DavisMission

Long Time No See

2010-07-17T12:33:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I admit it''s been a long time since I have written... I am surprised at how quickly time flies. I keep thinking I will write tomorrow and yet tomorrow never comes. It's always today and today is so full, that I don't seem to have time for my lists of yesterday.

Sadly we all fall into that trap. Good intentions are never good enough. As they say, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." So I would say is the road to apathy. We promise ourselves, "I will write a 'Thank You' tomorrow. I will clean my house tomorrow. I will call my friend tomorrow. I will exercise more tomorrow. I will diet tomorrow. I will, I will, I will," And yet tomorrow never comes. Apathy comes after we try to remove the guilt we feel from all of our "Could haves and should haves." There are only tow ways to remove guilt. One way is by the blood of Jesus, admitting we have failed and trading our life for His. The other is to deceive ourselves and say, "Oh these things don't matter. I don't have enough time." After a while we become apathetic and don't even try any longer and then all of our could haves and should haves get pushed aside.

Don't get me wrong. I too feel the crunch of doing everything I need to do in 24 hours. But I believe God has given me an answer. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:" Ok... so if there is a time for everything then I should consult the Time Giver about my day.

"Dear Father, Please guide me and direct me though out each day. Today, help me to complete my mission and fulfill your desires for me. I commit my list of "Need to Dos" to you. Help me to walk down the path you have made for me. When I finish my day with you, I want to hear you say "Well done."

Twisted lives

2009-09-08T08:53:00.002-04:00

I was just reading about a builder who uses junk and other people's castoffs to build houses in Texas for the poor. The story tells of broken glass, twisted wood and even bones that he has artfully arranged to build lovely housing. All of this he has done because he cares for the poor. Not thinking of himself he has invested his life to make something out of nothing. I am so glad God did this for me. He made something out of nothing. He took my castoffs and my junk, used them to make something that "surprise!" pleases Him. We are His temple, a living example of "God making all things new." I see so many people who think they are castoffs, rejected and worthless. It is so comforting to know that our God is a God who specializes in restoring broken and twisted lives... "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Rev. 21:5).

A Cat's Life

2009-09-04T15:32:00.000-04:00

I know it has been several days since I have written. It seems like my days blend into each other and then all of a sudden I have lost a whole week. Oh dear...I don't like losing things.

Looking at my cat the other day made me think about what a cushy life he has. He doesn't have to worry about comfort. My whole house is at his disposal. When I am not looking he takes advantage of places he shouldn't be and with no cares in the world, he spends his life sleeping and chasing imaginary friends. He sits by the door and looks at the world outside but he never seems to want to leave the house. He must know how good he has it. What a life, no worries or cares. I would hold him more and give him a lot more attention but he doesn't want it. He is a little snooty and aloof and yet he does get lonely and seems to indicate to me that he likes me to be around but just not too close. I think that may cat and I are a lot like my relationship with God. He meets my needs and I have access to His presence whenever I want. I like having God around but not too close. I have no desire to leave Him but I can't help but see the world as it passes by my front door every day. It makes me realize how nice it is to be inside of God’s house and not outside. I too have a cushy life. God has given me enough to eat and plenty of love and protection. Sometimes I too forget how good I have it.

Please pray for Fred's travels In Africa

2009-09-03T16:17:00.002-04:00

Fred Travels - Please Pray!
August 26-27 – Fred & Robert fly to Accra, Ghana
August 27-28 – Drive North to Tamale, Ghana
August 29-Sept.1 – Graduation and Ministry in Tamale
September 2-4 – Travel to Accra and Ministry
September 5-6 – Robert flies & Fred goes to Lome, Togo
September 6 – Preach in Lome & travel to Cotonou, Benin & Frank Parrish of WorldMap arrives
September 7-9 – WorldMap Conf. – Cotonou, Benin
September 10-11 – WorldMap Conf.– Porto-Novo, Benin
September 12-13 – Travel to Parakou, Sunday service.
September 14-16 – WorldMap Conf.– Parakou, Benin
September 17-18 – WorldMap Conf.– Natintingou, Benin
September 19 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
September 20 – Sunday service, & Meeting with Pastors & Bill Chapel arrives
September 21 – Travel to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso & Meeting with Pastors
September 22 – Travel to Koutiala, Mali
September 23-26 – WorldMap Conf.– Koutiala, Mali
September 26 – Travel to Bamako, Mali
September 27-30 – WorldMap Conf.– Bamako, Mali
October 1 – Frank Parrish returns to USA.
October 1-3 – Fred teaches Bible School – Bamako, Mali
October 3 – Fred and Bill fly to Dakar, Senegal
October 4 – Sunday service Dakar, Senegal
October 5 – Fred and Bill return to USA.

Update

2009-08-14T11:49:00.002-04:00

I was pondering my busy life and realized that I have entered a whirlwind season. Often people ask me, "So what are you doing now?" Well.... let me tell you.

We just returned from New Hampshire and also Virginia. Yes I know they are not really connected however we did connect them in an asphalt kind of way....driving that is. Ha ha. While we were in Virginia we prayed for and sent our Daughter-in-law, Tina, off to Guatemala. She will be gone for about 2 weeks. Our Son Chris leaves on Saturday to join her.

On Tuesday/Wednesday, the 18th and 19th of August, Fred and I travel to NYC to pick up Dorcas Coulebly from Mali. She will become our "adopted daughter" for the next 4 years while she attends school in Olean NY. She was able to obtain a 4 year student visa.

On Friday (August 21st)we will take Marie-Louise to East Liverpool, Ohio. She will be traveling to Honduras with Mike and Becky Ingole on her first mission trip without mom and dad.

On Sunday the 23rd Chris and Tina return from their trip.

On Wednesday the 26th Fred leaves for Africa. He will not return till mid October.

Marie-Louise returns September 5th just in time for her to start school.

In the mean time, I have churches to visit and some ladies conferences planned. October 28th I leave to Palawan, Philippines. I have a feeling that I will sleep well on the plane. Ha ha!!!

Quality Time or Quantity Time

2009-08-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

Ah the great debate between quality time and quantity time. Is it better to have a lot of devoted time to a person or project or is it the quality of time that is greater? In pondering this I have discovered that both are true and they both demand commitment. Of course individual situations often dictate whether it is quantity or quality. Even for myself it is hard to determine which I prefer. With our lifestyle so busy and unpredictable having family time is sometimes a difficult task. I have discovered that I want both quality and quantity. I want the five minute talks and the quick little e-mails but I also long for the extended moments when nothing is said but we are all in the same room together, breathing the same air, knowing everyone is close. Our relationship with God is like that. God desires our day to day devotion time be it long or short. The fact that we designate some time to Him each day is pleasing to Him and yet He longs for those times when we retreat to a hidden place for an extended amount of time and just focus on being in His presence, breathing His air and knowing He is close. "Remember the Sabbath day" isn't legalism, it's a commitment. I don't have to be legalistic to devote quality or quantity time to God, I just have to do it.

Outside

2009-07-29T11:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I painted some of the outdoor white trim on my house. I do not enjoy being outside so painting the outdoor trim was not pleasant. I do like to paint but only inside. Generally speaking I enjoy any kind of painting but for some reason painting outside took most of the fun out of the job. I know most people look for a reason to be outside and even enjoy it but this was not my idea of a good time. I love projects and I am not afraid of a challenge but they are all inside. As I painted, wishing that the sun would stop glaring in my face, I thought about how we all have to do things we don't like to do. Life isn't always fun, easy or comfortable. I'm different, I know that. I feel at home in an airport and I feel my best eating food I have never had before. Yet being outside in the sun irritates me. God knew just what I needed yesterday. He was stretching me, taking me outside of my comfort zone, making me go "outside". It's good for us to do things we don't want to do. I guess it's called growing up.

In the Trash!

