A marketing we will go! :)

Hello all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! :) A lot has happened since the orphanage! It's been absolutely amazing here in Africa. This place truly has my heart. I can't even explain. It's like every face I see is reaching out for someone to help them. It's hard at times, knowing I can't help everyone. But I feel like if I can reach one person, it'll be worth it. That one person can reach someone else, and that person another. :) We have had amazing church! There truly is nothing like African church! :)

So the day after the orphanage we needed a much needed break so we went and spent the day at Coco Beach. It was beautiful! It was a bast to just relax and have fun with my Next Steps family. :) The waves were so big! A huge storm was rolling in off the coast so it was perfect for "body surfing". We actually did not intend to get that wet. We were all about knee deep and this huge wave came and literally took all of us out! The video is on Facebook and its hilarious! ;) I'll share it on my wall so people can see. :) The next day we had our first experience at the market, and an experience it was. It is really overwhelming! Once the people get word that theres a group of "yovos" in town, (evay word for white people) the marketers go crazy! The pull stuff out of there shops, follow us around throwing stuff in your face they want you to buy. We got bombarded! It was extremely stressful for me! Honestly, I couldn't even enjoy shopping because we were surrounded by so many people who wanted us to buy their stuff! It's fun to bargain with them, because they jack up prices because they think we are rich. which definitely is not true!  ;) I don't quite have the whole bargaining thing down yet . I normally just go in half, but it stresses me out! ;) Towards the end of the day things got better though. I found a beautiful painting to add to my painting I got in Tanzania. I also got a few gifts. We plan on going back, so I will go in with a  game plan, and know what I want to pay! ;) I got this! :)

      On friday me and a few other girls decided to venture out on our own. We hailed a taxi, spoke what little french we knew to get to "Festival de Glass" down town. It's a good restruant with an ice cream parlor. The cab ride was a tad sketchy. We freaked out for like a spilt second because we didn't know where we were. But we did make it! So then we ate and hailed another cab with a driver who only spoke Evay. Which is a french dialect. So, here we are trying to communicate with what VERY LITTLE french we know, to a guy who only speaks Evay. It was hilarious! No one knows where we live! So we showed him an address thinking it was the address to our home here. Well, we get in and soon enough we end up at the Adam's house! We started cracking up, but he just didn't get it. Luckily from there we knew how to get home. :) Trying to do hand signals for him to direct him we saw the Adam's in a car in front of us! It was hilarious! So we told him to follow them!  ;) Quite the adventure. Needless to say we made it back safely and in one piece! :) I haven't rode on a moto-taxi yet, but oh I plan to! ;) They look so much fun! 

On Saturday we had our 5th "Pentecoté pour les Enfants". It went splendid. Saturday afternoon we just had a chill evening. Sunday I went to the bible college church with a few girls. We all had "African" outfits made! They are all so beautiful! :) So we wore those to fit in at church. :) The bible college is beautiful! We are working there the next 3 days. Pictures to come! :) I hope all is well with everyone! It may be a few days till I update because we will be doing a lot of work with the bible school. Things are going great! I'm not exactly ready to go home just yet. It's hard to believe we leave in a month :( 

Love you all! See ya soon! :)

-Brandi Young

We found love in a hopeless place...

   Hello all! The past few days in in Togo have been absolutely beautiful. And not just weather wise :) Sunday we went to Brother Kofie's church in a local village. He church was absolutely amazing!!! I would say there are upward of 300 people who go there. The music, the worship, it was all just so beautiful! There is no way I will be able to adjust to American church again! I'm gonna bring Africa home ;) We danced literally until I thought my feet were gonna fall off! Then his choir sang that most beautiful song! I'll try and get some videos posted but the internet isn't that great here. Then our Next Steps group sang "At the Cross I Bow My Knee" in french and in english. The crowds responded really well! What I love about His church is that it can go from dancing like crazy, to hands in your face on your knees at the alter in like .5 seconds! It was so powerful! It was an amazing alter call!  I forgot how many received the Holy Ghost but I will let you know! :) 

