June 30, 2006

This morning several of the Institute men, missionary Mike Hillhouse and I went around town seeking another rental for the Institute and for the church in Dassasgo. We looked at several different places, but none were sufficient for our needs. Marcelline mentioned several places near her in Tanghin. We visited three of them, with two being too small and the third not yet completed. Please continue to pray about this need, as our official last Sunday is this Sunday.

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June 29, 2006

Dominike and I have been praying for just over a month about the potential of him residing in Ouaga for a month so we could develop more personal relationships with the people from Boulwando who have moved into Ouaga. (We have noticed that when Dominike is around they will come to our services, but with his absence they feel insecure to visit.) We have also been praying about who would take over the work in Boulwando for the month.

Today we talked about our thoughts and we have both arrived at the idea of letting Harouna return to Boulwando to take over the services. (His father is also in need of him for planting the crops this summer.) So when Dominike departs tomorrow morning he will bring Harouna with him to begin his ministry work there. Dominike will return Monday and reside in Ouaga for the month of July.

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June 28, 2006

With my vehicle still in the shop, Missionary Mike Hillhouse drove the “bus” route this evening. (We were naturally low with the school being out and the Institute on vacation.) Mike was very gracious in taking over a part of the ministry that has a tendency to test one’s tenacity.

Ghislain continued with his study on Ephesians teaching on the Christian’s Walk. He continues to be a very good teacher on this subject. His Bible training has encompassed three years of an Institute in Kone and two years here. He is about reading to being a ministry in earnest.

Thank you for your prayers for him and the other Institute students.

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June 26, 2006

This afternoon I found out that Alexis has had other plans and has not returned to his village, but has decided to stay here in Ouaga. It really came as a shock to us. He was saved in our ministry, baptized in our ministry, discipled in our ministry and called to preach through our ministry. Apparently there are some difficulties that he is not willing to deal with at this time. Please pray for him, as it has been evident to us, God’s hand has been upon him.

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June 25, 2006

Twenty-eight people rode the “bus” to church this morning. With the Institute on summer break we were expecting a lower than normal crowd, but we had a good crowd and a couple of visitors. After the services, one young lady stayed around to talk with David and Paul about her spiritual condition.

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June 23, 2006

This morning Mary returned home with our daughter Hannah who just graduated from the International School of Ouagadougou. She will be staying in the States for two months taking care of a few things. Hannah has already enrolled in Bible College and is looking forward to being roommates with her older sister, Elisabeth who will be starting her third year.

Alexis came by to say he will be going back to his village for the summer and is not planning on returning for the Institute. He said his family wants him to return and he has been having some personal problems he needs to deal with. I reminded him of God’s call upon his life and encouraged him to pray for the next three months as to God’s will for his life.

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June 19, 2006

This week is a youth camp for missionary children in Koubri. Mary and I will be going as counselors with our children.

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June 18, 2006

Thirty-three were on the “bus route” this morning with two first time visitors; one of the sisters of Cecile, Pauline. With Rachel being sick this morning Harouna stepped up and started with the children’s church until Mary was finished with the music and started teaching the children outside of our gate.

Since we were having a baptism after our services I preached on the requirements to have a Biblical baptism. A couple of new young ladies responded to the invitation for assurance of their salvation. Five came forward to be scripturally baptized; Cecile, who made a profession of faith in December of 2004, Ferdinand who professed Christ a year ago, Marcelline, Louise and Mariam who all professed Christ in March of this year.

We continued our services at our house with a dinner celebrating the baptisms of these recent converts. Mary, with the help of Kadi, prepared a great meal. We leisurely sat around getting to know each other more personally during the dinner time.

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June 19, 2006

With the arrival of the Hillhouse’s container we suspended our Saturday morning Bible studies to concentrate on helping them out. Our Institute students spent most of the day at the Hillhouse’s helping them and getting to know them. They thoroughly enjoyed their time, as the Hillhouse’s are very gracious and loving missionaries who fit right into this culture.

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June 17, 2006

We finished our third year of the Fundamental Baptist Institute of Ouagadougou this morning. It was a great year, both for the students and for the professors. These fine young men are growing spiritually each week and their confidence in their calling is becoming more and more evident with each passing semester. We are eagerly preparing for our fourth year starting in a couple of months.

