Hello to all of you,
Yesterday was a very unusual day. All of the missions were given
some direction to provide or make available more zone activities on a
regular basis. So about once a quarter a zone (about 12 missionaries in
our mission) will have some kind of activity. Like playing basketball,
or going somewhere or to the beach. Benin and Togo are not teeming
with very many interesting places to go like in the U S. In the U S
they can go to museums, they can go to Mormon Night baseball, they go
air craft carriers, they go to state parks, they can visit the Empire
State Building etc. None of that exists here in the cities of Lome nor
Cotonou. Our two cities are concrete and dirt. But, this one zone was
informed about some valley near Porto Novo that was unique. It was told
to them that there are only 2 valleys like this in Africa. One of the
valleys is in the Nile River drainage and the other here in Porto Novo.
This valley I am told by the member, who is reliable, that this valley
has rich and fertile soil. Most of Africa's soil has been used over and
over and over. There is no resting of the soil for a season like in
the US. We have winter and the soil rests. Well they put together a
zone activity with the member's help. Francine and I were the bus
drivers. The location is 80 km (50 Miles) away. It takes about 1 1/2
hours to get there. This means we had good roads for Africa. The member
got us to the valley and sure enough it looks great. But, what do we
do now that we have seen it. I suggested to this member that maybe we
could find a road on one of the hills of the valley so that we could
hike for a while. We went back across a bridge and found a path that we
might take. So we did. As we walked we found a river on our left
side. We walk about 1 km and could see a small village. It has about
25 members. The children came to greet us. A little timid at first.
Then we shook their hands. It was obvious that they hadn't seen very
many white people and one or two had never seen a white person. Three
women came to see what was going on and two men then came a met with us.
The member visited with them. And they were friendly enough. They
spoke Fon. One of many tribal languages. So, I asked if we could visit
the village. They said yes and they would take us to the river. We
walked into the village which was right next to a river. Not the same
one we saw we hiked next to on our way in. The hike was not extreme in
the least. It was more like a stroll along an irrigation ditch. This
river was about 100-150 yards wide. We did a little looking around and
visited and asked questions and took pictures. One of the elders from
Scotland asked about animals and they said that their were crocodiles.
I couldn't confirm if this was a current sighting or in the past. They
did say that their used to be many croc's but they were hunted and are
nearly gone. They told me that they had a farm across the river. I
asked what they grew. Maize, beans, casaba, etc. I asked if I could go
to the farm when I came back. They said yes.
The river was about 5 to 6
feet (2 meters) below the bank. In the second raining season (about
September) the river generally will rise about three feet (1 meter)
above the river bank. Wow, would this be an impressive sight to see! I
hope to go there then as well. I then examined their huts and sure
enough they have been build up on bricks or mounds of dirt so they won't
be flooded. They then get to the road by canoe. If this is the case
then I can see why this would be such a fertile valley.
I took several pictures
and they said that they would love a copy when I came back. We found
two or three species of birds that I haven't seen. I am sure that there
is a lot that I didn't observe. I also found a couple more butterflies
and flowers Back to the river. They are sandwiched between two rivers.
We will look on google earth to see where we were. They do not have
any water, other than the river and they do not have any electricity.
This village, though small, is what one we might think of when we read
about African villages. The valley was very beautiful. The earth is full and there is enough, and to spare.
As I asked the missionaries if they enjoyed the trip. Without
exception they thought this might be the best activity they had. One of
the new elders said; this is a most welcome relief, it came at a good
time for me.
One more thing,
apparently we are in a severe drought. This is the second year in a
row. With this year being more severe. From what I can piece together
the crops for this harvest will yield very little. Even if we got rain
now, it wouldn't help for the current crops and of course would benefit
the next crop. Things to grow year round but even so, there are
seasons. Not like in the US or Canada nor Europe, but seasons when
things grow better than others.
We are getting ready to
occupy a new branch building in Cococodji in the next week or two.
Remember, this area was opened for missionary work in Feb/Mar. The
first group meeting was held in May. There were 47 in attendance. From
the very start the room we met in was not able to hold the number who
attended. Last week there were 110 in attendance. 35 inside and 75 on
the patio. It is a marvelous thing to see the literal fulfillment of
prophesy. The gospel is being taken to the whole world.
We are now preparing the
required paper work to organize a Stake in Togo. I wouldn't be
surprised that this will be ready by the end of the year. I don't think
that I will be here for the first stake in Benin, but just 3 months
after we complete our mission and just before the President has competed
his assignment, their could be a Stake in Benin.
All of a sudden, it seems
as their has been several illnesses. Most can be treated like the flu.
I hope they get over it soon.
As reported we are having 24 missionaries go home over the next 2
months, 6 left this past week. I thought we would drop down the
missionary count of when I first arrived (about 90). But, as of
yesterday when the final 6 of the 24 go home, the next week we will get
16 new ones and with the other 6-8 we will be at 104. It now appears as
if we will climb to 120 over a period of time.
Well, the elders are faithful in these trying circumstances.
Elder & Sister Semken