After church 6 of us girls got to go to a autism at the ocean! It was the coolest expierence ever! Brother Kofie baptized 5 in the sweet name of Jesus. One girl didn't have the Holy Ghost and she came out of the water speaking in tongues! It was so the coolest experience! Right there on a public beach! God is so good! :) After that Brother Sully took us for some ice cream and croissants! The most delicious croissants ever! :) I will try and get some videos posted of the baptisms! :) 

   So today we went to the orphanage. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my entire life. Today was absolutely amazing. When we arrived the director showed us around the orphanage. We saw the boys dorms, the girls dorms, the "kitchen and dining area" and the yard where the children play. There are a lot of crops that grow there. They also raise chickens for eggs, and food. ;) I honestly can't explain it. No brush could paint the picture.  No words could explain. A picture you can see, sure. But until you go and see for yourself, you have no idea. A piece of my heart was left with each and every single one of those kids. Orphans. Maybe their parents died. Maybe they ran away. Or their family simply couldn't afford to take care of them. It doesn't matter. They simply stole my heart. I pictured an orphanage to be very sad. To be full of depressed kids and teenagers. What I found was completely different from what I was expecting. I found hearts full of joy. I found kids dancing and singing and laughing. I found smiles in place of frowns and I found love in place of despair. Where I thought I would cry all day, I found myself laughing and playing. Though I did shed tears, most of all I laughed. The kids are so funny! A simply smile lit up their world. A simply hug sent their hearts soaring. Picking up a child made their day. But most of all, sharing God's love while we were at it, that changed their lives. I met a girl who was extremely sick with malaria. Though she wanted to laugh and play with the rest of us, she couldn't. Instead, I sat and prayed with her. As I hugged her frail body she shook uncontrollably. I began to cry and beg God to heal her. I don't know if I will see her again. But I have faith that God will her. We handed each kid a gift bag of toys, clothes and candy. Their faces lit up! They loved it! I also met a little girl named Beauty. She is probably about 3 or 4. She stole my heart today. She ran to me and jumped in my hearts, several times. We laughed and spun and took lots of pictures. She took my sun glasses off and wore them most of the of the day. She held my hand and wouldn't leave my side. She cried when I left and she broke my heart. Her name is Beauty. She is an orphan here in Africa, and she has a piece of my heart. We plan on going back to orphanage in a few weeks. I am so excited! 

  I will try and get pis to load as best I can. :) It will probably be later tonight though. A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated for the kids. You absolutely made their day and changed their lives.  You are awesome :) Please keep these kids in your prayers. :)

Until next time!

-Brandi

"Just waiting on that fly"

        Ok… past 2 days? What to say, what to say. We finished up our second week of training classes. Just one more week left. We have been extremely blessed to have Brother and Sister Poitras with us these past couple of weeks. And also Brother and Sister Richardson, regional directors of Africa. I feel so privileged to have been taught and learned from these amazing people in God. Just having the opportunity to be trained by seasoned missionaries, WOW! so thankful! :) 24 kids got the Holy Ghost at our second "Pentecôte pour les Enfants"! It was amazing! Such a sweet presence of God. :) 

