Called to Burkina Faso
and Togo, West Africa
On April 26, 2006
Concordia Theological
Seminary in Fort Wayne,
IN delivered calls to her
2006 graduates. In the
coming days, weeks,
months, and years, I will
use this site to keep you
updated about life and
work in West Africa. It is
going to be extremely
important for us to have
your prayer support. It
might be helpful for you
to download our prayer
card.
and Togo, West Africa
On April 26, 2006
Concordia Theological
Seminary in Fort Wayne,
IN delivered calls to her
2006 graduates. In the
coming days, weeks,
months, and years, I will
use this site to keep you
updated about life and
work in West Africa. It is
going to be extremely
important for us to have
your prayer support. It
might be helpful for you
to download our prayer
card.
WHAT WOULD I SUGGEST?
 | Read the Bible often and share scripture passages with friends and family. | |
| E-Sword is a great program to search and paste the passage you are looking for AND it is FREE!!! | ||
| Memorize the Small Catechism | |
| Listen online to my favorite radio station Issues Etc. This site is great because | |
| you can download and save these files to your mp3 player or you can make a cd for your friend!!! | ||
| If you have a specific theological issue and want it explained you can read | |
| these articles for an introduction to the issues CTCR Documents | ||
| But you say, "I need something in Finnish!!!" Well try these | |
| Yet another says, "Hey, how about something in French?" Voila! | |
| Still another says, "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" | |
May Family in Burkina Faso and Togo
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Discount Travel
If you or a team would
like to come out to
Africa and greet those
Please follow this link
to travel discounts.
If you or a team would
like to come out to
Africa and greet those
Please follow this link
to travel discounts.
Phone in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso
Rev. James May's
number is
(226) 767-55020
Phone in Togo
Rev. James May's number is
(228) 973-5760
Burkina Faso
Rev. James May's
number is
(226) 767-55020
Phone in Togo
Rev. James May's number is
(228) 973-5760
| Additional prayer requests for the future situation here in Burkina Faso. Please follow this link to get the info. |
Clothed in Righteousness by Christ
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous
for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive in
the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the
spirits in prison, because they formerly did not
obey, when God's patience waited in the days of
Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which
a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely
through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this,
now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the
body but as an appeal to God for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right
hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers
having been subjected to him.
-1 Peter 3:18-22
For more pictures from this special day, click here.
for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive in
the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the
spirits in prison, because they formerly did not
obey, when God's patience waited in the days of
Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which
a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely
through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this,
now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the
body but as an appeal to God for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right
hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers
having been subjected to him.
-1 Peter 3:18-22
For more pictures from this special day, click here.
These are the three men who are training to be future pastors for
the Lutheran Church in Burkina Faso. Kneeling in front is Joseph,
then in back from left to right, Espoir, Leopold and myself.
Please keep them in your prayers that God would mold and use
them to be His instruments to reach the many millions in Burkina
Faso who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.
the Lutheran Church in Burkina Faso. Kneeling in front is Joseph,
then in back from left to right, Espoir, Leopold and myself.
Please keep them in your prayers that God would mold and use
them to be His instruments to reach the many millions in Burkina
Faso who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.
"And you, son of man, say
to your people, The
righteousness of the
righteous shall not deliver
him when he transgresses,
and as for the wickedness
of the wicked, he shall not
fall by it when he turns
from his wickedness, and
the righteous shall not be
able to live by his
righteousness when he
sins. Though I say to the
righteous that he shall
surely live, yet if he trusts
in his righteousness and
does injustice, none of his
righteous deeds shall be
remembered, but in his
injustice that he has done
he shall die. Again, though
I say to the wicked, 'You
shall surely die,' yet if he
turns from his sin and does
what is just and right, if
the wicked restores the
pledge, gives back what he
has taken by robbery, and
walks in the statutes of life,
not doing injustice, he
shall surely live; he shall
not die. None of the sins
that he has committed shall
be remembered against
him. He has done what is
just and right; he shall
surely live.
