Looking Back and Pressing Forward

Now that we’re getting a little more settled in, we thought it would be good to keep everyone updates on where we are now.  As many of you know, we finished our first year of the two year JourneyCorps program – year in review:

December-February – Language/Cultural training and seminars in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire

March-December – Living with Pastor Luk and his family in Niakara, Cote d’Ivoire, partnering with the community and local church to be immersed in culture and have a “sink or swim” language experience.

·         Steve worked with moto garages and hung out with the guys at our house making tea, helping with English and math homework.

·         Jessica started a girls Bible Study and Formation class and started a bracelet selling business to earn money for the youth group and Girls Group                                                                               

Our next phase is more of a ministry discovery phase.  We decided to move over to Benin (see map) and work with TransWorldRadio.  Steve will be working doing Electrical Engineering and lots of odd jobs at the site and Jessica will be searching out opportunities in the community and through the local church much as she did in Cote d’Ivoire.

Drove from Cote d'Ivoire through Burkina Faso to Benin

Our goal coming out here was to see where our gifts and talents could be used in overseas ministry.  We’re praying that God really directs our future shows us what HE wants for us, whether that be here or in the US.  We want to thank you so much for allowing this time to be possible.  Without your giving, we couldn’t be here!

On that same note here are some of the ministries your support has contributed to this past year.

1. Youth Scholarships— scholarships with allowed 10 students to go to a National Youth Camp which was not affordable for the youth in Niakara.

2. Sunday School Rooms—the church in Niakara was able to build 4 more Sunday School classrooms that can double as guest houses for conferences and seminars.

Steve and Josué

3. Josué and his family—God has called a member of our church to give up his farm and go to Seminary—your giving allows our church to finance their tuition and living expenses each month.

4.  Bethel Bible Institute—only $60/month allows a family to pay tuition and cover living expenses for a month.  Your money has gone to train much needed pastors for the 500 Baptist churches with only 300 pastors in Cote d’Ivoire.

5. Girls Group/Bracelet business—only $40 allowed us to start up this Sunday afternoon Girls Bible Study and formation class and get started on a bracelet making business.

6. Church Roof/Windows and Doors—I know that many of you gave to the short term team that came out, paid for, and put up the church roof!

The Church no longer looks like this!

Thanks so much for your giving!

We’ll keep you updated as our ministry becomes more definite here in Benin! 

Steven and Jessica Willman