The New Year is well underway, but we want to give you a traditional West African blessing for the beginning of 2009. The Bissa would say, “Hunsu tee dohlar nohgo kahn. Dohlar ing, o bee kahn lahfee kee, hourou nyohn kee.” “May God give us a good new year! In this year may we eat in health and peace and joy.” In addition to those wonderful blessings, we pray that this year will be one for you of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we said good-bye to Todd Groff and T.K. Uhrich, our two Hands On student missionaries, our hearts were heavy because of their leaving, but joyful because of what God had done through their presence here in West Africa. As their time drew to a close, Todd and T.K. were able to share God’s truths openly with several men and women with whom they had become friends. Five young men professed their desire to follow Christ. Jay met with these young men and others and they learned how to speak to God through prayer. What a joy to see men working together as they learn stories from God’s Word about prayer and discuss together how to apply it in their daily lives. As most are not readers, they repeated the story of the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector to each other until all could say it without error. As others joined the group, this interchange took place in 3 different languages. Pray with us for this group of men to grow in their knowledge of Christ and His truths. Pray that they will begin to experience His abundant life on a daily basis. Thank God with us for young adults like Todd and T. K. who sacrificially give of their time that those who have never heard of God’s love may hear.Walking to my truck after an outreach literacy class, my friend Sally and I talked about her precious daughter, Oumou, who was quietly riding on her mommy’s back. Sally shared her concern that Oumou’s legs don’t seem to be gaining strength. She is a beautiful child of 17 months, but for some reason the muscles in her legs don’t seem to be developing properly. She sits alone well and is very alert. Sally’s husband has recently returned to the village for several weeks to see if the family there has any food to spare. His work contract ended in Ouaga, and they are trying to get by on the few small things like bags of peanuts that Sally is able to sell in the neighborhood. I was reminded of the blessing that I have to know that no matter what circumstances I find myself in, my God will be there to see me through. Please pray that this little girl will soon gain the muscular strength and coordination to be able to walk. Pray for her father to find work. Pray also for her mother and her friends who weekly hear stories from God’s Word in Sally’s courtyard. Pray that these ladies will know the hope that comes from living life for God.
This week Jay and Kathy traveled in their 4x4 Toyota pick-up (thank you, Southern Baptists!) to Garango, the town where we lived for the first years of our ministry among the Bissa. Jay met with pastors, and Kathy with the women leaders for a time of leadership training. This year will be a year of transition for the women as Kathy helps them to begin to meet on their own and teach themselves. Rather than weekly meetings, Kathy will be with them twice a month only. Praise God for the enthusiasm and confidence of Hawa, who will be teaching the ladies next week.A common sight in West Africa is a young woman who is transporting water—perhaps in a bucket on her head or pushing from the community faucet or well a cart with jugs of water in the cart. At the end of March, Baptist women from all around Burkina Faso will gather for a week long conference with the theme “Living Water.” This conference has been made possible by the printing and successful selling of Baptist cloth. Women in leadership roles and pastors have worked many hours for the success of this project. Pray for this conference to be a source of encouragement and challenge for all Baptist women in this country, and that they will begin to see themselves as those who are to bring living water to their homes and communities, and even to the entire world.
Our year ended with a precious visit from former colleagues and dear friends, the Curtis family. We thank God for the time that we were able to once again minister together and fellowship and laugh together. What a joy to see them reunited with old friends 
and to see their spiritual children be encouraged and refreshed from time with those who first brought them the Words of Life. What a blessing for us to share old memories and make new ones together. We especially enjoyed a trip with them and other family friends to northern Burkina to ride camels. Thank you, Father, for Your family, which is ever an amazing source of strength for your children.Blessings,
Jay & Kathy Shafto
James, Robbie & Madeleine
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