Ezekiel 33:12-16
to your people, The
righteousness of the
righteous shall not deliver
him when he transgresses,
and as for the wickedness
of the wicked, he shall not
fall by it when he turns
from his wickedness, and
the righteous shall not be
able to live by his
righteousness when he
sins. Though I say to the
righteous that he shall
surely live, yet if he trusts
in his righteousness and
does injustice, none of his
righteous deeds shall be
remembered, but in his
injustice that he has done
he shall die. Again, though
I say to the wicked, 'You
shall surely die,' yet if he
turns from his sin and does
what is just and right, if
the wicked restores the
pledge, gives back what he
has taken by robbery, and
walks in the statutes of life,
not doing injustice, he
shall surely live; he shall
not die. None of the sins
that he has committed shall
be remembered against
him. He has done what is
just and right; he shall
surely live.
Ezekiel 33:12-16
| Burkina's Future |
Death and life are in the
power of the tongue, and
those who love it will eat
its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21
power of the tongue, and
those who love it will eat
its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21
Words to Consider
Pastor Wilken said, "When you
have the truth on your side you
do not need to worry about what
you say. When you don't, every
single word you utter is your
ultimate undoing."
As Douglas Sloane, in his book
on higher education puts it, in
American universities, at least
since the early 1900’s
quantifiable thinking (statistics,
matter, money) has reigned
supreme while qualifiable
thinking (thoughts of beauty,
right and wrong, good and bad)
has had a rough go of it.
Pastor Wilken said, "When you
have the truth on your side you
do not need to worry about what
you say. When you don't, every
single word you utter is your
ultimate undoing."
As Douglas Sloane, in his book
on higher education puts it, in
American universities, at least
since the early 1900’s
quantifiable thinking (statistics,
matter, money) has reigned
supreme while qualifiable
thinking (thoughts of beauty,
right and wrong, good and bad)
has had a rough go of it.
| Visitor from Cincinnati, Ohio |
Judy Stroeh, a member from one of my supporting congregations
from Cincinnati, Ohio was able to take off some time from work to do
some research in Burkina Faso. Judy works with an environmental
consulting agency and knows of a new product called PUR made by
Proctor and Gamble. Judy came out to do some research to see if this
product would be beneficial to Burkina Faso and to figure out how
best this product might be distributed and introduced into a country
that has very poor water quality. Some research has suggested that a
child dies every thirty seconds because of the water born diseases that
cause hepatitis, dysentery, and blindness. Nevertheless, Judy didn't
want the Gospel obscured and brought some Sunday School
activities for the children in the different places we visited.
from Cincinnati, Ohio was able to take off some time from work to do
some research in Burkina Faso. Judy works with an environmental
consulting agency and knows of a new product called PUR made by
Proctor and Gamble. Judy came out to do some research to see if this
product would be beneficial to Burkina Faso and to figure out how
best this product might be distributed and introduced into a country
that has very poor water quality. Some research has suggested that a
child dies every thirty seconds because of the water born diseases that
cause hepatitis, dysentery, and blindness. Nevertheless, Judy didn't
want the Gospel obscured and brought some Sunday School
activities for the children in the different places we visited.
| A school lunch at a good private school in Burkina Faso |
| Poor water sanitation leads to millions of deaths each year |
Lack of infrastructure means that human waste is just drained into streets
where pigs and children play together. Flies are attracted to these smells
and carry bacteria into living and cooking areas, not to mention the
children and pigs who are also playing in it. Inside the courtyard of a
typical family, there is no running water. It is stored in whatever
containers can be created. These containers are not connected to a water
source. Typically this means that mom or the kids need to run out to the
well each morning and wait their turn to get a few gallons of water with
which to cook and clean each day. How many gallons of water does the
average person use each day? USGS answer. Alternatively Wiki info.
where pigs and children play together. Flies are attracted to these smells
and carry bacteria into living and cooking areas, not to mention the
children and pigs who are also playing in it. Inside the courtyard of a
typical family, there is no running water. It is stored in whatever
containers can be created. These containers are not connected to a water
source. Typically this means that mom or the kids need to run out to the
well each morning and wait their turn to get a few gallons of water with
which to cook and clean each day. How many gallons of water does the
average person use each day? USGS answer. Alternatively Wiki info.
Here are images of the different types of wells found in Burkina
Faso. Above you can see how many people are crowded around
waiting. They have walked several kilometers to get there just to
carry a few gallons back to do cooking, laundry, and bathing.
Faso. Above you can see how many people are crowded around
waiting. They have walked several kilometers to get there just to
carry a few gallons back to do cooking, laundry, and bathing.
