Burkina Faso 2009 #1

I was almost two years ago that I was in Burkina Faso unable to sleep. I find myself in that same position once again. Two years ago, my sleeplessness was a result of the anticipation of meeting with hundreds of lost people and trying to decide which people group to adopt. That seems so long ago. I am here on trip number eight with a man, Darrell Banfield, who has committed to stay a month in Burkina Faso to help with the discipleship process of those who have accepted Christ in the village of Badara.

Tonight, my sleeplessness is due to a much less noble, yet very real condition known as jet lag. Is is not that I am any less concerned for the lost, it is that I am blessed by the response of our Family of Faith. I am not at all anxious about meeting with lost people like I was two years ago. Then, there were so many unanswered questions. Can a church as small as Southside do this? Will the people of Southside respond? Is this really what God wants us do? Now, several from our Family of Faith have embraced the Sambla people. Southside has a burden for the Sambla of Burkina Faso. God continues to provide the resources we need in order to accomplish this task. We have IMB contacts such as David and Tami Wood, Kathy Daniel and Dan Foreman who help us with our endeavor. God has sent men like Boukary, Emanuel, and now Oumarou to help us with the language barrier. Therefore, I no longer lose sleep due to the spiritual things.

Even though I know tomorrow (or actually later this morning) things will be difficult due to my lack of sleep, I enjoy the opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness when we are following His plan. There is no way for us to be able to do what we are doing except though the blessing of God. Isn’t it great to be in the middle of His work? Keep praying for us and I look forward to seeing you Sunday, April 5.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeff