LIGHT UP BURKINA
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"…end of the earth".

11/12/2015

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Pastor Felix showing other pastors and church leaders our map of our region.  We talked about the need to expand into the vast areas around us without a Christian presence.


There are moments in my life when certain scriptures become more fully clear to me.  Last week I had one of those moments, or more truthfully several of those moments.  In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  I love and know this verse well.  It's on the back of our ministry t-shirts.  It is powerful and full of promise and challenges.

Last week, I went to visit, pray for, encourage and exhort some village pastors I hadn't yet met.  Pastor Felix and his wife Pirscilla went with me from our local church in the Banfora area.  We headed due east towards the boundary of the Cascade Region.  The Cascade region is where God has called us to engage in church planting.  Thanks to some recent road work, the first 25km is as good as a dirt road can be here.  From there, the next 100+ kilometers goes down hill in quality, really fast.  With every mile or more accurately kilometer that passed, the roads got worse.  Much worse.  We had set out to visit 5 churches that were planted in very difficult areas. Areas with many unreached peoples and villages.
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Meeting with pastor and church leadership in remote village church building.


Some times now, as we work in different villages, with pastors we know well and villages we are comfortable with we can forget how remote we are in the big picture.  Once in a while, we travel to places that bring the phrase "end of the earth" into focus.  Last weeks trip was one of those moments for me.  I found out later in the trip that our visit was the first visit some had received from leadership within the church, aside from their immediate colleagues in their area.  Wow…talk about isolation, as there are very few believers in these areas!  Is it any wonder that these men and women are in desperate need of prayer and encouragement?  Years of working alone, often without seeing huge impacts.

​When Jesus said that we would receive power from the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the end of the earth…He meant it!  We have indeed received both a great commission and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to carry out that commission.  Why did Jesus remind us that to Him was given all authority and that he would always be with us, even to the end?  I think He told us these things because he understood the cost of the task He set before us.  What will it cost us?  It will cost us our lives.  I have no doubt that Jesus has called many to minister to their neighbors in "Jerusalem".  But, as I sit thinking about those of us called to minister to our neighbors at the "end of the earth", I am overwhelmed by what Jesus said in Luke 10:2-3 as He sent out laborers, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves."
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Small mud brick church in a remote village.



I thank God for the things he shows me, my wife and kids here in Burkina Faso.  Does that mean that they are all pleasant or beautiful to us?  the answer is a definite, No.  Many times the things we need to see, hear and experience are not pleasant or beautiful.  We as westerners, can mistake at times our many blessings as being deserved, earned or even a result of that four letter word "luck".  

Can we really understand the beauty of the resurrected Jesus without rightly understanding the realities of the cross and his brutal substitutionary death in our place?  We often want the glory and beauty of a risen savior in the form of current abundant blessings of wealth and comfort here on earth. In God's economy, we live for Him now as foreigners, while eagerly awaiting true riches in eternity spent with Him.  If we aren't careful we actually begin to believe and live like this world is our home.

As I see my brothers and sisters in Christ who serve our God faithfully as they experience isolation, persecution, extreme poverty, discouragement and illness, I think about what Jesus said and did in during His life on earth.  What lies have I believed?  Do I think that I deserve certain things or comforts now in this life? Do I believe that following Jesus will cost me any less than all I have to give…my life?  Why did God not take me straight to heaven when I was saved?  How should my life look in comparison to those who don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

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Small church in foreground, Pastors house and cookhouse in background.


Trips like last weeks, cause me to cry out to God and to listen for His response.  Is God really most glorified in my present comfort and wealth?  Or would God be most glorified if I took Him at His word?  The fields truly are ripe for harvest and there are fields without laborers all around us.  Where ever you are God has called you to die to yourself and to live only for Him.  There's no way around it…it will cost you your life to follow Jesus.  How is God calling me to love and serve my neighbor?

My prayer is that God would grant us the ability to hear clearly His call to die to ourselves and to live only for Him.  That He would through the power of the Holy Spirit empower us to pick up our crosses and follow Him.  That He would open our eyes to the ripe fields which he has called each of us to labor in and the He would grant us perseverance and joy as we seek to fulfill our roles in His Great Commission. 

Join us in praying for those who are ministering in difficult places and asking God how we can come along side of them as we run the race together.  Ask God to send more laborers into His harvest fields, whether they are in "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria or the ends of the earth."  pray for break throughs among unreached peoples and villages.  Pray for God's strength, blessings  and perseverance on those living out their calling, regardless of title or profession.


