I take this
moment to inform you that today the Cococodji Branch was created. A
long time member and friend, Paul Dansu, is the new branch President.
He is our egg man. He started an egg farm with the encouragement of
the Southams and has done well. His first counselor in Elvis, a young
returned missionary, he and his wife recently had their first child.
This is the first branch
that Francine and I had an opportunity to have a lot of involvement.
The missionaries were assigned to this area only in February of this
year (2013). The mission president had a tug-a-war as to where we
should send two sets of missionaries because of the very limited number
of missionaries in the field. He could have sent them to Porto Novo
which was the expected place to send them since there are several
members there. Another area that was a possibility was Calavi. The
members out in Cococodji were being serviced very well by the Menotin
Branch. The President sent me out to explore all three areas with an
office elder. A set of Assistants to the Mission President were also
sent to Porto Novo to get their opinion. Our reports said that all
three areas could support missionaries. The President consulted with
the Branch Presidency. There input was invaluable. They liked Calavi
and Cococodji. The President then decided after careful consideration
and imploring with the Lord what he should do. He decided to send them
to Cococodji.
As I have mentioned the first week we had 47, then 54 and today there was 103 on a rainy day. Last week there were 110.
Getting the building we now meet in was an interesting event as well.
Today was the first day of meetings in this beautiful building. This
building can accommodate two branches at the same time. The lot is
beautifully landscaped. I love it! And I have some new ideas that I
could incorporate in my yard. Not that I could have the same
vegetation, no palm trees grow where I live in Utah. Nevertheless I
have some new ideas. Oh dear, says Francine.
The available buildings
for a branch were in reality not in existence. We us Paul Toffi to help
us find apartments. I requested his assistance. In a day or two he
was at the office explaining to us what he had found. Now it seem that
Paul knows everyone. He found a building that was occupied some Chinese
road consultants that were about to vacate the building. He found the
building because he knew someone who knew about this landlord. So we
entered negotiations. The price was way to high which is normal. We got
it down to where we could be serious about it. The members in the area
frequently could not go to the Menotin Branch building because of its
cost. So, Paul went a days journey north to visit the landlord (the
wife and owner) her husband was in Liberia. As it turns out the
village Paul went to is where Paul had lived and he knew the wife. They
agreed on a price and then he brought the proposal back to which we
negotiated the final agreement. The Lord absolutely knows and directs
people to fulfill his purposes. He is involved in the details. I am
but an instrument in his hands for I could never have known about this
place, I didn't know the landlord, I didn't live in their village as a
youth, I don't speak French. Stop and think how things can turn out.
Yesterday, Saturday 20
July 2013, the elders and I went to prepare the building for the
meeting. We had to make five trips to take chairs, etc. I wasn't
surprised when many members just showed up to work. Youth and adults
and a couple of babies. I had Elder Welch be the supervisor. His
companion Elder Mulumba was the chief coordinator to the members. The
work that was completed was nothing short of spectacular! People just
went to work! Willingly! A couple of sisters swept the entire long
driveway (125 yards long) and the walkways that beautifully mark the
attractive landscaped facilities. Of course the women were their
beautiful clothes to perform this service. They do not wear "grubbies"
for work done for the Lord. I am so touched by the respect that they have for the church grounds and that they know that the Lord is well pleased.
Today, there was adequate room for everyone. They were as excited
as children opening presents on Christmas morning. Though that for them
is but a dream. But, they feel and felt the need to be there to
perform this task.
I took a lot of pictures.
After the meeting everyone wanted their picture taken. It really
started when a father requested (in French, but I understood perfectly
what he wanted) that I take his picture with his family. You see this
marks a great day in the lives of these people. And it does. It also,
makes a great day in Francine and my life as well. They were very
reverent and respectful during the services.
Thank you for your missionaries and for your support and prayers,
Elder Semken