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