May 2024
Recently I read that as little as 6% of the news reported by Western news sources could be classified as good news. While there is certainly a lot of bads news out there to report, it is a shame that the media (and their followers) are not more interested in reporting (and reading) good news.
When we report about Burkina, we could certainly focus on the bad news, like the death of an Alliance pastor and a few of his church members at the hands of terrorists last month. Pastor Nicolas Sanou was a 2022 Poundou Bible School graduate. He leaves behind his wife and three young children. Please remember them and the Bossora Church in your prayers.
But there is much good news to report too.
- On Saturday, April 27, a record twenty-nine students graduated from Poundou Bible School, including the first five graduates from the first-cycle French program. Some of these new graduates will be sent out by their home districts to plant new churches among unreached people groups.
- On Sunday, April 28, Esther and I visited the Sabaribougou Church, a young church on the outskirts of our city that has welcomed more than 30 Internally Displaced Peoples (referred to hear as IDPs). During this time of insecurity and displacement, church planting among the IDPs is thriving on the outskirts of our better-protected cities and towns.
- The Bobo Lumi?res (Pioneer Girls) took advantage of the May 1st Labor Day holiday to organize a seminar. Esther, who was invited to speak, was encouraged by the good interaction with the 150 girls who attended.
- This past Saturday Andrew attended the dedication of two Samo dialect New Testaments at our Central Alliance Church in Ouagadougou. These translations will serve the people living in and around Tougan, where colleagues like the Martins, Nehlsens, Jetty Stouten, and Howards served for many years.
- Yesterday Esther attended the first deaf church in our city, which opened its doors earlier this year. The deaf worship team may have been silent, but Esther was delighted so see the deaf signing along and worshiping the Lord together.
- While Esther was at the deaf church, I attended the Burkina Alliance Church’s first annual Sunday School Day. The 150 or so children (and their SS teachers) at Bobo’s Central Church decorated the church so nicely and did a fabulous job leading the worship service, including the songs, prayers, and even the announcements.
- Saturday, May 18 is Maranatha Bible Institute’s graduation. We thank the Lord for ten more workers trained to help reap the spiritual harvest here.
Why focus on the bad news when there is so much good news to report? Please rejoice with us that here in Burkina Faso the gates of Hades cannot withstand the advance of Jesus’ church. We are so thankful for the privilege of serving and for your faithful partnership with us!
Gratefully,
Andrew & Esther Schaeffer
