Natitingou Mission Field Report pt. 10

After close oversight to the preparation of the grounds the time has come for the evangelism festival to begin. The team goes to the field early. The music begins to play over the sound system. The atmosphere among the people is one of happy expectation. They are packed tightly together, making it impossible to estimate the number.

Pastors are seated on the platform as I arrive. The people wave and smile as I move to the edge of the platform to wave to them and to shake hands. The children laugh and wave. These are such precious people.

Shortly after I arrive the service begins. The Chairman of the organizing committee opens the festival and offers a prayer of dedication. Rev. Michael Lusk then introduces me to the people. Rev. Kim Oakley is positioned on a small platform that holds her video camera. Our goal is to capture the scenes of God’s actions during these events to share with others.

As I take the microphone, along with my interpreter, Pastor Patrick Missongo, there is great anticipation in the air. I introduce who we are, who sent us and why we have come. Then I segue into the message of Jesus and His sovereign, unchallenged, demonstrable power and authority over every other power.

Benin is the seat of voodoo in West Africa. Even the majority of nominal Christians and Muslims continue to practice voodoo rituals. The devil holds people with his clutches of fear, thus maintaining control and evil rule over them.

When the Good News of Jesus is announced, the fear is broken and the people choose to believe on Jesus. It seems that 75% of the multitude are ready to receive Jesus for the first time. The sound of their voices calling out to Jesus is beautiful. Heaven much surely be rejoicing!

Trained workers scattered throughout the multitude then begin filling out a Decision Card for as many of the new converts as possible. The pastors are eager to follow up on those who make decisions for Christ.

After giving careful instruction to the sick, showing God’s promises to heal, I pray for those who are sick. There is great faith in this place. The miracles begin!

Many who were crippled are now walking. Some of the most dramatic healings are being witnessed. Formerly blind are seeing. Twisted feet are straight. Clasp hands are opening. Sinus, heart and lung diseases are healed. The people are rejoicing!

As we close the service, the people are shouting, “Jesus has the power!”

Hallelujah!

Natitingou Mission Field Report pt. 9

It is a dynamic experience to walk among the people of an area in the public markets. In Natitingou there is a smaller daily market and a large market that is open four days weekly. People from the surrounding villages bring their produce, vegetables, meats and all imaginable items to sell.

Our team arrives at the large market laden with invitations to the festival and lots of genuine smiles. Walking among the people is a priceless experience. These people are beautiful. It has been years since I’ve been received with such consistent happiness, gratitude and expectation.

A great number of the children and adults wear tribal markings on their faces. In most nations this practice is either illegal or frowned on by the government. Female circumcision is common here as a Muslim practice. Only God knows the evil root of deep suffering endured by people without God.

People at every step swarm us as we press through the market to deliver the invitations to a new life in Jesus Christ.

Within less than one hour we have hand delivered over 1,000 invitations. We could have easily passed out 5000. As we reluctantly leave the market, an old woman approaches and asks for prayer for her legs. Of course I want her to come to the festival. But how can I withhold prayer from her? God’s mercy is so much greater than our formulas for healing and divine intervention.

In just a few hours the festival will begin. Many of these people will come. I know what they will see… and in whom they will come to trust. This is why we’ve come.

Festival Grounds Visit

We begin our day by going to the field where the evangelism festival will convene. It is a beautiful field. A large group of Christian women have spent many hours cleaning the garbage from the field, sweeping the dirt, trimming the trees and low vegetation. The field may be one of the most perfect that we have had, both in location, size and in accessibility.

With a group of pastors and the technical people who will elect the platform, install the sound system, place the lights and hook up the generators, I give specific instructions for the placement of the platform and other important guidelines. These practical details make such a difference in the success of a mass evangelism event. The next time I see this field, all will be in place and the people will be gathering.

We pray at the field, dedicating this place to God, for His purpose. I can already see (in my mind) the people coming, hearing about Jesus, believing on Him, and receiving their miracle. The expectation here is building.

Believers Rally

By evening we gather for the exciting Believers’ Rally. It seems that twice the number of people are present as those who attended the seminar. They are singing and rejoicing as we arrive.

My goal is to help these believers to understand the important role that they have in Christ’s work. Often Christians think that only the pastor, evangelist or other trained leader can do the work of ministry. I take them through the Scripture to see what happened when followers of Christ in the Bible dared to believe His words and act on them. The people are getting the message, as evidenced by their spontaneous shouts for joy.

After the teaching, I ask the young people who are 12-15 years of age to help me to distribute to every person a supply of invitations. At least 50 come to the front eager to assist. These invitations will be given individually to people throughout the city. We have printed 100,000 invitations. For every person who receives one, at least six people will read it. The city will begin talking about this special event.

I love working with young people. These young men and women were so eager to follow my instructions precisely. The entire supply of invitations was passed out quickly and in an orderly fashion, even throughout the press of people at each door and packed around the exterior of the building.

We then prayed, dedicating the invitations, and asking the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts to receive the news and to give the believers creative ideas in how to distribute them effectively. What a beautiful sight, to see these sincere people taking their responsibility to invite the broken and sick to the festival to encounter Jesus.

In reality, only those who know about the festival will come. Only the lost that are there will be saved. Only the sick that are there will be healed. We must let people know so they will come. Jesus will do the rest

Festival Grounds Being Prepared

Local women labor for hours in the hot sun clearing debris from the grounds for our upcoming Festivals of Faith & Miracles.

Natitingou Mission Field Report pt. 6

The Sunday prior to the evangelism festival is a very important day. Believers (and pastors) from many churches have already experienced the seminar. During that time I have focused the faith of Christians from many denominations on the person and the work of Jesus Christ. This is the exciting teaching that gives energy and purpose to the Church and to the individual believer.

