Burkina newsletter #21

Greetings from Burkina Faso! The last couple weeks have been fairly slow for a change. The Woods and I have been doing some planning for the seven volunteer teams who will come between now and mid-July. David and I are making another trip tomorrow to make further plans with some pastors for two of those teams. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance as we plan for all these teams.

Last time I was in Ouagadougou (our capital) I got an unexpected call from an old friend from my first term in Burkina. Ouahabou was one of the high school students I was closest too during my two years in the Bissa village of Torla. Those of you where were keeping up with me back then probably prayed for him. At the time, he told me that he believed the Gospel and the Bible stories we taught him and the others, however he was not able to openly follow Christ for fear of what his Muslim family might do to him. Again, this is a very common story in Burkina and is probably the greatest barrier to people following Christ. Nonetheless, Ouahabou is now a university student in Ouaga and says he finally feels the freedom to follow Christ openly. I have also heard that another of those young men from Torla, Yaya, has left the village and is a committed believer. That God has continued to work in these young peoples lives is such an encouragement to me. These stories also reinforce the reality that the Lord does not always work at the pace we would like – but He works according to His perfect plans. We should all remember this lesson as we continue to pray for the unengaged peoples of West Africa and individuals like Karim, Noufou, the Karaboro chief, and others I have mentioned in these newsletters.

Speaking of Noufou – I believe I last mentioned him in newsletter #12 – he came to visit me in Bobo last week. He is a young Mossi (the dominant people in Burkina) man who happens to live in Karankasso-Vigue where we’ve gone to minister several times. He now professes to believe in Jesus as His Savior. He has begun going to church in the evenings without his Muslim father’s knowledge and against his wishes. He is beginning to take steps to follow Christ. Please pray for Him to have courage to continue to follow Christ and that He would grow in his faith and knowledge.

In weather news: It rained for the first time since October! This was just a teaser though. We’ve still got hot season to go through before the rains really come. Already most days reach around 105 F or more.

Early Friday morning I leave Burkina for vacation. I’m going to Morocco for a couple days and then on to Greece and Turkey for about a week each. I’m very excited to get to be with my parents for a week in Greece and I have friends to visit with in Morocco and Turkey. I’m very blessed to have these opportunities for exploration, visitation, and relaxation.

I hope all of you have a blessed Easter as we remember the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

Praise God:

* that His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8) and that He is at work even when we do not recognize it.
* for the sacrifice and hope-giving resurrection of His only Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please pray for:

* God’s guidance in our continued planning and preparation for future volunteer teams.
* Ouahabou and Noufou as they seek to follow Christ despite the opposition of their families. Pray for courage, faith, and a growing knowledge of God.
* a blessed time of vacation and visiting family and friends.

As always, thanks so much for your prayers and support. Be encouraged that God continues to work and answer prayers, sometimes even long after we’ve forgotten that we prayed them. God bless!

Final thought:

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.
~William James