Missions
Missions - proclaiming the Good News of our Lord Jesus - around the corner and around the world. Please be in prayer for them and the lives that they will touch
My name is Michel Soglohoun, I am from Benin Republic of West Africa.
My family: My father has passed away, my mother is alive. I have 6 brothers and sisters, all are married and have children, but I myself am not yet married. I'm 28 years old. Today all of my family are Christians.
About me: I was a Muslim about five years before by the grace of God, He took me out of the Muslim community into Jesus Christ's community. I have been a Christian since 1992 (14 years now). From the first moment I realized that God has a special plan for my life. From being a Muslim before and to become 'novo' and forever a Christian, that is amazing.
In 1998 I was working in a micro-finance office, but for some time I had not been happy, yet I could not quit without first finding another job. It was the same year I heard that Mercy Ships was coming to Benin. Then I judged with myself and decided to work as a volunteer missionary with out any salary. My heart told to me that it is good to work for, but I didn't know that God was calling me to missions.
After finishing the volunteer work with Mercy Ships, the ship left Benin and I went back to work for another business. The ship, M/V Anastasis, came back again to Benin in 2001. That is the year I met Anisha and her then fiancé Ben. I worked with the ship as a short-term volunteer missionary for 6 months. Then God opened my mind totally for missions and a friend from England helped me to attend a D.T.S. (Discipleship Training School). After that school my heart decided to be a fulltime missionary with Mercy Ships. That meant I would have to learn to speak English!
I went to stay with an old man in Ghana and I hired a teacher to teach me English in my house because I could not afford to attend Ghana's Institute of Language. I did home school English for 6 months until my money ran out. I came back in Benin and was praying asking God for help, I had no job and there was no money in my bank account. My life became more difficult than ever, but I keep on praying (for I like to pray a lot). Then God spoke to me and said, "Apply as a volunteer missionary with Mercy Ships". I applied and when the ship came to Liberia in 2004 they called me to join as a long term crew member on board the Anastasis.
(Michel standing on the left)
Since my DTS in 2001, my heart has been to help communities, working with them, teaching them to know what is making them poor; for them to understand their own ignorance of poverty.
I thank God who opens doors for this vision to be fulfilled, and thank all of you who support me spiritually and financially.
I have now started classes at the College of Management and Planning of Community Development Projects in Benin. The teaching is very very good and it is exactly what I what I need for this God-dream. Please still keep me in your payers.
Finally, I want to implore you to give all your heart to Jesus Christ, He is the only one who can provide everything you need.
~ Michel.
Benin Fast Facts:
Benin was one of the largest areas for slave trade in West Africa.
Independence from France in 1960.
Population: 6.1 million - Urbanites 43%
Average income per person $328, which is 1.2% of the average US citizen.
Official language: French
There are 51 languages spoken in Benin
The whole Bible is available in 6 languages. The New Testament is available in 9 languages. Parts of the Bible are being translated in 13 languages. 23 of the languages spoken do not have a Bible.
More people follow traditional ethnic religions in Benin than in any other African nation.
Breakdown of Benin Religions:
o Traditional ethnic/Voodoo 50%
o Christian 30%
o Muslim 20%
Want to know more?
Contact Michel: micheesfr@yahoo.fr
If God is pressing your heart to join Michel and the ministry in Benin, please consider the following:
1. Prayer/Intercession
2. Letters of encouragement
3. Financial support
Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide, and serving all people without regard for race, gender or religion. To find out more, visit: www.mercyships.org