My hope is not to guilt anyone into doing the "right" thing.  In sharing my thoughts, I hope it stimulates your thoughts, prayers and drives deep into the bible.  I am amazed at God's goodness and faithfulness, even when I am not either of those things.  I fail in so many ways…but, I want to daily run the race set before me and call others to run their race well.  Oh, that we all might hear our Lord say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’  Matthew 25:21

Your brother in Christ,
Aaron
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T-Shirts are here!

10/12/2015

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T-Shirts for Churches Project

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The shirts arrived yesterday!  So my sister is busy getting them moving into the right hands.  For those of you who pre-ordered a shirt, yours should be to you very soon.  For the rest of you, they are now available.  Whether you want one for yourself, for a gift or if you want a batch for your church or small group now is the time.  

They are great quality, soft t-shirts!  We are already excited as more are selling and as we get closer to being able to fund our first church with this project.  Check out our website page for this T-Shirt Project, go to our Donate page or you can send us an email and mail us a check.  
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For every 150 shirts (Donations at $40 each), we can build a church like the one pictured above to encourage local church planters and believers, while to showing villages that the church is investing in their communities  and here for the long haul. Culturally, a house of prayer is very important in this context.  Pray with us that God continues to bring partners and faithful men and women along side this very important work of reaching unreached people groups and villages for Jesus Christ. 

Blessings,
​Aaron
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Year End Giving

23/11/2015

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It's hard to believe that 2015 is almost over!  If your year has been at all like ours, it has literally flown by.  We are thanking God for all He has done and continues to do this year, as well as looking forward to 2016!  As I am working on plans for next year, I'm reminded that ministry opportunities from this year and for years to come are made possible only by God's abundant provision through His people.
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We can't wait to speak with you in person during our 2016 home assignment.  The greatness of our God and the doors He is opening for ministry among the unreached here in Burkina Faso is exciting and we are eager to share about it with you.  If you would like to join in the work of church planting, pastoral and community support, it's time to think about year-end giving before the next tax year begins.  I would encourage you to partner with us in the Lord's work with your year end gifts.  Donations are tax deductible and they go toward reaching the unreached in one of the world's poorest countries.
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100% of donations made toward special projects with Light Up Burkina go to the field.  No administration fees or overhead are taken out.  When you couple that with how much impact your investment has here for relatively small investments, it is a win - win scenario.  Join us in building much needed infrastructure to support church planting among the least reached.  Village churches, pastors homes, orphanages, christians schools, animal projects to help pastors survive in remote areas and provide for their families as they evangelize, church plant and pastor.  Motos for pastors, micro-enterprise and drilling wells are all ways that your year-end giving can hugely impact seeing God's kingdom expanded in Burkina.
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Check out the website and feel free to contact us if you have questions or need clarification on anything.  We are privileged to be the people on the ground who get to see the difference that your generosity makes day in and day out.  Be encouraged as we see God's mighty hand and Holy Spirit moving among peoples and villages that have never had believers or a church presence.  Thank you for your prayers, support and generosity in walking out the call we have as believers to make the name of Jesus known to every tribe and every tongue on earth.  Click here to DONATE.

May the God of the universe richly bless and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Aaron
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T-Shirt Drive to Build a Church in an Unreached Village

7/11/2015

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How can you play an integral part in seeing a church planted in an unreached village among an unreached people group? 

There are several ways.  The most important of which is through your faithful prayer support.  James 5:16 says;  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.  We need your earnest prayer as we work to see churches planted where none have ever existed before. 

Another way to get involved is to join us by donating through our T-Shirts for Churches Project.  The image above is of our first Light Up Burkina t-shirt.  It's a great quality shirt that proclaims the need for reaching every tribe and every tongue with the good news of Jesus Christ.  For a donation of $40 or $50 dollars you will receive one of these t-shirts as a reminder to pray for the advancement of the gospel among the unreached people groups of Burkina Faso.  

A quality church building made of cement bricks with metal doors and roofs costs a fraction of what we would anticipate in the U.S.. For just over $5000 dollars we can build a new church building that will last for generations.  We realize that many people can not afford to give $5000 to build a church by themselves. But, by donating through this program we can work together to see churches built and a long term gospel presence in these villages.  It will only take 150 partners at $40 or $50 dollars to see this dream become a reality! 

Only the cost of the t-shirt and actual shipping costs will come out of your donation.  100% of the remaining funds will go directly to the church building!  There is no administration fee!

We are currently taking pre-orders through the end of November.  This will allow enough time to get shirts out to you by Christmas.  These shirts will make great Christmas presents and are a great way to start conversations with people about your faith and the exciting things God is doing all around the world.

