Pastor Issac & Sita arrived in an unreached village today!
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.
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.
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.
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
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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