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June 16, 2006

Tonight Ghislain started his four week series on the book of Ephesians. He was well prepared with the first two verses. It is evident that he continues to make progress in his preaching/teaching abilities. Tonight he really made an effort to be effective in communicating the simplicity of the gospel. (He has been struggling with his communication, desiring more to be “erudite” that edifying. He is beginning to see the difference and is attempting to put it into practice.)

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June 11, 2006

Thirty-two people rode the “bus” route this morning. Alexandre preached his first message this morning on “Living in the desert” from Exodus 16. His aunt and uncle came to hear him preach. Alexandre testified that his uncle and he are the only professing Christians in their family. It is a little difficult but one that God can provide the grace to continue. It was another good crowd as several people came back after a few weeks of absences. Several others were first time visitors who were excited about the services.

We are still in the process of finding another place for our church services and our Institute as the time is drawing near for our departure from this rental house. Please continue to pray that we would find another good location with even greater potential.

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June 10, 2006

Mary, with Pam assisting, had one lady for the Ladies Bible study. They are continuing with their discipleship material centering in on the local church these last couple of weeks.

We had another ten men at the Soul-Winning Club where we are continuing with the “Operation Go” lessons on soul-winning. Three men made professions of faith on the street; another twenty-four were followed up and two continued with their discipleship lessons.

This evening at the International School of Ouagadougou our second oldest daughter, Hannah, graduated from high school. She has accomplished so much this last year here earning several awards, evening helping start a new school newspaper. We are very, very, very proud of her and her testimony. Within two weeks she will be returning to the States to start her college. Please pray for her transition back into the American culture.

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June 07, 2006

This evening we took a short break from the student led Bible studies; (next week Ghislain will commence a study on the book of Ephesians), as we reviewed verses on prayer by utilizing some Bible drills. It was a welcome change of pace which was enjoyed by all those present. Several came to me after the study saying how much they enjoyed this night.

For the Bible drill I offered up a new pen that was “unique” here. After the hard fought struggle in which all participated, Noël emerged victorious. It was encouraging to see the amount of participation and also the number of different people who actually won various aspects of the drill.

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June 04, 2006

Twenty-two rode the “bus” this morning. Overall we were low in our attendance. (The Catholic Church held city wide baptismal services in all of their churches along with marriage celebrations. With the strong family ties it was expected that family and friends “assist” in these celebrations.

Noël preached this morning on looking to the future with faith. He used the limited comprehension of Esau as an example of someone who could not look past today as a failure in his life. Several responded to the invitation to be more faithful in their personal lives.

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June 03, 2006

Mary had three ladies present for her Ladies Bible Study. She realizes the difficult lives these ladies face here in Burkina. Two of the ladies have children without husbands; who simply walked away from the marriage. Please pray for wisdom for Mary as she deals with difficult issues that require much grace.

Ten men were again present for our Soul-Winning Club. This morning we acted out different types of witnessing encounters. I played the arrogant, impatient “witnesser” without telling the men what I was doing. I then asked them what they thought of my “witnessing” style. They proceeded to pick out the annoying features that are no-no’s in seeking to proclaim the good news to others.

Including the three that Harouna talked with yesterday, there were eleven professions of faith this week, another twenty-six follow-up visits and another two continued with personal discipleship.

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June 02, 2006

Paul and Dominike left this morning for the village works; Tanghin and Boulwando. Before Dominike left he reported on the month’s work. In Boulwando, four people responded to the invitations to accept Christ. Rassanbanin continues to aid Dominike in both church works. In Tanghin, four more teenagers responded to the invitations to accept the Lord. Denis continues to be the backbone of the work there.

This afternoon Harouna visited some friends from Boulwando who have just recently moved into Ouaga. Three of his friends made professions of faith, including two who had just come to church services last week; Madi and Joachin.

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May 31, 2006

Noël finished his Bible study this evening on Colossians. (I was not feeling very well so Mary drove the “bus” this evening.) It was good to hear that several people who had promised to visit our services finally showed up. Dominike’s little sister, Sylvie, came, and another lady from our neighborhood came. She wanted to ride the “bus” this evening, but came to our house a little late. So she got the directions and walked over to the services.