2009-07-27T09:32:00.004-04:00

I was reading in Hebrews this morning and my eye seemed stuck on this one verse, " So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God."(Hebrews 3:12 Message)
I kept reading the part that says "unbelief lying around" and began imagining "unbelief" as if it were old socks, dirty dishes, or newspapers lying around my house. You know... the stuff no one wants to pick up and take care of. I could visualize the dishes, socks, and newspapers but what about "unbelief"? And yet it is true, we leave it lying around in our mind and in our heart. Sometimes the worst thing we do is pick it up only to speak our "unbelief" and lay it inside of someone else's heart and mind. Lets make it a point today to pick up our junk. I don't want to get tripped up and I certainly don't want to trip someone else up. Lets put "unbelief" where it belongs...in the trash!

Pulled in a million directions

2009-07-22T23:43:00.002-04:00

I was feeling pulled in several directions. I am sure you know the feeling, someone wants your attention while the phone is ringing and another person is tugging at your sleeve. By the end of the day you want to collapse but there are several more projects that demand attention and before you know it it's after midnight...again. Since I am not a night person "after midnight" is not nice. That is just how I felt last night and I was visualizing those feelings and saw myself being pulled left and right back and forth. I could see my arms and legs being stretched further and further and feeling like I just might split in two or maybe three pieces. Then I knew that God had an answer for me. I could feel God drawing me toward Him but instead of feeling pulled in yet another direction I felt embraced and whole. I need to remember this, the next time I feel overwhelmed by so many of life's demands, I need to take a moment and draw close to the One who keeps me all together.

Failure

2009-07-22T00:42:00.003-04:00

I am no stranger to failure. It seems we are all destined to fail at some point (or points) in our life. I have one failure that I have to face day after day. Several weeks ago I decided to repaint my bathtub. This didn't seem like a terribly hard thing to do. I read the box and thought, "Oh I could do that easily." I set aside the day to do the work and as the box instructed, I scrubbed and sanded, rinsed and dried the tub until I had prepped the surface and it was ready to paint. Taking my premixed spray cans I sprayed and sprayed. With every layer the tub looked better and better. Now only 2 short months later the tub is pealing and bubbling all over looking worse and worse with patches of peeled paint over top of a nasty looking tub. Failure screams at me every time I take a bath and clean the tub. I had been so sure I could do this job.
Today, as I finished my bath, I couldn't help but think that this tub fiasco is much like other events in life. Often even after much hard work the result is failure. For many these failures define them. However what should define us is the courage to try again and to not give in to the voices of defeat. I'm not going to let a bathtub dictate to me how I feel or convince me of failure. This tub won't win...if I have to I can take a sledge hammer to it and take it out. Then we'll see who wins.

Best Bed and Breakfast in the World

2009-07-19T08:32:00.005-04:00

Last night we stayed in a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Millersburg Ohio. You can take a peek at their rooms on this site http://www.thebarninn.com/ . We had the privilege to stay in the room called Memory Lane. It is much more beautiful than the photo shows. The room is spacious and the bed was oh so soft. It also includes an inviting fireplace and comfy sofa and recliner. The remodeled barn is filled with beautiful antique furniture and the decor is rich and inviting. When we arrived, we were greeted by Loretta, the warm and friendly hostess. She showed us all around and explained the yummy treats that were available. There were chocolate chip cookies and some kind of flaky berry jumble bars, all homemade. I had one of the jumble bars and it was melt in your mouth good. What can I say about breakfast. It was all fresh homemade goodness paired with the new found friends from all over the country. If you ever have a chance to go to Millersburg, make sure you stay at the Barn Inn. You will love it.

Why Do I Live

2009-07-18T08:19:00.004-04:00

Some one asked me the other day, why do I live? The question wasn't something philosophical but an honest, soul searching, gut wrenching question. One that begged an answer that gave true validity to that person's life. Surprising to me was the fact that, throughout the years, I have been asked that same question by several others. Why do I live? Why do you live? For me the answer is simple. I live because I am dead, you see I died to myself years ago (yes, it is true that old self often wants to resurrect itself, nevertheless I am determined that it is dead). Like the Apostle Paul I can say, "The life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Why do I live? I live for Him. I don't have to understand how valuable I am, I just have to know that I am valuable. I don't have to have a reason to live, just a determination to live, knowing that my life has worth and it is important because someone greater than I choose to give me worth. The Bible tells me that there is no greater love that that which is shown when a man gives his life for a friend. Jesus Christ gave his life for you and I. The price He paid indicates our value. Oh yes there are places to go and things to do, but they don't determine the value of one's life. You have value because you are loved. My reason for living isn't wrapped up in what I can do or what I have done but rather in who I am and who loves me. So if you also wonder why you live, meditate on Jesus' love for you instead of meditating on your failures and lack of abilities. Think about God's goodness instead of the vanity of life. The reason I live? It is to return the love to the one who loves me most. That sure takes the pressure off from my day!

Boiled Peanuts

2009-07-16T23:45:00.002-04:00

I mentioned boiled peanuts the other day on Facebook. I was surprised at the responses that I got. On and on the comments came. I couldn't help but think how special such an insignificant thing like boiled peanuts could be. For one moment in time several people were united in one cause... the love of Boiled peanuts. Who would have guessed that so many people would be interested in the lowly peanut? It made me think about all the people in the world who think they are insignificant, lower than a peanut. So many people have no purpose, no goals, no happiness. They feel so low at times that eating dirt would be a luxury. If you are one of those don't forget, someone cared enough to die for you. You are not alone and definitely not insignificant. The book of Matthew tells a story about a great merchant who sought after a treasure. When he found the treasure he sold all he had just to buy that treasure. Jesus is the great merchant and he found you, His wonderful treasure. He sold all, even his own life, to purchase you. Hmmm...this is so much better than boiled peanuts.

Ministry update

2009-07-09T11:21:00.003-04:00

Fred and I are traveling right now. This is the way we spend most of our summers. As many of you know we work in Africa and also the Philippines. Every summer we take some time to visit friends and churches that support us and this is currently what we are doing. Fred is also working diligently on editing the video Bible school classes that we produce. This is a lot of tedious work and it takes hundreds of hours to complete one class. Please pray with us that this work goes smoothly. I have also been finishing my third book. I am hoping that I will have this book published by the end of this month. The title is "The Only Way Out Is In". I am very excited about this project. It has been a lot of work and so many friends have helped me. I couldn't have done it without them.
Many people ask me what we do in our mission work. Fred and I both teach at Bible schools and churches in Africa and the Philippines. It has been our great joy to regularly teach in established Bible schools, run by local African/Philippine ministries. We have the privilege of working with great pastors and leaders. We have established and help supervise/maintain over 40 Video Bible schools across West Africa. We also hold pastor's seminars, women's conferences and work closely with an orphanage in Benin.
Our daughter Marie-Louise is planing to go to Honduras in August this year and this will be her first mission trip with out us. Please pray for her. She will be traveling with Mike and Becky Ingole. She is very excited about going and we believe this will be a great trip for her. Fred is leaving for Africa late August/early September. He is holding several pastor's conferences and teaching Bible school. Please pray for him and his plans. I will leave for Palawan with a team in late October, after Fred comes back from Africa. I am currently booking my fall schedule. (I am available in the USA while Fred is gone) I have a few dates left open. Please pray that everything works smoothly as we juggle all of our programs. We plan to all be back together in the USA for the holidays.
Thanks for your prayers...

Loved

2009-07-09T11:08:00.002-04:00

I made a new friend yesterday. I love making and keeping friends. It seems to me that in this day of hustle and bustle we forget some of the most important things and one of those things is to look into the eyes of someone while they talk and listen to their heart. As I was listening to my new friend, I saw her deep yearning for God and also the struggle she experiences because of often being missunderstood. I saw someone with deep compassion for others and also a fear of failure. I watched her as she spoke and God began to show me how vital this one person is in the Kingdom of God. How often I have overlooked someone because I was too busy or just didn't pay attention. I made a new friend yesterday because I stopped long enough to look deep inside and see the real person.
God, help me to truly see people, to look deep and feel and understand like you would have me do. That's what being a friend truly is...after all, that's how you treat me.

