Four years ago, when the Fundamental Baptist Institute of Ouagadougou
commenced, it seemed like it would be a long, long, long, way off before
we would graduate our first students. These last four years seemed to
pass by "trop vite" and on Tuesday evening, June 12, 2007, the
Fundamental Baptist Institute of Ouagadougou graduated the first
students in its history.
It was a great evening as we were assisted in celebrating the
accomplishment of two students with family, friends, and other
missionaries. Below are a few pictures of this great evening.
Click any photo for a closer look and use your browser's
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Before the services
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With the joyful assistance of our children we started preparing for
tonight's activities the day before.
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Both Beka and Rachel stayed up late into the night preparing two
beautiful
cakes for our reception.
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Led by Beka, several ladies decorated the church throughout the
afternoon.
Several people commented on how "great" the church was decorated. These
young ladies did a very good job.
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Carissa |
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Ethel, Pam HILLHOUSE's sister, and her friend, Rebecca, who recently
came
over for a summer visit with the HILLHOUSE's graciously assisted Beka
and
Carissa with the decorations.
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The Services
Just before the services, we were hastily teaching our students how to
tie a
tie.
Dominike and me |
Mary is helping Dominike with his cap. |
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Mike opened the services
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The students wanted three special songs, dividing up into a choral, a
trio
and a duet.
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The students of I.B.F.O., being led by Ferdinand, singing in French |
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David and Ferdinand singing in Mooré |
Augustin, Ghislain and Denis singing in Lyélé |
Franck OUÉDRAOGO, since his return home, has been a huge blessing to us
and
our people. Tonight Franck spoke about his conversion from a Muslim
background and his spiritual journey which took him from the diamond
mines
of northern
Côte d'Ivoire to a Bible Institute to teaching in that
Institute
after his studies.
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My charge was simple and short;
2 Timothy 2:15.
Followed by the reception of diplomas:
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Dominike KONSIMBO : the first student to enter the Institute and the
first
to graduate four years later. He was saved through the evangelistic
outreach in his village as we were commencing a mission church in his
village of Boulwando. He is the pastor of the Fundamental Baptist Church
of
Boulwando, and has been acting as the pastor for almost two full years.
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Ghislain NAGALO : raised as a orphan near Koudougou. He was saved
through
the witnessing of National Pastor/Missionary André BAZIE. He attended
another Institute in Kyon in his mother tongue, Lyélé for three years
before
enrolling at I.B.F.O. three years ago. His desire is to be a missionary
somewhere in West Africa.
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The two graduates with their two full time professors; André BAZIE and
me. |
Reception
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Our daughters, Beka and Rachel, again helped out tremendously by serving
during the reception.
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As is normally the case, our children, greatly assisted in our
celebrations
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Here are various pictures during our reception time
Sita, Timothée's wife |
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The refreshment line |
Cecile |
David, Adjaratou, Ghislain, Kadi, Germane |
Mike and Douninoma |
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Benoît, Eric, Denis, Ferdinand, Augustin |
Thank you!
Mary and I waited four years to see spiritual fruit of our ministry with
the
Institute. It was an emotional time for us, as we see the hand of God
upon
this Institute and especially upon His servants here in Burkina Faso.
Thank you so much for partnering with us in this vineyard of our Lord's. |
