Michael Roach photos

Michael Roach was one of the many volunteers we had this summer. He is quite a good photographer and was very kind to share his pics with me - and you. This is one of the fine roads we travel fairly often.
This is a view from on top of the Peaks of Sindou - one of the most beautiful areas of Burkina.
Donkey carting a load of mangoes.
Cute girl pumping water with a foot pump.
Local meat market. Beef. It's what's for dinner.

more of Mike's

These are young Fulani girls. The Fulani are a people group with very distinct dress and jewelry - such as the nose rings seen here.
This lady is pounding the shea nuts which are seen on the group and on top of the mud thingy. I would describe the thingy as a smoker. There is a fire in the bottom and the heat rising helps to dry out the nuts. This is part of the long process of making shea butter - for those of you ladies who know what that is.
More dudes on a truck.
The guy in the middle is Amadou who, as I explained in newsletter #25, recently decided to follow Christ. Please continue to pray for him and Pastor Denis who has the task of discipling him.
This was one of the three soccer matches we played against local village teams during the ISF sports teams time here. We actually tied 1-1 this match - our best outcome. (Thanks Alaina.)

Burkina newsletter #26

Greetings from Burkina Faso! In my last newsletter I left off praising and thanking God for His protection and provision during our busy summer of ministry with volunteer teams. I didn’t say this, but in the back (or front) of my mind I was thinking that we (David – Tami – myself) are pretty important in the hosting/leading of the volunteer teams so it’s a good thing God kept us healthy all summer. Soon after I wrote/thought that I came down with malaria again. As a result there were a couple days when the volunteer team from Southside Baptist (Lufkin, TX) was without any of us in the village of Badara. (They did have two local pastors and a translator with them though.) So what happened? Did they panic or starve or get eaten by cannibals? No they did just fine, and in fact, they lead a man to the Lord. Lesson: I’m a mere servant of the Lord and He is the One capable of changing hearts so I need not overestimate my importance in His plan for the nations (1 Cor. 3:5-7). I continue to learn that the Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways so that He gets the glory. We praise Him for how He used the volunteers from Southside (along with “independent” volunteers Ginny and Lauren) among the Sambla people.

I recently got back from Dakar, Senegal and our annual “Advance.” Advance is like a retreat only the opposite – or something like that. Actually it is the time when all the IMB missionaries of West Africa come together for fellowship, learning, and worship. At this year’s Advance I experienced such oddities as a view of the ocean, Oreos, fellowship with other young singles, air conditioning, 5-on-5 basketball (by moonlight thanks to a power outage), and worship/messages in English. The fellowship, as usual, was the highlight. We have such fine folks living amazing lives across West Africa. It is a privilege to count them as brothers and sisters.

The month of August I will be returning to the task of researching the unreached people groups of Burkina. We hope to finish our research responsibilities before the end of the year. In August we only have one volunteer coming to serve with us: EMT Chris Long. We plan to give Chris many opportunities to use his medical skills among the various people groups we’ve been working with. He will also accompany me on some research trips. I cannot yet give a detailed schedule of the month but I know that tomorrow I will head toward our border with Benin in search of the Bialaba people.

Praise God for:

* how He used the volunteers from Southside Baptist (+ Ginny and Lauren) among the Sambla and for the salvation of the man in Badara.
* the mystery and majesty of the Lord’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
* for the wonderful time of fellowship He gave all of us at Advance.

Please pray:

* for the upcoming research trips: that we acquire the necessary information and encourage any pastors/believers we come in contact with.
* that God would continue to cause growth among the people groups we have planted seeds among even in our absence: the Vigue, Dogose, Komono, Senara, Turka, Tiefo, Sambla, and others (1 Cor. 3:5-7).

Thanks again for your support and prayers as we continue to aspire to preach the Gospel where Christ has not been named (Rom. 15:20). God bless!

Final thought: (how about a poem this time? OK good.)

The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

~Unknown Confederate soldier

interesting stuff

Again - it never ceases to amaze me what (and who) they can pack on and in a vehicle.
Washing dishes.
Sunrise in Douna.
This is a Fulani woman who came by selling milk (in the gourd bowls on her head). The Fulani are a peculiar people group - very distinct from the others. Traditionally they are nomadic cow herders.
Grilled rat. No we didn't partake.

