Current Update & Prayer Needs:
Prayer Update - September 18, 2026
This prayer update is a long one, but it is so important with lots of amazing things to share, and it was written by Josue Akowanou. Please enjoy reading his words:
Warm greetings from Benin!
I am grateful for another opportunity to share with you what has been happening over the past two weeks. This has been a very intense but encouraging period, especially with the resumption of school, an important ministry gathering, and the continued development of our broader initiatives.
*A New School Year Has Begun*
On September 7, we officially opened the 2026–2027 academic year across our Ecole Benino Americaine (EBA) - God's Grace campuses.
This year feels particularly significant because we are beginning to move from simply operating a school to intentionally building what we call *EBA 3.0*; a stronger educational model focused on academic excellence, character formation, bilingual education, technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and a much higher level of service to parents and students.
The weeks leading to the resumption involved significant preparation: teacher training, classroom organization, campus readiness, administrative systems, parent communication, staffing, and the improvement of our learning environment.
We are thankful to God that the schools reopened successfully and that our students are settling into the new academic year.
*Strengthening Our Team*
We have also focused heavily on the quality and preparation of our staff.
Before the students returned, we organized an EBA Staff Academy and Faculty Academy, designed to help our teachers and administrative staff understand the culture we are trying to build.
Our emphasis has included excellence in teaching, professional conduct, accountability, parent communication, child protection, teamwork, classroom management, customer service, innovation, and the importance of every staff member contributing to the overall experience of our students and families.
One of our biggest lessons is that a strong vision requires a strong team. We continue to recruit and develop people who can grow with the vision.
*Building a Better Experience for Parents*
Another major focus has been strengthening our relationship with parents.
In previous years, we sometimes communicated too little. This year, we are intentionally creating a much more consistent relationship with families.
We are introducing several initiatives, including the *EBA Parents Masterclass*, a monthly online session designed to equip parents with practical tools for raising and supporting their children.
Our first session will be held on September 26, with the theme:
*“How to Develop Your Child’s Confidence.”*
Our goal is not simply for parents to pay tuition and send their children to school. We want them to feel that EBA is truly partnering with them in raising and preparing their children for the future.
We are also preparing to launch an improved *After School Care Program*.
Rather than offering simple childcare, we want children to complete their homework, review lessons, read, organize their school materials, and receive structured supervision before returning home.
The program begins on September 21, and we already have our first families registered.
Beginning in October, we also plan to introduce a stronger *Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program* for our high school students.
One of my convictions is that African education must do more than prepare young people to pass examinations.
We must help them learn how to solve problems, create value, lead others, understand money, identify opportunities, and become responsible contributors to their communities.
*Hope for Youth Foundation*
Alongside the school work, we continue to develop the broader ministry of *Hope for Youth*.
We are particularly working on future initiatives focused on underserved communities in northern Benin, including evangelism, discipleship, church planting, leadership development, economic empowerment, and community health.
We are also continuing discussions with partners regarding future funding opportunities and sustainable ways of expanding the work.
*Ebenezer – 5th Edition: A Significant Ministry Gathering*
Another major highlight of these past two weeks was the organization of and participation in the 5th Edition of Ebenezer, an important time of worship, prayer, preaching, and spiritual renewal.
I had the privilege of preaching during the event and sharing God’s Word with the participants. It was a meaningful opportunity to encourage believers, call people to deeper faith and commitment, and join together in prayer for individuals, families, the Church, and our nation. About 52 people gave their lives to Christ.
The closing gathering was especially remarkable, bringing together *more than 1,200 people* where I also led the prayer for our nation.
Seeing such a large number of people gathered in worship and prayer was deeply encouraging. It reminded us again of the spiritual hunger that exists and of the importance of continuing to create opportunities where people can encounter God, receive biblical teaching, and be strengthened in their faith.
We are grateful to God for His grace throughout the event, for everyone who served, and for the lives that were touched.
Personally, these past weeks have reminded me again that *vision alone is not enough*.
As opportunities increase, leadership must increasingly become about building systems, developing people, creating accountability, and empowering others to carry responsibility.
There are many ideas and opportunities before us. One of my greatest challenges is ensuring that our organizational capacity grows at the same speed as the vision.
*Looking Ahead :The Next Two Weeks*
Our immediate priorities include strengthening operations across EBA campuses, recruiting additional administrative and support staff, identifying a capable Personal Assistant, improving parent communication, launching the After School Care Program, preparing the first EBA Parents Masterclass, finalizing several EBA 3.0 innovations, and continuing the development of Hope for Youth projects.
We are also beginning to explore opportunities to welcome *English-speaking volunteers* who could spend a short period at EBA and help our students strengthen their spoken English.
*Pray With Us*
*1. Spiritual fruit from Ebenezer* - That the Word preached, the prayers offered, and the commitments made during the gathering will continue to bear lasting fruit.
*2. Wisdom and strength* - That God will give us wisdom to lead well during this season of rapid development.
*3. A personal assistant* - As the responsibilities around EBA, Hope for Youth, ministry, partnerships, communication, and follow-up continue to grow, I increasingly feel the need for a strong and trustworthy personal assistant who can help me stay organized, follow through on priorities, coordinate communication, and protect time for the most important leadership responsibilities.
*4. English-speaking volunteers for EBA* - We would be very grateful for opportunities to welcome *English-Teachers volunteers* who would be willing to come to Benin for a short period and help strengthen English teaching and conversation at EBA.
We are open to different profiles, including:
* *gap-year students;*
* *retired teachers;*
* *university students or academics;*
* *young professionals;*
* *international volunteers;*
* and other qualified individuals with strong English communication skills and a heart for education.
Even a short commitment of *one month*, or a longer stay of *three or six months*, could make a meaningful difference.
These volunteers could support conversational English, reading, pronunciation, English clubs, classroom activities, and increased exposure to fluent English for our students.
Please pray that we will be connected with the right individuals, universities, schools, volunteer networks, organizations, families, and partners who may be interested in such an opportunity.
(Contact truthunleashedbenin@gmail.com if you are interested in pursuing this opportunity)
*5. The right people for our team* - We continue to need strong, trustworthy, competent people who can carry responsibility and grow with the vision.
*6. Our students and families* - That this academic year will bring genuine transformation in the lives of our children and their families.
*7. Financial provision* - For the school development projects and the expanding ministry opportunities.
*8. Hope for Youth* - That God will guide us as we develop the next phase of ministry among young people and underserved communities.
*9. Our family and leadership team* - For strength, health, unity, and grace as we carry the many responsibilities before us.
There is still much work ahead, but we are grateful for the progress we are seeing, for the more than 1,200 people who gathered at Ebenezer, and for the new opportunities opening before us.
With much love and appreciation from Benin,
Josué