“Together, we find solutions to our problems-” African leader praises partnership

PORTO NOVO, Democratic Republic of Benin (Mennonite Mission Network) – Our partnership with Waterford Mennonite Church helps us to have a truly excellent curriculum at Benin Bible Institute.

[Through seeing how Christian faith is lived out in another context], it gives us an expanded knowledge of the Bible. The Bible tells us that without knowledge, we cannot please God. In addition to knowledge, we learn practical aspects of how to live our Christian life. We learn the principles of how to lead our churches more effectively. [Rather than seeing disagreements as something undesirable], we learn how to manage conflicts and how grow stronger and more Christ-like because of dissent in our congregations.

For those of us who are married, we learn how to better relate to our spouses. Those who are not yet married learn what to look for in a partner that will help them to live together as a team really able to do God’s will.

What is really special about Benin Bible Institute is that we go beyond just training evangelists and pastors. We offer an education that prepares people for all aspects of life with our agro-pastoral program.

This program teaches our church leaders ways to be more self-sufficient and to feed their families. We expand the resources available to our pastors. We no longer have problems without solutions. Together, we find solutions to our problems.

The partnership with Waterford broadens our horizons on new ways that congregations can bless their members and teaches us about collaboration. Because we collaborate with Waterford, we learn new ways of collaborating among different denominations here in Benin.

On a personal level, my visit to Waterford church showed me what love in action looks like. I learned new ways to show Jesus’ love to other people. In the United States, I learned how to lessen the boundaries built between social classes. I re-examined many of our taboos, like ones about who can eat with whom. In your country, the lines aren’t so distinct between rich and poor. This is what the gospel teaches us, but I had to see it concretely before I could understand it. 

Living in the homes of Waterford members, I also learned about how God wants me to live with my wife. I saw how husbands and wives help each other. Jesus’ love also breaks down the distinct lines between husbands and wives.

Even the rich people in America work with their hands. I was so impressed with people’s gardens where they grow their own fruits and vegetables. When I came home, I planted vegetables in my flower beds. Now, my wife and I enjoy talking together in the evenings when we water our plants.

Because of this partnership, we have people in the United States praying for us every day.

This partnership grows deeper and more meaningful over the years. No one is labeled “giver” or “receiver.” We all give and receive. This partnership gives us so much and helps us live for Christ. I want to start a club of all the Benin Bible Institute people who have had the opportunity to travel to Waterford, so that we can keep reminding each other of what we learned through the partnership and find ways to implement that in our churches here in Benin. This partnership helps us progress further in God’s will.

Mennonite Mission Network partnerships bring together Mennonite Church USA congregations, more than 100 partner organizations in 57 countries around the world, and individuals whom God has called to be vessels of transformation. For a more through exploration of these themes, see, Walking Together in Mission: Following God’s call to reconciliation.

Mennonite Mission Network personnel with ties in Cotonou, the largest city in the West African nation of Benin, and Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., bridged the Atlantic Ocean through a partnership brings together Benin Bible Institute and this Mennonite Church USA congregation. Relationships that began through fellowship visits and work teams were formalized in 2003.

Here Bruno Orobiyi Gansa, a retired public school inspector and vice president of Benin Bible Institute’s board of directors, enumerates some of the benefits of this partnership, a year after visiting the United States. Read more about this event.