This trip needs to be made several times during the week. Often
times the women need to bring or carry the child with them while
pumping water with a baby strapped to their backs.
times the women need to bring or carry the child with them while
pumping water with a baby strapped to their backs.
| Testing PUR |
One of the places where we tested PUR was next to a school Many
young students curiously came down to see what we were doing.
The water that came out of the well was very cloudy but what
other choices do they have? We live on the edge of the Sahara.
young students curiously came down to see what we were doing.
The water that came out of the well was very cloudy but what
other choices do they have? We live on the edge of the Sahara.
The process is actually quite simple. Add the packet of PUR. Stir
for five minutes so that it crystalizes all impurities. Let it settle
for another five minutes and they pour the water through a
cotton filter.
for five minutes so that it crystalizes all impurities. Let it settle
for another five minutes and they pour the water through a
cotton filter.
| BEFORE |
| AFTER |
I would not want to drink the water that comes out of
those wells. Why should they?
While we are stirring and waiting for the impurities to
settle we can share with them the water that Christ offers.
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one
who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty
come; let the one who desires take the water of life
without price.
Revelation 22:17
those wells. Why should they?
While we are stirring and waiting for the impurities to
settle we can share with them the water that Christ offers.
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one
who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty
come; let the one who desires take the water of life
without price.
Revelation 22:17
I know at least one of our supporters works at a school cafeteria.
Here are pictures from the school cafeteria next to Concordia
Lutheran Church in Tingandogo. This is a private and rather
expensive school.
Here are pictures from the school cafeteria next to Concordia
Lutheran Church in Tingandogo. This is a private and rather
expensive school.
The food is not too bad. I have eaten this but I remember when I
was growning up that Wednesdays were my favorite because that
was Pizza Day at our school. Unfortunately, no pizza here.
was growning up that Wednesdays were my favorite because that
was Pizza Day at our school. Unfortunately, no pizza here.
| Burkina's Budweiser Brewery |
One of our members has her own local brewery. It is not usually
served ice cold but it is very economical. A calabash of dolo or
raam (the names for the local beer) costs 10 cents. A gallon pitcher
of beer costs about 90 cents. If you get a chance to visit we can
have a calabash together!!! The brewing process takes three days
including the fermentation. Burkina's local beer is brewed from
corn millet.
served ice cold but it is very economical. A calabash of dolo or
raam (the names for the local beer) costs 10 cents. A gallon pitcher
of beer costs about 90 cents. If you get a chance to visit we can
have a calabash together!!! The brewing process takes three days
including the fermentation. Burkina's local beer is brewed from
corn millet.
| Sending the Holy Spirit Feast of Pentecost |
I was not sure how the church was going to
react to the words of our departure. We
have not been there long, only two years.
We have just started to become one of the
family. As it turns out, they refused to let
this news dissuade them. We had three
more baptisms and the number of
worshippers doubled since the previous
week. They have also been working very
hard at developing the choir and I can say
for the first time they sang with power and
conviction. I pray it continues. They are
hoping they can get some kind of help.
Let's see what can be done.
react to the words of our departure. We
have not been there long, only two years.
We have just started to become one of the
family. As it turns out, they refused to let
this news dissuade them. We had three
more baptisms and the number of
worshippers doubled since the previous
week. They have also been working very
hard at developing the choir and I can say
for the first time they sang with power and
conviction. I pray it continues. They are
hoping they can get some kind of help.
Let's see what can be done.
| If you would like to pray for those recently baptized their names are (in age order from the youngest to oldest) Tiaroupouo Odilon Hien, Georgette Nignan, and Aimé Dèlphine Bazié. |
| Sending Laborers into the Harvest |
On June 14th, 2008, the Lutheran Seminary
in Togo had a graduation ceremony for the
men who successfully completed their
courses. Men from six different French
speaking countries have left their homes to
come to the small town of Dapaong, Togo
to be trained to serve the Lord as shepherds.
The program consists of three academic
years with a vicarage that follows the
academic studies. The courses are not easy,
nor is it easy for these men to leave their
countries with their families for a three year
period. The ceremony was very moving
and the energy and excitement expressed by
all was a testimony to the importance of the
proclamation of the Gospel. There was a
short term team from a Lutheran Church in
Topsfield, MA. Click here to see their
webpage pictures and stories.
in Togo had a graduation ceremony for the
men who successfully completed their
courses. Men from six different French
speaking countries have left their homes to
come to the small town of Dapaong, Togo
to be trained to serve the Lord as shepherds.
