January 27
Burkina Faso, Africa – Day 1 & 2
After a full day (and some) of travel, we have finally arrived Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa!
We left Atlanta Monday around 6:00 PM and landed in Paris 8 hours later. I’ve been to the Paris airport twice now but have never been outside the building. I hear Paris is a really cool city, IF I CAN JUST GET A MOMENT TO SEE IT! (hint, hint Paul Richardson).
On our way to Ouaga we always land in Namey, Niger. There is just something about cows at the airport that I never seem to get used. I’m just glad they clear them off the runway before we land and take off.
Last night, we spent the night in the guesthouse that West Ridge has built for our missionary family, the Fields. It’s very nice. Right next door we are completing another facility that will be able to sleep 24 people. This facility will be used to house the people who go on future trips. Both facilities are located on the campus of a Christian school (LAC) that we are partnering with here in Burkina. This school houses 395 high school students. Many of the students are from the families of wealthy Muslims who send their children here because the education is far superior to the education found in the public sector. Matter of fact, 87% of these students pass their standardized testing, compared to 20% in the public schools. We are seeing many of these students put their trust in Jesus Christ and then go home and lead their families to Christ.
Chris and Connie Field and their five children, ages 3-10 (Samuel, Noah, Silas, Isabella, and Gabriella) traveled to Burkina Faso with us. It was fun to have their family on the plane with us. Their kids travel well. Their container of belongings is still traveling here. It normally takes 6 to 8 weeks. Please pray for the Field family. It is so apparent that God has prepared them for this venture. They are here for a minimum of two years.
Matter of fact, as I’m typing the Field just arrived to their new home. The boys are already outside climbing the trees.
Today we will be traveling around the capital city, Ouagadougo (Wa –Ga – Doo –Goo) to expose the other pastors we have brought with us to the work we are doing around town.
Tomorrow we will travel into Sector 30 – the poorest area in the country. It is here that we sponsor children through Compassion International. 1 of 3.4 children in Burkina will die before the age of 10. Our sponsorship basically wipes that statistic off the map.
After visiting that site, we will head to the bush country to visit with the people group that we have adopted – the Pugli. We have already built 7 churches and provided the funding for 27 wells in Pugli villages. From what we have heard, over 500 people have already trusted Christ to be their Savior in these villages.
One night we will be spending the night outside in a village – with the Munkai – a Pugli tribe. These people love to dance late into the night. We have affectionately named this village – Club Pugli.
I know that Tony Morgan and Paul Richardson are blogging on this trip as well, so make sure you read their accounts of our trip as well.
Thanks for your all of prayers.