Vision Casting Trip to Togo

Jeff and Marci Holley will be making an exploratory, vision casting and future planning trip to Togo from January 22^nd – 31^st.   They are excited about another family who is being led to partner with us in Togo.  They have always felt that it would be a huge blessing to have another family go to Togo with them for support and encouragement.  We are thrilled to announce that Kirsten Haviland-Phillips will be going in January with them.  You can read more about how God is leading the Haviland-Phillips family in her personal  message below.

We would like to ask you for your prayers and support for this upcoming trip. The cost of this trip will be approximately $4,500.  If the Lord leads you to support them on this trip, you can contact Jeff at 918-350-0205 or make a donation through our website at www.visiononward.org.  Make sure you note that the donation is for Togo.

We thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

God Bless!

Greetings fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Lord has placed it on my family’s heart to team up with Vision Onward / Togo, Africa.  We are hoping to join them in Togo to help make this vision come to fruition.  In doing so, we feel it is important for me to go to Togo, Africa in January of 2011 with the Holley’s to help prepare myself and our six children for third world conditions.  This trip will help determine if we will be moving over to Togo in due season.  Please come along the side of the Haviland-Phillips family in prayer for wisdom and strength.  Thank you for your prayer and support.

Serving Jesus,

Kirsten Haviland-Phillips

Christian Missionary Center (CMC)

A HEART FOR TOGO AND THE NATIONS

Statement of Purpose:

Let us consider that each Christian is called to become Christ’s disciple, an important agent in the fulfillment of Christ’s mission on earth (Matthew 28:19-20); let us consider Jesus as the only model and example to follow by each Christian or Christ’s disciple; let us consider “a student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40); let us consider Jesus during his ministry on earth as he was assigned to a specific and clear mission to fulfill the preaching of the good news to the poor, the proclamation of the freedom to the prisoners, the recovery of sight for the blind and the proclamation of the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19). . . . . . .Christian Missionary Center (CMC) is created to fulfill that purpose.

Plan and Strategy:

A. Evangelism: CMC’s main goal is to bring people to the full knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and to help them to become in their turn an agent in the announcing and proclamation of God’s word of grace.

B. Spiritual Maturity – CMC plans to build a church for the purpose of preparing and equipping people with a solid foundation of their faith in Christ.

C. Spiritual Formation – CMC plans the construction of a ‘Bible Institute’ to prepare those who have a desire to pursue their pastoral vocation.

D. Social Works – CMC plans to serve in meeting the physical needs of the people in the following areas:

1.  Orphanage
2. Medical Clinic
3. Water Wells
4. Food assistance

E. Agriculture – CMC plans to support its efforts by developing its own farm to fight against financial dependency.

Abundant Blessings

As the time was quickly approaching for Kossi to return to the United States from Togo, we were still a couple thousand dollars short on being able to finish the purchase of the land.  It was important to have the land deal completed before his return because we did not know how long the extremely low price would remain in effect. 

We are thrilled to share that once again, God has provided.  A dear couple from Indiana who came to Bartlesville last summer to volunteer for Walk this Way, met Kossi and knew that God had called them to partner with him someday in Africa.  They wrote an extremely generous check that put us above and well beyond what we needed to finish the land purchase.  Now, we will also have the necessary funds to get the land drawn up and install some water wells at strategic locations for the surrounding villages who currently do not have a clean water source.

We are so thankful and praise God for His work, His Spirit and His people who were created to do good works, to bring aid to the poor and needy, and to bring the good news of Jesus to those who have yet to hear.  We praise His name for the obedience of His people and for His revelation that the abundance of financial blessings is given to us so we may use it to further His kingdom and to bring glory to His name.  We are so thankful for the partnership we have with lovers of God, those who love God more than this world and will die to worldly passions and sacrifice material gain for eternal treasures in heaven!!  We are thankful and praise His name in advance for the work that will be done in Togo and for the souls who will be brought into the Kingdom because of the faithfulness of His people.

Father, continue the good work You have began in Togo.  Father, guide us by Your Spirit and protect us from the evil one who would love to distract us from your work.  Father, help us to stay focused on your purposes and your will!  Father, soften and prepare the hearts of the Togolese;  provide fertile soil for the seeds of your word to be planted and water those seeds through your Spirit in order to raise up a generation of Christ followers in Togo. 

In Jesus name. . .  .amen!

"So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."  Hebrews 13:12-16

Togo, West Africa Land Purchased

Jeff's trip to Togo, West Africa was amazing!  Although it was extremely tough on him physically and emotionally, he came home so blessed because God showed such great favor in choosing land for the future mission.  Not only did God choose the land, He managed to get the sellers to sell it at an unbelievable price.  Kossi had expected to spend $5,000-$10,000 per ectile (2.5 acres) and God provided it for $600 per ectile.  They were able to purchase 3 ectiles (7 acres) with the agreement that they can purchase another 43 at the very same price.  They were able to get it at such an amazing price that the person who was showing them the land asked "what kind of a God do you serve to get the land so cheap?"  Kossi's aunt was able to share about the Mighty God we serve! 

The land is beautiful and is surrounded by many villages that are in great need of clean drinking water, medical attention and most of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As soon as we are able to get the rest of the land purchased, we plan to get some water wells put in as quickly as possible so these poor Togolese people can stop drinking from the disgusting, contaminated water source they are currently using.  It was VERY hard for Jeff to see what they were drinking from and to see the children with swollen bellies.  It is so imperative for us to move as quickly as we can and we are thrilled that we have already raised 60% of the money needed to finish purchasing the rest of the land.  We are only about $4,000 shy of reaching our goal- - -PRAISE GOD!!

Kossi will be returning to the states toward the end of June and would love to speak to anyone who would like to know more about the vision God has placed in his heart.  If you would like him to speak to you, your small group, or your church, please feel free to contact Jeff at 918-350-0205.

Thank you all SO much for your support and  your prayers.  God is moving mightily and we are excited to see what He will  provide  next.

Here are a few pictures of the land and the villages surrounding the land.

The land that was purchased is about 45 minutes north of Lome, near the city of Tsevie.

 "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them."  Is 41:17

 "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Is. 58:10.