Click this link to buy your shirt(s) today: Light Up Burkina's T-Shirt for Churches Project


By partnering with local churches and church planters we can play a vital role in seeing churches planted in villages for the very first time.  There are still many unreached people groups and villages in this region of Burkina Faso.  The building of a church building is an important step in the planting of a local church.  In this culture a place of prayer and worship is important and it shows the community that the pastor and church is there to stay.  By investing in the villages the people see our heart and willingness to engage over the long haul. These buildings also greatly encourage the village pastors and local believers as they see God working through the local church to advance the Kingdom.


"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”    
Acts 1:8


Contact us with any questions you may have.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Your brother in Christ,
Aaron


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Mighty to Save!

7/9/2015

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"Naja" - Spitting Cobra, 3.5 to 7.5 feet long 

Let me share a testimony of God's mighty and awesome power.  A little while back I was visiting a remote village with several pastors and the local pastor told us that a young woman would be coming soon to share a testimony with us.  After a few minutes of talking the young woman pictured below arrived and took a seat.  The local pastor introduced us to Marie.
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This is what she said.  (Para-phased) 

A little less than two weeks ago, I had gone to check on my animals and saw that my largest pig had gotten out.  I began to look all around for it, but couldn't find it.  I decided to go look in a low wet area where the rains had started to fill with water.  As I searched for my pig in the grass I suddenly felt something very bad on my foot.  At first, I didn't know what happened.  I thought maybe I stepped on something sharp or kicked something hidden in the grass.  As I looked down I saw the "naja" that had just bit me on the upper foot as it fled into the grass.

I was extremely worried because often people die from snake bites, but the pain wasn't as severe as I thought it would be.  I kept looking for my pig for a few more minutes, until my leg began to act strange.  I decided to head back to my home.  By the time I arrived at home I was hurting and feeling very strange. I didn't know what to do, because we live far from a hospital and only have a small clinic in our village.  I decided to go see the pastor, so he could pray for me.  

Pastor Tibi prayed for me along with others for a while and my symptoms diminished.  I went back home and laid down for a while.  I felt bad, but able to walk.  I decided to walk to the market with a family member.  Part way to the market my symptoms got much worse and I couldn't walk right and I began to feel like I was suffocating.  People helped me to the local clinic to see the nurse.  They said there wasn't much they could do here and that I should go to the hospital in Banfora. (35 miles away)

I asked to be taken back to the church so the pastor and others could pray for me.  They did for a long time.  We found a way to go to the hospital the next day.  After 2 days at the hospital and the doctors trying different treatments my symptoms were worse instead of better.  My foot and leg was in very bad shape, I couldn't walk and was experiencing paralysis in parts of my body.  I also felt as if I was suffocating.  Because they couldn't help me and of the expense, we came back to the village.

At that point I was very very sick and thought I might die.  Everyone around me thought I would die also.  So they took me back to our church and the pastor and people from church began to pray over me.  They prayed all night long!  Over the next days they continued praying for me and God healed me!  

At this point I'm praising God for healing our sister and she shows us her foot and leg.  It was amazing…if she didn't show me where the problem had been I wouldn't have known about it at all.  They went on to tell me that she was bitten on Saturday and that 8 days later she was dancing, singing and praising God in Sunday morning church!  Everyone in her community is amazed at the fact that she isn't dead and that she was completely and quickly healed.

She finished by saying that she had just come from her Muslim neighbors courtyard.  Her neighbor had asked her to come tell her what God had done.  Marie told us she believed God would use her testimony to reach her Muslim neighbors for Christ!

I know people fall all across the board as far as whether God is in the miracle business today.  I can tell you that if you had spent the last several years walking beside me and seeing what God has allowed me to see, you would not question the fact that our God is mighty to save and that through the Holy Spirit, He moves in miraculous ways all - the - time!  

As a skeptic by nature, this has been and continues to be a struggle as I battle between my western mindset and a truly biblical worldview.  My friends, I hope this testimony helps you to take scripture at it's  word and stop trying to put our truly Awesome and all powerful God in such a small box of our design. 

John 14:12-14 (ESV)

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.


Matthew 17:20 (ESV)

For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”


Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.     (Eph. 3:20-21)

Aaron
  

 
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New Moto for Pastor Enoch

6/8/2015

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In response to a newsletter article about funding motos for village pastors, a church in North Georgia felt led to partner with us to supply a moto for the furtherance of the gospel.  As you can see from the photos below, Pastor Enoch's moto was very tired and very old.  Pastor Enoch lives in a remote village with only a few believers.  He travels to at least 3 other villages to hold bible studies/services on a weekly basis and evangelizes in many more. 

The gift of this moto allows him to travel more safely on remote roads and gives him and his family more mobility for ministry and to get into town as needed.  For $900 US Dollars you can partner with a national pastor/church planter as he daily takes the gospel to the unreached.  These motos are easily repaired and regularly last at least 10 years.

