Last week, 6 busses were held up at gunpoint in broad daylight (10 a.m.). On one of those busses, we had a Bible School student who was headed, with his wife, to register for school. Unfortunately, all of the money he had in this world (nearly $600), was taken by the thieves. This was the "ugly". I'll start there.
There is some good in this story, as well. Not only are people responding to help this young man replace those funds, but on another bus held up that day, 4 professional photographers were on their way back home. They had been commissioned to take pictures of 4 churches that had recently been built and dedicated, so that we could show the donors that the job had been well done. Fortunately, the thieves were not interested in cameras, so they did not lose their means of livelihood. We are grateful for this.
As I heard about these thugs and their bad and ugly actions, I was reminded of Psalm 1, where it says that the "wicked are like the chaff, which the wind blows away". At the end of the chapter, it says, "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish". They may get away with it now, but it isn't the final word. It's wonderful to be reminded of that.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Mr. G
I met Mr. G yesterday. He used to be in another religion, but today he is a follower of Jesus. His testimony was powerful and his coming to Christ started with a believer that he met in the U.S. laying hands on him and praying a blessing on him. God answered that prayer within hours of the prayer and that started him on the search. The second time he encounted believers, was when he was in a hospital following an accident. Believers came around praying for the sick and asked him if they could pray for him. He agreed and God did a miracle on the spot! This brought him closer.
After becoming a believer, he found out that a young lady in his neighborhood had been praying 15 years for his salvation. She often came with a friend and stood outside his home to pray for him.
Since becoming a follower of Jesus, he has lost everything. He has been offered lots of money to come back to his former faith, but he says he would rather die of starvation that leave Jesus.
It was a day of rejoicing for me to hear this man and his wives testify of their faith. It was also a reminder of the power of prayer. Prayer had its impact on Mr. G's life. Let's renew our prayer for the lost, in specific and personal ways!
After becoming a believer, he found out that a young lady in his neighborhood had been praying 15 years for his salvation. She often came with a friend and stood outside his home to pray for him.
Since becoming a follower of Jesus, he has lost everything. He has been offered lots of money to come back to his former faith, but he says he would rather die of starvation that leave Jesus.
It was a day of rejoicing for me to hear this man and his wives testify of their faith. It was also a reminder of the power of prayer. Prayer had its impact on Mr. G's life. Let's renew our prayer for the lost, in specific and personal ways!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
God Enjoys Doing the Little Things
My father used to say that "God enjoys doing the little things for us". And I believe he was absolutely correct. Some people may attribute some of it to "chance". I don't see it that way.
I was recently helping to set up a temporary garden project at Dorcas House recently. We were pulling a fence around an area to keep the chickens and sheep out of the garden. I had tried my best to determine how much fencing I needed, where to put the posts, etc. Appleton Alliance Church had a small team out here and several of the men helped me to get the posts laid out. When the time came to pull the fence, it began to look like we might need to buy a little more fencing. The girls at Dorcas House came out and offered to help pull the chain link fence. Some thought the fence wouldn't reach, but it did, with 2 inches to spare. That's the kind of thing I think God enjoys doing. I sure enjoyed the moment and for a moment, I imagined my father smiling as he saw God, once again, do a small thing for one of His children.
What has He done for you recently, that you may have missed. Sometimes they're small, but they are grand. Keep your eyes open!
I was recently helping to set up a temporary garden project at Dorcas House recently. We were pulling a fence around an area to keep the chickens and sheep out of the garden. I had tried my best to determine how much fencing I needed, where to put the posts, etc. Appleton Alliance Church had a small team out here and several of the men helped me to get the posts laid out. When the time came to pull the fence, it began to look like we might need to buy a little more fencing. The girls at Dorcas House came out and offered to help pull the chain link fence. Some thought the fence wouldn't reach, but it did, with 2 inches to spare. That's the kind of thing I think God enjoys doing. I sure enjoyed the moment and for a moment, I imagined my father smiling as he saw God, once again, do a small thing for one of His children.
What has He done for you recently, that you may have missed. Sometimes they're small, but they are grand. Keep your eyes open!
Where are things at in flood relief?
