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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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Coup d'Etat

17/9/2015

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Above is a photo of citizens protesting the now official coup d'etat here in Burkina Faso.  The group who has taken the transitional government hostage and declared the dissolution of the government is made up of the well-armed and powerful presidential guard, comprised of about 1300 special forces soldiers. 
Please pray for the the people of Burkina Faso.  Only three weeks away from a highly anticipated election which was to be the first of many peaceful and democratically held elections and transfers of power, the elite military forces who were loyal to the long term (27 years) former president have seized control.

This situation is developing as I write.  It is such a shame as Burkina Faso continues to be one of the world's poorest countries.  We are praying for a peaceful resolution to this crisis as well as a return to the transitional governments' hope for a smooth transition to a government actually chosen by the people. 

We are safe and staying in as we monitor the situation.  As God has opened doors for ministry and allowed us to see the power of the Holy Spirit as the church grows among the least reached, we pray and long for peace and a time of God's blessing on this forgotten country.  Join us in intercessory prayer for the country, it's people, the local church and those in power.  Pray that the desires of the evil one would not come to pass, but instead that God's mercy and favor would be poured out here in Burkina Faso.

There is no word currently on the condition of the former heads of the transitional government.  Pray for their peaceful and safe return to their loved ones.

In times like these we are confident that our God is able and mighty to save!  Our hope comes from the LORD.

Your brother in Christ,
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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Kids Bible Camp - Banfora

4/8/2015

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The 2015 edition of our churches' Kids Summer Bible Camp just finished on Sunday night with closing ceremonies and kids headed back to their villages on Monday.  Rejoice with us as we celebrate 12 new followers of Jesus!  Many children came from village churches, but invited their friends to join them.  There were 130 kids between 9 and 15, with over 20 monitors and teachers. Kids came from as far as 8 hours away by bus to take part.  Everyone slept in just 4 classrooms. Lots of singing, dancing, games and most importantly learning from God's word.
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Our family was blessed to be able to run the games for the camp this year.  We held a Summer Olympics with all of the "necessary" games like wheelbarrow races, water balloon toss, sack races, over/under relay and last but not least, 4 x 25m relay races.  Lots of fun and no major injuries to report!
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It is no easy task to run a camp like this on a shoestring budget, but once again the church did a great job.  There was security provided by a local youth group, lots of women preparing rice and too (pronounced, "toe"- see pic below) and sauce.  Everyone pitched in to help and it was a great success.  Many local and village pastors took part in teaching and came to support the camp during opening and closing ceremonies.
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We feel blessed to take part in a camp that is investing in the future of the Burkinabe church.  We made new friends, strengthened existing friendships and heard testimonies of the impact that these camps have in young peoples lives.  Our own pastor shared his testimony of how God used his time at a youth camp years ago to draw him to Jesus.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  They matter and they are making a difference here in Burkina Faso!  It is only through faithful partnerships that we are able to in-turn partner with the national churches and church planters to see the unreached come to Christ.

Please pray for all the camp participants and especially the 12 new believers as they re-enter family and village life.

Blessings,
Aaron


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Community Development - Mangodara

14/7/2015

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New Christian school in need of prayer & financial support.

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Last Friday, I had the chance to visit the site of a new Christian private school in the village of Mangodara with several nation church leaders.  We went to mark the location of the first phase of classroom construction that will start soon.  The land is between 2 and 3 hectares (approx. 6 acres) and is in a great location on the main road.  The first building that went up was the administration building which is now complete. (Below)
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The national church has a comprehensive plan for primary through Jr. High that they would like to see come to pass in the years to come, as God provides the funding.  The next step, is building the first two classrooms, so they can start with a couple Jr. High classes as soon as construction is complete.
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We are praising God for the fact that He has provided the funding for the completed administration building and now over 70% of the funding needed to complete these first two classrooms.  We are praying that God would provide the remaining 30% as construction begins.  The remaining funds needed are $6900 US dollars.  Will you pray with us as we ask for God's provision.  These schools will provide jobs for Christian teachers, administrators and support staff for many years to come, as well as be self supporting. In fact, the school will provide a positive income stream for the national church.  (Which will allow them to continue to invest in communities in Jesus' name.) The presence of a quality private school will be a huge blessing to the community.  Students will be taught the love of Jesus and see his love through their interactions at school.  Contact us if you have any questions about this project or are interested in partnering in this project.

Blessings,
Aaron

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Painting Crew

10/6/2015

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This isn't our family's first rodeo when it comes to painting.  When I heard how much the bid was to paint the church, I told our pastor that our family could paint the church and all it would cost the church is the materials.  Everyone asked, "Are you a painter?"  Here in Burkina, people most often know one trade only- and it goes against the local thinking for someone to know several...Especially "tubabu" (white people).
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After several more conversations, I continued to offer our man-power, and the pastor realized that we were serious.  We learned that what they call "painting" the exterior of the church, is actually a top stucco coat applied by a hand-cranked hopper.  We decided to let the local painter do the outside, while the Wheaton Family Painters would do the interior of the church building. 
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We learned lots as both materials and tools are very different from what we are used to.   Throw in 100+ degrees, lots of hauled in water, working with lime, high humidity, "interesting" ladders and 2 1/2 days... and voila!
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The end product is a beautiful and finished church building.  What a blessing to see the smiles of church members as we worship together Sunday morning. The pastor has had a vision of a completed church for many years- they began with door-to-door evangelism and now, nine years later, have a finished church that is a gathering place for the village.  People come to be healed, to ask questions, to celebrate and to learn the Truth of Jesus Christ- this is how the Kingdom is growing in Bounouna.
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(Praying for students about to take very important testing at school.)
As I look back at the project, I believe that painting churches or pastors houses would be one great way for short term teams to bless village churches.  Many of them have never been painted or are in desperate need of a new coat.  Let us know if you are interested in visiting and perhaps doing some hands-on work to bless our Burkinabe brothers and sisters in Christ.  Check out our short term page and send us an email.

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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