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May 28, 2006

Another low day for our “bus route” as we only picked up thirty-three riders. Still we were able to pick up four new adults this morning; Cecile, Adama and two young men from Boulwando, Joachin and Pierre.

Zacharie, the older preacher who recently came up from Cote d’Ivoire, preached on Romans 8.28. (He is preparing to return to his village to spend some time with his family and decide on their future.) His message was a little long, especially given the heat, but still at the end people enjoyed his encouraging message. Cecile responded to the invitation seeking assurance and prayers for her future.

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May 27, 2006

Mary was sick this morning with some type of food poisoning and was not able to have the Ladies Bible Study.

We continued with our Soul-Winning Club with eleven men present. There were ten professions of faith on the road, with another thirty-two follow-up visits, and two continued with their discipleship. It is encouraging to see the men faithful to these specific Bible studies targeting witnessing to the lost.

This afternoon Mike and I visited several prospects with Paul and Harouna. Harouna assured us that his friends from Boulwando did not live far. (I guess it depends on the definition of “far” as we drove a considerable way on very difficult roads only to have to stop and start walking to their home.) Cecile was not there, but her friend, Adama was and he said he would remind her of the time we will be picking her up tomorrow morning and also indicated that he would also ride the “bus” to church.

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May 26, 2006

This afternoon as I was passing by Madi’s house, he stopped me. (He has been “absent” for almost two months now. His missing started when he began working part-time and has continued until the present.) His friend and recent convert, Sanfo, was also with him. They both said they have missed the church services and desired to return. I told them that the door is always open and all they need to do is to walk through it. They said they would start immediately and said they wanted to come tonight to our “Game Night.”

Again there was another great crowd at our “Game Night” in Dassasgo. Madi did come but Sanfo had to take one of his “fathers” somewhere tonight but still wanted to come this Sunday. With the Hillhouse’s actively participating in the games, and their children making themselves at home among everyone, smiles were the first thing that came to mind while reminiscing on the night’s activities.

Dominike stayed behind tonight to participate for the first time in one of these activities. He gave his testimony of how God is protecting him throughout his life. He used humor in presenting his testimony of the changes that has happened in his life. He told the story of when he returned home in Boulwando he found that someone had cut up some chickens and left the pieces at his door as a reminder that he in opposition to the animist religion. He thanked God for the chickens and proceeded to enjoy a great meal with them. :-) (Most people were attentive to his testimony and responded positively.)

Cecile came to me after his testimony wanting prayer for her life. She greatly desires to grow spiritually and experience the changes Dominike talked about and is evident in his life since his conversion.

Mouni, a young man saved and baptized in the church in Boulwando, and his friend, Madi, who has also been saved in Boulwando, have moved into Ouaga seeking employment, came this evening. They desire to start attending our services and we hope to find out where they live tomorrow to schedule the “bus” to pick them up Sunday morning.

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May 24, 2006

We were greatly surprised and encouraged to see Denis DIPAMA sitting in the services this evening. He came into Ouaga from Tanghin to visit family for a couple of days and stopped by our services to say “hello.” He also mentioned that the other members of the church in Tanghin sent their salutations. He said he was also very encouraged by their good attendance last Sunday.

Noël continued his study on Colossians; stressing the necessity of putting on the new man. He did an outstanding job teaching this important topic, even adding personal illustrations with animation. Each semester he is gaining more and more confidence in his preaching and teaching abilities.

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May 21, 2006

We had another great day at the Fundamental Baptist Church of Dassasgo. There were ninety people in our services with two first time visitors. Thirty-seven people rode the “bus route” to church this morning. (Several others who used to ride the “bus” have started riding bikes, or walking, to the services.)

During the invitation several responded by raising their hands, indicating their desire to be more like Christ. A young man, André, who is Alexis’ brother, received Christ this morning. Rachel and Denis, who has started helping her in the junior church, brought the children outside for some fresh air and some game time. Alexis had several of his young teen boys missing, but is still pressing on in his class.

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May 20, 2006

With the rains Mary did not expect to see anyone attend the Ladies Bible Study, but two did show up. She is continuing to form relationships with them and is slowly gaining their confidence.

