finding hope again in a dry land

A testimony from Daphne on her mission trip experience in Benin:

This was my third time serving in Africa. My previous two short-term mission trips were in Togo, and this year God led me to Benin. Interestingly, almost every mission trip I have joined happened during a season when I was personally experiencing exhaustion, uncertainty, or a spiritual low point in life. Whenever I felt overwhelmed or unsure of the next step, God often used missions to draw my heart back to Him again. Because of this, I did not go to Africa thinking about what I could accomplish for others. Instead, I went with a heart searching for direction, renewal, and strength.Yet every time I arrive in Africa, I find that God renews me in unexpected ways.

What touched me most in Benin was not simply the limited material resources, but the people themselves — especially the hope and sincerity reflected in their eyes. I witnessed the faithful dedication of our ministry team. Despite the heat, physical fatigue, and limited resources, everyone continued serving with humility and joy. Watching the team support one another reminded me once again that missions are never about one individual. They are about a group of people willingly participating together in God’s kingdom work. I was also deeply moved by the young people at the vocational school we visited. Although they did not have many resources, I could clearly see hope in their eyes and a genuine desire to learn. Their attitude challenged my understanding of what true richness really means. Sometimes true abundance is not about possessing more, but about still having hope for the future.

During this trip, most of my ministry focused on music and children’s outreach. I played the violin during a graduation ceremony and also visited children’s Sunday schools and villages to teach French songs. Music became a bridge that crossed language and cultural barriers. Even when we could not fully communicate verbally, melodies and songs allowed hearts to connect naturally. Seeing the smiles on the children’s and students’ faces reminded me that God’s love is often expressed through simple acts of presence, care, and sharing. As we traveled into different villages, we realized that many children did not actually speak French fluently. Most of them primarily spoke the local Tou language. This revealed to me the reality of limited educational opportunities in some areas. Yet at the same time, I began to feel that perhaps teaching simple French songs could become a meaningful beginning. Music does not require expensive equipment or internet access. In villages where life is simple and resources are limited, I watched children joyfully repeat those melodies over and over again. At that moment, I realized that even a simple song can become a source of comfort and joy.

Another thing that deeply touched me was how much the children loved colors. Because of this, I brought colored pencils and children’s Bible story illustrations to share with them. Originally, I simply hoped to give them something enjoyable to draw with, but I did not expect how excited and happy they would be. Watching the children carefully color their drawings and share the pencils with one another moved me deeply. Things that seem ordinary to us can become a precious gift of joy and encouragement to someone else.

This experience reminded me that missions are often not about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes missions simply mean being willing to share the small things we already have — a song, a box of colored pencils, or sincere companionship. This trip also reminded me that missions are not only about us blessing others. Very often, God uses the people we serve to reshape and renew our own hearts first. In Benin, I saw a simple and genuine hunger for Jesus. That kind of sincerity is something that can easily be lost in the busyness of life. Seeing their faith reminded me again of what truly matters. I am deeply grateful that God allowed me to return to Africa once more. Every mission trip feels like a journey of recalibrating my life and refocusing my heart. Please continue to pray for the churches, children, youth, and ministry workers in Benin. May God continue to move powerfully in this land, and may more people come to know the true hope found in the Gospel.

這是我第三次踏上非洲的土地。前兩次短宣是在多哥（Togo），而這一次，神帶領我來到 Benin。很特別的是，幾乎每一次參加短宣，都是在人生遇到一些低潮、疲憊或瓶頸的時候。當我裡面感到混亂、無力，甚至不知道下一步該怎麼走時，神總是透過宣教，再一次把我帶回祂的心意裡。因此，我並不是帶著「我能為非洲同伴做大貢獻」的心情出發，而是帶著一顆尋求方向、尋求重新得力的心踏上旅程。然而，每一次到了非洲，我反而重新被神更新。

這次來到 Benin，最深觸動我的，不只是當地物質環境的有限，而是人的眼神與生命的渴望。我看見短宣同工們默默地付出。在炎熱的天氣、有限的資源，以及不方便的生活條件中，大家仍然願意忠心服事。其實每個人身體都很疲憊，但仍然彼此扶持、彼此配搭。那種一起為福音擺上的畫面，讓我再次感受到，宣教從來不是一個人的工作，而是一群人願意共同參與神的國度。

我也被職業學校裡的年輕人深深感動。雖然他們的資源不多，但我卻從他們的眼神中，看見對未來的盼望與對學習的珍惜。他們認真學習的態度，反而讓我重新思想：真正的富足，未必只是擁有更多，而是心裡是否仍然保有盼望。

這次我的服事主要集中在音樂與兒童事工。我在畢業典禮中拉小提琴，也到兒童主日學及不同村落裡教孩子們唱法語歌。音樂成為一座跨越語言與文化的橋樑。即使彼此的語言無法完全溝通，但透過旋律與歌聲，心與心卻能自然靠近。當我看見孩子們與學生們的笑容時，我深深感受到，神的愛有時不一定透過複雜的語言，而是透過很單純的陪伴與分享。 後來我們發現，許多村落的孩子其實並不太會說法語，他們主要使用當地的圖語（Tou language）。這讓我更加看見當地教育資源的不足。但同時，我也開始覺得，也許從簡單的法語歌曲開始，就是一個美好的起點。

因為音樂不需要昂貴的設備，也不需要網路。在那些生活非常單純的村落裡，我看到孩子們一遍又一遍地唱著那些簡單旋律，甚至把它當成生活中的快樂。我突然發現，一首歌，有時就能成為一份陪伴。

另外一件讓我印象很深的事情，是當地孩子們非常喜歡顏色。這次我特別帶了許多彩色筆，以及一些兒童主日學故事的圖畫教材。我原本只是希望能讓孩子們有一些畫畫的材料，沒想到他們收到時會如此開心。

當我看到孩子們很認真地畫圖、彼此分享顏色時，我心裡其實非常感動。因為對我們而言很普通的東西，對他們來說，卻可能是一份非常珍貴的喜樂。這也讓我重新思考，宣教很多時候並不是做多麼偉大的事情，而是願不願意把自己手中小小的東西分享出去。可能是一首歌、一盒彩色筆，或是一段真誠的陪伴。

這趟短宣也再次提醒我，宣教不只是我們去祝福別人。很多時候，其實是神透過那些我們所服事的人，重新整理與更新我們自己的生命。我在 Benin 看見人們對耶穌單純的渴望。那種單純，有時是在忙碌與壓力中很容易失去的。但當我再次看見那樣單純的信心時，我自己的心也重新被神提醒。

我非常感謝神讓我再次回到非洲。每一次短宣，都像是一段重新校準生命方向的旅程。也請繼續為貝南的教會、孩子、年輕人與同工禱告。願神繼續在這片土地上動工，讓更多人透過福音，看見真正的盼望。