to Togo

It had been planned for some time now that the “newer” missionaries here in West Africa would have a short conference in Togo right after Thanksgiving. Planning anything here always turns out rather “interesting.”

Several months ago seats from Niger to Togo were reserved with one airline. Those reservations were given up when we found a cheaper airline, because 15 would be traveling.

A couple of days before our flight was to depart, we received confirmation on the flight to Togo. Two hours later we were informed the flight had been cancelled altogether.

Now how to get 15 people to Togo? …many options were explored. Then it was decided that we would take a 5-passenger plane from Niamey to Togo. That would mean 3 flights.

Flight one left. Half way to Togo they had some “problems” and had to land on a dirt runway. Everything checked out okay so they went back up. Closer to their destination, the plane began losing altitude and nearly landed on a road lined with trees. Thankfully, the plane regained altitude and safely landed at the airport.

So, that plane did not take the 10 remaining travelers. Several attempts were made to reserve seats with other airlines. In the end, a van was rented with a hired driver to drive the 10 of us to Lome, Togo. … and so the journey began!















We left Niamey at 5am. I rode shotgun most of the way. The majority of the time Kanessa and I prayed for our safety and for the driver. Along the way, the landscape changed drastically. We followed the Niger River for a little while, then left the desert. I felt like I was entering a tropical rain forest!















Approaching the Niger-Benin border, it was like we were in a marshland.















and then there were hills!!!















at one gas stop, Danielle and I ventured around looking for an ice cold Coca-Cola...it was found and much appreciated.















along the way we came upon one "detour"















"attention deviation"
the road just all of a sudden turned because straight ahead, trash and shrubs overtook the road.

16 hours after leaving Niamey, we pulled into Cotonou, Benin for the night. Early the next morning we awoke and headed to Togo.















Welcome to Togo!















Fear women…the back of this truck says, “fear women.” Too bad the customs and police officers at all the border stops didn’t follow this line of thinking.

Nonetheless, we made it through all the border crossings and eventually arrived in Lome, Togo around noon the next day. Praise God for safe travels.















In Lome, I had a great time of fun and fellowship with my fellow brothers and sisters. Aside from the “serious” times, we played in order to be “renewed.” We made some ice cream runs, played lots of games, had several volleyball matches, and spent a day at the beach. Good times!