ISF and HBC youth

Team ISF (International Sports Federation) plays hard. And unfortunately this little girl hasn't learned to put the "dodge" in dodgeball. Don't worry she was ok. Just a little blood and tears.
Me and ISF minus Lolly (TJ, Alaina, Pat, and Paul (left to right)).
Paul and Pastor Denis sharing the Word with Vigue man Boureima (on the left). He says he will think on what he has heard and wants to hear more next time. Please pray for him.
Hardinsburg Baptist Youth on one of the peaks of Sindou.
Cute girl braiding Alaina's hair in Dakoro.

Burkina newsletter #25

Greetings from Burkina Faso! The last line of my last newsletter was “we think we’ve got all the bases covered (speaking of logistics for the volunteer teams) but we’re not above asking from prayer either.” Little did we know. I should know by now that I/we can never have all the bases covered, unless it’s by God’s grace and help. In this case, we had a pretty good plan . . . up until Tami (1/3 of our team) received news that her father had suddenly passed away of a heart attack. We thank the Lord that Tami was able to get from the village of Sindou to Ouaga to Florida in plenty of time to be with her family for the funeral. Unfortunately this coincided with our busiest days of the year (4 teams: totaling over 30 people were with us for a couple days). Many logistical plans had to change but the most important plans did not. By the grace of God we were able to continue the ministry as planned. God provided helpers (Deron/Mary Beth/Julien/Seni) to help with transportation/translation/cooking and much more. Furthermore, throughout the whole action-packed month of June we didn’t have a single illness that caused anyone to be taken out of the village prematurely. Through this somewhat frenzied month the Lord was our “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). I cannot say enough about His provision. We give Him praise and thanks.

So what have we done the past several weeks? In brief these four teams have ministered in five villages among several different unreached people groups. Our main goal in each village was to encourage the local churches/pastors and to aid them in their ministry. We ministered through praying for the sick and lost, playing games and loving on kids, showing the Jesus Film and “The Passion”, sharing a cultural exchange, and sharing the Gospel one-on-one. Amadou, in Ngafongo, prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. Boureima, in Karankasso-Vigue, says he wants to think more about it and hear more next time we come. Please pray for these men and the many others who have recently heard the Gospel. Pray that God will cause the growth in their lives and be glorified (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

It was truly a privilege to serve with each of the groups of the recent weeks: ISF, Davidson St. and friends, D/MB and Mike . . . but to have served with my former youth group from Hardinsburg Baptist was a special blessing. I want to especially thank Brad, Sarah, Penny, the youth and their parents, and all the members of HBC who made the trip possible. Thanks.

Currently we have two volunteers, Ginny (a returnee from last summer) and Lauren, who are wrapping up a week of ministry with Pastor Denis in Ngafongo. Tonight we welcome another returning “engaging church”: Southside Baptist from Lufkin, TX. After their previous vision trip they decided to partner with us in bringing the Gospel to the Sambla people. Southside leaves the 13^th and then Ginny and Lauren a few days later. On the 20^th I will join all other West Africa IMBers in Senegal for our annual meeting. Please pray for us to finish this summer of ministry with God’s strength.

Praise God for:

* His amazing protection and provision through a very hectic time.
* the opportunities we had to encourage, love, and share the Gospel.
* the large number of volunteers interested in working among the unreached peoples of Burkina Faso.

Please pray for:

* the seeds that were planted in so many hearts – that God would cause the growth. And that Amadou would be faithful to follow his Lord.
* the volunteers/churches who have gone back to continue to have a heart for the nations.
* the coming time of ministry among the Sambla people – that the Lord would continue to give us opportunities and courage to share the Gospel.
* God’s consolation for Tami and her family as they continue to mourn and for David as he remains separated from his wife for another week (Tami arrives back in Burkina on the 11^th).

Happy 4^th of July to my fellow Americans! I truly believe the adage “we are blessed to be a blessing.” Seek how God would have you be a blessing to the less fortunate. Thanks so much for the blessing of your prayers. God has been so good. I am thankful.

final thought:

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease;
While other fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?

~ Isaac Watts