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Not only are these motos a blessing for transportation purposes, but they are a huge encouragement to these men and their families as they see God's provision and prayers answered through brothers and sisters in Christ. There are many pastors and church planters in need of a reliable form of transportation. Contact us for more info or go to Light Up Burkina and donate on the moto page.

Blessings,
Aaron

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A Hangar for Weleni

28/5/2015

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Several weeks ago, Jesse and I went along to help put up a "hangar" for a church plant with the CMA Mission Team from Bobo.  A "hangar" is a what we would call a pole barn or shade shelter.  The pictures above are of the original church meeting place.  As you can see, it was far from weather proof and rapidly deteriorating. These rough structures are made from what ever is locally  available for next to nothing, but they have  a very short life span and do little to keep out the elements.
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Hangars are often a first step toward a true church building for village churches.  For less than $2000 US dollars, village churches can have a place to meet and worship out of the sun and rain.  A church in the US partnered with the Bobo CMA missions team and several villages to provide 4 hand dug wells and 4 hangars in multiple villages with church plants.  What an amazing blessing these structures are to local churches and pastors.  They serve as the church structure now and as God grows these churches they can be enclosed, or used for Sunday school location for the children.  They are a great long term investment that will be utilized for many years to come.
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Below is the crew that put up this hangar.  Men from the local church, fellow Burkinabe pastors and believers and missionaries provided the transport and labor to build the structure and the local pastor's wife and women from the local church provided food for everyone. 
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There are many village church plants praying & waiting for God to provide the funding for a church building or hangar.  Will you pray about coming along side a village church planter to encourage them in the work God has called them to here among Burkina's unreached villages?  By US standards, these projects are easily within the reach of individuals, small groups and churches.  The impact for the gospel is huge!  These structures help give the village pastors legitimacy in the eyes of the community and show that the churches engagement is long term and serious.  Praise God for faithful partnering churches and individuals.

These hangar projects are a great way for a church to get involved and come for a short term trip.  A church could fund several hangars and help install them in the villages.  Contact us if you are interested.

Check out Light Up Burkina for more info about partnering to support church planting and adopting villages/church plants through your prayers and finances.


For His Glory,
Aaron

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Church Plant in Gwenduguba

28/3/2015

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Pastor Issac & Sita arrived in an unreached village today!

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Last night at 9:30 Kristi & I received a call from church leaders that the new church planter/missionaries had arrived in Banfora after riding in small buses all day.  We all jumped in the car and went to collect them and their belongings and to take them to our pastor's house to sleep for the night. 

Before 8 a.m. we were back at pastor's house to load up all of their earthly possessions and drive the 47 km to a village they had never visited. Pastor Issac and Sita have 3 children who will be joining them as soon as school is out for the year. They were eager to see this place and meet the people that God has called them to.

As we drove, my heart and mind were bouncing between excitement, joy, concern and the stark realities that await this family.  To think that a large village of thousands of people would see a pastor come to live and work among them is awesome.  Before several new believers came to Christ during recent evangelism, there was only 1 known believer. To see God moving and to witness his mighty hand is pure joy.  At the same time, I thought of the concerns, thoughts and uncertainties that must be flooding their hearts and minds as we drove.  The realities of tangible spiritual warfare in a village that has never had a church and where Islam and animism are ways of life.  The realities of day to day life in a new area without a nearby support system.

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Acts 9:16 came to mind,  "For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”  The weight of knowingly walking with someone into the jaws of suffering hit me in a new way today.  After unloading, we got down to business...we prayed.  Coming before the throne of grace with my Burkinabé brothers and sister, lifting up our voices to the King of Kings, waging war with long enthroned spiritual powers is sobering.  As we talked about their prayer requests I could hear and sense their utter dependance on the Most High God. 

We talked of biblical truths to encourage them and then it was time for us to go.  To use a wartime analogy...we now have troops on the beach and the real battle begins.  Brothers and sisters, will you pray with us for Pastor Issac and Sita as they faithfully march into battle?  We are convinced that the key to

victory is prayer!  I will be adding more specific prayer needs on the Light Up Burkina website soon.
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They will be living in 1/2 and holding church services in the other 1/2 of this rented one room literacy center to start.  The building has no water or electricity, it is 7x9 meters and as you can see they will be using palm trunks for church benches.  Tomorrow will be Pastor Issac's first Sunday in Gwenduguba.  Pray for strength, health, soft hearts and perseverance.  I am constantly humbled by our Burkinabé brothers passion for the gospel and willingness to suffer for His name sake. 

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.     1 Peter 2:21


In Christ,
Aaron


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    Aaron & Kristi

    Married for 21 years, with 3 children. Serving the King of Kings in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

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