The Vine February 2013 - York St Church of Christ

BAYNES: Benin, Africa
Hello Folks!
Well a lot has been happening...
The CFL (Liwietari Vocational Centre) started
their school year in October. I (Johann) have
been teaching English weekly, with discipleship/
biblical courses in rotation with two others, my dad
Gordon, and Pastor Rene. There are 23 students
learning Engineering and Construction alongside
biblical studies. I enjoy the students, especially the
3rd/4th year group whom I know. The others are
new to me and seem quite enthusiastic. Among the
first year group for biblical studies are two Muslim
students, which has been quite interesting! Heini,
the director of the CFL, has taken on board a few
Catholic and Muslim students (all are required
to take biblical studies). This has made it harder
in some aspects as we cannot teach on certain
subjects in depth, but it gives students a great
opportunity to go through the Bible and share the
gospel with those who don’t know Jesus, or who
believe that Mary is our intercessor instead of Christ
(Catholicism in Benin is also very syncretistic).
However we’ll see how it works out having non-
Christian students and it hopefully won’t be a
source of contention in the work place, or be a
point of discouragement for new believers (i.e.
a Muslim becoming a Christian in front of other
Muslims can be a challenge).
I have also been involved in overseeing the work
program for the CL (Liwietari Centre). The work
program includes maintenance, construction, field
work, tree planting (yes we are still planting trees,
every year!) and beautification of the Centre. I have
also been involved with evangelism and preparing
for seminars next year. Meanwhile Kristie is enjoying
her role as mother and wife. Most days she is with
the children, her ministry is vital as she teaches the
boys and nourishes us with her faith in the Lord and
yummy home baked pies! She still has moments
of adjustment here but has found her time here
much more enjoyable especially now that she can
communicate more in French and has another
missionary lady friend with whom she can talk
about similar things. (There is one other missionary
family in our town with 3 young children nearly all
the same ages as our boys.) In the photo Kristie is
sitting with Priscille, who is a 13 year old new Mum
who comes to visit with her baby. The boys are also
doing well although recently they all had a fever but
recovered quickly! We thank the Lord that they have
had good health and are growing well!
Some things have been stirring in my heart and
also stirring around us. You may have heard of
problems in northern Nigeria. Well Benin is right
next door and we live in the North. There is a very
real concern that some of these Muslim extremists
and the occasional Christian agitator will come
and cause serious problems. (As a centre we are
preparing for some seminars to teach Christians
what to do during persecution.)
Pray for our protection from those who would seek
trouble with us. Pray for us, as we have recently
had some issues with theft. Pray that we would be
alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic for the Lord!
For those of you unsure of your way of life, you feel
empty where you are at, maybe it’s time to let go
and start serving the Lord. The harvest is great but
the workers are few! The Lord knows your fears
but he will never leave you nor forsake you. And
whatever we leave behind because of the Lord,
how much more will we gain in this life and the life
to come (Mathew 19:29).
Well our greatest love and hopes for all of you. May
God bless you as you seek to follow Him.
Love from the Bayne Family - Johann, Kristie,
Enoch, Zion and Stefan.
19.