Attendance was also a little low at the Soul-Winning Club. There were ten professions of faith on the street witnessing program, nineteen recent converts were followed up and one continued with his discipleship.

After the Club, Mike and I visited with Célestin, as he has been missing for some time. We finally found him home after several weeks of visiting his house. He is very discouraged with his family situation. Since his baptism he has been in a very difficult family environment that has been spiritually and emotionally drained. Please pray for him and for the salvation of his wife, Andrea.

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May 17, 2006

Noël continued his Bible study on Colossians with an emphasis on purity of life and purity of doctrine. They go hand in hand and when one is de-emphasized the other invariably begins to wane. He was well prepared and energetic in his teaching and it appeared to be well-received.

During the prayer requests we still had several unspoken requests from several of our people; things that are of a delicate nature which requires a great deal of prayer and divine intervention. Please pray for our young Christians here as they seek to pattern their lives after the One who died for them.

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May 15, 2006

Dominike came back from the village works excited. They had a great day in Tanghin with thirty-two people, the highest attendance since our first services. Praise the Lord! Denis had been visiting and encouraging his family and friends to start coming to the services. (With Paul’s visit the week before and his desire to hold evangelistic outreach days this summer and Dominike’s faithfulness to the work there, Denis is really encouraged.)

Denis has been working with the prefet to gain her permission for our services. He has visited her three different times only to be told that there is more to “fill out.” Still he is persisting in getting all of the legal paperwork finished. Please pray that these tedious things will be handled in a positive way soon.

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May 14, 2006

Today the “bus route” was low with a total of thirty-two riders which also included the new missionary family; the Hillhouses, (http://bbfi-africa.org/Hillhouse/ ). We had one first time rider, Moussa, who we spoke about Friday. Overall attendance was the highest ever in Dassasgo with ninety-one people attending our services.

Mike Hillhouse preached this morning on Missions. I translated as best I could. :-( It was obvious the Holy Spirit was working as the full auditorium gave him their full attention. Several responded to the invitation. Ferdinand responded in seeking the assurance of his salvation. Marcelline and Kadi came forward for specific prayers for their future decisions. Many others raised their hands for courage to witness to their family and friends this week.

After the services I talked with Moussa. He arrived at the church around 7:30 and talked with Alexis and a few other Institute students. He bowed his head and asked Christ to save him. I asked him if he was sincere and he said yes. Continuing with the conversation I asked who he was a believer in. He did not understand the question and referred to himself as a believer in God. Finally he said he was a Muslim and a Christian. I said he could not be both and he would have to choose who he believed in. Unfortunately he left a Muslim.

(It is very difficult to get most people to understand that by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ one is automatically rejecting other belief systems. Many think they can cling to the various belief systems, such as Islam and Christianity, or Christianity and animism, without having to truly decide which is right. Please pray for this mentality, that the Holy Spirit would penetrate their hearts with such force that they realize there is no other way.)

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May 13, 2006

Alexis taught the Soul-Winning Club this morning as we had other obligations. He did a good job teaching the basis concepts of witnessing. There were four professions of faith through the street witnessing program.

This evening we visited the Institute so that Mary could work on a special with Alexandre. As she and Alexandre practiced, Mike, Caleb and I decided to play some ping-pong with the other students. We divided up into several teams and commenced play. Other young men from the neighborhood began to arrive and join in the games. It was a great introduction of Mike to the students and the community.

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May 12, 2006

This evening a young man stopped by our house to talk about Christianity. He is a Muslim who is beginning to seek for the truth and asked if he could “assist” our church to find out more about Christianity. He agreed to return to our house at 7:00 AM Sunday morning to come to our church. Please pray for Moussa as he searches for the truth.

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May 10, 2006

Noël started a four week lesson on Colossians this evening. We could not make it this evening as we were at the airport picking up a new missionary couple.

The Hillhouses, (http://bbfi-africa.org/Hillhouse/ ), Mike and Pam, flew into Ouagadougou to begin their ministry here. As Mike said, they have waited for eight years to finally arrive to begin a ministry the Lord has called them to. Please pray for their ministry here.