You may be wondering how things are going in the flood relief efforts here. We have seen an outpouring of generosity that has been funneled through CAMA Services. The efforts on the ground here have been quite fruitful. Often, the big organizations related to the U.N. and other large organizations, are very good to get aid on the ground in the immediate days following a crisis. But that aid doesn't last and often, after the media stops reporting the situation on the ground, they pull out and the people can be left with an ongoing crisis.
The government has done a pretty decent job of collecting food and material that can be used in the various sites to help care for the people.
There are sites that slip through the cracks and there are people who slip through the cracks. That is where much of our effort has taken place. As a result, there has been great appreciation shown and the government has recognized those efforts.
One official stated that they wished every NGO would work like our organization has done. We have been respectful of the government, while finding ways to meet real needs.
At the end of November, the government is going to be moving people out of the tent camps and trying to get them back into homes. There will be some houses built for some. Our plan, at that time will be to provide every family we can, as they leave, a bag of rice, some oil, and basic condiments as something to accompany them to their place of residence, wherever that may be. We also hope to provide each family with a portion of scripture, as a statement that we are doing this because of His love. We will also be trying to help provide some basic building material for those who have the right to build.
We are grateful for ACCEDES, which is the relief and development branch of the national C&MA church here, as they have provided the channel through which most of this effort has been funneled.
We appreciate all of those who have contributed to this effort, as it is a means of sharing the love of Christ with those who are in need. That is, I believe, what Christ would have us do.
The government has done a pretty decent job of collecting food and material that can be used in the various sites to help care for the people.
There are sites that slip through the cracks and there are people who slip through the cracks. That is where much of our effort has taken place. As a result, there has been great appreciation shown and the government has recognized those efforts.
One official stated that they wished every NGO would work like our organization has done. We have been respectful of the government, while finding ways to meet real needs.
At the end of November, the government is going to be moving people out of the tent camps and trying to get them back into homes. There will be some houses built for some. Our plan, at that time will be to provide every family we can, as they leave, a bag of rice, some oil, and basic condiments as something to accompany them to their place of residence, wherever that may be. We also hope to provide each family with a portion of scripture, as a statement that we are doing this because of His love. We will also be trying to help provide some basic building material for those who have the right to build.
We are grateful for ACCEDES, which is the relief and development branch of the national C&MA church here, as they have provided the channel through which most of this effort has been funneled.
We appreciate all of those who have contributed to this effort, as it is a means of sharing the love of Christ with those who are in need. That is, I believe, what Christ would have us do.
The Evangelical Federation of Burkina Faso
I have the privilege (if a lot of meetings is a "privilege") of serving on the national committee of the Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions of Burkina Faso. This would be the equivalent of the NAE of the U.S. I am the lone mission representative, with 5 various denominational representatives.
Last week we had three days of our national assembly. I was struck with the growing unity of the evangelical church here in Burkina Faso. Things like the following are bringing us closer together:
1. Everyone is feeling led of God to create Christian schools and ACSI has become an avenue for that. These schools are highly respected in the country and even top leaders from other religions choose to put their children in a Christian school, where they will get a serious education. ACSI is now officially represented in this country and the government has granted them favored status.
2. The need for pastoral training and continuing education is creating an environment for unity in this country, due to the fact that churches are realizing that they don't have to provide all of the training possibilities within their denomination, but these tools and programs can be shared.
3. The desire to be "missionary" is growing in every denomination in Burkina. These national churches that were started by missionary efforts, are now sensing in increasing measure, the role that they have to play in taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As a result, they are even discussing how they might be able to create a missionary training program that can be used by all denominations. Go figure. This is a unifying factor for the evangelical church.
And I get to sit on the board for this organization. So, as I complain about all of the meetings I have to attend, God reminds me that I am getting a close-up view of what He is doing in this country to bring the church together. That fellowship is sweet.
Last week we had three days of our national assembly. I was struck with the growing unity of the evangelical church here in Burkina Faso. Things like the following are bringing us closer together:
1. Everyone is feeling led of God to create Christian schools and ACSI has become an avenue for that. These schools are highly respected in the country and even top leaders from other religions choose to put their children in a Christian school, where they will get a serious education. ACSI is now officially represented in this country and the government has granted them favored status.
