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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Moto for Pastor Levi

15/10/2015

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Pastor Levi (white shirt) receiving moto keys

This past Sunday we had the pleasure of presenting a new moto to Pastor Levi.  Pastor Levi and his family are church planters in Bodajugu.  Bodajugu is an unreached Turka village.  When he arrived there were literally no believers.  That was two years ago.  Today there is a small, but growing church in Bodajugu.  Pastor Levi has been borrowing a very old and fable  50cc moto from his father.  He has been praying for God to provide a reliable means of transportation for he and his family for several years.  As a result of partnership with a family from the US, God has answered pastor Levi's prayers.

What a joy to see God's perfect prevision coming through brothers and sisters in Christ.  For just $900 dollars U.S. we can help a pastor and his family by purchasing a new 125cc moto.  These motos are trustworthy and last 10+ years, often many more.  Partnering with Light Up Burkina to provide a moto for pastors and church planters is a very tangible way to show our fraternity and passion to see the unreached peoples of Burkina Faso reached for Christ.  Pastors with reliable transport can minister in their surrounding areas as they evangelize and preach the gospel.

We've had churches and individual families fund these motos and we have seen the blessing and encouragement they are to these men and their families.  Will you pray about partnering with us as a family, small group or church body to provide a pastor or church planter with a new moto?  Check out the Motos for Pastors page on Light Up Burkina under the Church Partnership tab.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.  There are always pastors praying and waiting for God to provide.

Your Brother in Christ Jesus,
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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Missionary Marriage Retreat

5/8/2015

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Last week we were blessed to be a part of a missionary marriage retreat put on by a visiting team from Legacy Christian Church in Kansas City, KS.  Their team of 8 blessed us and our children with 3 great days of fun and teaching here in Banfora.  The retreat was a true blessing to the 6 missionary families who participated.  We are all so thankful for their church's intentionality in hand selecting the couples and individuals who comprised this ministry team.
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The younger kids had fun and learned biblical precepts, while our older kids had fun helping with the littles as well as spending time with youth leaders who poured into each of our kids throughout the long weekend.  We were both challenged and encouraged by our marriage retreat facilitators and the curriculum that they used for our time together.
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I want to take this opportunity to say that your marriage is important!  So act like it.  Take the time to seek out wise biblical counsel, pray with your spouse, find a marriage retreat to help guide your discussions and communication.  If statistics are  right, then we need to fight for our marriages, because we are a picture of Christ and His church for those around us.  Read a book together, talk to longer-married couples in your church and study what your Bible has to say about marriage and self sacrifice.  In a world full of lies and false promises we need to cling to one another as we seek earnestly after God.  If you would like some recommendations on places to start, just send us an email.

In Christ,
Aaron

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May 11th, 2015

11/5/2015

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The last two saturdays we have been blessed by attending bible school graduations here in Burkina.  The first graduation was at Poundou, where we helped install a couple drip irrigation kits a little over a month ago.  There were 17 graduates this year.  They will be heading back to their home villages for two months before they head out to their assigned villages.  They will be going to plant churches in remote villages.  
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We are praising God for these faithful men and their wives and all of their hard work and sacrifice to study God's word.  One of the keynote speakers talked about going from the "frying pan and into the fire;" they may be escaping the frying pan of 4 years of training, but the "frying pan" will look pretty good to them once they are fully engulfed in the fire.  As we sat, sweated, listened and prayed, we thought about the dedication it has taken these families to complete their coursework and the joys and trials awaiting them as they are sent out to proclaim the gospel.  The ceremonies were filled with prayer, singing and encouragement.  My favorite part is when the men and their wives are invited to kneel before the pastors and christian workers as they lay hands on them and pray over them.  What a beautiful picture of Christian love and purpose.  Most are missionaries in their own right as they will leave their extended family, their village, and most often, their people group, to go into remote villages filled with people of different ethnicities.  
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Matthew 9:37-38
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Please pray with us to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into His harvest.  Many national missionaries, pastors and cross cultural workers are still needed to see unreached villages and peoples reached for God's glory.  Get involved by visiting Light Up Burkina!

Due to generous partnerships these pastors received plows and enough money for one of the two oxen needed to pull the plow.  This will aid the pastors in working their own fields and provide the potential to plow other peoples fields for much needed supplemental income.
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While we were at Poundou, we had a chance to check up on the drip irrigation projects that had been started a month earlier.  We were encouraged to see them functioning well and doing their job during the hottest and driest time of year!

Blessings 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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