By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

Proverbs 11:25 states, “a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

This was one of the lessons brought back by four members of the Benton Baptist Church after a recent trip to Africa.

Constituents of the church gathered last Sunday to hear parishioners share their experiences after serving as missionaries for children in Kenya.

Tears and laughter filled the church as Barbie Harrison, Sondra Tate, Brenda Lane and Susan Jones spoke alongside a slideshow explaining their encounters with the young kids they met on the trip.

Photos illustrated the children and adults entertaining each other during various activities like glass-bottom boat and camel rides.

“We went to teach the children,” said Sondra Tate, wife of Pastor Lee Tate. “The children, however, became our teachers.”

The women spent their week with children singing hymns, playing games, telling Bible stories and making boxes for Valentine’s Day.

One specific story of a child’s prayer journal touched the hearts of all those in attendance for the slideshow.

In the journal was written, “God, please be with Amani so she doesn’t get hurt if anyone finds out her faith.” Below the entry was a small box labeled, “check when answered.”

As the slideshow continued, the women spoke of how the children were able to raise $6,000 as an offering for their Praise and Worship service.

“They are really remarkable people to endure hardships and do the things they do,” said Jones.

Missionary Barbie Harrison said the ladies wanted to thank the congregation for providing them a means to go.