       So last night us girls were sitting around and eating some dinner then we got on the subject of possession. Don't ask me why but we just did. So we are telling these crazy stories about either possessions we have heard about or things we have seen. Of course its dark outside, in Africa needless to say, and we get a little freaked out! ;) It was kind of funny actually. We would freeze at any strange noise and then just scream! haha! Hilarious! At this point it was about 9. A few girls wanted to go to bed but were freaked out so we were like O.K.? Why don't we have like a quick devotion? So we all (ran) and got our bibles. We picked out our favorite verses and shared them with the group and explained why we liked them and then elaborated on them a little. And then God just showed off! It was amazing! We each began to tell our "story" and how God has brought us up to this point. It was crazy for me to hear each individual girls story. You would never tell by looking at them but each of us has been through nearly hell and back. But God broke through and took over our lives in so many amazing ways! No girls testimony better than the other, but just amazing stories of being saved by the grace of God. It was really a special moment. After we told our stories we just said a little prayer for peace and comfort through the night. Well, that lead to praying for certain girls home situations, to another girl, to another girl, to another situation and God pretty much took over from there! There was such a sweet anointing flowing out the windows of our apartment. Girls speaking in tongues and crying out to God. It was beautiful. I've found through my life that these types of moments are the ones that carry you through. The ones where God sweeps in and completely takes over. The ones where you pray in tongues. The ones that are unplanned. Sometimes out of place, but always right when you need them. God is so good! :) So as we prayed time passed and we weren't done until one! Needless to say we were exhaust this morning, but what a sweet, sweet night with our Lord. Every since last night there has been a shifting in the atmosphere. God is doing something here, I don't know what yet, but get ready. Revival is about to sweep through Africa and it is gonna be so sweet! :) 

     So I'm the butt of a new joke floating around here. ;) But that's ok! If you know me you know I love to make people laugh :) So during our devotion I kind of told on myself, but that's ok ;) I was up in Ambers apartment praying, and its been my prayer since I have been here that God will reveal to me where He wants me to spend my AIM tour. I feel down in my heart its Africa, but if you haven't noticed, this is a pretty BIG place! ;) And I am a very detailed person and like to have a plan. I can't help it, its just how I am. I need details and plans. It's hard to try and figure this stuff out with no direction! But God quickened and I realized that I'm not living in the NOW. I am so focused on my future that and what I'll be doing 2 years down the road that I'm not putting all my efforts in the NOW. It was kind of a much needed revelation. SOOO back to my point. I was praying and I was so desperate for God to reveal to me where to go next. Have you ever heard those stories where people have just gotten real blunt and bold with God?! Well…. I tired that. Amber has a quilted map of Africa in her apartment so I walk over to and just stare at it. And something in my head told me (as dumb as it was) to close my eyes, and when I opened my eyes again a fly, yes a legit fly, would land on the country I was suppose to go to next. I literally told God I was gonna do this and this is how it should go down. Flies are everywhere here so it wasn't too far fetched ;) So, I closed my real tight, said a prayer, then opened them real wide and….. nothing. I have a funny feeling God was standing over me just laughing and laughing and laughing. Saying, "Ha, I'll show you."  ;) I literally started laughing at myself and was like, Ok Brandi don't do anything like that again! Hahaha!!! So I told the group how ridciulous I was and they started cracking up! But y'all, as funny as it is, I'm holding on to that! I am waiting on that fly to land where he may! God has a sense of humor so I believe He'll  do it. But during all that I kind of learned a lesson. I am not ready to find out where I am suppose to go now. If God was to reveal that to me know, I would blow it! I would go and literally blow it. I wouldn't know a thing about reaching a lost people or what it takes to be missionary. God has instead been teaching me a lesson. "Live in the now. Focus on the now. Learn everything you can where you are, while you can. Stay focused and wait on me. Be PATIENT." I am learning so much here in Africa. Our classes are going amazingly well. I am learning form amazing missionaries. But I think the most important lesson God is teaching me is patience. Patience to trust in Him and believe in the plan He has for my life. I don't have to have all the answers now. I just have to trust God has it under control. And He does. So in the mean time I will worship while I'm waiting. I will praise you while I'm waiting. I will serve you while I'm waiting. I will blossom where I am planted. :) Until that fly decides to land somewhere of course. ;) 

Until next time y'all!

-Brandi Young

       

Sacrifice? Yah right…

      Before coming to Africa for the first time in 2012 my thoughts were as follows: "Man, what a sacrifice our missionaries make everyday." "what a sacrifice it must be to be away from family." "what a SACRIFICE it must be living out of the U.S." "What a sacrifice it must be to be minority in a land without the common conviences of home." "What a SACRIFICE." 

