Stories of Transformation
Fostering and environment of love through genuine service.
The core principle we teach is LOVE. We emphasize Jesus' profound commandment to love God and love others. Christianity void of God's love produces dead religion. Children have an innate ability to recognize genuine love. We believe the most powerful way to demonstrate God's love is through joyfully serving Jesus. Another vital need for these children is to recognize their God giving value. In Beninese culture, children are often seen as the least important. They are fed last during meals, have no voice, are frequently punished for minor mistakes, and many are forced to abandon their education to work on farms. Their value is to serve the parent's purpose. However, God has a purpose for that goes beyond what eyes can see in the present time. In demonstrating God's love we find ourselves sometimes going counter-culture. “This going against the grain” is often questioned by our volunteers. It gives us an opportunity to share the difference between “cultural Christianity” and true “Biblical Christianity.” One simple example of demonstrating the value of even a little child is in the way we distribute food. The youngest is to be fed first. The first shall be last and the last first. We teach our volunteers the immense importance of loving, seeing and serving these children as 100% human being. This has created an atmosphere of love and protection, where every child feels valued and cherished. Our volunteers have also been transformed in the way and even who they serve.
Transformation among the adolescent group.
When we first began our outreach, the children were hesitant to intermingle due to deep-seated family and clan conflicts. They struggled with behaviors like fighting, stealing, jealousy, and rivalry. However, over time, these issues began to fade, and we experienced a gradual transformation. In the first year, almost the entire adolescent group, consisting of fewer than 20 youths, rose up in rebellion, believing we were favoring a particular family. They vowed to leave and never return, even threatening to destroy the work. Eventually, some of them humbled themselves and returned. Many have since committed their lives to Christ and are growing in their faith. The group has now grown to about 50 students. This year, we witnessed a remarkable shift in their attitude towards serving. Since we’ve experienced a significant increase in the number of children, the adolescents truly stepped up. They volunteered to help with handwashing, distributing food, comforting crying toddlers, and washing dishes. We witnessed a beautiful transformation from discord to love, unity, and joy in service. Seeing these adolescents take on these responsibilities with such enthusiasm and care has been incredibly encouraging.
Five-year-old's enthusiasm in learning about Jesus.
Overall, we see the children and youth are learning to love God and His Word. There's a special moment that stands out to depict this. Five-year-old Fidele, known for his impeccable memory, loves to share the Bible story from our previous lessons during review time, which happens every two weeks. One day, during a lesson review, he eagerly raised his hand. "I remember the last lesson!" he exclaimed with a big smile. His teacher, nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead and share with us." Fidèle stood up confidently and began to recount the story with remarkable accuracy. As he spoke, the teacher's eyes widened in surprise. They remembered that he had been absent the previous week. Once he finished, the teacher asked, "That was amazing! But how did you know the lesson? You weren't here last time." Fidèle grinned and replied, "I had to stay home, but I really wanted to be here. So, when my friend came back, I asked him to tell me everything about the lesson. And that's how I know it." The teacher smiled warmly and said, "That's wonderful! You did a great job, and it's so nice to see how much you care about learning." Fidèle beamed with a smile as his classmates clapped for him. It became clear that not only Fidèle, but other children were absorbing the lessons, even if they didn't actively participate in the review sessions. This silent engagement is crucial, as it lays a strong foundation for knowing God’s through His word. By internalizing the lessons, the Holy Spirit is working in their lives to bring them to faith and develop them as children of God.
Testimony of Julia: If Mama can do it, I can do it!
Julia is a dedicated literacy student. She has been doing remarkably well even though her life is extremely busy tending to her family. Its been a challenge but she must endure. Her inspiration is Mama. Late last year, her elder sister Celeste began the literacy training. Celeste had never attended school. "What gives you the courage to think you can learn to read and write?" Julia asked with curiosity and doubt mingling in her voice. "I've heard of this program and seen people who have never been to school reading and writing," Celeste replied with brightened eyes. "I know that God will give me the ability to do it." Celeste seemed determined. Julia also wanted to learn but she had a small child and life was very busy. Celeste completed the literacy program and in less than six months she was reading and writing. "She is reading so well!" Julia thought to herself. "I wonder if I can do this?" In a short few months, a new course began. Julia wanted to join but procrastinated and registration closed quicker than she expected. "Oh, maybe next time," she mumbled with heavy disappointment in her voice. It wasn't long before she realized Mama made the registration and was in school. "Mama, are you learning to read and write?" Julia asked as her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Yes, I am. I believe God will give me the strength to do it," Mama responded. Julia wasn't confident that Mama would finish the program. It demanded so much of her time and she was also very busy with life. Julia pondered within, "How could Mama attend three hours of classes two times a week for almost six months? She will not finish. I'm sure of it." As Mama was learning, Julia saw her doing homework and practicing diligently. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears. Mama was reading. She was even reading the Bible. "Oh, how I wish I could read!" Julia cried within herself. After Mama finished the literacy program, she could read and write so well. Julia was faced with a dilemma. Celeste could read and write, Mama could read and write. She felt left behind. "If Mama could do it, I can do it," she said within herself. In October 2024, a new literacy training began. Julia registered as soon as she could. As of the end of 2024, she completed the beginning stages and is already reading and writing. She is working on building her proficiency and knows within a few months, she will graduate with a certificate of having gone through a rigorous literacy training program. Celeste is now training to be a teacher. Julia is thinking about following in Celeste's footsteps to become a literacy teacher.
Andre Finally Gets It!
Recently, on our way to the village, we asked Andre to fill in for a volunteer who was assigned to speak during the big group time (a gathering of all the children). Andre didn’t have much time to prepare but humbly accepted. When he shared, we heard the passion of God's love in his voice. He asked the children, “Does God love people from Cotonou more than Anagbo?” There were mixed responses of yes and no. He continued, "Does God love someone from France or any part of Europe more than Anagbo?" The responses were still mixed but leaned more towards no. "Does He love someone from Nigeria more than He loves you?" "No!" they replied loudly. Andre then shared about the value of each person from Anagbo to God. Beginning with John 3:16, a passage they knew, Andre explained how God loves them so much that He came from heaven to earth to live among people and die on the cross for everyone's sins. It was astonishing to see Andre share the message with such strong conviction. Some of the children, especially the adolescents committed their lives to Christ that day. After the outreach, we discussed the message with Andre. He said, “I didn’t have time to prepare so I prayed and share what was in my heart. I didn’t really believe this before, but after really pondering on the lessons during our training, and looking into God’s word, I finally get it! I understood that He loves everybody the same. Sometimes as Africans, we think God loves us less. I wanted the children to truly know God loves them the same.” This message is not only to our volunteers and the children of Anagbo but to all, especially those who are broken.