Well, dear friends and family, I had promised
an update soon after the Baptist women’s conference. But with lots of fatigue from an overwhelmingly fabulous
week, Jay and I left immediately the next day for a vacation at the beach! It was our first practice run as empty
nesters as Madeleine was in Turkey for a Model United Nations Conference. Our vacation was heavenly! We returned to Ouaga on Saturday
afternoon, and on Sunday morning, I left with Madeleine for Washington D. C.
where she received an award from the Gulen Institute Youth Platform for an
international essay contest. With
over 500 submitted essays from students from 40 countries and 30 states within
the U.S., Madeleine was chosen as one of the top 30 winners -- number 16 to be
exact. We are certainly proud of
our girl!
Equally as exciting is the news about the
women’s conference. THANK YOU FOR
PRAYING! So many good things
happened; it’s hard to know where to begin. Remember that our theme was Women on Mission: The Role of Women in the Advancement of
God’s Kingdom. After the opening
teaching by my friend Cristiane, I challenged the ladies through the parable of
the talents to prayerfully consider their personal mission and how they use the
gifts that God has given them. This teaching was so well received, and I’ve
already had requests from some regions to come and teach it again; from others
to teach it themselves. YES,
YES! I don’t think anything is
more humbling, yet more rewarding and valuable to me as a missionary than to
hear that someone was so inspired by God’s Word that she would want to repeat
what she’s learned.
[Brazilian Baptist Missionary, Cristiane]
[Kathy teaching the women]
During the week we heard moving testimonies
and teaching from sister missionaries from the U. S., Brazil, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire,
and Ghana. An Assembly of God
sister who came to Christ from another religion in neighboring Niger shared her
experiences and reminded us of the power of our God to save and protect in the
midst of terrible persecution and the absolute necessity to share in spite of
it. In addition we received the most incredible challenge from a
Burkinabé mother in the faith, Mama Rebecca of the Christian and Missionary
Alliance church. This seventy year
old saint is a church planter who reminded us all of the need to be Godly wives
in our homes if we want to be on mission with Him to the nations.
[Baptist Missionaries from Cote d'Ivoire and the US]
[Baptist Missionaries from Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire]
[Baptist Missionaries from Nigeria, Ghana and Brazil]
[Mama Rebecca]
Jay also challenged us with a thought-provoking message from the Great Commission in the official opening ceremony. Did you know that Jesus’ supreme order to go to all the nations in the world was given in the context of some of the disciples’ doubt? Yet, He still called them to go – with their doubts and in spite of their doubts.
[Jay speaking]
In another great part of the week, our
Burkina co-laborers practiced missions in partnership with my home church in
Kilbourne, Louisiana. Women on
Mission there in Kilbourne sent dresses and shorts that they made for the
children of widows among us. The
Burkina ladies brought used clothing as well, and we distributed all to a thankful
group of widows.
As the week came to a close we had the joy of
honoring a special Baptist woman who has labored faithfully on behalf of all Burkina
Baptist women throughout many years.
My dear friend, Solange Ouédraogo, was presented with a moto, her first
ever to own. Our national
president, Beatrice Zoma, called everyone into the courtyard outside the church
for a surprise, where we sang and listened to a special song presented by the
regional women’s choir of Ouaga.
Solange played the drum for their song, unaware that she was the
honoree. When Beatrice announced
that Solange was the recipient, she very emotionally and tearfully received her
gift, and immediately promised to use it in the advance of God’s kingdom.
Precious family and friends, thank you for
your faithful prayers. God is ever
at work in response to them, and during this conference, Baptist co-laborers of
Christ took up the challenge to be personally involved in taking the gospel to
the nations. May His name be
praised forever and ever! May His Word go forth!
Kathy