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May 08, 2006

Paul returned from Tanghin really excited. As he was visiting family in his home town, one of his brothers came to him and said that after listening to Paul’s testimony a year ago and then observing his life and the life of those in his village who has professed Christianity, he now realized that what Paul had was real and he needed it. So Paul’s older brother, Antione, his sister, Abjèta, and Antione’s friend, Pascal accepted the Lord as their Savior. It was really encouraging for Paul to witness the Lord working on the hearts of his family.

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May 07, 2006

We were a little low on the “bus route” with twenty-seven riders, our lowest amount in several months. This morning’s message was borrowed from a young preacher in Bouaké, whom we worked with until his death during the civil war. (He died of complications from malaria.) In one of his last messages he preached before us, titled What Type of Person Does God Use, he divided it into four responses; God uses people who are available, God uses people who are faithful, God uses people who are obedient, and God uses people who follow Him with their whole heart. Several responded to the invitation, including Mariam for the assurance of her salvation and several others who wanted to overcome some difficulties in their lives about obedience.

Alexandre and Zacharie sung a special, with Alexandre singing and Zacharie playing on a keyboard. Denis started working with the children’s church, while Harouna joined the adult services. Attendance was a little low in both the children’s church and adult classes, but we still had over sixty present.

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May 06, 2006

Mary continued with the ladies Bible study on “Growing in Faith” concentrating on an overview of the Bible. She had two ladies present.

Our Soul-Winning Club continued this morning with ten men present. We had four professions of faith with twenty-four follow-up visits and one who is continuing with his discipleship lessons.

After the classes, Alexandre approached me about moving into the dorms for a while, as he awaits his work with the electric company. He had been living with a family while he acted as their children’s teacher, but with his work starting in Fada he gave them notice. They hired another teacher before he found out that he was not going to be working in Fada. He is still encouraged and excited about the future.

(This week we were required to pay the governmental penalty for not declaring our rental contract. It was quite expensive. The landlord has also been forced to pay a huge penalty for not declaring it also. This conflict with the government, and their regulations on rent, has left a sour taste in both of our mouths and we, the landlord and us, decided it would be best if we vacate the premises. Therefore we are now in the process of seeking a new home for the Fundamental Baptist Church of Dassasgo and for the Fundamental Baptist Institute of Ouagadougou. Please be in prayer for our move.)

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May 03, 2006

Dominike stopped by after the Institute to report on last month’s progress in Boulwando and Tanghin. In Tanghin, one thirteen year old girl, Mounique, accepted the Lord after the services. Average weekly attendance was twelve. Denis continues to assist in the services each week, showing a pattern of faithfulness that is really encouraging for those around him. Paul SAYOUGA has decided to take a more active interest in the work in Tanghin committing to preach there once a month with his own finances.

In Boulwando things continue to progress well. Dominike continues to hold services, prayer meetings and evangelistic outreaches on a weekly basis. They are averaging sixty people each week with more and more new Christians starting to attend the services. In April the church witnessed two professions of faith during the invitations and another three professions of faith on their evangelistic outreaches.

One of the young men, Harouna, who is faithful to the services, was injured playing soccer. Apparently he fell on his head and was knocked unconscious. Dominike rushed him to the hospital where regained consciousness. He is much better now.

We continued with our Bible study on prayer this evening. During requests time almost all of those present raised their hands for prayer for personal/private needs. Several are still seeking employment. After the services, Alexandre and Zachary practiced their special for this coming Sunday.

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May 01, 2006

David stopped by this morning to ask permission to miss the next two days of the Institute because his “father” is sick in his village and, as he said, it has been a long time since he visited home. (Of course he has the right to leave anytime he wants and we do not, nor will not, hinder him in his family relationships.) He said he would like to profit in this visit by reaching out to those in the village, especially his family. He also intended to begin asking around to see if there would be an interest in starting some type of services in the near future. Please pray for his visit.