Popcorn

2009-07-07T19:58:00.002-04:00

We made popcorn today. Funny how even popcorn has changed in the last several years. I remember when I was young and we would take a big kettle, pour some salt, oil and popcorn kernels into it, put a lid on it and the shake shake shake it over a good hot stove until all of the corn had popped. Eventually the hot air popcorn maker emerged and out of the spout of the new electrical appliance came flying popcorn, fat and guilt free. Then the microwave changed everything about popcorn. All that is necessary for a perfectly seasoned bag of popcorn is 3 minutes in a microwave oven and viola, an instant snack! Everyone in the family can have their choice plain, sweet, or salty, high fat or low. You name it there is no end to the choices. However one things stays the same, not all the kernels pop. Some pop into light, tasty, delicious puffs, however some just burn, some do nothing, and some turn into little tooth breaking stones. It doesn't seem to matter if it's a hot stove, hot air, or microwaves, not every kernel responds to the process.
God, help me to respond to your process. I don't want to do nothing and I don't want to become burned out and hard, but I want to bloom and expand until I am everything you want me to be. Thank you Lord for the process, teach me to respond to you!

Overcoming

2009-07-03T09:58:00.002-04:00

In Revelation 3:21 we read, "To him who overcomes..." I don't know about you but when I read that, I think of all kinds of things to overcome. No one is exempt; we all need to overcome, stress, finances, family issues, you name it we even need to overcome food! Our need to overcome daily is endless. If I only think about the things to conquer I could become discouraged but the very fact that I am promised a reward if I do overcome gives me hope that it can be done. Praise the Lord! I am an overcomer. You are an overcomer. We don't have to settle for defeat. You or I might lose a few battles but that doesn't make us losers. An overcomer even overcomes defeat!

Fear

2009-06-30T11:39:00.002-04:00

It's an interesting day and age we live in. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are friends who are sick and some who have died, the loss of finances and jobs, and even airplanes that disappear. And yet we know that we do not have a spirit of fear. If we truly believe that we serve a God who cares then we have nothing to fear. I stand in agreement with Franklin D. Roosevelt when he said, "The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself.” He said those words in the midst of the great Depression and while facing the prospect of another great world war. Yet he knew that fear itself is our greatest enemy. The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. In these days of trouble we need power, love, and a sound mind. May we all see the fulfillment of this wonderful promise.

Some like it hot some like it cold.

2009-06-25T10:46:00.002-04:00

We are traveling right now, visiting churches that support us and also catching up with a few friends as we go. I love visiting with everyone. What a joy it is to know that we are all part of the great family of God and that we can feel at home wherever we are. It would be easy to assume that people are all the same but when you arrive at someone's house you realize that some like it hot and some like it cold. Some people drink coffee and others tea. Some places are in the city and others are so deep in the country that we need an escort to help us find our way. So many things are different yet there is one constant. The goodness and kindness of our "family" is unending. God, our loving heavenly Father is so much bigger than all of the troubles that go on around us and He has provided us with a family to give us comfort and encouragement. In these days of unrest and fear we should never forget that we have a home and that we belong.

Rest

2009-06-15T20:01:00.002-04:00

There is something to be said for taking a day of rest. In our busy days and short nights we "burn the candle at both ends" and "push the envelope". Stress is at an all time high and the need to excel has replaced peace with a fear of failure. God designed a day of rest so we could linger in His peace and find comfort in His all encompassing love. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is to sit in God's presence and just REST.

Playing the Game

2009-06-12T09:10:00.003-04:00

Lately I have discovered that a lot of people don't have a clue. Now, I don't mean this to be mean or unkind. It's just that I have noticed that many people feel that life is a mystery and that their life is some kind of game board. They know there is something to be figured out but they don't have a clue. Like the murder mystery board game, they ask, who did it, where, and with what??? The most obvious answer to this riddle is Jesus, on a hill called Calvary, on a cross.

I always thought it was enough to just know that (and it is) however life continues to have mysteries and we continue to look for clues. How do we live? What are the answers to my problems? If we have the answers, and we do, then I think it's time we as Christians started handing our a few more clues.

Air France 447

2009-06-04T13:26:00.002-04:00

When I heard about the missing Air France flight I couldn't help but feel a personal connection. Fred and I have traveled Air France several times and so the missing plane is a little close to home. I can't help but think about all of the people who have lost loved ones on that flight. And of course the unknown details must make their loss even more surreal. Life is so fragile and a loss like this reminds us that any one could be gone in an instant. We never know from one minute to the next what the future holds, whether you enter an airplane or just take your car to the corner market. It just goes to show that we need to be ready and confident of our eternal future regardless of what may come our way.

Waiting

2009-05-31T19:42:00.001-04:00

When I'm traveling, I can always depend on my sister to be looking for me online. Now she doesn't have a lot of time but she gets up early and looks for my light. When I connect to the INTERNET I look for her light too. For those who don't use chat, we have google chat and when we are online we have a green google light that lets us know when someone else, in our friend list, is online. We finish our little chats by saying, "I'll be looking for you." How nice it is to know that someone is "looking" for you. God wishes for someone to be looking for Him too. Pr 8:34 says, "Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." I know that waiting isn't always fun but there is a special joy that comes when I have waited for my sister and her light comes on. I think it's that way between us and the Lord too. It isn't easy to wait but when He comes...Oh the joy that fills my soul!

Friends

2009-05-31T16:30:00.001-04:00

Remember the old song, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." This week I had the privilege of spending time with some new and old friends. Like the song, I have discovered that both kinds of friends are valuable. Just in the last few days I have talked to friends from California, Seattle, Maryland, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Some are new and some of these friends go back 35+ years, all of them precious and special. As a person of Covenant I believe in keeping friends, you could say I collect them. Friends make us rich in ways that cannot be measured. Who is my best friend you may ask? Let me answer with another song. "What A Friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." He's the best and I'm willing to share...Blessings...

The Cycle of our Days

2009-05-29T09:26:00.003-04:00

Some days life is fast and some days it is slow. We have had several fast days and today is one of those slower, do the laundry, unpack the suitcase and clean the bathroom days. It doesn't seem very exciting. Fred is working on taxes and video editing, a never ending job by the way, and I am busy with even less exciting things in life. So often, I have discovered, people think that if they aren't doing the "exciting" that they have no value or that the things they do are not as important as what someone else does. However it's the mundane, such as clean clothes and bookwork, that make a way for the more exciting things of life. I told my sister, just this morning, that my life seems to have a system. I do laundry, pack my suitcase, clean my house before a trip, have the exciting ministry trip, come home, unpack, do laundry and start all over again. God created it that way by covenanting with the night and day. There will always be a night and always a day, seven in a row and then we start all over again. Oh... Oh... I just got a phone call...my plans have changed. Even the slow days aren't so mundane after all.

Weekend in Virginia

2009-05-26T14:03:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the GCMF Fabulous Fruit Bearers Conference in beautiful Fredericksburg Virginia. What a joy it was to gather with lovely ladies from all over that area. We talked about bearing fruit, being fruitful and we even ate some awesome fresh fruit. One of the highlights,for me, this weekend was the time I spent in worship, fellowshipping with my dear friends and seeing many women having their faith and joy renewed. It was exciting to hear the testimonies of what God did all weekend long. i.e. One woman told me that God had been preparing her, for a few weeks, before the conference. Time and time again, during the meetings and fellowship time, the things God had been speaking to her were confirmed. She went on to say that she was going home with a new excitement and resolve to serve God. Another woman said that she had almost given up but now she had a new joy and felt God working in her life. Thanks Pastor Christine and Living Word Fellowship for all your hard work putting on a great time of ministry and fellowship.

Back to Africa - 2009!

2009-02-03T22:25:00.009-05:00

Fred is on his way back to Africa with his brother, Robert, and Bill Hoffman. Debby, Marie-Louise and Cathy Hoffman will join them in a few weeks.

