The summer rains came in full
force, keeping everything cool and green across the region. It is a nice
change from the heat we experience in March, April, and May.
We’ve said some goodbyes and an
equal number of hellos since our last post. While that is a regular part
of missionary life, we have been especially blessed this year with long term
volunteers. Zac Calvert, a student at Union University, spent 3 months in
Burkina as a community development intern with Jay. He got his hands in
quite a few projects, including well drilling, community needs assessments,
partnership development for secondary schools, and youth ministry. He
also worked on the early stages of a micro-business project to provide pure
water and organized a conference on community development practices. The
fruit of his ministry continues to show in the lives of those he helped train.
We also had a volunteer couple
come to run the Guest House in our office complex. Richard and Sharon
Brummitt lived and worked for 3 months at the Guest House, welcoming guests and
overhauling the place during down times. We have 5 apartments with 22
beds that have needed remodeling for several years. Through their steady
work Richard and Sharon scraped, spackled, and repainted all but one
room! Lift up a prayer of thanks and encouragement for them. After
a few weeks in the US, they got on another plane for Europe, where they have
been again volunteering!
We went a month without a Guest
House Director, but in August Elsie McCall returned to Burkina to replace the
Brummitts. You may remember that Elsie taught our children when we lived
in Garango, and then continued in Burkina teaching in several different
capacities for a total of 10 years. After some
years in the US, Elsie got the itch to serve again and will be at least through
the end of the school year and perhaps longer! Pray for Elsie as she has
the opportunity to share with those who come through our Guest House the vision
to reach the Unreached People Groups in Burkina and beyond.
Kathy