     It didn't take me long to realize that our missionaries never once considered what they do a sacrifice. In fact, most of them would rather live on the missions field without the common conviences of home, just to reach a lost people. Over here its just different. People are more open. Because they have nothing, they are open to anything. Though some of your more extreme religions are not open to you at all. Just pray for them ;) Please allow me to take a minute and explain some things you may consider a "sacrifice".

1. "Cold water Sheaves for Christ Challenge" I'm sure you have heard of this. Someone will challenge you to jump in or have cold water poured on you and you donate a $1 to missions. If you don't do it you have to donate $10. Well FIRST off why wouldn't you rather donate $10 to Sheaves for Christ anyways and not have to jump in cold water?! That's what I would do. O.K. … so my point is… here, we take the "cold water challenge" everyday! There is no hot water! No hot water in the sinks, none for the washer, and yes, none for the shower! We take cold water showers everyday! Even colder showers after it rains! Though very refreshing with this kind of heat, you never really feel clean. By the time you dried off, you're already sweating again. So try the everyday "cold water challenge" and then tell me how you feel ;) 
2. There's no "quick trip" to wal-mart here! You may have to go to several different stores to get all the things you need! And as I quickly learned, just because it has an american name on it, doesn't mean it's gonna be like it is in America! ;) I bought "Hot Cheetos" and was so excited about them! When I opened the bag imagine my surprise when I found regular plain jane cheetos. disappointment  ;) 
3. Humidity. Need I say more? You always sweat! You never feel clean. Just, don't even try ;)
4. Being away from family and friends when they are in need. My first night here my nana was rushed to the hospital with fluid on her heart. I never imagined something like this would happen. It was hard not being there. I just wanted to hug her. She was in the hospital for a few day and went home. Then she developed bronchitis. And now she has developed double pneumonia and was rushed back to the hospital. Lord help her. I want to be there so bad. But I know I am here for a reason. I can't jump on a plane and be home in a few hours. It doesn't work that way. Sister Sully told me take it 5 minutes at a time. Take a deep breath and ask God to get me through the next 5 minutes. Take another deep breath, "Lord get me through the next 5 minutes." She lost her dad last year and she said that truly helped her get through the trial. 
5. "Toto we're not in Kansas anymore". It doesn't take you long after landing in Africa to realize you aren't "home" anymore. It's a completely different world over here. In a place where motorcycles rule the road and religion is on every street corner it can be a little overwhelming. Main rule of thumb is just be careful! :) though most of the people are extremely kind and welcoming, you have to still be careful. 
6. Say bye bye to air conditioner. Yah, I said it. Say bye bye. We went in our first air conditioned room since we left the U.S. last saturday. That would be a grocery store ;) 
7. Don't speak another language. Don't expect to communicate. It's really hard. You want to reach out, but if you on't speak their language it can be difficult. Though in the end, God can reach through any language. 

     I'm sure the missionaries would have a lot more to add to this list. These are just a few I've come to realize on this trip and my last. But let me defend what I am saying as well. We as americans would consider every single one of these a sacrifice. I mean hello?! We are an extremely spoiled nation! Who would willing put themselves through that?! Well, every missionary on every missions field would probably say the thing. "I would give it up in a heart beat if it means reaching the lost." These aren't "sacrifices" per say. These are things we will and would love to give up. Consider them gone. Souls are FAR more important than common conveinces. I don't consider missionaries to be making sacrifices anymore. Its not a sacrifice if you are willing giving something up. I've come to realize the heart of missionary is one of the fullest hearts in the World. To have that kind of passion for a people is breath taking. It is so inspirational. I am being trained by my heroes. These are the people I look up to. These are the people I want to strive to be like everyday. They are simply amazing. :)

    During Brother Adam's class on tuesday he began to tell us about each country in West Africa. As he told us about the countries he too gave their population. Brother Sully asked him why he didn't just round off the numbers? Why be exact? And his answer was something I will never forget… "I didn't round off because each of these number represents a soul." Wow. Each. Number. Represents a soul. Through out 23 countries in West Africa there are 374, 641, 170 souls. That's 374, 641, 170 reasons to pray. That's 374, 641, 170 reasons to fast. 374, 641, 170 reasons to seek Gods will for your life. 374, 641, 170 reasons to answer the call. That's 374, 641, 170 reason to GO. "Here I am God. Send me. Whatever the cost, send me. Lord have YOUR will in my life." 