As usual we are taking equipment for the Pastors and Bible Schools
9 Video Bibles Schools, 6 DVD players, a computer and 6 refurbished laptops, computer repair parts, 3 all-in-one printers (1 laser, 2 ink-jet), ink cartridges for them and others we have in Africa already, 3 video projectors, a piano keyboard, also clothes and things for the orphanage.

Prayer Requests & Itinerary:
Feb. 4-5 – Fred, Robert and Bill fly to Accra, Ghana.
Feb. 7 – Twelve hour ride North to Tamale.
Feb. 7–11 – Settling our church planters in Tamale.
Feb. 12 – Twelve hour ride back South to Accra.
Feb. 13 – Around Accra.
Feb. 14 – Travel to Cotonou, Benin.
Feb. 15-20 – Churches and Bible School.
Feb. 21-22 – Debby, Marie-Louise and Cathy fly to Accra.
Feb. 21 – Fred, Robert & Bill travel back to Accra, Ghana.
Feb. 22-March 1 – Churches, Bible School, Seminar.
March 1 – Robert flies home to the USA.
March 2 – Travel to Lome, Togo.
March 2-3 – Live teaching at Video Bible School.
March 4-8 – Women’s Seminar and Churches.
March 9-12 – Leaders Seminar - Vogonville, Togo.
March 13-15 – Travel to Parakou, Benin for weekend.
March 16-20 – Cotonou, Benin, Bible School and Church.
March 21 – Travel all day to Natitingou, Benin.
March 22 – Speaking at Churches in Natitingou.
March 23 – Travel to Baribe village, minister and return.
March 24 – Game Park.
March 25 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
March 25-30 – National Women’s Conference.
March 31 – Travel to Tamale, Ghana.
April 1-5 – Church Plant – Special Program - Tamale.
April 6 – Twelve hour ride back South to Accra.
April 7 – Accra.
April 8 – Travel West to Takoradi, Ghana.
April 8-12 – Easter program with Pastor Charles.
April 13 – Travel East along coast back to Accra.
April 14 – Last day in Accra.

Prayer Requests:
Pastor Aldous and the Church plant in Tamale, Ghana
Pastor George in Benin and Pastor Dieudonne in Ivory Coast – both had some strokes a few years ago and need to get their health and strength back.
Pray for Fred & Debby and their team, for safety on their extensive travels, good health, and to be a blessing.
Pray for God’s direction for our plans for 2009 and beyond. We have commitments where we have been going but also have invitations to other countries in Africa and invitations for Europe.
Pray for needed finances and we Pray that God will bless you as you give to reach others with the Gospel.

Thank you for praying for us.

Rush to get back to Africa

2008-08-25T23:38:00.002-04:00

This is the time of year when everyone is rushing to get ready for school again. Fred is headed back to West Africa with a team on September 7th. He will be accompanied by his brother, Bob Davis, Nephew, Charlie Harrison, and Bill Chapel, who has been with Fred a number of times in the last few years. We would really appreciate it if you would hold them all up in prayer. When they return to the States, they plan to bring the twins home from Benin to Doug & Becky & family.

Pray for Fred and Team in Africa
September:
7th - Fly to Africa
9-13 – Bible School Mali
14 – Churches
16th – Travel to Bla – plan seminar
17th – Travel to Bobo-Dioulasso & Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
18th – Travel to Tamale, Ghana
19th – Scout out / Prayer Tamale
20th – 12 hour bus ride to Accra
21th – Churches in Accra Bill flies home
22-26 – Bible School Accra
28th – Graduation Accra Bible School
29-30 – Lome, Togo – Live at V.B.S.
October:
1st – Go to Cotonou, Benin
2-5 – Parakou, Benin – V.B.S.’s and church – Title to the land?
6-10 – Bible School, Cotonou, Benin
12th – Churches
13th – Orphanage
14th – Fly with the twins to America
Prayer:
All the traveling – Planes, Cars, & Buses
Health for all for the whole trip
Divine trimming and connections
Finances for this trip and old debt
To receive the Title for the land in Parakou to build an Orphanage and more
For all the papers for the Twins to come with us to their new family and home in the USA

Video Bible School Report

2008-08-18T23:22:00.003-04:00

Pastor Aldous from Accra, Ghana, wrote, “Happy to hear of your coming and also for the graduation which I and my other colleagues are eagerly awaiting. I'm learning and enjoying the {Video} Bible school very very well. As a matter of fact, this Bible School is the best thing to have ever happened to me in ministry and I will like to specially thank you, Pastor Geoff {Bretches – Church at the Crossroads in New Hampshire} and everybody that contributed to making this worthy investment in us.”
That’s a special “Thank You” to you, our supporters!

Fred’s brother, Robert, has helped us for many years and duplicating the DVD Video Bible Schools is one way he has helped. He recently purchased this high-speed machine to help make them. He is now with us more full-time basis.

The Ups and the Downs in Benin

2008-08-01T23:16:00.001-04:00

Debby went back to Benin the end of June with a team of 4, Becky Flitcroft, Becky Ingole, Emily Ingole and Marilee White. Their purpose was 3 fold, to visit churches, check on the orphanage, and to bring back the twins that are being adopted by Debby’s cousin Becky Flitcroft and her husband, Doug. The trip was difficult from the very beginning. Becky Flitcroft lost some of her luggage on the flights over and Debby became sick with bronchitis on the first day. Then they were unable to get necessary paperwork done because the courts went on strike in Benin. Each time when it seemed like they’d get their papers and the twins could fly, it wouldn’t happen. Finally they had to come back to the States without the twins. They were able to speak at several churches, do a women’s seminar and traveled up to Parakou, and back, where they held 3 nights of meetings with Pastor Augustin.

We appreciate all of your prayers for that trip. The strike that prevented them from bringing the girls back is still in progress. They were assured that as soon as the strike is over the girls will be given the proper documents. We are hopeful that Fred and his team will be able to bring them to the States in October. At this time the unofficial word is that the strike may end any day or it may go on into October. Please pray with us that it will end soon and the girls will get all their papers.

Thank You!!!!!!

2008-05-12T13:58:00.007-04:00

We want to thank our supporters for all that you do. We want to thank our prayer partners for your faithful prayers for us and our ministry. Below is thanks coming to you from 4 of our African friends that you are helping to sustain.

Pulcheire from the orphanage in Benin wrote to say:
Greetings from Benin. How are you?
We received the 1.100.56 USD sent for the orphanage.
Thank you very much for that you are doing for orphanage.
Thank you for sending the support.
We hereby thank all the donors may Lord bless them all.
WE LOVE YOU

Dieudonne from Abidjan, Ivory Coast wrote to say:
DEAR FRED
I am sending you greetings from Abidjan.
I really appreciate what you are doing.
I thank you very much for the money.
May the LORD continue to keep and protect you in the NAME of JESUS.
Extend my greetings to Mummy Debby.
I love you all. By Blessed.
(Note: You may remember, he was an interpreter for us in Abidjan at the Bible School and has had 2 strokes and can barely stand, use his arms or be understood when he talks – pray for his healing.)

Augustin in Benin wrote to say:
Hello Dad,

I was so excited to hear from you. I always give thanks to the Lord for having you as the right mentor I needed. I am proud of you and Mama. Thank you for all you have done for us, the church, Parakou and Benin.
(Note: We took him some equipment – like the new printer you see in the picture and we always preach at his church and do conferences with him.)