Today I am sending two teams out to visit the local churches to personally invite Christians to the important Believers’ Rally that convenes on Monday. Evangelism requires the involvement of the Christian community. The more believers that we have involved, the greater number of new converts will become part of the local churches.

Rev. Michael Lusk leads one team. He and his wife, Christina, have their own world ministry. Our ministry has influenced them since their youth. Their hearts for evangelism and for the training of evangelists is evident. Rev. Michael is the one who came to Natitingou one year ago to meet with the pastors on my behalf. I appreciate that he is willing to take time from his own ministry to work with us in certain international programs. His leadership is making a great difference here and I thank God for him.

Rev. Kim Oakley leads the second team. She also has been in international missions all of her adult life. She also has been very close to our ministry, serving in various capacities for decades. On this mission, she is the videographer, capturing the events so that we may share what’s happening here with others around the world. My father used to say, “If the disciples would have had cameras, the Bible would have been full of pictures.” We strongly believe in the power of visual documentation. I thank God for Rev. Kim’s commitment to the work of Christ.

With her on this assignment is Georgia Sibley, a High School Senior. She has a heart to follow the Lord and is a leader of youth in her church. When she asked to come with me, I felt that the Lord wanted her to see and experience what this mission will unfold. Her mother agreed for her to come and provided the needed funds as a Christmas gift to Georgia. She is a wonderful asset on this team.

Together, the teams visit 24 different churches and they are received with great excitement. I am expecting a wonderful attendance at the rally that begins in three hours. Believe with me for the hearts of these Christians to receive the challenge that I present to them.

The next step is vital!

The Osborn Legacy continues in Natitingou, Benin,

as Dr. LaDonna poses with attendees of our Gospel Seminar after they received their Osborn books. This is why we say “When Osborn Ministries International visits a city, we never leave.” These books will each be read hundreds of times, over many decades.

Book Distribution

With the help of the pastors, we then distribute three titles of books in French to each person. It is a great joy to see their smiles as they receive their gift books. Of course we take time to pray for our partners who have made these books possible.

Following the seminar, I meet with the pastors who will be present at the festival. This is the time to go over the details of the evangelism event, excite them and engage their fullest participation in the pre- festival and festival activities. We have a wonderful group of sincere pastors who are eager to see what God will do in their city.

The teaching foundation is laid. The pastors are ready. Now we begin the final preparations for the evangelism event.

That begins tomorrow….

Natitingou Reaches Out

These people in Natitingou may live by meager means, but they are determined to reach out and stay in contact with the outside world. Satellite dishes and communication antennas can be seen throughout the city.

We are making every effort to feed this hunger with our digital Gospel products & satellite television broadcasts.

Natitingou Mission Field Report pt. 5

This final Gospel Seminar/Conference day is very full and exciting. The people are singing and dancing. Today is the time when I tell the story of our family and how we became what we are known for today. I am going into more detail than usual about my father and mother’s early childhood experiences and the hardship of their circumstances. These pieces of their story dramatically prove that:
God can use anyone.
You do not have to be wealthy to do great things for God.
God can use young people whose hearts are sincere toward Him.
God will take you to the ends of the earth, if necessary, to fulfill His plan for your life.
Knowing Jesus is the central thing.
Trusting the Word of God and acting on it is enough.
God takes the ordinary and accomplished the extraordinary.
And many more lessons…

The people listen with rapt attention. Ultimately I answer the question, “Why will people believe our message?” We discover from the Scripture, the example of Jesus and the illustration from the lives of T. L. and Daisy Osborn, that miracles are the proof that our message is true. The proclamation of the Good News of Jesus is followed by the demonstration of His resurrection life. Miracles are the proof.

This simple, yet biblical truth causes great response in the people. They are getting the message.

You see, when an army of believers embraces the truth and mission of Jesus and then understands the priority of miracles, they are unstoppable in their influence in their communities. These men and women are ready to go public with me to the outdoor field for the great Festival of Faith and Miracles. In just a few days, we begin.

Reverend Kim Oakley

labors daily as she transports our video equipment to the Gospel Seminar venue here in Natitingou. Extra batteries, tripod, camera, audio equipment, what a trooper and a real asset to our Mission Team!

Security Detail

The local authorities assigned a security detail to our Mission Team. They go with us wherever we go, so I take time to thank them personally and they insist on having a photo taken with me. These are beautiful men that are dedicated to their job. God Bless Them!

A member of our mission team,

Georgia Sibley takes advantage of a quiet moment to reflect on her meticulous notes. We are so impressed at how many different devices are being used to record our Gospel Seminars.

Natitingou Mission pt. 4

The attendance at the teaching conference continued to increase. The central hall and the porches on both sides are filled with men and women. In addition to French, interpreters are also translating the teaching in the Waama and Otamari local dialects. The echo effects of these voices are like an ongoing ripple of sound followed by the respondent claps and shouts. These people are so hungry for the truth. I am told that this region of Benin has produced several great political leaders in the nation. Yet, the people are still very poor. Their major religion is giving them NO hope. They are desperate for truth that makes a difference in their lives. That’s why we have come.

While on the first two days of teaching I focused on those things that are the essentials of our faith and the basis of our unity in Christ, today I focus on those things that guarantee our success in ministry. These pastors and church leaders are eager to learn such biblical truths.

Also, I take time to encourage the women in their role in the work of Christ. This systematic teaching excites the men and the women. You see the work of evangelism requires all believers to be engaged. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.” Mt 9:37-38

It is my prayer that from this great conference, many men and women will take their rightful place in the work of Christ.