Benin (MNN) — On Sunday, December 7, there was an attempted coup in Benin, West Africa.
At first, citizen Virgile Ouendo thought the coup had succeeded —as did many others. Ouendo serves as the national director of Media Evangelique du Benin (MEB), a partner of Trans World Radio. He was in church when he heard shouts outside and picked up his phone to see if something had happened.
“I saw a picture of the military men who were performing the coup,” Ouendo says. “When the military went on the national TV, they said that they have dismissed the president and that they are now in control of the country. That’s what we heard.”
Ouendo stopped the director of the church service and said, “Let us pray now.” So instead of starting praise and worship, the congregation began to pray.
“We prayed, ‘Lord, don’t allow them to kill the president. Don’t allow them to hurt his family. Please give peace to our country.’”
About thirty minutes later, Ouendo says, their fear lifted and they sensed God’s Spirit leading them to worship. They closed the service praising God.
Things had changed rapidly in those 30 or so minutes. “When the service was over, the national television was shut down for some time, which was a sign [that] now the government has regained control of the signals,” says Ouendo.
“Later on, we were listening to the news, and we were told that there was a military plane sent by [the] ECOWAS organization to stop the progress of the military who were performing the coup.”
Nigerian airstrikes also intervened, according to the government of Benin. Later Sunday night, President Patrice Talon gave a televised address saying the coup was over. The soldiers had gotten close enough to the president for him to see the fighting firsthand, but he had escaped unharmed. (Learn more about the coup’s here.)
Life and ministry in Benin
Life has since returned to normal in Benin, says Ouendo, and without tension in the streets. For his team at MEB, “normal” means producing Bible-centered, informative radio programs to reach listeners in five languages.
(Photo courtesy of Trans World Radio via Facebook)
“[Our mission] is to produce biblical content in order to reach the world, in order to produce fruits that last,” Ouendo says.
Their work includes multiple Bible-teaching programs, a women’s prayer ministry, men’s discipleship programs, and much more. They are blessed to partner with around 200 local churches across Benin and with the Bible Society, as well as other associations.
“We are just finishing a two-month Bible campaign today [with the Bible Society]. It has been a very good, very exciting experience,” says Ouendo.
MEB’s work reaches listeners in five languages! Please pray for protection for their gospel work, which has faced many spiritual attacks. Pray for God’s healing for every family member of the staff.
“Please pray with us so that God can send us faithful servants to join our team,” Ouendo adds. The ministry is developing its digital ministry and needs uniquely skilled people with a heart for the ministry.
Learn more about MEB and how you can be part of their gospel work to reach Benin here.
Header photo: Ganvié, Bénin (Modified image courtesy of Joseph Keyser via Unsplash)
