Written by Emily Mewborne
When you need to decompress and find some time alone, you probably don’t think of
sitting outside a six-lane highway in the dead of summer. I usually don’t either, except
when I am in Togo.
One morning during my first trip, I found the perfect spot to sit and be alone. As an
introvert, I like to take what I can get, so I sat on the balcony of our building on the
second floor. The cool tile under my feet comforted me as I rubbed the dust from the
road below out of my eyes.
One of my favorite views of Togo is the streets. Motor bikes outnumber cars 3 to 1.
Hundreds of motorbikes are constantly swerving and honking, the engines sputtering.
I sat on that balcony with my Bible in hand, mesmerized by the scene of the street
below. Despite my “quiet” spot roaring with noises all around me, I was loving every
minute.
As I watched the motor-bikers below, holding babies while they drove, some even
balancing bags on their heads, what kept coming to my heart was, “look at all of these image-bearers.”
In Genesis 1:26-27, as God is creating the world, He says, “let us make man in our
image, after our own likeness.” Then scripture says, “So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
“Look at all of these image-bearers,” I heard the Holy Spirit whispered again through the
growling of motors. Image bearers who look nothing like me, whose life experience I
could never relate to. Image bearers zooming by on their motor bikes or walking across
a dangerously busy street with a massive fruit basket on their heads or sweeping the
dusty path with a broom made of sticks.
Being an “image bearer” is God’s way of describing the unique dignity of human beings as His creation. And I was gifted the chance to see that dignity and diversity play out right in front of me.
After my “quiet” moment on the balcony, our team went downstairs to spend time with
our seamstresses as they sewed the latest Francis + Benedict collection. While
watching them work, my heart immediately swelled with the same sentiment, “look at
these image bearers.”
Yvette, a seamstress who lives in the House of Peace, tidies her workspace. She is
quiet, focused, and steady in her work. Djima, our male seamster, leans over the
shoulders of Martine and Rose as they sew, offering guidance as they go. His presence
is calm and assured. Debora irons fabric with her 8-month-old swaddled across her
back, smiling through every pass of the iron as she makes conversation and jokes with
the women around her.
Sitting on that balcony and standing in that shop that day changed my heart forever.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of the dignity He has put in every person, simply because
he created them.
He has also called us, those with resources and the call to create disciples, to be a part
of creating practical dignity for everyone, including our friends in Togo.
What we do at Francis + Benedict changes lives and gives honor and dignity to
generations in Togo, West Africa.
Through your $15 a month gift, we are able to employ and disciple women, their families, and generations to come. Will you join us?
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