Jul
09
Filed Under (Beninese culture) by Rob on 09-07-2008

Rob, Lois and family leave Benin this week after four years working there…

Yes, it’s hard to believe that much time has passed so quickly, or that we’re already leaving this country which we’ve come to know and love. We return to the UK for a few months then back to West Africa, but not to Benin. Guess we’ll have to change the name of the blog now (any suggestions?)

We face going back to the UK with trepidation; having spent so long here, Britain feels like a foreign culture to us now. Furthermore, Britain has moved on and changed in the past 4 years like we have, so re-adapting will be an ‘interesting’ process. Furthermore, we are very sad to leave behind all the adventures and fun of Africa, not to mention the many friends we have made here.

collage11.jpg

This is a collage of just some (but by no means all) of the amazing, talented, interesting and just plain nice people we have got to know whilst living in Benin. We have worked with them, prayed with them, laughed with them, eaten with them, jammed with them, travelled with them, partied with them and become attached to them. Some left months ago, others very recently. Still others we leave behind in Benin. But we thank God for all of them and hope to stay in touch and meet again some day.

Goodbye Benin friends

Goodbye zemidjans

Goodbye Fon speaking

Goodbye home of amazing polyrhythms

Goodbye Land Rover driving on dirt roads

Goodbye dramatic thunderstorms

Goodbye Fulani cheese and lush, juicy mangos

Goodbye bustling, colourful markets

Goodbye sunshine

Goodbye Cotonou

Goodbye Benin



Comments:
7 Comments posted on "Bye bye Benin"
Reggie on July 9th, 2008 at 10:54 am #

Hope you have a safe journey home.

Title suggestions:
Rob and Lois in “Benout”
Rob and Lois in (Fon word for England)


Will on July 11th, 2008 at 6:22 am #

Wow, Its weird to think you won’t be in Benin anymore… and also I left Benin one year ago on July 18th, 2007.

Wow, 4 years…

P.S. Are you going to keep your Blog running when you go to the other West Africa country? And what day this week do you leave?

-Will Hussar


Rachel Lewis on July 11th, 2008 at 10:52 am #

I hope you get back to British shores in once piece.

Sorry about the abysmal weather… we tried to pray in some sun, but a hamper of food will have to suffice.

Perhaps we should have bought you all thermal underwear?

See you Sunday!


Sharon & Johannes on July 12th, 2008 at 7:43 am #

“Rob and Lois in Blighty” ? (Not sure of the spelling…)


Phil on July 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm #

It’ll be interesting reading what you make of Britain when you’re back here for a while.

In the meantime, travel safely. Thanks for the stories of your life, I’ve enjoyed reading about Benin – I can even find it on a map now.


[…] and Lois Baker have just been going through the same thing as they say Bye-Bye Benin after four years there. Goodbye Benin […]


paul merrill on July 24th, 2008 at 7:38 pm #

Be sure to blog about life in the UK. It’s interesting to read a returnee’s perspective.