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April 30, 2006

After arriving at the church for the fourth time this morning several minutes earlier than normal, we were a little low on the “bus route” with thirty total riders, Mariam wanted to talk with me quickly. She had just been informed by her “brother” that she would have to find another place to live. She is a young unmarried single mother trying to survive in Ouagadougou after being ostracized by her family in the village. She said he was not mad at her, she did not do anything wrong, but he still wanted, or needed, her to leave as soon as possible. She mentioned her great need of prayer, as she has no one with which to appeal to for help, but her new Savior. Please pray for her situation and her future.

For the second week in a row, Alexandre participated in the services by reading the Scripture verses. He was very excited and energetic in his reading, even surpassing former Vick speech winners. :-) After the services he immediately came to me to ask if he could do more in the services next week, specifically leading the congregational singing. As this is reserved for David, I encouraged him to prepare a special for the entire church. He gladly agreed.

Alexis continued with the young teen boys with his usual five teens. Caleb is in the class and really likes it and says that the other boys also like it and participates actively. (We had one young twelve year old boy, Moïse, who stood outside the gate looking in. I mentioned we had a special class for his age, and he ran home to ask his parents if he could start attending. We hope to see him here next week.)

Paul preached this morning on the Peace of God from Philippians 4:4-9. This peace is reserved for those who are saved, this peace surpasses everything and this peace gives us rest, were his main points. After the services several people commented on how well he did in touching their hearts with the Word of God.

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April 29, 2006

We had our usual faithful men for our Soul-Winning Club with nine present. There were eight professions of faith through the street witnessing program and another twenty-eight follow-up visits. One person started our discipleship series with a new convert.

Mary continued with her third ladies discipleship class. Unfortunately several of the ladies had to work and missed. Still she had two other ladies and a great time of fellowship with them.

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April 28, 2006

This evening we had our second “game night” at the Fundamental Baptist Church of Dassasgo. (With the thoughts here that Protestants, especially Baptists, are cults and are to be avoided, it is necessary to break down these walls that hinder new converts from coming to Sunday services.) We started out a little late, with the realization that several of our Institute students are in evening classes at the local high school working on their high school diploma; we did not expect a very big crowd. At 7 PM we only had a handful of people, but as time wore on we topped over fifty adults who came into the church for a fun time of board games and ping-pong.

It was an eye-opening realization that over 60% of those present were there for the very first time. Most all of these men and women had already heard the gospel in our street witnessing program; several had responded and have been invited to our services repeatedly. Alexis gave a short testimony of his salvation during our devotion time. We are eagerly planning next month’s activity.

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April 26, 2006

After our Wednesday evening Bible study on prayer we broke off into small groups to pray for each other and our needs. With the majority of those present being recent converts we were concerned if all would pray in a small group setting; they did.

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April 23, 2006

Thirty-eight riders this morning came on the “bus.” We had a good attendance in all of the services; junior church with Rachel, teens with Paul, and the adult services. Alexis preached this morning on the Spiritual Food of Jesus. He used as his text John 4.31-35 in preaching on the necessity of doing God’s will in our lives. It was a good sermon and it touched hearts. Given his fear of speaking in public, (he still has a minor problem with closing his eyes), it is really encouraging to see him want to take opportunities to preach the gospel. Alexandre also helped out in the services this morning by reading the Scriptures.

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April 22, 2006

We resumed our Soul-Winning Club this morning with a refresher course as we are waiting the return of a few of our men from the village. These last two weeks have been a time of vacation, as the International School was out last week and the Institute was out of school this week. We had two professions of faith this week with thirty-one follow-up visits of recent converts.

One of those professions of faith happened through the Internet. As Paul was “chatting” on-line he took the opportunity to speak of Christ with another Burkinabé in Cote d’Ivoire. During their “chat” time Gilles, who lives in Abidjan, said he repented in receiving Christ that very night. (Even the Internet is proving effective in Burkina!)

Mary only had a couple of ladies this morning for her Bible study. Several of the ladies have found jobs and have started working full time. Marcelline’s bike broke down this morning and she had to walk to our house, which is a two hour walk. She arrived late, but still determined to have us visit with her husband’s family.

