Loving Africa

Dave: As a 13 year-old, I remember sitting at the dinner table as my father read an email from a family friend, who was writing to volunteer his excess sky miles in order to send me anywhere in the world on a mission trip! Since this was a direct answer to the prayers of their young son, prayers that they did honestly not even expect to see God answer for me so amazingly, my parents wept as they read this email to me. To make a long story short, that summer I boarded a plan to Benin, West Africa, where I spent five weeks alongside some of God's most committed servants. While adopting a child from Africa was the furthest thing from my mind at the time; nevertheless, I came home with a love for the African people, having made life-long friendships in that country.

Emiley: I was exposed to Africa at a young age through a variety of means. Many different missionaries had come through my church, sharing their stories and videos of life in Africa. Africa, the "dark continent," was filled with beautiful people...many of whom had never heard the Good News of the Gospel. Many of them lived in fear under the power of witchcraft and voodoo. Many of these people were blinded by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4). Just as God's glorious Gospel shone in my heart to give me the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ...This light must shine in African hearts as well.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a missionary to Africa, where I would be the "mommy" of hundreds of African children at my orphanage. I wanted to start practicing right away, so I asked for a "black baby" doll for my birthday. My parents encouraged my love, and I cared for my white babies and my black babies side by side. Adoption was implanted in my heart at a young age.

Dave: This past summer, Emiley and I had the privilege of going to Benin together to serve along with those same missionaries who had impacted me as a boy, Ken and Debbie Haley. We were able to spend about 10 days in the country, ministering in churches and spending time with Ken and Debbie.

Emiley: When Dave and I decided to go on a missions trip last summer, Africa was at the top of my list. Through Dave's previous missions connections, we were able to minister with the Haleys. What a dear and faithful missionary couple they are. Within hours of being with them, their love for the African people was beyond clear!

This was the first time I had ever been out of country, and Benin is just about the furthest thing from America that you can find. I was amazed to see the extreme poverty in this underdeveloped country. Of course, the people and the culture were stunning. The African people are never "too busy" for their friends or even for strangers. They are hospitable and caring. Their bright smiles and shining eyes were captivating.

However, the absolute poverty left me feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Aside from the small slice of upper-class citizens, almost all of the people lived in actual tin huts. Even in the city. They ground their corn meal, raised their wandering chickens or pigs, and cooked over open fires. And this was the city!

As we drove down the bumpy (and I mean, bumpy!) dirt roads, past hut after hut, the children's bright eyes and shining smiles were contagious. They would peer out shyly from behind their mother's skirts. Some would courageously wave and run alongside our truck. Still others would simply stare with curiosity. They stole my heart immediately!

I also saw voodoo witch-craft practices: idols and altars and witch doctors. These people, enslaved by darkness, desperately need the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ. I am thankful for missionaries, like the Haleys, who have given their lives for this purpose. We were privileged to work alongside them, sharing the truth with the people, and pointing them to local, national-pastored churches (with whom the Haleys partner).

Dave: While we were able travel to many public schools, where we practiced English with the students through song and testimony about the American educational system. After our official English practice, I was able to preach the gospel, sometimes to entire public schools!

I also had the opportunity to teach a brief class on practical apologetics to some of the national pastors, church leaders, and future pastors. Along with this, it was my privilege to preach to several churches, including one that was being newly established!

When we returned home to our church, Lakewood Baptist, our congregation was moved by the need for land for the new church in Benin, and so God's people gave enough to purchase land and an initial building for our brothers and sisters across the ocean!

The biggest highlight of our trip, however, was being present at the baptism of a village chief, who had formerly served his village as a voodoo priest. The man had professed faith in Christ nine months previous and had been faithful to church and to discipleship meetings. With the current voodoo priest looking on for intimidation purposes, the pastor asked him if he wanted to be baptized. He raised his hand and said, "I give myself totally to Jesus Christ!" You can watch the video below.