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
who you supprort...
Please follow this link
to travel discounts.
We are also always in
need of those who
could come and
provide and lead
Sunday school activities
for our West African
friends.
If you or a team would
like to come out to
Africa and greet those
who you supprort...
Please follow this link
to travel discounts.
We are also always in
need of those who
could come and
provide and lead
Sunday school activities
for our West African
friends.
STARTING DECEMBER
24th 2006 our address is
Rev. James and Tiina May
01 BP 3581
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
WEST AFRICA
Phone in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso
Rev. James May's
number is
(226) 767-55020
Tiina's # (226) 762-38821
Phone in Togo
Rev. James May's number is
(228) 973-5760
24th 2006 our address is
Rev. James and Tiina May
01 BP 3581
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
WEST AFRICA
Phone in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso
Rev. James May's
number is
(226) 767-55020
Tiina's # (226) 762-38821
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.
| New Address Effective Immediately |
Rev. James and Tiina May
01 BP 3581
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
WEST AFRICA
Our phone number
remains the same.
01 BP 3581
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
WEST AFRICA
Our phone number
remains the same.
Lutheran Heritage Foundation provides
continuing education for pastors
and vicars in West Africa.
continuing education for pastors
and vicars in West Africa.
During the third week of February, Rev. Dr. Anssi Simojoki came
from Nairobi to lead a Lutheran Symposium on the Structure of
Lutheranism for vicars and pastors from francophone West Africa.
Invitations were sent out to pastors and vicars in seven countries
including; Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d'Ivoire,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Guinea, and Togo. It was a
great opportunity to learn and also to connect with pastors from
other countries. To share their concerns and show their support for
each other.
Many of these pastors come from countries where they struggle to
provide meals for their families each day. They struggle against civil
wars, Islam, and devil worship. Therefore this opportunity to come
together as brothers in Christ to encourage and lift each other up in
prayer was an opportunity to share their load of burdens.
from Nairobi to lead a Lutheran Symposium on the Structure of
Lutheranism for vicars and pastors from francophone West Africa.
Invitations were sent out to pastors and vicars in seven countries
including; Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d'Ivoire,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Guinea, and Togo. It was a
great opportunity to learn and also to connect with pastors from
other countries. To share their concerns and show their support for
each other.
Many of these pastors come from countries where they struggle to
provide meals for their families each day. They struggle against civil
wars, Islam, and devil worship. Therefore this opportunity to come
together as brothers in Christ to encourage and lift each other up in
prayer was an opportunity to share their load of burdens.
could have an opportunity like this in their own country for all the
pastors. By the end, all resounded the same desire.
Additionally, Lutheran Heritage Foundation provided each
participant with a copy of Luther's Small Catechism in French as well
as a copy of "Manuel de Doctrine Chretienne" by Rev. Dr. Wilbert
Kreiss. Many of them would like to have Luther's Small Catechism
translated into their native languages so that their members could
have at least one book that teaches the Christian faith.
To support the work of Lutheran Heritage Foundation see their
website at www.lhfmissions.org
pastors. By the end, all resounded the same desire.
Additionally, Lutheran Heritage Foundation provided each
participant with a copy of Luther's Small Catechism in French as well
as a copy of "Manuel de Doctrine Chretienne" by Rev. Dr. Wilbert
Kreiss. Many of them would like to have Luther's Small Catechism
translated into their native languages so that their members could
have at least one book that teaches the Christian faith.
To support the work of Lutheran Heritage Foundation see their
website at www.lhfmissions.org
| Family News |
Life is not always easy here in West Africa but a little bit of team work gets
us a long way. I saw my kids helping each other the other day and had to
take this picture. Sarai cant quite reach the faucet but with the help of her
big brother, she can get her little hands clean.
us a long way. I saw my kids helping each other the other day and had to
take this picture. Sarai cant quite reach the faucet but with the help of her
big brother, she can get her little hands clean.
During my last trip to Togo, there was a man who came up to me who
needed some help. He told me he raises rabbits and gave me one if I would
tell others what he does. I was impressed with his business mindset. So
the next day I bought two little bunnies for the kids and told the other
missionaries about this nice man named, Olivié. I had him meet me at the
evangelism for them and connections for Olivié. Keep him in your prayers.
needed some help. He told me he raises rabbits and gave me one if I would
tell others what he does. I was impressed with his business mindset. So
the next day I bought two little bunnies for the kids and told the other
missionaries about this nice man named, Olivié. I had him meet me at the
evangelism for them and connections for Olivié. Keep him in your prayers.
| Burkina's Future |
| Easter 2 with 2 more baptisms!! |
Pascal Zongo was one of my French professors last summer when
I was learning French. We spent many afternoons studying
Luther's Small Catechism and Good News magazines together.
He really helped me develop my French religious vocabulary. I
see that our discussions had an impact on him too. Last October
he was sent to Gorum-Gorum in the northeast of Burkina Faso and
he sent me a message in December that he has started teaching
Luther's Small Catechism and there is a growing number of people
very interested in the biblical truths that are clarified.
Then a couple weeks ago, he sent me a message that he would be
coming back to Ouagadougou for a conference and he really
wanted his children to be baptised in the Name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not
return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word
be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in
the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
I was learning French. We spent many afternoons studying
Luther's Small Catechism and Good News magazines together.
He really helped me develop my French religious vocabulary. I
see that our discussions had an impact on him too. Last October
he was sent to Gorum-Gorum in the northeast of Burkina Faso and
he sent me a message in December that he has started teaching
Luther's Small Catechism and there is a growing number of people
very interested in the biblical truths that are clarified.
Then a couple weeks ago, he sent me a message that he would be
coming back to Ouagadougou for a conference and he really
wanted his children to be baptised in the Name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not
return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word
be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in
the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
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. |