When we arrived just after lunch, they had a whole group of people; some that even Marcelline was not familiar with. There had been a wedding this week and many people came in from the villages. We had the opportunity to meet with her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Denis, her father-in-law, is a retired 68 year old who had visited Chicago and New York earlier in his life. He and his family, two daughters and five sons, are devout Catholics. Marcelline’s husband had to travel to Ghana this week and we were not able to meet him. We did get to meet her two small children, who were overjoyed to see their mother. We stayed for the afternoon meal continuing our “get acquainted” conversation. Shortly thereafter we “asked for the road” as we had other appointments. Please pray for the salvation of Marcelline’s husband and his family.

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April 19, 2006

Before the start of the services, Mary and Alexandre began singing songs in English. It was really surprising to listen to Alexandre praising the Lord in English. When we asked him where he learned these songs, he said he learned them while studying for the priesthood. We were shocked about this new revelation. He said he did not stay long at the seminary, but long enough to learn some songs.

Our Bible study continues to focus on prayer. Tonight was our eighth lesson focusing upon our prayer life in our witness to the unsaved. As we were taking prayer requests, Paul mentioned prayer for his unsaved family members, and quickly others raised their hands for their unsaved relatives.

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April 17, 2006

Today being a federal holiday for the celebration of Easter here in Burkina we celebrated the American way by having our Institute students over for a cookout of hamburgers. Everyone was present except Dominike, who was celebrating in Boulwando, and Noël, who was celebrating in Koudougou. Zacharie, the older pastor from Cote d’Ivoire, was also present, as his family is still in their village of Zabri.

We watched a video and then sat around and talked about the various cults operating in Burkina. They even brought up a Satanist who has a restaurant just outside of town and how he gives money to those who will publicly state there is no God. Another cultist famous among the Burkinabe performs miracles of healings and financial success; they are not Christian in name.

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April 16, 2006

Even though our overall church attendance was smaller than normal our “bus route” still brought in forty riders; that is five trips with our family vehicle. It was exciting to see so many ride this morning, especially given that Easter Sunday is big here and most of our new converts are pressed to visit family and friends for a big feast this morning.

Alexis’ class continues to grow, as several of the young teen boys are becoming more and more faithful. Ali, and many times Everiste, are finding it difficult to ride the “bus” because of his chores and many times will walk the distance to church simply to be a part of this new class.

We were also surprised at the number of children Rachel had in Junior Church with forty-five children present. One young boy was spitting up blood during the services. So Harouna had to help him, but he could not determine if the blood was coming from a sore in his mouth or he was coughing up blood. So after the services he went to inform his parents of the situation. We have not heard back if it was serious or not.

After the services, Marcelline approached Mary about visiting her husband and her children. She is really concerned for them, especially for their spiritual condition. It is encouraging to see her “troubled” for her family’s salvation.

Since many of the families dress up special for Easter, we took family photos this morning of the various families. Over one hundred pictures were taken and still there were some that we missed and will have to redo. It was a little discouraging to see so many young ladies having their pictures taken with their children, and their husbands missing. Please pray for the salvation of the spouses of our new converts.

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April 15, 2006

There was no Soul-Winning Club this morning because of Easter.

Mary continued with the ladies Bible study. After the lesson, she, Kadi and Germane went to visit Safiatou, who lives almost at Saaba in an area inaccessible by vehicle. When they arrived at the neighborhood, they begin asking around for her, but to no avail. After over an hour of wandering around the neighborhood, they decided to stop at the local market. While there Safiatou saw them and came over to them. Praise the Lord! She has been sick and unable to come for the week. Mary said she still looked sick and in need of prayers. Her fiancé Francis still will not permit her to be baptized, or to even visit our services. Please pray for his salvation.

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April 12, 2006

This weekly study on prayer is really encouraging for our members as they are really looking forward to it each week. Attendance remains steady each week.

After the service, Alexandre talked with me about his future. He did not get the job he thought he had in Fada. The electric company will only use him as standby for the time being. He does not seem too discouraged by this news, because as he said, it will only allow him time to grow spiritually in our church. He even mentioned the possibility about coming to the Institute when he has the time. We will allow him the opportunity to sit in on our studies when the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately, if he is interested in becoming a full-time student the door of opportunity will not be open until next October.