2. The need for pastoral training and continuing education is creating an environment for unity in this country, due to the fact that churches are realizing that they don't have to provide all of the training possibilities within their denomination, but these tools and programs can be shared.
3. The desire to be "missionary" is growing in every denomination in Burkina. These national churches that were started by missionary efforts, are now sensing in increasing measure, the role that they have to play in taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As a result, they are even discussing how they might be able to create a missionary training program that can be used by all denominations. Go figure. This is a unifying factor for the evangelical church.
And I get to sit on the board for this organization. So, as I complain about all of the meetings I have to attend, God reminds me that I am getting a close-up view of what He is doing in this country to bring the church together. That fellowship is sweet.
A Radio Update
I just heard today that our radio stations are seeing some good fruit. One station reports that pastors from other denominations are saying how much it has strengthened their ministries. That is exactly what we would want it to do.
One station reports the salvation of several people, particularly one from another prominent faith.
People coming to a relationship with Christ. Others growing in their faith in Christ. Pastors seeing their ministries strengthened. Praise God! Pray that this will all be "fruit that endures".
One station reports the salvation of several people, particularly one from another prominent faith.
People coming to a relationship with Christ. Others growing in their faith in Christ. Pastors seeing their ministries strengthened. Praise God! Pray that this will all be "fruit that endures".
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Catching Up
It has been a couple of busy weeks since I last wrote something here. You should see a flurry of entries here over the next couple of days. There's a lot of good stuff happening.
I just spent 3 days with church leadership visiting 3 of our districts and their pastors. I always enjoy these trips, not only because I get all of the African food I can eat and which I enjoy, but also because:
1. I get to hear stories of what God is doing.
2. I get to spend time dreaming with church leadership about what God is leading in.
3. It opens my eyes to matters that need prayer.
Once again, I came away from this trip, blessed. God is at work. Here are a couple of examples.
One of our districts organizes a bike rally each year, where all of the young men are invited to join in biking together from village to village. They stop in each village, begin singing, a crowd gathers, and someone preaches a Gospel message. An invitation is given at the end, and if people respond, a couple of the bikers remain behind to follow up. And so it goes for a week. Here are the results from this year's rally - 115 bikers, 56 villages, 1 week, covering 4 districts, with over 200 people publicly stepping forward to receive salvation!
In one village, a young boy had come to faith and his family had rejected him. The church took him in and has been caring for him and covering his school costs. This is not so unusual, especially for those coming from certain faiths.
The former District Superintendant in one district, finished his mandate and then asked for the hardest village to be assigned to. This older pastor could have taken the easy route, but he, like Caleb, asked for the hard assignment. He is seeing good results, with over 70 people in this church re-plant.
Each district has registered new villages opened to the Gospel in the past year. They are on the move.
I can't wait to find the time to write a couple more posts. Be encouraged. Keep praying.
I just spent 3 days with church leadership visiting 3 of our districts and their pastors. I always enjoy these trips, not only because I get all of the African food I can eat and which I enjoy, but also because:
1. I get to hear stories of what God is doing.
2. I get to spend time dreaming with church leadership about what God is leading in.
3. It opens my eyes to matters that need prayer.
Once again, I came away from this trip, blessed. God is at work. Here are a couple of examples.
One of our districts organizes a bike rally each year, where all of the young men are invited to join in biking together from village to village. They stop in each village, begin singing, a crowd gathers, and someone preaches a Gospel message. An invitation is given at the end, and if people respond, a couple of the bikers remain behind to follow up. And so it goes for a week. Here are the results from this year's rally - 115 bikers, 56 villages, 1 week, covering 4 districts, with over 200 people publicly stepping forward to receive salvation!
In one village, a young boy had come to faith and his family had rejected him. The church took him in and has been caring for him and covering his school costs. This is not so unusual, especially for those coming from certain faiths.
The former District Superintendant in one district, finished his mandate and then asked for the hardest village to be assigned to. This older pastor could have taken the easy route, but he, like Caleb, asked for the hard assignment. He is seeing good results, with over 70 people in this church re-plant.
Each district has registered new villages opened to the Gospel in the past year. They are on the move.
I can't wait to find the time to write a couple more posts. Be encouraged. Keep praying.
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