Albert and Aldous from the Video Bible School in Accra, Ghana wrote to say:
Albert - Pastor Fred - The first week of the Video Bible School has been very encouraging and inspiring. The attendance of majority of the students was excellent and they all took their home studies very seriously. Their understanding level has also not been bad at all. In a nut shell I will say week one of the VBS has been wonderful though there may be one or two minor lapses which we dealt with without any difficulty. The only unexpected problem we encountered was on friday with the TV. In the course of the afternoon session, the lights (power) was constantly going off and on and so in the process affected the TV. So we've taken it to the repairer and he working on it so we don’t yet know the cost but he promised it will be ready before Sunday.
THANK YOU.
(Note: The TV has been repaired and the school has continued.)
Aldous - Pastor Fred - I'm happy you're ok with the bible school so far and we're believing God that things will move on smoothly till we graduate. I'm also happy you're doing fine back there in the states. My regards to Debby and Mary Louis. Thank you and hope to hear from you. STAY BLESSED

So, Debby and I wanted to say a special, “Thank you.” We could not begin to do all we do with out you! Also we wanted you to be able to read some of the, “Thank you” emails that we receive, that really are for you.

What does VBS Mean to You?

2008-05-08T20:16:00.000-04:00

VBS to many American churches means Vacation Bible School = a 1 or 2 week church event in the summer for teaching the Bible to children. But for us VBS means Video Bible School = recorded teaching for use in other countries. Not every Christian Worker in the world has the possibility of attending a real, live, Bible School. It is reported that less than 10% of the estimated 2 million church leaders in the developing nations have had any formal ministry training! The workers need training. VBS is, “the Bible School that comes to you.” Any church can have it’s own Bible School when it has these DVD’s. And we want to make these teachings available in the languages of tribal people that perhaps don’t read or write any major world language, like English or French, because they are the ones to take the gospel into the unreached villages.

The VBS at the church in Accra, Ghana was suppose to start a few years ago, but it just never got going. Pastor Geoff Bretches and I have been teaching there and wanted to see this Video Bible School get going. After I taught there the first of April, we dedicated the VBS. After I traveled on, they continued the school with the videos. At this point this school in Accra, Ghana has been going for a month, and we have received a good report of how they are doing.

Here is a picture of me teaching them how to print, copy and assemble the booklets that accompany the videos. I had to buy that printer there in Ghana for them and it is a used, refurbished notebook computer that my brother Bob Davis supplied for them. In many cases we supply computers and printers as well as DVD players to accompany the video discs.

Please pray for this VBS in Ghana and the others. We have just sent the 8th set of discs to Ivory Coast. We have placed 17 in Benin, 3 in Senegal, 2 in Togo, 3 in Mali and 1 in Burkina Faso. We have sent 1 to Nigeria, 1 to Central Africa Republic and 3 to Congo. Visit our website dedicated to the Video Bible School at http://spiritandwordvbs.com/ or go to our regular website http://www.davismission.com/ and click on the Spirit and Word Video Bible School button under our picture.

One of the Sundays we were in Accra, I (Fred) preached about forgiveness and reconciliation and I shared a story from my own life. At the end of the service I prayed for those who responded to the message. Tuesday after that, when I was teaching Bible School, Pastor Aldous, (he is the first person on the left in the above picture) who interprets English into Ga for the students who don’t hear American English very well, didn’t make it to class. He showed up as we ended the class - 3 ½ hours late. As I took him aside and began to speak to him, he shared why he was late. Early that morning his dad called him and his brother and asked them to come immediately to meet him. (Of course when a person suddenly calls all the children around, this usually means the person is about to die and you have to go right then.) Aldous went on to share with me that his father was not dying, but wanted to ask forgiveness and make reconciliation with his sons. This was an incredible miracle and an answer to the prayer I prayed for Aldous and the others on Sunday morning. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers and support for this tremendous ministry.

Nearly a Brawl

2008-04-03T23:20:00.001-04:00

Debby and I had planed to spend the week of March 24-30 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but once again it just didn’t happen. (Acts 16:6-7) Because of the adoption of the twins in Benin, we had to spend more time there. The judges were on strike in Benin, but on March 25th we were finally able to meet with the judge.

Picture of a taxi in Ghana. Not all bush taxis are as well marked or in as good of condition as this one – but it’s an example of what a “bush” taxi looks like in Ghana. Most are old Peugeot 504 or 505 wagons in the francophone countries we work in.

On March 27th we made the trip from Cotonou, Benin to Accra, Ghana. As usual we used a “bush” taxi. This is a car and driver that takes you a distance – city to city. In this case it is Cotonou, Benin to Lome, Togo. Then you cross the border into Ghana and take a different bush taxi on to Accra. I have done this trip countless times with seldom any problem. (Last year we did have a taxi break down on a hot, nearly deserted road.) This year almost every time had some complications. This last time was no exception. My African pastors most times don’t like us traveling by ourselves because of things that can happen. The US embassy warns us to avoid large angry crowds. (I nearly got caught in one in Abidjan in 2000 and had to drive through some stuff to get out quick.)

This time Bill Chapel, Debby and I loaded our stuff and ourselves into the taxi and started off from Cotonou, Benin. Well after we left the driver had to get his friend and give him a ride to Ouidah – not something normal. He didn’t have to go into Ouidah, but just dropped the guy on the side of the road. The driver got back in and was about to start the car when a motorcycle carrying a women with her goods to sell, lost the smaller basket from the top of her head into the road along side our car. Her papayas were immediately smashed by the traffic and Debby turned to tell me what had happened just outside her window.

The Taxi driver said in French, “They hit us.” He got out to talk to the motorcycle driver and his friend grabbed the motorcycle driver and tried to start a fight. It appeared that at any moment fists would fly – but thank God, they didn’t. There was a lot of shouting and an angry crowd began to gather. We gave it a some time and then I stepped out of the car and tried to get the driver to leave it and take us on to Lome – it didn’t work. We waited in the car a while longer. Again I braved the crowd and stepped out into the fray and tried to settle the thing. We determined that the only person that had suffered real loss was the woman that lost her goods into the road. So I gave the driver money to give her – she only screamed and cried more. Someone said the driver himself needed to give something to her himself because his friend and him had really ruffed her up in the tussle with the motorcycle driver.

Back in the car and with no progress, Debby did what had helped in a number of our on the road “hold ups” over the last few weeks, she began to sing, “We’ve come this far by faith…” Now we had been praying and all – but this thing seems to work, so Bill and I joined in. The crowd started to settle down. We stopped singing and praying and it started up again. So we sang again. Finally the driver reached in the window, got some coins, gave them to the lady. Then he was able to get in the car and we headed down the road. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for us.

We stopped for a quick visit with the pastor in Lome that we call the “Bishop.” Then we went through the border checks into Ghana and got another bush taxi. About sunset we arrived at the Baptist Guesthouse in Accra, safe and sound. Then we had to follow my tradition – have a good supper – Popaye’s Chicken. This is not the Popeye’s Chicken you find in America – this is a Ghanaian chicken chain and it’s the best chicken anytime, anywhere. Maybe some day I can take you there.

We really want to Thank You So Much for praying for us!

The Twins

2008-04-02T13:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of “Uncle” Fred at the orphanage with the twin girls on his lap. Debby’s cousin, Becky and her husband, are trying to adopt them. Please be praying that this all works out and that it can be an avenue for other of the children to be adopted by loving families in the USA and Canada.

These 2 girls are twins – but not identical as you can see. The one on the left was born “Ella” and on the right is “Estella.” Ella is bigger and is the introvert that holds on to Pulcherie’s (the director of the orphanage) skirt all the time. Estella, on the other hand is the classical extrovert. You see the smile on her face and she loves to sing and be the center of attention.

Their mother was very sick and the father was not around when they were very small. Grandma (the mom’s mom) brought them to the orphanage shortly after it opened, because she couldn’t care for them. Their mother died shortly after that.

On Friday, March 28th they were 4 years old. Debby and I took them to a restaurant in Cotonou for their first Birthday Party. They ate with plates and silverware and drank from cups with straws. There was a play area with slides, things to ride on and the like. They were all smiles and giggles.

This is one of the little side / extra things that Debby and I are involved in with our teaching ministry in Africa. It is a joy to see these girls get adopted. It is a joy when you go to the orphanage and see the children with smiles and singing.

Thanks for sending us and supporting us.

