I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter this year! I have to say that it was one of the very best for me personally – because for the first time in years, our sweet granddaughter, Lily, was able to attend the Resurrection Day service with our family! Although the church service (1 of 4 Easter services!) was packed out – making the crowds (and praise and worship) somewhat overwhelming for her, Lily enjoyed it so much that she wrote: “I think it has been a wonderful experience that I want to do every week”. As I sang out the joyful songs celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, it almost felt that He had to some degree also resurrected Lily!

As so many others have also experienced, coming face-to-face with a near-death or terrifying ordeal beyond our control and then finding we have been given a “second chance”, we find we are truly rejuvenated and view life in a whole new way! Lily often begins her day with writing a couple of reasons why she is grateful for the day – she is very conscious of simple blessings and at times writes: “I am grateful for a good night’s sleep… or the sunshine….or feeling better…..” In addition to Easter, she has been able to enjoy several special events in the past month, including her birthday party (fairytale theme as seen here with her twin, Levi), a visit to some beautiful gardens, and going to the store to buy a bird bath for her very own little garden. She still battles some horrible symptoms periodically but is determined to do her part to help the doctors so that other children will not have to suffer so much!

The Amplified Bible reads in James 1:2-4: “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” As I read this treasured passage once again, I am struck by how clearly it tells us that we must expect to face trials and be prepared to ENDURE them – rather than pray for God to snatch us out of them! In fact, if we want spiritual maturity and inner peace, we MUST endure such difficult experiences! God does not wait until we reach a certain age and are “ready” for this – that is why it is so important for even children to understand about times of testing and endurance and be encouraged to put their trust in Jesus to help them get through! He IS faithful to help us! Blessings, Shirley

Pastor Sika in Togo – He recently sent us a long report detailing the ministry that continues in and through the Joseph Project Orphanage, in addition to evangelism by his team both in Lomé and more distant villages. He and Lucie celebrated Easter at the JP, where they particularly addressed the widows and orphans – there are now 10 widows and 4 small orphans being helped through the JP in addition to the older orphans who attend school (see photo).

He continues to do evangelistic outreaches with his team in several villages, usually starting by showing a Christian film in the street. This photo shows a subsequent meeting under a tree where the people receive more Bible teaching, and it is hoped a new church will soon be planted.

The work also continues in Agbanake (formerly very resistant to the Gospel), but where there is now a growing church. After the terrible floods at the end of last year, Pastor Sika and his team have distributed rice and other much-needed items. A simple church building has been procured and some chairs donated, although many more are still needed, as seen in this photo!

In Lomé, evangelism also continues through Lucie’s hairdressing salon and sewing workshops, and several have accepted the Lord! Every Monday Pastor Sika teaches through a local Christian radio station. He writes that so many believers are confused by false teaching in their churches: one man called in to say that his pastor teaches “When someone disobeys his parents but gives money to the church, God can forgive him his sins”. Pastor Sika hopes to plan another conference on discipleship in August to help clear up so many wrong teachings and share the truth of the Word. This conference will be in northern Togo, which is predominantly Muslim. He will need $2,000 to pay for it, so asks our special prayers. He also asks for continued prayers for the various medical issues that he and Lucie still suffer from. What an incredible testimony of how God continues to work through His faithful servants despite the many trials and sufferings along the way! We pray God will continue to provide for every need.