt like I was outside! Anyways, the Africans started getting out there with machetes (aka African lawn mowers) and chopping down the grass. I have to admit I was excited to see it go and once again be able to see what’s in front of me. However, one of these days in the midst of macheting the grass I was riding my bike home and a little boy hopped out in front of me. He was shouting and obviously seeking my attention and I waved and kept riding, but he stood his ground waving for me to stop. As I slid to a stop (coming very close to regret not wearing a helmet!), he came over touched my arm, smiled, and walked away. I know this is a story about grass, but it’s taken me until now to get it etched into my head. I have spent a lot of this past month still experiencing culture shock, but most of all so many anxieties about the unknown. I’ve always liked to know what’s in front of me, I’m a planner and an organizer. Living in Togo has presented me with so many challenges but most of all overcoming my imminent fear of what the next day will bring. However, the Lord has brought it to my attention that what I fear is living in Africa because every national I have met lives for today, no stores of food, no leftovers, no plans. People here live everyday and don’t even think about tomorrow. I can’t see past the tall grasses! Instead of being in fear of what could jump out at me, I have to be faithful in the Lord’s will. I have learned a lot about my doubts and fears these past couple months and I am thankful for the places God has brought me. While I have always felt confident in my ability to teach these children, I never realized how skewed my habits and opinions would be received. I am thankful for God’s continued patience and teaching and also for all of you; your continued prayerful support as I continue on this journey stretches farther than you will ever know!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Le Notre Pere Learning French with Megan! While I am becoming well aquainted with greetings, manners, and food items in French; I’m setting goals for myself in learning more! For October and November, I am working on memorizing The Lord’s Prayer in French. Here it is...

Notre Pere, qui est au cieux, que ton nom soit sanctifie, que ton regne vienne; que ta volonte soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel. Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de chaque jour. Pardonne-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons a ceux qui nous ont offenses. Ne nous soumet pas a la tentation, mais delivre-nous du mal. Car c’est a toi qu’appartiennent le regne, la puissance et la gloire, aux siecles des siecles. Amen.

October 2008

Missionary Visits I have been very blessed to meet other missionaries this past month and to share their ministries with you!

LCMS World Mission

The Rasches

800-433-3954

Ivan is a computer expert and Jennifer is a musical whiz. They teach at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria through LCMS World Mission. Ivan came to Dapaong to do a few seminars for professors at the CLET. Samuel & Abby had a great time with their children, Heather & Timothy. Please pray for their ministry to the students and families of Hillcrest!

www.lcmsworldmission.com [email protected] Learn more about the work of LCMS World Mission in Africa by visiting: www.lcmsworldmission.org/africa

The Esalas Nathan and Sarah work with Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) in northern Ghana where they work with many different people groups, including the Moba. They are expecting their 4th child in Dec. Please pray for their continued ministry in translation and lingustics!

The Dimas’ Walt and Helen Dimas are partial parents to the Lutheran Church in northern Togo and northern Ghana. Retired missionaries who have worked for both LCMS WM & LBT. Walt returns at least once a year to minister to the people of West Africa. This time for the special occasion of the dedication!

Contact Info Megan Birney B.P. 38 Dapaong, Togo West Africa

Prayer Requests

Strength, guidance, & courage as the Lord is still teaching me about West Africa and His will for the next 7 months. [email protected] • That the Lord would continue to be prevalent in the lives of the Fluegge children and that I would be effective in their learning Check out my blog: • For health; that the Lord would continue to keep my mind and body acrossanoceansizedlove.blogspot.com free of sickness, fatigue, & anixieties. • The students at the CLET (Centre Lutherien D’etudes Theologiques), Visit my project page: that God would steady their hearts to pursue their calls to leadership www.lcms.org?13343 training in serving the Lutheran Church in West Africa & also the Download my prayer card: CLET professors that guide their journeys. •

www.lcmsworldmission.org/ prayercards Access my photo albums: picasaweb.google.com/ megaroonski Megan Birney B.P. 38 Dapaong, Togo West Africa

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Praise for the new translation of the New Testament into a Moba dialect by Lutheran Bible Translators. My fellow long-term missionaries serving this year, for the opportunity & strength to live out Christ’s love on the mission field. •

For the hearts of West Africa.

Postage!

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