     Today in class Brother Richardson told us about each West African nation that doesn't have missionaries in them. I felt lead to pray for Mauritania. I went up and wrote the countries name on the board and prayed for God to open doors for the gospel to get into the country. For God to send forth Labors to harvest. For people to answer Gods call. If you find yourself in prayer tonight, please pray for Mauritania. Pray people will begin to seek Gods will and pray doors will be open for us to work in this country. For pray revival. Thank you very much! 

Love you all! Until next time…

• Brandi Young 

"Pentecôte pour les Enfants"

            The past 2 days have been pretty amazing actually! We had our 

first "Pentecôte pour les Enfants" on saturday! 7 Kids received the 

Holy Ghost! We Next Steppers did a mime skit, that was a pretty 

hilarious because it was in french and we had NO idea what we were 

doing. We winged it ;) It was about the upper room so it wasn't to hard ;) 

The kids played a game, then we had someone do a little preaching. The 

kids came up to the alter and we started praying with them. They are 

just so amazing in their worship. What broke my heart the most was to 

see some of these bound by demons. All I could do was cry and plead 

the blood over them. When things get too out of hand the locals step in 

and take over. Which is great. Because if I would stay with them the 

entire time at the alter. I just can't leave when they are like that. You 

know they have so much fear. Talk about a culture shock. BUT like I 

said…. 7 received the Holy Ghost! :)

After our kids revival we went the Sully's house for lunch. They have a beautiful home! It was cool to me to be in a missionaries home! Don't know why but it was. ;) We had lunch and then headed into down town. Talk about a crowd! We went into our first air conditioned room in a week! Needless to say we stayed a while. ;) It was a big grocery store type thing. We got a few snacks for our apartments and then walked around a little. I bought some mango and pineapples which are absolutely amazing! You literally have not tasted "real" fruit until you've had it here. I don't know what it is sou the soil or the air, but they are delicious!!! Especially the pineapple! They are so sweet! :) After that we headed back home and chilled the rest of the afternoon :)

Yesterday, which was Sunday, we spilt up and went to 3 different churches. I went wight he Adams to a local church. It was Pentecost Sunday and service was absolutely amazing! So much singing and dancing! I literally could not feel my feet by the time service was over. Abby and I testified and Alana and Rasche' sang. It is so funny to me because as they were singing the locals just starred in amazement. They were amazed that they were actually on beat and in tune. ;) Here you'll have the piano on one song, the drums an another, the guitar on something else and singers on a completely different song. Haha! But somehow it all works and comes together in a beautiful song for the Lord. Their worship is so pure and genuine. Pure joy shines through their faces as they dance before the Lord. It just so beautiful. They use "hankies", I mean they use those hankies. Well, none of us had one. So Jaydie Sarsfield (an Aimer here right now) went and bought a bunch and gave us all one. We kind of need a crash course in "proper hankie use", but I think we are getting it down. ;) Hahaha! Really as long as you are waving it I think your good. ;) 

After service we all met up at a restaurant down town by the beach. and it was air conditioned! Thank God! ;) I had a burger and fires and some delicious ice cream! Then we came back to our place and chilled the rest of the afternoon again. We were in church from about 9 till about 1 o'clock! ;) When we came back Bekah, Amber, Keena and myself went walking the neighborhood again. Took so many fun pictures and talked to the locals. We were almost back home because it was getting dark but we stop by the church close to our compound. We were standing outside listening to them sing and some girls came outside and invited us in. They have a beautiful choir! We sat and listened for about 20 minutes. :) 

Tonight we are going to a concert put on by al the local churches. We are actually singing in it too. We have been learning "Break Every Chain" in french and I cannot wait! It's gonna be so powerful! Can't wait to bring it back and teach my church ;) Oh yah! so far this week 33 people have received the Holy Ghost! PRAISE GOD! Excited to hear more awesome reports! 

