Concordia Lutheran Church in
Tingandogo, Burkina Faso
Tingandogo, Burkina Faso
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| "Where in the world is Burkina Faso?" Click here to find out and to learn basic info on Burkina Faso. |
| Prayers granted, prayers still needed |
Victorien was baptized this past Sunday. At this his father
rejoiced. He also reported that the diarrhea has subsided but
Victorien is still not eating well. His parents dressed him in a
sweatshirt (which seems strange in 95F weather) and yet it felt
like I was only lifting a sweatshirt. He is malnourished and
refuses to eat. Please keep him in your prayers.
(THANK YOU!!! To Carol Prahst from Parma, Ohio for making
Victorien's baptismal garment!!!)
Later that afternoon I was asked to visit a village of one of the
guys in the Good News group. I was thinking I would be there
to greet his family. As it turned out, he informed the chief of the
village and EVERYONE was there. The chief wanted me to
explain what the Lutheran church is all about. I told the story of
creation, the fall, and the redemption made by Christ's death.
The chief was very happy and commanded the people to set aside
land to build a church in which they can worship the True God.
Can you imagine this happening in a town with a mayor in the
US?
In other news, I was informed by Etienne SAM, that he has asked
permission from Franceline's uncle (her patron as her father has
passed away) to marry Franceline. Sam and Franceline are
planning on getting married on the 27th of October.
rejoiced. He also reported that the diarrhea has subsided but
Victorien is still not eating well. His parents dressed him in a
sweatshirt (which seems strange in 95F weather) and yet it felt
like I was only lifting a sweatshirt. He is malnourished and
refuses to eat. Please keep him in your prayers.
(THANK YOU!!! To Carol Prahst from Parma, Ohio for making
Victorien's baptismal garment!!!)
Later that afternoon I was asked to visit a village of one of the
guys in the Good News group. I was thinking I would be there
to greet his family. As it turned out, he informed the chief of the
village and EVERYONE was there. The chief wanted me to
explain what the Lutheran church is all about. I told the story of
creation, the fall, and the redemption made by Christ's death.
The chief was very happy and commanded the people to set aside
land to build a church in which they can worship the True God.
Can you imagine this happening in a town with a mayor in the
US?
In other news, I was informed by Etienne SAM, that he has asked
permission from Franceline's uncle (her patron as her father has
passed away) to marry Franceline. Sam and Franceline are
planning on getting married on the 27th of October.
| Work continues little by little |
The work to build a church here is much harder than in the US.
We do not have electric tools and even the basic tools are not of
good quality. As we have been digging the latrine we have piled
with cement. Even this is not that simple because there are no
water spouts. We have to travel to the other side of the village to
the pump and pay for a bucket of water and carry it back to the
site to mix the concrete. Because we are just outside the capital
city it is necessary to cement our posts into the ground for fear
that someone would likely steal them during the night.
We do not have electric tools and even the basic tools are not of
good quality. As we have been digging the latrine we have piled
with cement. Even this is not that simple because there are no
water spouts. We have to travel to the other side of the village to
the pump and pay for a bucket of water and carry it back to the
site to mix the concrete. Because we are just outside the capital
city it is necessary to cement our posts into the ground for fear
that someone would likely steal them during the night.
It has taken us a couple weeks of working every evening after
our "daily" jobs but everyone has been very helpful. It has also
been a form of evangelism. The villagers say they have never
seen a white man digging a hole before. The colonists have left
the impression that some missionaries have taken over of having
others do the "dirty" work. But a good friend of mine, Rev.
Lloyd Lenz, taught me the importance of working with the
people. This has astounded some but after their astonishment
everyone has asked about the Lutheran Church and what we
believe. Please pray that these seeds fall on fruitful soil.
our "daily" jobs but everyone has been very helpful. It has also
been a form of evangelism. The villagers say they have never
seen a white man digging a hole before. The colonists have left
the impression that some missionaries have taken over of having
others do the "dirty" work. But a good friend of mine, Rev.
Lloyd Lenz, taught me the importance of working with the
people. This has astounded some but after their astonishment
everyone has asked about the Lutheran Church and what we
believe. Please pray that these seeds fall on fruitful soil.
| FIRST CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BURKINA FASO |
Here are a few pictures from this morning's Christmas service.
It is amazing what God has accomplished this year. We came
here to learn French. He turns a language study group into the
first Lutheran Church. People are hearing the Word of God
proclaimed. People are being baptized. And we have three
men who are preparing to go to the seminary in Togo so that
they can serve the new found churches in Burkina Faso. So
many gifts and so many thanks we lift to God.
It is amazing what God has accomplished this year. We came
here to learn French. He turns a language study group into the
first Lutheran Church. People are hearing the Word of God
proclaimed. People are being baptized. And we have three
men who are preparing to go to the seminary in Togo so that
they can serve the new found churches in Burkina Faso. So
many gifts and so many thanks we lift to God.
