January 2009

Togo!
An insight into the ministry of LCMS Long-term missionary
Megan Birne y serving Christ in Togo, W est Africa

‘Tis the season! to die is our salvation, this time of year we move to
study the ministry of Jesus and His time here, we
Living in Florida my whole life, I cannot attest to
don’t forget but the Christmas season has passed. It
experiencing a real change in seasons. Yes, it
is amazing how God provides these seasons. It is
does get cold and somedays we have frost on
incredible to see such beauty come from a ground so
our windows but the leaves never change colors
rocky and dry. It is extraordinary to see celebrations
and it never snows and it rains... all year! The
spring about because of the abundance! The way the
calendar in my life has always rotated around
Togolese give praise for God providing in the sea-
semesters and holidays, never around the chang-sons has given me a very thankful heart for things I
ing of the seasons. It seems God has brought me use to take advantage of. I have also seen that as
all the way to West Africa to teach me about His
each season comes to an end, another season be-
seasons! Now, I am a very environmentally con-
gins. Even when it may seem like nothing could grow
scious person and I have always tried to buy
out of the dry, dusty groud accompanied by the high
produce “in season” and buy fruit that didn’t leave
temperatures, God has made His presence here
a giant carbon footprint traveling to the US from “And we know that in
clear through these provisions. This month has been
Chili… However, here in West Africa seasons
full of good lessons! The Fluegges cat had kittens in
all things God works
determine the ebb and flow of life. I have heard
early October so when we came back from FES in for the good of those
many missionaries talk about their “busy times”
December, two came home with me to the guest- who love Him, who
meaning times when evangelism is easier to do house! Thinking I am a know it all I thought taking have been called ac-
because the farmers are not out in their fields. I
care of these cute little guys would be easy, but it is cording to His pur-
think it’s funny that even though the only real
harder than I thought and I have learned some les- poses. For those God
change in the weather here in West Africa is the
sons in responsibility, including that if you are going foreknew He also pre-
6 months it rains non-stop and then the 6 months
to take the litter box outside to change it, they WILL destined to be con-
it never rains and is dry and dusty, the people
pee on your bed! My kittens (Rilo & Kiley) have been formed to the likeness
here are so in tune with traditions and the earth
quite a comfort to me and I am very thankful for them! of His Son, that He
that you can plan ministry around it. Right now it
I also had the opportunity this month to meet our might be the firstborn
is carrot season. I do not think I have ever truly
local Peace Corp workers here in northern Togo. It among many brothers...
experienced “seasoned” produce like I have here. has been a blessing to have a group of people to
I remember eating carrots two months ago and
If God is with us, who
process my experiences with considering so many
they were bitter and woody tasting and then out can be against us?”
things are still leave me in awe. I praise God that He
of the blue a month ago, sweet, flavorful carrots
knows the every need, praise, and cry of my heart Romans 8: 28-29, 31b
appeared EVERYWHERE! A couple who minister and meets me where I am.
to the Togolese in Kara (about two hours south of
Dapaong) came up two weeks ago with a couple
Thank You!!
giant coolers to bring home carrots. I thought it
was odd and said “Surely you have the same
delicious carrots down in Kara?!”. But no, only in ...to all the SOTC small groups
this little area do these nutrious, delicious carrots
and individuals that have sent
come about. Upon this discovery, also comes
with the realization that just as Christmas has me letters, packages, and
seemed to fade from our minds by now, so will
sponsored FES projects! Your
carrots in a few weeks. Now, I am not comparing
the birth of Christ to carrots by any means. But kindness extends farther than
while the reality of Christ coming to earth be born
you will ever know!
 January 2009
LCMS World Mission
800-433-3954
www.lcmsworldmission.com
Mission.info@lcms.org
Learn more about the work of LCMS
World Mission in Africa by visiting:
www.lcmsworldmission.org/africa
Contact Info
Megan Birney
B.P. 38
Dapaong, Togo
West Africa
megan.birney@lcms.org
Check out my blog:
acrossanoceansizedlove.blogspot.com
Visit my project page:
www.lcms.org?13343
Download my prayer card:
www.lcmsworldmission.org/
prayercards
Access my photo albums:
picasaweb.google.com/
megaroonski
If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please e-mail me at megan.birney@lcms.org!
The President of Togo in Dapaong!
President Faure visited
Dapaong on January 19th.
This was a tremendous
occasion for the city and
thousands upon thousands
of Togolese gathered for the
celebration. While you are
absolutely NOT allowed to
take pictures of the presi-
dent (even if you can get
close enough!), you can also
not take pictures of the
military so this is a picture
of the crowds from the road
to make sure we wouldn’t
get in trouble. If you look
close you can see all the
people in the trees!
Prayer Requests
• Strength, guidance, & courage as the Lord is constantly teaching me
about West Africa, Him, and who I am in Him every day.
• His will for the next 4 months in Togo and discernment for the future.
• Pray that the Lord would continue to be prevalent in the lives of the
Fluegge children and that I would continue to be effective instrument
of the Lord in their learning.
• For health; that the Lord would continue to keep my mind and body
free of sickness, fatigue, & anixieties especially with the upcoming
rise in dust and the heat index.
• The students at the CLET (Centre Lutherien D’etudes Theologiques);
that God would steady their hearts to pursue their calls to leadership
training in serving the Lutheran Church in West Africa.
• The CLET professors that guide the students journeys; give them
strength and affirmation in their calls to teaching and strength to
lead the CLET.
• Praise for a teacher for the Hewitt family; Angela Bell. Pray for her
adjustment to living in West Africa.
• Prayer for February/March term of FES (02/23-03/13).
• My fellow long-term missionaries serving this year, for the
opportunity & strength to live out Christ’s love on the mission field.
• For the hearts of West Africa.