Until next time,

-Brandi :)

"Est-ce que je fais une photo?"

      The past 2 days have been amazing. So much has been learned. I feel so privileged to be able to sit and learn from these 3 AMAZING missionary couples. How lucky is that?! All of that knowledge and wisdom that gets taught down to us. I am just so amazed. Thank you Lord for this opportunity! You are so good! 

Wednesday night a few of us got to go to church the Sully's. It was so amazing to be back in African church! It's quite the experience! See the videos on Facebook ;) I'm tagged in them. Honestly I can't put the experience into words. :)

Today was a very emotional day. We laughed, we cried and most of all we prayed. During Brother Adams lesson He paused and let us know about another country. This country is approximately the size of Texas and Oklahoma. This place has over 16 MILLION people. That's a little over half the population of the U.S. In this country there is only ONE missionary couple. ONE couple that has answered the call to go. ONE couple for a country of 16 MILLION. That country is Nigeria, West Africa. I'm sure you all know what is going on in Nigeria. So we had ourselves a good prayer meeting for Nigeria and our missionaries there. Pray for their protection. Pray peace in the country. Most of all, pray for people to answer "the call". Pray they answer God's call to go. To go and be a missionary and bring the gospel. And please pray for our missionaries over there. 

Today we heard from Sister Poitras. What an amazing, amazing lady of God. I was on the verge of tears during her entire time speaking. She talked about "Sensing God's Direction." She told us about how she answered the call and the things they went through when on the missions field. But most of all how to hear God's call. She has such a passion for West Africa. She talked about the difficulties on and off the field. She said, "God provides you with clear direction when you HONESTLY seek Him" and to not make a single move without know without a shadow of a doubt that God has told you. Never rush God's plan. We must first present our bodies and become a living sacrifice. We must be Holy and acceptable to God. Allow God's will to be done in your life. "When God says go, you have one choice if you want to survive. You say yes." I was SO touched by her today. She is one amazing lady. I now want to strive to be like her. 

Brother Sully was talking about spiritual warfare. Which was a great message! During this He made a very valid point about the spirituality of Africans. He told a story about how someone once asked an African Missionary, "Why do Africans see the Holy Ghost so much?" His reply was pretty amazing. He said, "From birth Africans are introduced to the spirit realm. Through all kinds things good and bad. They are VERY spiritual in Africa." And that is so true! If you don't think Voodoo, magic and witchdoctors are real… you are highly mistaken! They are as real as the hairs on my head. West Africa is the birth place of VooDoo. Hollywood has desensitized these things to us through our movies, T.V. shows, music and even books. It's there people. We see and hear it everyday. We need to be smart about these things. For years we have been slowly leaking this evil into our lives… and I'll just stop right there because I'll start preaching. ;) 

After dinner this evening we went walking around another part of the village. So many kids have stolen my heart already. They are so happy. So giving. They have not a thing to their name, not a thing, yet they are so happy. Its a pure happiness. If that makes any sense. I pray I can have that kind of happiness. We passed some muslims doing their daily prayers. My heart just went out to them. They have no idea who the real God is. All I could do was pray God give someone enough courage and boldness to go reach out to them. I passed a little family sitting on the side of the roads by their home (shack). One was reading and the others were playing and laughing. I asked "Est-ce que je fais une photo?" Which is "Can I take your photo?" in french. :) they were estatic and of course agreed. I took a few pics and showed them on my camera. You would of thought I gave them a million dollars. Their faces lit up with pure joy! Just to see themselves on a camera screen. I became immediately convicted. Here I am with 4 things to take pictures on. I can see them whenever I want. I can take them whenever I want. It's an everyday thing. How spoiled are we in America? Until you have seen this kind of poverty you have no idea. We are so spoiled. I literally walked away in tears. At their pure, happiness. These people are so amazing. That's the only word I can find to describe them. 