The program consists of three academic
years with a vicarage that follows the
academic studies. The courses are not easy,
nor is it easy for these men to leave their
countries with their families for a three year
period. The ceremony was very moving
and the energy and excitement expressed by
all was a testimony to the importance of the
proclamation of the Gospel. There was a
short term team from a Lutheran Church in
Topsfield, MA. Click here to see their
webpage pictures and stories.
Director of the seminary, Rev. Dr. Lussambu Dongo; President of the
Lutheran Church of Togo, Rev. Kombate Bigbi; with one of the students from
Congo, Pastoral Candidate Antoine Dilou. See more pictures here.
Lutheran Church of Togo, Rev. Kombate Bigbi; with one of the students from
Congo, Pastoral Candidate Antoine Dilou. See more pictures here.
Academic Dean, Rev. Glenn Fluegge; Dean of Students, Rev. Kombondjar
Souk; Director of the seminary, Rev. Dr. Lussambu Dongo; President of the
Lutheran Church of Togo, Rev. Kombate Bigbi; with one of the students from
Congo, Novitiate Graduate Joseph Mboungou.
Souk; Director of the seminary, Rev. Dr. Lussambu Dongo; President of the
Lutheran Church of Togo, Rev. Kombate Bigbi; with one of the students from
Congo, Novitiate Graduate Joseph Mboungou.
| Sweet Sixteen! |
So much work, so little time. I had about four
weeks to finish packing the house, selling what
could be sold, going to Togo for graduation, and
continue helping the church. The final harvest
before leaving yielded sixteen baptisms that have
been added to the kingdom of God while three
men memorized Luther's Small Catechism and
were confirmed in their faith. Now everything
is in God's hands.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through
whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So
neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,
but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and
he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages
according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers.
You are God's field, God's building.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
*RECENTLY UPDATED* To see pictures of the
16 baptisms click here
weeks to finish packing the house, selling what
could be sold, going to Togo for graduation, and
continue helping the church. The final harvest
before leaving yielded sixteen baptisms that have
been added to the kingdom of God while three
men memorized Luther's Small Catechism and
were confirmed in their faith. Now everything
is in God's hands.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through
whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So
neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,
but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and
he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages
according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers.
You are God's field, God's building.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
*RECENTLY UPDATED* To see pictures of the
16 baptisms click here
Whatever happened to that Madagascar Project to build a new kitchen to feed the
homeless?
homeless?
I had actually gotten these projects about two months ago and
then I forgot to put the pictures on the website. You can see they
now have a roof to protect them from the rain and guarantee that
weekly meals will not be washed out. One star fish at a time, a
difference if being made!!! You support reached its target. Thanks
to all who supported the project and to World Relief and Human
Care who made this possible.
then I forgot to put the pictures on the website. You can see they
now have a roof to protect them from the rain and guarantee that
weekly meals will not be washed out. One star fish at a time, a
difference if being made!!! You support reached its target. Thanks
to all who supported the project and to World Relief and Human
Care who made this possible.
We are pleased to announce the birth of Jonas Timothy May. He
was born in Mikkeli, Finland just a little after 6AM local time on
Tuesday, the 15th of July 2008. He weighs 3.7 kilograms and is 52
centimeters in length. Mom and baby are doing well. Holy
Baptism is scheduled for July 27th. MORE PICTURES HERE!!!
Psalms 8 - A Psalm of David
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set
your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you
have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the
avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon
and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful
of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a
little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all
things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the
birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the
paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the
earth!
was born in Mikkeli, Finland just a little after 6AM local time on
Tuesday, the 15th of July 2008. He weighs 3.7 kilograms and is 52
centimeters in length. Mom and baby are doing well. Holy
Baptism is scheduled for July 27th. MORE PICTURES HERE!!!
Psalms 8 - A Psalm of David
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set
your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you
have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the
avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon
and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful
of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a
little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all
things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the
birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the
paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the
earth!
| Announcing the birth of Jonas Timothy May |
| Psalms 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. |