After the church service we feasted together. The women below did
all the neighbors. Maybe next year they might consider forming
their own LWML group. How do they do that?
all the neighbors. Maybe next year they might consider forming
their own LWML group. How do they do that?
These are some of the friends we celebrated with today. In
particular is the healthy looking boy to the left. If you remember
some time ago, Victorien Nikiema was very sick with dysentery.
We feared for his life. Since his baptism Victorien has been restored
to health and eats everything in sight. Here he is eating a Tootsie
Roll sent to us from the UPS store owner near Wheaton, Illinois.
particular is the healthy looking boy to the left. If you remember
some time ago, Victorien Nikiema was very sick with dysentery.
We feared for his life. Since his baptism Victorien has been restored
to health and eats everything in sight. Here he is eating a Tootsie
Roll sent to us from the UPS store owner near Wheaton, Illinois.
Here are some pictures of the construction progress of Concordia
Lutheran Church in Tingandogo, Burkina Faso (just outside
Ouagadougou). The members decided on the name Concordia after
falling in love with Luther's Small Catechism. They would still like to
build a lectern and in time maybe some walls.
Lutheran Church in Tingandogo, Burkina Faso (just outside
Ouagadougou). The members decided on the name Concordia after
falling in love with Luther's Small Catechism. They would still like to
build a lectern and in time maybe some walls.
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.
| Four Baptisms and a Wedding!!! |
Not wanting to be outdone by
Hollywood, we had four baptisms and a
wedding rather than four weddings and
a funeral. This is the biggest day the
church here has had and it seems that
momentum is really picking up now that
which we worship. Those who were
Zabadou Elisabeth. After Holy Baptism,
Elisabeth and Joseph had their marriage
blessed by God. Please pray for them
and pray for the church and the others in
the village. Many want to hear about
this new religion. Some are afraid, some
are skeptical, but all seem to be open to at
least hear. We pray that their hearts
would be fertile soil to receive the Word
of God.
Hollywood, we had four baptisms and a
wedding rather than four weddings and
a funeral. This is the biggest day the
church here has had and it seems that
momentum is really picking up now that
which we worship. Those who were
Zabadou Elisabeth. After Holy Baptism,
Elisabeth and Joseph had their marriage
blessed by God. Please pray for them
and pray for the church and the others in
the village. Many want to hear about
this new religion. Some are afraid, some
are skeptical, but all seem to be open to at
least hear. We pray that their hearts
would be fertile soil to receive the Word
of God.
For those of you who are tracking your mom, wife, daughter, or
friend Kim Schave from Perry, Georgia, she arrived safely in
Burkina Faso on December 29th and began a big day on Sunday
with four baptisms, a wedding, a church service, and then a feast
to celebrate all the blessings God bestowed upon us this day.
Afterward she got to take part in some West African specialties.
She enjoyed eating goat and French wine and then showed
everyone some American dance moves!!!
friend Kim Schave from Perry, Georgia, she arrived safely in
Burkina Faso on December 29th and began a big day on Sunday
with four baptisms, a wedding, a church service, and then a feast
to celebrate all the blessings God bestowed upon us this day.
Afterward she got to take part in some West African specialties.
She enjoyed eating goat and French wine and then showed
everyone some American dance moves!!!
| HAPPY EASTER!!! |
While mom and the kids were having fun in the house with the eggs,
dad was back out at the church site helpin' the guys build walls for
our church toilet. It is much more comfortable to use the latrine with
privacy walls!
After getting the latrine ready it was time to get the church ready. We
had five baptisms on Easter morning. They had their sinful lives
resurrected with Our Risen Lord.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him
by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans 6:3-5
dad was back out at the church site helpin' the guys build walls for
our church toilet. It is much more comfortable to use the latrine with
privacy walls!
After getting the latrine ready it was time to get the church ready. We
had five baptisms on Easter morning. They had their sinful lives
resurrected with Our Risen Lord.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him
by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans 6:3-5
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these,
clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to
him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones
coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:13-14
Nathalie and Julianne were very happy to be baptized and to get a
symbolic garment and a cross to remind them of what Christ has
done for them. They can use these to tell others what Christ has
done. Also each baptized member got a blue bracelet with the
words "Baptême vous sauve" (Baptism saves you) - 1 Peter 3:21.
After the service we feasted like we did for Christmas, rice, peanut
sauce, and goat. Everyone had a great time.
clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to
him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones
coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:13-14
Nathalie and Julianne were very happy to be baptized and to get a
symbolic garment and a cross to remind them of what Christ has
done for them. They can use these to tell others what Christ has
done. Also each baptized member got a blue bracelet with the
words "Baptême vous sauve" (Baptism saves you) - 1 Peter 3:21.
After the service we feasted like we did for Christmas, rice, peanut
sauce, and goat. Everyone had a great time.