We had a wonderful trip-probably one of the best we’ve had.  A lot of work was done and important decisions made.

One of the team member’s mother died the Tuesday after we arrived and she had to leave early, but the outpouring of love and sympathy by the Africans was nothing short of amazing.  We got the news on Tuesday morning and that evening about 5:30, about 75 students showed up with chairs and held a memorial service for Nan’s mother.  This is the first time Nan had been to BEST, and she had only been there a few days.  They truly model the Christian walk and Agape love.  The service consisted of singing, Nan was able to share about her mom, a sermon by one of the students, even a collection!  Out of their poverty they gave Nan a monetary gift!

The second week, one of the team members became very sick.  He is the son of another of the team member and is not a believer (or not a commited follower of Christ).  The Africans brought a French trained doctor to the house (the doctor thought it might be malaria or typhoid), took him to the French private clinic for blood tests, and the number of people who came to the house to pray with and for him was probably more of a witness than any words could describe-we think this is why God allowed him to go on the trip.

These things I will probably never forget.

- John