Letter from Benin
Trip Start
May 31, 2005
1
3
33
Trip End
Aug 02, 2005
Monterey, California
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Thanks for your concern and your message, malgré tout ce qui te reste à faire. [TRANSLATION (since that's what I do! :0) despite all you have left to do]
Our three SIMers came out of Togo avant-hier [day before yesterday] and are staying in Bénin. Things are mostly hot in the south, but there were signs of violence in the mid-northern city where they are (Sokodé), so they came across.
Most of the tensions are ethnic, as the former leader was in power for 37 years and favored the northeners. Donc [so], the southerners are looking for their turn, thus, the strong dsesire for the opposition candidate to be in power. Now, that both have
declared themselves President, it could degrade to civil war. That's the fear. You may well have the chance to meet our refugees when you arrive.
Pray for peace, for God's solution, and for His church in Togo, that it may truly be salt and light in this chaos.
Later,
Jon
I have to admit, guys, that instead of making me more scared, it actually makes me more excited for my trip. This is real life. It's not a cushy, show up and sing songs short term mission trip. If anything, I hope that my being there and people being interested in ME will make people more interested in Africa, which is always, always forgotten...
