Will and I at the Airport

The Times They are a Changing

Since I last wrote many things have happened. So let me fill you in. About 10 days ago my work associates' daughter began having vision problems. Well, actually they started before a few weeks ago, but they began to increase as of late. So, she was checked out, but by both doctors here and in America it was recommended that she come home to get it checked out. So two nights ago, Galen's wife and daughter headed back home. The thing is, because his daughter is a diabetic it looks like the vision issues are liked to the diabetes. If this is the case, it doesn't look like they'll be back. In fact, I said goodbye to them as if they weren't coming back. Galen will be heading out a little later, but it looks like by the Fall, the guy I came out here to work with will be back in the States indefinitely. I'll continue to work with the youth group and I'll probably shift into some other work, my plan is to finish up my term here, until April 09'. However, this certainly changes things for me out here.
Change number 2. My roommate Will has departed to go back home to Toronto. He came last August, so he was here when I got here, and really helped me get used to Ouaga. Especially when I didn't have any French skills, he helped me out there too. I actually already have a new roommate who moved in yesterday. So I'm not alone, but I do miss my friend Will. Seeing him go reminded me of when I first got here, how new everything was. Now, I feel like a veteran somewhat. I also look back at the fun times I've had here. I've been here 7 months and sometimes it feels like it is going quite quickly. One day it's Christmas the next it's Easter!
I'm not a big fan of change usually, which actually is the only constant here in Burkina, change. So I'm rolling with the punches and trying to see what new things I can learn and be challenged by. The one thing I've learned is nothing is set in stone.

Who needs the lesson?

Recently I have had the opportunity to give several lessons and/or sermons. Because I am working with a youth group I have recently started a series on Atonement for the High School students, and I was asked to speak at a Saturday night service that happens every other week. That service is put on by missionaries here in Ouaga and is generally geared towards us.
In any event, I have noticed a pattern in my own life of how my messages come about. Sometimes I am given the topic as I was for the night service, grace, but the rest of the times I get to choose. Either way, you really have the freedom to make it your own, and as I go about preparing for these talks the same thing always happens. I evaluate my life and figure out what I need to hear. Or somehow I stumble across what I need to hear. Take the grace talk for instance, I was actually assigned a chapter from a book on grace, but that didn't apply directly to our situation, so I took the concept and reformed it. But what my end product came out to be, was a talk on freely receiving grace, and freely giving it away. Adding onto that, the idea that Paul has in Corinthians when Christ says, "My grace is sufficient for you". I ended by giving the charge to those there to lean on God's grace in all things, and to willing to seek out and dispense where where it is needed the most. Essentially, that sermon ended up being for at least one person, me. Ya, I realized I needed to hear that possibly more than anyone else there. I don't know if God worked in my life in such a way that I was ministering to myself, I don't know if that's possible, but in any case it really hit me. As someone who struggles with grace it was my own 25 minute long reminder that I'm a sheep in the midst of wolves, and J.C. my shepherd has my back.
So I don't know if that happens to a lot of pastors as they prepare their lessons, or teachers as they get ready to teach, but it happened to me. And so even if nobody else in that room needed to hear what God put on my heart, I know one person did. Me.

6 months and counting!!!

That's right folks, I have officially passed the half year mark! Not only that but that also means that I am 1/3 of the way through my time here. It really is amazing to think that I've made it this far. It is a testament to God's faithfulness to as He continues to give me grace for each day. As I look back I can't help but think about the good times, and the hard times. It really seems like an up and down roller coaster in a lot of ways. Still this 6 month stint have obviously been different from any other time in my life. I know that I am growing and maturing in ways that are fresh and new to me. Still, I am constantly wrestling with my own finitude and inability to be all things to all people here. The children who run to greet me daily don't speak French, and I don't know Morre (that could be spelled wrong). It's just one of many frustrating examples that are apart of my life, yet I have just been wrestling recently with grace as I am supposed to speak on it on Saturday night. I still don't understand grace, I don't know how/when/or why God dishes it out to us, but I'm trying my best to look daily as to how I can continue to doll out grace to others through the Spirit. It's not easy, and I forget often what I'm trying to accomplish, but it is a new outlook for me here that I hope will begin to influence my daily actions.
Here's another beautiful image from Cameroon. Enjoy!

Cameroon

The amazing top picture is over looking the Atlantic Ocean on a beautiful sunset evening in Cameroon. I was there for 2 weeks for a conference and some vacation time. The conference was good because it gave me a chance to meet some other African missionaries doing work in other countries. It was inspiring for me to hear about their work and where God is moving in those countries and cultures. Also, to meet missionaries who've been out on the field for 20, 25, or even 30 years has impressed me. Especially with the missionaries I got to know, and see that they maybe older than I am but they can still be goofy and fun and really passionate about their work. The old, super pious, stiff no fun image of a missionary that I think a lot of people have clearly did not fit this group.
The lower image is a picture of me in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivore. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but I'm in a "mall". Yes, an African mall, with a food area, a couple clothing stores, a sporting goods store and more. I actually went into mini culture shock, and I should have had a more surprised look on my face, because I was really blown away.
The trip to Cameroon was a nice break from Ouaga and gave me chance to see another side of Africa. Now that I'm back, it's back to work recording and Bible Study which I'm excited about.

Recording

Within the last few weeks the audio Bible recording has been able to get underway! It is very exciting for me to begin putting flesh on bone to the idea my supervisor, Galen, has had for some time now. The idea is to use different people to speak the character and narrative parts of the gospels and other books of the Bible. Just a week or so ago, 2 Fulani pastors were in Ouaga and we were able to record the narrative parts for both Luke and John. This is supposed to make for a more dynamic and hopefully captivating recording for the Fulani listening. Here are 2 pictures of Pastor Eli (pronounced Eh-lee) and myself working in the studio area Galen has created at his house.

In other news it actually.... rained today! Ya I know, and for those of you back in the Pac-Northwest or other places where you are getting plenty of rain, I know no big deal. But since I haven't seen or felt rain in 5 months, ya it's kind of a big deal for the boy who grew up in rainy Seattle. So, an odd humid but not too hot day here in Burkina with some rain. It didn't storm or down pour or anything, just a little drizzle here and there throughout the day. It was a welcome change none the less though.

Finally, I will be heading out of the country for a little while. There is a conference in another country that I will be attending. I'm looking forward to the fellowship and a change of scenery! So, I will wish you all a very happy Easter, may you personally encounter the cross, and the empty tomb!

A night out

This picture is of a large group of missionaries from all over Burkina Faso as we went out for a good Friday night meal. It is always fun to fellowship with missionaries doing work in different areas of Burkina. There are missionaries in this picture from the far north, the northeast, east, and right here in Ouaga. Also, there are several nationalities represented in this picture. English, German, Swiss, Australian, Canadian, and American are all represented in this one photo. I don't know if everyone got into the picture, but since I had to set it on a table, push the timer, and run back to my seat, all the way at the other end I think it turned out pretty well. Anyway, it was a fun time trading stories and learning about what God is doing elsewhere in Burkina.