        O.k. So our "compound" cause "SIL" is located right in the middle of this "village/town" thing. Well, to the right there is a Baptist church. There are muslims all around us. And down the road is the Chief of the Voodoo tribe in Togo. So we hear ALL kinds of sounds around here. You can hear the Muslims calling for prayer at nearly every hour of the day! The Baptist church is always getting down! Their music is so pretty :) Haven't heard any voodoo activity. Yet, but it is to be expected. In Jesus name, touch them! 

     Tomorrow we have our first kids crusade! Since Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, we are having "Pentecost Saturday for Kids". 400 kids are to be expected, as well as the Holy Ghost :) I will let you know how it goes. Please be in prayer for these services! We are having them for 5 weeks! :)  

 We are having to go on a "WiFi schedule" because it is so slow here. Mine started today and I won't be able to get back on till Monday. It's a 3 day rotation. So on my "on" days I'll update as best as possible. So keep watching! Love you all! 

Until next time,

-Brandi :) 

We have arrived! ;)

    Tonight I got another glimpse of the life of a missionary. My nana was rushed to the hospital with fluid on her heart back in the states and it is extremely hard not being there for her. I know she understands but I just want to hug her :( she is my best friend. But we have an entire team of missionaries and AIMers here in Togo praying for you nana! I know God is the great healer and will heal your body and make you whole. Though I wish I could be there I have to be strong here and leave it in Gods hands. I trust you Lord. Please heal my nana. Another reason missionaries are the strongest people I know. They have no choice but to be strong. When you are thousands of miles away, God has to be your comfort. 
     It took us 2 days to get to Togo. I didn't sleep a wink on the planes so I was exhausted upon landing! Flying in at night was beautiful! The Adams and Sullys picked us up from the airport and took us to our compound. We got to ride in Sheaves for Christ vehicles. It was pretty awesome! And I can truly say they are highly appreciated from the Missionaries and  much needed! When got our rooms situated we all talked a little and then crashed! We do have internet but it is really choppy. We a lot of people connected it's hard to get thru sometimes. I am getting a cell phone tonight so I will be able to contact family and friends. 
     The compound we are staying in is beautiful! Tropical plants and palm trees line our gates. We have guards 24/7 and a locked gate so we are safe. :) Big lizards are everywhere! We were told that if they get in our too to just leave them because they eat the bugs. I would be On my way! It would be ok with this ;) they are cute ;) so we have no hot water here. But to be honest... The cold water feels GREAT! 
     This morning we had orientation and got a lot of information about Togo and the people here. After that we went to the market and got some snacks and water for our rooms. We then ate at an adorable little pizzeria. African pizza is definitely not like American pizza. But it is quite delicious! ;) I had Hawaiian. Did I mention how AMAZING the fruit is?! It's all so fresh and sweet! Especially the bananas! :) The cook for the compound made USA. Delicious breakfast. Complete with oatmeal, bananas, bread and jelly... And peanuts. they LOVE peanuts here. They are pretty much served with every meal :) 
     Driving around Togo reminded me of Tanzania in a lot of ways. The same dirt covered streets, 1000's of motorcycles and markets and people... Everywhere! Driving is crazy here! No one pay attention to street signs, road lanes and other drivers ;) really have to be careful. We are already learning a little French. It is complicated but a beautiful language! We have our first kids crusade on Saturday and Sunday it is Pentecost Sunday! A great service to be expected! I will update as often as I can internet permitting! Keep watching :) 

Until next time,
Brandi