Blog

Before we came to Benin, we ran across some information that the legendary Amazon Women Warriors actually originated, not in Brazil as I had thought, but in Dahomy which was the predecessor country of Togo and Benin. They were apparently a fierce female fighting group feared by all. This week, in trying to get Elder… Continue reading Modern Day Amazon Women

A big African Bonjour from Cotonou. I think we have set a precedence for ourselves with the expectations we seem to have from posting our blog each week. This is the second week now that Elder Black has not had a free minute to write so will make another feeble attempt to inform everyone of… Continue reading President Ayekoue Visits Cotonou

West Africa is really on a winning streak! Yes, West Africa is winning again and again. We told you of our diesel shortage last week and how it forced us to park the pick-up and do a little more walking. But that was OK as we never went without anything. This week our electrical situation… Continue reading Being without Electricity is Not a Tragedy

What we wouldn’t give for some of that $5.19 per gallon diesel right now. After we arrived back from Ghana on Sunday night we went to the Total station on Monday morning to fill up the pickup but they didn’t have any. After trying a couple of other stations, we became aware that no one… Continue reading A Ride in a Coravoto

I guess the big news this week is that the week has been different than any other week – if that is news. The Southams had planned to get away on Sunday after church and drive to Togo that evening but with all the packing to be done and the goodbyes to be said they… Continue reading Visit to Accra

On Saturday night when we got home, our guard Seraphin announced that he was going to attend Mass with us on Sunday. We had invited him to go and even driven by the chapel on one of our visits to the hospital but had not pressed it at all. We were glad he wanted to,… Continue reading The Piano Recital; The Streets of Cotonou

Tuesday was a 3 meal lunch day! You just never know what experiences you will have on any given day. When we left home in the morning it looked like it would be another “lean cuisine” day as there were no plans for eating. Before going any further I need to mention that Tuesdays are… Continue reading Transfers, Cartes de Sejour, and a Baptism

After spending a couple of months in Benin, I have decided that slavery is still alive and well here. Unfortunately, I have ended up being the slave. Soeur Black affectionately refers to me as her “Mytag Washer”. Every Monday I have to get up, wash all of the clothes by hand, then rinse them all… Continue reading Slavery Is Alive and Well

Church yesterday was another experience. On Saturday we had a baptism. Her name is Liza but the is “i” pronounced like and “e”. She is from Liberia, another English speaking country, but was married to a Beninese man. Just after they started to investigate the Church, her husband passed away, so she has had to… Continue reading Fabric at Missebo Market; How to Punish a Thief

Elder Ellis going home has generated a few challenges. We now have just 5 missionaries so 2 1/2 teams are trying to cover where 4 teams were just a few weeks ago. That has pressed Soeur Black and me into a little more service as we are officially or unofficially Elder Hubbard’s companion(s). We will… Continue reading Carole’s Farewell