Dear Prayer Partners,
~Pray for our travels here in Burkina Faso and back down to Benin
~Pray that the villages spread across Lake Ganvie (Benin) would surrender to
Christ
~Pray that the men and women who attended the "How to Teach Effectively" seminar on
January 6th would use, effectively, what they learned that Bible teaching
would more deeply impact lives
We are in Burkina Faso! I'm sure that surprises you just about as much as it surprises me!
Friday, January 5th, our family plus an evangelist of our, Francois, spent the day on the lake down, across from our house, which was heavily dusted in the Harmattan. Our agenda was to visit as many stilt and island villages as possible to survey the impact of the Gospel in their area. Francois had a tremendous time sharing Christ with the various groups that gathered around us. In one village, So Ava, about 150 folks gathered around. One hundred people, including some rowdy kids, got on their knees to pray to give their lives to Christ. I dont know if they were all serious or not, but people dont drop to their knees in front of others without something going on in their lives. There is an evangelical presence in all the villages we visited, but some have huge populations that are not being reached. We are certain that the hunger of those in So Ava will draw Francois back to them!
In the evening the whole world turned the color of sepiafrom the Sahara hanging on air, reflected in the water. Strange and beautiful.
Saturday, January 6th, I headed to the town of Allada with Marc (Kevin's best Africa friend), Kevin and Kari for them to enjoy several hours in their former home town while I taught in an associational meeting how to teach by using physical illustrations from everyday life (take that corn and scatter it on the ground when teaching about the sower and the seed) and by using Bible stories. We had a great time together. On Saturday Jeff received word from Henri Ye (yea), the Baptist Convention President of Burkina Faso that they had executive council meeting on the following Friday. Oh. We hadnt planned to go to Burkina! But since Kevin had never been there we decided to alter our plans!
Sunday, after church, we headed to the most scenic spot in Benin along the beach to celebrate Karis 18th birthday (Monday, January 8). Her birthday wish was to wake up on the beach, and she did! Not much happened in the way of tanning though, the Harmattan was so incredibly thick the suns tanning rays couldnt break through.
But, on the way home on Monday, Jeff started feeling very illwhich was followed by a high feverand all those rotten malaria symptoms. After spending all day Tuesday in bed, and when he awoke on Wednesday, we werent sure wed be heading to Burkina. But after a few hours of being awake, we decided to go. For the two day trip I owned the steering wheelwhich is much like a wife taking possession of the t.v. controller. This just doesnt happen except during times of extreme necessity, this particular time proving that Jeff was still sick.
The rest in the car did Jeff well. He did his meeting. We were invited to dinner at Henri Yes house and now are packing to return to Benin after church.
And we have a surprise in store for Kevin and Kari on the way home. Benin has a game park just south of our border with Burkina Faso. Weve been there a number of times, and even though the park hasnt been bursting with animals, it has always been a good adventure to drive through the deserted, sandy roads, in search of a glimpse of a lion or elephant. This time we are returning, but will be camping out in tents! This should be an experience theyll never forget!!
May your days be adventurous, your heart firm with Christ and your life constantly involved in moving others closer to Jesus!
With love,
Barbara, Jeff, Kevin and Kari