his past year, our little team was reinforced and enriched by our first two student missionaries, Eric Anderson and Emmanuel (Manny) Romero.

Eric became the Pathfinder director of the Natitingou church group. He worked hard with the children, reviving the group. He organized a Christian initiation week for our young people in April of last year, a key contribution to our work here. He made lots of friends in his neighborhood and was able to study the Bible with some of them. Being fluent in French, he also preached effortlessly and led out at vespers and prayer meetings at the church.

Manny helped Suzy Baldwin organize two health fairs, accompanied her on her village trips, helped Toussaint with his chores as the head deacon of the church, and became a good friend to several church young people.

Both Eric and Manny tirelessly studied the culture, walked for hours between villages and sat under trees with old men all day long listening to their stories and recording them. They were the booster shot we needed to get started on our culture-research project. They worked long hours writing the scrapbook, typing and editing. The culture studies were Eric’s main focus during his second term here. His help was vital. He was able to do most of the research among the male population, which would have been difficult or impossible for Suzy and me.

Many of the things Eric and Manny worked on were projects they initiated. Other tasks were things that had been on our minds for a long time, but we hadn’t gotten to them for lack of time. In other areas, Suzy and I had become blinded by our routine or discouraged and weary. In these things, Eric and Manny gave us new energy and sometimes a new direction. I am certain God hand-picked them to serve with us. With their kind spirits and their godly attitudes, they were great examples to our youth. We were privileged to work with them and tremendously enjoyed their company.

By the time you read this, Manny will have been back in American life for about six months, and Eric will just have left Benin. We wish both of them God’s blessings and guidance for the future. Thank you, guys, and we miss you!

Are you a young person contemplating becoming a student missionary? You have no idea what a difference you can make!