I have thought quite a bit about what I wanted to write about during this time while we are in Burkina Faso. By now most of you know that Ivory Coast had its long awaited elections. The essential information is that both candidates claim to have won, formed their own ministerial cabinets and neither of them is budging from their position. Add to all that the UN, US, France and several other international bodies backing the opposition candidates claims to the presidency and you get one big mess where people have started getting hurt and unfortunately killed. If you want to read more details about it, go to www.bbc.co.uk/news and click on the Africa link. You will see at least one story about the Ivorian situation and inside the article there are other news links that explain what's going on. The best way to sum up the situation is how another missionary friend put it to me the other day, "Sorry your country sucks right now." I would say that's pretty accurate from a political and social point-of-view.
I was able to go back into Ivory Coast a little over a week ago to get some necessities for living here for a little while (like Christmas presents, school curriculum, etc.). While I was there I also met with some of our key national leaders about the continuing ministry in Ivory Coast. It was a blessing to hear that despite all the noise going on about the presidential election and its aftermath, their resolve and plans for the ministry had not changed. There of course were a few modifications and postponements (they were living under a 7:00 PM curfew afterall), but the task of planting churches, training leaders and impacting communities has not changed. Very soon two national church planters are to head to Beoumi in the central part of the country to start four new churches. Those plans have not changed. "God has called us there and we will continue to trust in His call for us." The clinic continues to operate and minister to hundreds of people every week. CHE continues to engage the Cocoterrain region, seeking to bring health and hope to that community in Abengourou. Though the world around them is unstable, unclear and at times unfriendly, they continue to look to the Prince of Peace and serve Him as ministers of peace.
One of the blessings of this technology age we live in is the ability to stay in touch from afar. Not only with you all back home, but even during times like these we continue to work with our national partners to do the Lord's work in Ivory Coast. While here in Burkina Faso, we continue to work with them in translating materials, coordinating ministry activities, the construction of the Kids' Church/Djoula Worship Center (which is nearly finished!) and looking to future planning. Also while I am here I have the opportunity to study the Djoula language with less distractions than when I am living in Abengourou. Rest assured that our time in Burkina is not just a long holiday... at least it sure doesn't feel like one.
Thank you all for your prayers for both our family and Ivory Coast. Please continue lift up the Ivorian political situation and that all the leaders involved would be moved to look at the people of Ivory Coast who have suffered much during this time and would do what is best for them. Continue to pray for our family too while we live here in our friends', the Burks, house. They have been so gracious to let us live in their home while they are on furlough. Though living in Burkina for the past month is not what we inteded to do, there have been many surprise blessings. Pray too for our health, there has been some sort of "bug" we have been passing around the past couple of days. Thank you again for your prayers. God has heard them and has answered many already (the situation in Ivory Coast could be much worse than it is). May God continue to answer the prayers of His faithful.
Andy