Missing Second Testimony from Parakou Meetings

2008-04-01T11:55:00.005-04:00

When you see the pictures in the blogs from Africa, you may notice that there are no pictures of me (Fred). That is because I am the one taking the pictures most time. Really, I was there… really. So, here is a picture of me at the meetings in Parakou at the church of Pastor Augustin that Debby took.

You may have noticed on the blog titled “Parakou Testimonies – March, 17-21” that only 1 of the 2 testimonies of Debby was there. Here is the other story.

After I (Debby) finished speaking on forgiveness, I saw a remarkable sight. From the far right I saw a young woman, in her mid twenties, come crawling across the room on her hands and knees. She crawled right up to an elderly woman and placed her head in the lap of the older lady. The pastor next to me started to cry. He asked me if I understood what was happening. I said no. I didn't know the significance of this act. He said let me tell you the story.

This was a mother and daughter and several years ago the daughter had run away leaving the family in disgrace. She was angry with her mother for some unknown reason and refused to speak to her. She had threatened to kill the mother by poisoning and other means. The mother, stricken with grief had, just the day before, come forward for prayer. She was forgiving her daughter and asking God to bring her home. It was the next day that I saw the young woman crawling on her hands and knees.

The whole church saw this as a miracle of God's mercy and grace. The young woman sobbed and sobbed, crying to her mom, "Please forgive me …please forgive me. I am so sorry."

The next day, the mother stood before the church and said, "I never dreamed God would do such a wonderful thing for me. I never dreamed, that the great God of the universe would come and do such a thing just for me."

Isn't God good?

Land in Parakou, Benin

2008-03-30T16:35:00.003-04:00

This is an incredible miracle.

In February, we saw Pastor Augustin in Parakou for a few days on our trip from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, down to Cotonou, Benin. He told me (Fred) that an important man in the town, Mr. S., who has been a Christian a long time and has a large amount of land, had a dream around the first of the year. In the dream he was giving some of his land to the work of the Lord, if I remember the dream correctly.

Soon after that, on a Sunday in February, Bill Hoffman went up to Parakou with Augustin to preach in Augustin’s church. (This was on the weekend when we had the team in Cotonou.) At Mr. S.’s house Bill shared about our desire to build an orphanage and talked about the building plans he has been working on. Bill said that our desire was that the land could have enough space for the boys to have a soccer field and land to plant and grow food for the orphanage. This touched him and he said that he wanted to give a large amount of his land for us to do that in Parakou – 10 hectors. (1 Hector = 2.47105 Acres so that means more than 24.7 acres.)

Before we left Parakou on Good Friday morning, March 21st, we went to visit the land. This is the picture you see. Parakou is in the Northern, dry part of Benin. It is not all the way to the Sahara desert by a long shot, but it not in the South in the jungle area either. It is perhaps what we would call the beginning of the Sahel. Here is what impressed me about the land, it has water and is good, fertile land! This man is not just giving something useless to the Lord – he wants to give the best. He has Mango trees on his farm there as well as Cashew nut trees and Eucalyptus trees. It has 2 ponds – the smaller one is in the picture and in rainy season it has a nice flowing stream. The electric and phone lines are nearby. You can almost see the coconut palm trees in this picture. You do see Bill Chapel, Augustin and 2 of the man’s sons.

Debby and I have never been able to raise any money for buildings in Africa. This would mean the beginning of a whole new phase for our ministry here. Bill and Cathy Hoffman have a real heart for the orphans and Bill is a builder who loves missions work. We believe Bill is God’s man for this job! It will involve lots of money to build – but we believe that, “where God guides He provides.” After the orphanage is built we still will have space to build a residential Bible School and conference center. So, please pray about this with us. Mr. S. will be making out the title for the land for us in the very near future and then we will see what God will do.

Parakou Testimonies – March, 17-21

2008-03-29T14:42:00.007-04:00

Bill Chapel and I (Fred) had a Prophetic Seminar, Tuesday – Thursday morning in Parakou Benin. Those that came loved it and said we needed to do again in a bigger place and all the churches needed to hear the teaching. This is the third time I have done the seminar and the other two places, Cotonou, Benin in March, 2007 and Lome, Togo, March 6-8, the people said the same thing.

The picture is of Debby praying for people at Augustin’s church.

Debby had 2 wonderful testimonies from the evening meetings she did in Parakou. She did a church revival at Augustin’s church, February 5-7, while I had a Christian Worker’s seminar in the morning. She did a second church revival there while Bill and I did the Prophetic seminar.

Tuesday (March 11th after we returned to Cotonou) Pastor Augustin came and told Debby one of the woman of his church had called with a wonderful testimony. When Debby was at the church in February she spoke on forgiveness. After the service Augustin asked her if she would pray for a woman who had been unable to have a baby. The young woman had come forward saying that she really wanted to get pregnant but had been unable for more than 5 years. After Debby prayed for her, they talked about problems she had with her husband. Debby told her she had to just forgive him. She said she would. She called Pastor Augustin to tell him that she was pregnant and was praising God. She had forgiven her husband and God had opened her womb. Praise the Lord!

Benin - Teaching

2008-03-28T18:16:00.002-04:00

Debby praying at the end of class. Week of March 10-14. This is in Cotonou, Benin. It is the Bible School of Pastor Nazaire, called “Source de Vie.”

I (Fred) was teaching at the church Bible School of Pastor Mathias in another part of the city.

I went Sunday after church, March 9th, from Lome, Togo to Accra, Ghana with Pastor Geoff of N.H. Monday morning he started Bible School in Accra. I picked up Bill Chapel, from Debby’s dad’s church in Salamanca, NY, at the airport. The 2 of us headed back to Lome, Togo, picked up Debby and traveled on to Cotonou, Benin in time for us both to teach our evening classes.

Tuesday, Debby had morning class. In the afternoon, Pulcherie, from the Orphanage, brought the twin girls to us at the Baptist Guesthouse. “Uncle Fred” had fun playing with them – first ever time on a swing and tricycle ride. About the time they left, I (Fred) got sick. I had to send Bill to teach my class on 1 Corinthians that evening. Thank God, Bill was there. I had to do the same thing the next night being sick all-day and worse in the evening. There was no power and Bill had to teach by candlelight. We were to go to Parakou on Saturday, but I changed it to going on Monday, because I was sick, so I could get feeling better first.

Monday, March 17th we went to Parakou. I did good on the trip but come evening, I was terrible nauseated again. Bill and I did the morning seminar about Prophecy and I felt a little better. I began to email to ask people to pray. Friday morning we left Parakou and come back to Cotonou and I woke up healed. Praise the Lord. I woke without pain and when I got up and moved around, no pain. It felt wonderful! Thank you for praying. I’ll do another blog on Parakou with 2 testimonies that Debby received.

Before leaving Parakou, we went to see the land that is being donated to our ministry. That’ll be the next blog.

Saturday Bill and I went off to one of Nazaire’s village churches. They said it was a 45 minute drive – ended up like an hour and 45. It was up a lot of dirt road. The sky was dark and rained a little (I was thinking of similar times in Benin when we went off to a village up dirt roads and it rained and we got stuck). It was my first time to that village. The pastor was a student that asked me to come and I had said, “Yes,” last year.
Easter Sunday Debby went to the biggest 4 square church in Cotonou. Bill and I went to Nazaire’s big central church in Cotonou.

Vogonville, Togo

2008-03-07T16:49:00.002-05:00

Here is the picture from the Leader's Seminar in Vogon region in Togo. This was the first ever Leader’s Seminar done in this town. They loved it and begged us to come again so that they could invite even more Pastors. Next time they want the seminar, morning and evening and for more days. So, we are planning that for 2009.

Busy three weeks

2008-03-05T18:24:00.003-05:00

Well it has been a busy last 3 weeks here. Friday the 8th of Feb. I traveled from Benin to Ghana to receive our team of 8 that arrived Saturday evening. This included our daughter, Marie-Louise, friends Bill and Cathy Hoffman and Cathy’s son, Tim Wright, and our niece Hannah Davis. With us here in Africa for the first time was, Tina Davis our daughter-in-law, and two nurses, Emily Ingole, daughter of a pastor friend in Ohio, and Michele Harter. We slept that night in Accra, Ghana at the S.I.M. Guesthouse.

