Togo

Hundreds of years ago, Togo was known as "the Slave Coast" because of the slave trade in port towns. Later, it became Togoland, first under German rule until WWI and later under French rule. Although Togo became an independent country in 1960, it was quickly overtaken by a military dictatorship, whose president remained in power nearly fifty years. Eventually, political pressure obliged him to remain under the guise of having won an election. While this party still has much power, a new president and new reforms are taking the country closer to democracy.

This narrow country reaches from tropical marshes along the coast to dry and grassy plains in the north. Although it is slightly smaller than West Virginia, it is still home to over eight million people from nearly forty ethnic groups, making Togo one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. French is the official language, although there are four major African languages spoken in the country as well, each of which have a complete Bible translated.

Although their practice of slavery has long ceased, in a way, much of its people remain in bondage. Perhaps the inhabitants would cite the political oppression they chafed under. Others may feel that the oppression of poverty is the greatest hardship since over half live below the poverty line, and education remains as only a dream for many. Yet, the truth is that much of the people are enslaved to sin and fear. While there is a Muslim presence in the country, roughly eighty-percent of its people are split between a form of Christianity and ethnic religions. Even the Christianity many claim is greatly a mixture of animistic beliefs and false doctrines. This country is in desperate need of the Truth that makes mankind "free indeed!"

Missionaries in Togo:

Missionaries in Africa (listed with BIMI account numbers)