Togo, West Africa —
One of my favorite verses pertaining to missions is “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6).
In November of 2007, our Community Health Evangelism (CHE) team went to visit the village of Kaduasokope at the request of a pastor who has a church in another village. The pastor’s desire was to see people saved and to see a church planted there. After a survey trip, the CHE team discovered that their program would indeed benefit the village, and began to implement it. The goal was to educate people how they could improve their lifestyles and thereby be more healthy. In January of 2009, the CHE team took some calendars prepared by our graphic designers, Wes and Amy Sigler, that were then produced by those who run the print shop. One of the verses on the calendar was Joshua 24:15, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” One of the CHE members, Adoli, gave a devotional on this verse. Then the whole group asked if someone could come to their village to begin a Bible study, so that they could know how to serve the Lord. A Bible study began, to the delight of the pastor and to our delight as well. The study turned into a Sunday gathering, preaching the Word of God brought about understanding, and several people received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
On December 7, 2008, six people were baptized in a nearby river. A seed was planted, and then much watering took place. One person planted, a whole bunch watered, and God gave the increase! Isn’t He wonderful to use so many different people, with various abilities and talents? On the CHE team, we have a pastor, some nurses and lay people, graphic designers, press men, the director of the CHE team, the person that oversees literature distribution in Togo–this team of Togolese and Americans—all planting and watering so that God can give the increase. Amazing. I had a small part. So many had a small part. Some prayed for me and for others involved in these ministries. Some gave financially to keep missionaries in Togo, or to help the pastor have a motorcycle so he could go to the village. Never think your part is not important! We all can do some watering, and God gives the increase and saves lost people.
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Togo