Sunday it was off to Cotonou, Benin. Everyone was up and ready to go by 8 am as planned, but the minibus didn’t arrive. Finally it showed at 9:30. We packed, bought gas and were off around 10:15. We arrived at the border with Togo around 1:00 pm – late and the minibus that was to meet us and take us on to Benin, had given up and left. So, our good friend and interpreter, Pastor Augustin, set off to get us another one. It took him well over an hour to get another one. We were in the sun in the heat of the day – no fun! By the time we did the border formalities into Togo and the out of Togo and into Benin, the sun was going down. By the time we got to the Baptist Guesthouse in Cotonou, the sun was well down. Debby came out to greet us with a big smile.

The first week the women did 2 three-day women’s seminars. Monday – Wednesday was in Se a small town – nearly 2 hours away. Then Thursday – Saturday was in another small town, Tori, about an hour away. I taught Bible School Monday – Thursday for Pastor Mathias in Cotonou – doing live teaching at a Video Bible School. Bill Hoffman was off at night preaching at village churches.

The second week was equally as busy. Sunday we were all off to different churches. Bill went 5 hours North to Parakou for the weekend to be with Pastor Augustin at his church. Then Monday – Friday I was teaching at Pastor Nazaire’s Bible School that we have been working with since 2002. Tuesday – Thursday most of the team went to “Exodus House” orphanage – less than an hour away. The nurses checked out all the children and girls. Cathy with others got the picture and name of each of them and the staff. Tina taught 3 nights at Pastor Mathias’s Video Bible School. Bill and others went off to village churches at night.

Then on Saturday, Feb. 24th was the trip back to Accra, Ghana. It was worse than the one 2 weeks earlier. The minibus didn’t show up to get loaded till 10:30. At the Togo Border we had to get visas for all 10 of us, but they only had 5 forms so we had to wait over an hour for the other 5. By the time we got to Lome, Togo everyone was overheated and tired. We saw some Orphan Children there and had a late lunch. Then we went over the border into Ghana.

We had too many people trying to “help” us at the border as usual. While Bill and I were in the office processing everyone’s passports the sun was going down. Our pastor in Lome was outside with the team. Our arrangement for the minibus in Ghana fell through, so we had to get one there and then. I was confident that Bill and I could get one. But, if you know how these borders are, you have a bunch of people trying to sell you things, others begging from you and then there is the press of the guys who want to “help” you – they generally cause you problems and then want money. The van they got was to small so I said “no” but they insisted as did the pastor, that we needed to use it. It was getting dark and so I relented. Big mistake. It was too small for us and our luggage. Hannah lay across the lap of 3 others to fit. The later it gets, the more police are on the road and that means more hassle. At a roadblock we discovered that the driver didn’t even have a license. So we spent an hour till he negotiated and paid his way out. Then the battery was dead and we had to push it to get started. Then he didn’t stop at another check point so they called ahead and had us stopped at the next – this time it took him around a half hour to negotiate and pay his way out. We got to the Baptist Guesthouse in Accra very late and tired.

Sunday morning we were all in church together with Pastor Albert. Sunday night, February 24, four of our “girls” left – Tina, Emily, Michele, and Hannah.

Last week, Feb. 25-29, I taught Bible School at the church each morning for 3 hours. At night we had service and the last 3 nights were a church crusade that Debby preached.

Sunday evening the 3rd of March, Bill and Cathy Hoffman with Marie-Louise, flew back to the USA. Monday, March 3, I got Geoff Bretches at the airport at 8:30 and we got the distance taxi to bring us to Lome, Togo. It was another one of those experiences. The first taxi kept overheating and stopping to add water. We changed to another and just a kilometer before the border, the tire blew.

The three of us are staying in Lome and going an hour each morning to Vogon to have a Leader’s Seminar. It is a small town that is the center for a number of villages. It is full of witchcraft and the churches are not united, but weak. By the grace of God, we can help bring the church leaders into a better unity. This is the first time ever, in the history of the world, that there has been a Leader’s seminar here. Just bringing the leaders together in one meeting is a step in the right direction. Thank you for praying for this.

We have 2 very interesting things going on with this trip. First of all, someone wants to donate land to us. Bill and Cathy have a great love for the orphans and street children. We are trying to help them. We are praying to build and orphanage for some of them. The land the man told Bill he wants to give is 10 hectors – more than 20 acres! That’s enough for an orphanage, soccer field and garden for them. Plus, we could build a residential Bible School / Conference center. Please join us in prayer for this.

The second interesting thing is, Debby’s cousin wrote and was in the middle of an adoption that has failed to work out. She wondered if we had twin girls at the orphanage here – we do. They are not identical twins and they will turn 4 years old in 2 weeks. So, if all the paperwork comes together, we will bring these 2 girls to the USA with us to their new Mom and Dad.

Well this is really a long one – sorry. I was trying to get certain pictures from the trip from the camera of one of the team to put with this, but never was able to get them.

THANK YOU so much for your prayers and finical report.

To go to our web page – it is http://www.davismission.com

2008-02-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived safely in Parakou, Benin from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, just before sunset on Monday evening the 4th of February. Thank you for praying for us.

The first half of the trip we were spoiled. We were sent to the border in a nearly new air-conditioned 4-wheel drive. We just had to pay the 53,000 for fuel, 10,000 for the driver and 1,800 for the tools = total 64,800 (US$148).

At the border of Burkina I got out to processes out of the country with our passports. Wow was it hot – more than 100 degrees and the midday sun was scorching hot. At the border there was no Hamarttan but just a clear blue ski that let the sun shine through. There we met Pastor Augustin with a “Bush Taxi” ready for us. We moved our luggage into the taxi and drove some more kilometers to the Benin police where I took our passports to processes into Benin. Then a cold drink and toilet at a little hotel and on down the road we went.

The trip from the border to Parakou was a hot and dusty. The taxi did have soft seats but without a/c the air that blew through from outside was HOT! Once we started traveling up the mountain we came back into the dust of the Hamarttan, but this time with none of the coolness we had experienced in Ouagadougou. It was 58,000 for the taxi (about US$132.00) So it was about US$280 for the 2 of us for this trip – well under the $600 each for the plane flight to Cotonou. (Normally it is not so expensive, but gas is way up and the dollar is way down.)

The terrain on this trip is at first Sahel – semi desert – lots of dirt, little green, but some bushes. You see mud huts regularly. Now and then you see something like a Butte – like a mountain with the top cut off flat. Just after you cross over into Benin there is a wide, mostly stone, mountain. The picture shows it but you can’t tell how big it really is in the photo. You wind up a good road to the top. As you go up there are always groups of women going up the hill or down. These women with lots of things on their head go up and down, or is it down and up, every day.

Last you drive through some rolling mountains. This is still a semi-arid area with not a lot of green. You drive through some towns like Natitingou and Djougou – key cities of the North of Benin. (We hope to do some leader’s seminars there when we have the finances.)

Benin is a narrow country that bulges out at the top. The main highway is kind of like the small letter “y.” Parakou is where the 2 lines of the “y” meet. It is the beginning of the Muslim North of Benin. We have preached all up and down that letter “y” and done a number of seminars as far as Parakou, but not above. We came again to do seminars. Debby is doing a women’s seminar in the morning while I am doing a Christian Worker’s seminar. In the evening we have a church crusade.

We stay at a S.I.M. mission guesthouse. It was sure nice to have a "real" shower and wash away the dust. (Had been doing “bucket bath” in Ouagadougou.) This is also one of the mission guesthouses that prepare meals for you. There is a very nice Australian family here that runs the place. It is 10,000 / night for each of us and 4,550 for each of us for meals – so that’s US$66.00 for the 2 of us each day – much better price than hotel and restaurants.

