Maybe you can relate to this: I love America, feel like I generally fit in the culture and, at least to a small degree, recognize the privilege that comes with being born here. That said, thinking about visiting a different country makes my eyes light up and my heart race a bit. Familiar?
In a couple weeks two really good buds and I will go to Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire if you want to be really accurate, French or you’re trying to impress a girl!). We’re going to meet a guy there from a Muslim background who loves Jesus and is pursuing a number of smart ways to enable his people to consider the claims of Christ. The four of us are wondering if some American churches might partner with him in God-honoring ways to see the kingdom grow.
I share this with you because I think you might say, “Oooooh, fun!” But also because you might know some things or people I should know before I depart. And because I want to ask you to pray for us.
If you’ve got advice, please let me hear it.
If you’re inclined to pray, here are some ideas:
- I’m not the best guy to get any ducks in a row, but that’s my role with this trip. Please pray I wouldn’t miss important details like what pants to wear, how to make phones work in CI and plane tickets.
- Pray for the relationships between the four of us. I love each of these guys and one I’ve not met IRL yet. But we do come from different places. We need the Holy Spirit’s help.
- Please pray for the families and churches we’ll leave behind and ask God to bring us back to them safe and sound.
Thank you for being with me in this. I look forward to sharing fun stuff from this trip.
PS: If giving is your gig and you’d like to cover some of the cost of this effort, you can contribute here. (Scroll down to “Bennett Vision Trip.”) Thank you.