Each week Jay goes into the “non-zoned” area of Ouagadougou to conduct discipleship and leadership training classes with Bissa believers. Some call this part of the city a slum area. It is here where many rural immigrants have come to settle and have built small mud block houses to live in. There is no electricity and no running water, and the alleyways are often narrow and littered with trash. Last month you began to pray as Jay was splitting this class and beginning to work with two specific leaders who were then to lead the others. God seems to be leading this group in yet a different direction. Some who had indicated a keen interest in the gospel have dropped out of the group – perhaps because of persecution, perhaps because of lack of commitment, at least one because of work responsibilities. Two young men remain committed and are obviously growing in their faith. They are faithful to attend, to learn Bible stories, and to share them with others. Please pray that Jay will remain encouraged as these two men grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Pray that through their outreach efforts, others will hear how God loves them and will choose to believe Him for salvation.During the first week of April we will joyfully welcome a new family to our Burkina Faso mission family. The Blacks and their three children (and fourth one on the way) will arrive in Ouagadougou to study French for several months before continuing on to Bobo, the second largest city of Burkina, to be witnesses among the Jula people. Be in prayer for a smooth transition for this dear couple and their three children, ages 5 and under.
In January, you prayed for a nation-wide conference which was to be held for Baptist women from all across Burkina Faso. Join us in praising the Father for His abundant provision as around 100 women gathered to learn about carrying living water to a dry and thirsty land. We met at Camp Bethel, the national Baptist camp on the edge of Ouagadougou. Daily temperatures hovered around 105 degrees, and most women slept outside because the cement block dorm rooms had one small window and very little ventilation. We prayed and sang and danced at night by the light of lanterns. During the day we studied Bible stories about water: the living water offered to the Samaritan woman, the water of service as Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, the waters of obedience of Moses at Miriba. We were blessed by the presence of the Spirit of God in and among us, and all the women expressed a sincere desire to come together again next year. Thank you, thank you to all of you who prayed for this week. God visited us and I believe that the community around us knew that we were Christians by our love for one another.Blessings,
Jay & Kathy Shafto
James, Robbie & Madeleine
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
