Dear Prayer Partners,
We just returned from a quick trip into Togo to check on the volunteers who
are presently there involved in prayer walking, evangelism, and encouraging
pastors. About 50 people have already made commitments to Christ! I've
received permission from them to share with you some details of the
difficulties they have and are experiencing.
~ The six man team was whittled down to three in the week before their
arrival. Kevin Ginnings wife, Jennifer, came down with viral meningitis,
even ending up in the hospital. She is still very sick. She also had a
terrible allergic reaction to sun screen which has left her body with open
sores that are not healing.
~ Jim Fackrell, the doctor treating Jennifer as well as being one of the
members of the team slated to come to check out the situation in Togo in
anticipation of returning in Feb. 2008 with a medical team, suffered a
terrible motorcycle accident. He broke his collar bone, several ribs, ended
up in the hospital and even lost his memory for a time due to pain
medication. He and his wife, Lara, who was also planning to come, obviously
didn't.
~ Last evening, Sunday Sept. 23, Wayne Close received word that his
father-in-law died yesterday of cancer. He is still planning to stay until
the end of the trip. They leave Thursday night, Sept. 27. His
father-in-law flew in WWII and was an awesomely godly man.
~ Last night, about 2:00 am, Wayne was awakened by the sound a flute.
Startled he looked and saw a man standing in his room playing a flute. He
walked to the bathroom and the man was also there. He returned to his bed
and once again saw the man. In Jesus name he prayed against this presence.
It disappeared. This morning, in talking with the Baptist brother,
Ferdinand, who is their point person for the work the team is doing in the
nation said, "here in Togo we have a spirit (demon) that plays a flute." It
really doesn't matter what your spiritual warfare world view is, this was
bizarre, but the power of God in Christ ended it.
Please be in prayer for Marcia Chamberlain, Wayne Close and Kevin Ginnings
as they continue their ministry in Togo! Pray for their families back in
the States and everyone mentioned in this letter. Prayer is needed!
May God do exceedingly; abundantly above all we ask or think!!
Love,
Barbara and Jeff
PS Jeff will fly to Burkina Faso for meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 26 to
return on October 1. His health (allergies and ear infection) and my health
(mild malaria) haven't been 100% lately. We wouldn't mind a good burst of
energy and physical wholeness!