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April 09, 2006

Today we handed out the baptismal certificates to the four who were recently baptized; Alexandre, Célestin, Zacharie and Flore. It was a good testimony for others who are in need of baptism. Alexis continued with the youth, having five people in his class. Rachel and Harouna continued with the children’s church, which continues to grow consistently each week. In the adult services, attendance continued to hold at just under thirty.

On the “bus route” we had another thirty-one riders. Fatigue is setting in as several of the adult riders expressed an urgency to be home before noon. It was a difficult choice as to who to bring home first and so forth. Please pray for this delicate situation, that we would be able to develop an effective and consistent “bus route” without losing the interest of our new “bus riders” and that we could continue to build this part of the ministry without neglecting the other ministry opportunities.

Paul preached in Tanghin for the first time. Denis continues to exhibit faithfulness and an eagerness to serve in the church. His brother, Michel, also is showing signs of spiritual growth.

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April 08, 2006

The Soul-Winning Club was a little down, as a couple of our regulars left for the village. Still we had seven men there. One person made a profession of faith through our visitation efforts this week. We visited twenty-eight recent converts, and are struggling to maintain a consistent discipleship effort among those interested in growing in grace coupled with the ability to take the time for this weekly effort.

Mary restarted the ladies Bible study at our house this morning. There were six women present. Five of them had recently made professions of faith; Germane, Marcelline, Louise, Sabine, and Elizabète. Kadi was also present.

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April 06, 2006

Paul left for his village this morning after the Institute. He will be visiting in Tanghin and preaching there this Sunday. Dominike, as has been his habit, also left for Boulwando. Both are looking forward to the opportunities that are present in these three villages.

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April 05, 2006

We had another good crowd for our Bible study on prayer. As we were taking prayer requests it was exciting and encouraging to see almost everyone mention a prayer request with some asking for prayer for their unsaved fiancées, others for the unsaved families, many asking for health needs, and three specifically asking for jobs. This study on prayer is new for most of these new converts and the excitement is contagious. Please pray that God would truly grant these specific requests of theirs.

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April 02, 2006

Thirty-one “bus riders” came this morning for church services with no first time riders. We had another full house as we prepared to baptize several new converts this morning. We also had several first time visitors who walked to the services. (It was really good to see Germane come this morning on the “bus route.”) Alexis continued with his new class. Our daughter Rachel with the help of Harouna continued with the junior church.

This morning’s message was on baptism and several people responded to the invitation with two making professions of faith. Elizabète, Germane’s sister who came into Ouaga from her village this week, responded by receiving Christ. Also, Simon, the father of Michael, the young boy who tragically died several weeks ago, came to the services and received Christ.

After the services three people came forward to be baptized; Flore, who recently received Christ, Célestin, who is also a recent convert, and Zacharie, who has been saved for some time, but has not followed the Lord in baptism in a church of like faith but wanted to this morning. Still we had anticipated several more baptisms this morning, as several others indicated their desire to be baptized. Yacouba, who could not make it because of a close relative who is at the hospital, and Mariam, whose baby was sick this morning could not make it. Safiatou’s financée does not want her to get baptized. Others simply missed for various reasons, and still others who were there, listened to the message, and continued to harbor reservations, and fears, about baptism wanted more time to think about it. Please pray for these recent converts, who are faithful to the services, and are exhibiting positive signs of spiritual growth, but because of family pressures are tentative about this step of faith.

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April 01, 2006

As I arrived for our Soul-Winning Club I noticed Christène was there “chatting” with the students. She has just returned from her village because school has started back up again. She is still a little timid as her family and friends reluctant to see her “visit” our services. She is in need of our prayers.

This morning nine people continued with our Soul-Winning Club training. We had one profession of faith through our street witnessing. Thirty-four recent converts were followed up and there were no discipleship training as the couple who are active in it are out of town.

Mary and I visited with Germane after the Club. She has been a little discouraged the last couple of weeks. Without a job, with three children, with three more young ladies just moving into her house these last couple of weeks, and with a husband who walked away, she is experiencing financial difficulties. Her husband’s family has been providing some food for the children. But her husband’s family found out she is becoming active in our church and has told her to quit coming to our church or they will stop helping her with food for the children. She has a terrible choice to make, and we could tell this has greatly troubled her. She said in closing “if God loves her He will provide for her and her children.” Please pray for her.

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