Augustin took us to meet the Mayor the first morning. Eastern culture, like here in Africa, loves to receive strangers. We had a nice time to greet the mayor. He asked us if we could help bring an orphanage here for the orphaned and abandoned children. Pray with us about that. It’s not Debby and my mission, but we are glad to help out in these things and Bill and Cathy Hoffman want to do this kind of work.

Tomorrow – Friday we have a big “kick off” for another Video Bible School here – out 3rd in Parakou. Then at lunch time we travel on to Cotonou. Then Saturday morning I will leave Debby there and go through Togo to Accra, Ghana to receive the team of 8 that is coming. Sunday morning I will bring the team back with me to Cotonou. Starting Monday they will have 6 days of Women’s seminar in 2 small towns and I will be doing “live” teaching at one of our Video Bible Schools in the city.

Fred

Monday Travels

2008-02-03T18:09:00.001-05:00

Well it’s time to leave Ouagadougou. We enjoyed our week teaching here. After preaching this morning, at lunch, the leaders said how much the students enjoyed our teaching. They also reminded us that they consider this an annual obligation for us to come teach. They also invited Debby to come do their big women’s conference.

You can see the picture of most of the students in the room.

Please be praying for our travel tomorrow morning at 8 am (3 am East Coast Time) we will set off to Parakou, Benin. It is just above the middle of the country and the beginning of the Muslim North of Benin. First it is a 4 ½ hour drive to the border. Than about an hour of border paper work. Then about 6 hour ride in a Bush taxi to Parakou. You also loose an hour at the border when you set your watch ahead one hour. So that will be a days worth.

Internet in Parakou is limited when I can get to the Internet Café. We will do a Christian Workers seminar every morning and a Church Crusade every evening. So it will be a busy few days.

On Friday we take the 6 hour bus ride on to Cotonou, Benin. Saturday I go on to Accra, Ghana to pick up the team of 8 – with suitcases. Each is bringing a suitcase of clothes and medicine donated for the orphanage. Sunday morning we all load up and cross Ghana, cross Togo and on to Benin to Cotonou. A whole day process.

Thank you so much for praying for us.

Fred

In Ouagadougou

2008-02-01T07:25:00.000-05:00

Debby and I arrived here in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Sunday, January 27th, in the late afternoon. We started the trip on Thursday at 11:30. It was a flight to Detroit then on to Amsterdam and finally arriving Friday evening in Accra, Ghana. No one met us at the airport, so we took a cab to the S.I.M. guesthouse.

Saturday morning we were up at 5 am to be at the bus station by 6 for our 7 am bus. No bus arrived. The 8 am bus didn’t show either. By 9 I was starting to look for something else. So off to another bus station and we found a bus going only as far as Kumassi – 1/3 the way – but it was something. Back at the first bus station, the bus showed at 10am so we got on that one and left by 11:15 for the 12 hour ride to Tamali, Ghana.

The seats were hard and some of the road was very, very bad. The bus didn’t have the promised a/c, but they refunded some money for that. We actually didn’t need the a/c because we are having a very strong “hamarttan.” This is a wind that blows down from the Northeast and kicks up a lot of dust. The wind is cool and the dust blocks the sun. In fact they have recorded record lows here. For us it is very funny to see the Africans in full winter dress, just because it gets down into the 70’s. But this year it got even lower down to 50 degrees. No a/c needed.

Sunday morning we were to get a taxi or bus on to Bolgatanga then a taxi to the border of Burkina. The taxi driver that picked us up at the hotel said he would take us all the way – yeah. So we paid him and in less than 4 hours we were at the border. Then an hour for processing out of Ghana and into Burkina. Then fight for a good price with the ‘Bush Taxi” – a very old Peugeot 505 wagon, and get in and go. In about 2 hours more we were in Ouagadougou. We made very good time! We stopped by a couple of banks to find a working ATM for international withdrawal, and got the local currency to pay the bush taxi and buy a few things, like bottled water.

Other than the bad start waiting for the bus to Tamali, Saturday morning, everything went pretty good. Thank you so much for praying for our travels.

There are always so many things to do to get ready to leave the US. Sorry I didn’t get anything up on the blog before we left – but I was so busy. Not only did I have to get Burkina visas for Deb and I, and a Benin visa for Deb, but we have 8 people coming over in a week and they needed Ghana and Benin visas. Doing the visas is a lot of work. Ghana, for an example requires 4 forms each hand written each with a photo. Most of the team did most of their paperwork, but we had to add some things to the forms, check them and write cover letters. Then you go to the post office and buy money orders and send it all by express mail with a prepaid return express mail envelope inside. Burkina raised their prices and was late and slow to send ours back, but when we got them we were pleasantly surprised to get 4 years visas instead of only 90 days. Yeah! Won’t have to do them again for a few years.

Subscribe to these Blog updates here at the bottom – and when we update the blog it will tell you by e-mail. I hope to get our mass e-mail going again someday – until then, let’s meet here.

Fred

Debby's Back

2007-12-19T17:16:00.000-05:00

Debby and the team returned from the Philippines on Monday evening the 19th. They had to fly through JFK airport in New York. With all the bad weather we were wondering if they would have any flight problems. They arrived in Buffalo only about an hour late – not bad.

They had powerful meetings and many of the pastors/leaders were really encouraged. They are all getting over their jetlag – they were 13 hours ahead there – so day and night are opposite there from here.

Now I have to start doing visas. So I have to download and fill out the visa applications for Burkina Faso for Debby and I and then pay and send them off. After I get our passports back then I have to do visas for Ghana and Benin for Debby, Marie-Louise, Bill and Cathy and Hannah. Hope I can get it all done with the holidays and before we leave.

Debby and I are working on our Christmas newsletter to get that sent out tomorrow and I am also working on the Newsletter report from my trip to Africa and her second trip to the Philippines.

I am also working on the Video Bible School. I have been learning a lot about editing with Adobe Premier Pro. It’s not easy – but I am learning. To me, that is fun and interesting work. It is surprising how many hours you spend editing one hour long class – more then 20 maybe more? Adding the notes to the lower 1/3 of the screen in multiple languages is something I am working on as is different languages in the audio tracks. It’ll be so awesome once it’s done – but getting it to work in the first place is a challenge. Then I have to get it all into Adobe Encore DVD.

Waiting 4 Deb 2 Return

2007-12-14T02:16:00.000-05:00

Well here is my first Blog. It’s Friday the 14th of December. Debby and her team should be flying from the island of Palawan back to the city of Manila on Luzon. Sunday they will be at Pastor Lemuel’s church. On Monday they will fly back to the U.S.

Marie-Louise has had to put up with me being mom and dad for almost 3 weeks. She is ready for mama to come home soon. I think she wants some “real” food.

I have been working on the computer doing video editing of our Bible classes. I like the work, but it is one of those things that always take longer then it should. It’s also hard for a guy to keep his concentration when he has to fix meals and do all the domestic stuff. I am ready for Debby to come home soon as well.

The most recent phone conversation with Debby was on Wednesday morning – their Wednesday evening. They had just finished teaching at the Bible School and were going back to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, on Thursday morning. She reported that the meetings were excellent with one meeting going all day long.

I was back from Africa in time for Thanksgiving. Debby will be back in time for us to all be together for Christmas. The first full week of January we have our annual Convocation in Bradenton, FL. The first few days will be missions emphasis and Debby and I have both been asked to speak for that. Around January 24th, Debby and I will fly back to Africa – I have been working on all those dates and details.

I just had the 3rd set of pages added to my passport. Wasn’t sure if they would add pages again. Traveling in Africa so much, I go through pages fast. A page for a visa for a country and a stamp when you come in and a stamp when you go out and you fit about 6 stamps on a page. I got this passport in August, 2003 and I didn’t think there was enough space free in it for another trip. I was worried that I would have to get a new passport and have to spend that time to get it and then get visas. So, I was very happy on Wednesday when I got my passport back with another set of pages in it.