a day in the life... // chapter 1: a lady takes the prize!

A day in the life of the Shaftos (or several days maybe)…

It’s been a while since we’ve written, and life has brought so many wonderful things our way in the meantime.  By “wonderful,” I mean those things that only God can do, those kingdom gifts that He sends our way to remind us of His love for us and for the world.  They’re so much better than the material gifts, aren’t they?  I hope you enjoy this little set of “chapters” from our life over the past 6 weeks.  God, as usual, is up to tremendous things.  Isn’t it a joy and a privilege to serve Him?!

Chapter 1 “A Lady Takes the Prize!”

Two Saturdays before Christmas, Jay and I set out for a small Lyele (lay-lay) village northwest of Ouaga.  On a  three hour drive we trekked in our 4x4 over some paved roads, some dirt roads and some country paths that led us to a familiar sight:  a small mud-block church with a tin roof, next door to the pastor’s courtyard.  We were invited by a pastor who had reproduced the training which he had received from Jay and others about how to use Bible stories to lead people to Christ.  In this particular village, he had trained 10 story-telling evangelists, 6 men and 4 women, and charged each of them to lead 10 people to salvation in the next year.  They began in May 2012.  It was now December.  Jay and I sat before these Story-tellers and listened as the pastor trainer called each person’s name and stated the number of new children in God’s kingdom because of his/her witness through Bible stories.  A total of 61 new Christians with each person leading at least 3 others to follow Jesus!  A woman was at the forefront with 8 spiritual children to her credit.  Yay for the ladies!!  I recently saw this pastor and he told me that she has now led 5 more people to faith in Christ.

  

During this first hour, the pastor asked us to give a word of encouragement to these faithful witnesses.  Perhaps they should’ve been the ones giving the words of encouragement and challenge to us!  During the second hour, ALL 61 one of these new believers came to the church, and both Jay and I had the privilege of sharing some encouraging words with them as well.  Sorry Apple, but no electronic gadget as a Christmas gift can ever compare with that! It was the continuation of a joyous Christmas season filled with the most amazing gifts imaginable from the One who always does immeasurably more than we can ask or think!

The next day was the Lord’s Day.  That little church, which before had about 60 regular attendees, was bursting at the seams with their 61 new believers.  Some were standing outside the back door eagerly listening to the sermon.  Never underestimate the power of a story, especially one that communicates the Truth of the Most High God.

• What happens next and how can you pray?  We’ve been invited back in May by the expectant pastor who hopes to be baptizing 100 new Christians.  Pray that these Story-tellers will be faithful to the task and that the Holy Spirit will continue to use God’s Word to draw people to Himself in this village.

Merry Christmas from the Shaftos!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

...(at least what Christmas looks like in Burkina Faso).

Lots of dust, no more rain for several months, cooler temperatures with Madeleine heading off to school in a jacket (only 80 to 85 during the day), street vendors with Christmas trees and blow-up Santas somehow hanging from their shoulders and arms.

  

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and in the Shafto home we love, love, love to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  We love to decorate; we love to listen to Christmas music ring out while we study and cook holiday treats.  We love to contemplate that special Christmas gift for family and friends.  Jay loves to find the funniest re-gifts.  We love this time of year so much because it is an extended time of reflecting on God’s goodness in our lives through the birth of His son.  And that, friends, is a reason to celebrate!

To all of you, we extend tremendous heart-felt thanks for your support of our ministry.  Certainly, your prayers and notes of encouragement are the driving force which allows us to be ambassadors for Christ here.  To our Southern Baptist friends and family, we add another sincere “thank you,” an enthusiastic “merci,” and a warm “barka goata.”  Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are invaluable to us.  Frankly, without your generosity, we simply could not be here.  From transportation to medicine, from food to our children’s education, from literacy materials to leadership training conferences for our Baptist brothers and sisters – your unselfish giving makes possible our livelihood and our ministry here in Burkina Faso.

[Jay & Kathy celebrating their anniversary in New Orleans]

girls' center...

I’m excited to show you all the progress that is being made on the girls’ center that UOBC is working on!  I love working with these ladies!  There has certainly been no grass growing under the feet since they’ve decided to begin the renovation of a local building given to them where they hope next year to open a center for at risk or exploited girls.  In some of the photos you’ll see a volunteer team from First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, MS who spent one day of their mission trip to Burkina working at our center.  They helped to move dirt in the courtyard, and worked on painting the UOBC logo on an inside wall of the house.  We had so much fun together!  When one of the ladies from Burkina asked if someone wanted to ride on the back of her moto to the market to get an extension cord, Mrs. Joyce quickly volunteered, saying that riding on a moto was on her bucket list.  Retired teacher and grandmother of 10!  You’re never too mature to try new and fun things…

living out scripture...

There are several verses in the Bible I come back to repeatedly.  Verses that remind me what it’s all about.  One of those is the Great Commission, “Go into all nations and tell everyone the good news, baptize them and teach them to obey everything I have taught you.”  The other is the Greatest Commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

When you put these two verses together and live them out it looks like…

            Youth going to Buffalo

            Reaching out to orphans in Honduras

            Disaster relief in Haiti

It looks like my family in Burkina Faso.

It looks like regular Scotts Hill teams in Ghana.

When you are doing missions and being God’s hands, God’s heart, and God’s voice, it turns into something else:

            Mustafa

            Victor

            Cesare

            and others  loving God with their whole heart and loving their neighbor as themselves.

For over 6 years we have partnered together, sharing a burden for the lives of the Bissa people living in Ghana.  Most have moved there in search of work, or grown up there because of parents who left Burkina Faso looking for work.  Although surrounded by churches and Christians, the Bissa were overlooked because of their strong ties to Islam.  “Why bother to share with them when others are more responsive?” was the prevailing attitude.  Accra, Ghana, is a 2 day drive for us.  As our responsibilities changed and grew, our dream of reaching the Bissa in Accra began to fade.  It was just too far for regular ministry.  But not too far for prayer!  Shortly afterwards, Scotts Hill Baptist Church accepted a call to engage the Bissa of Accra.  And the teams started to come!  With the gospel story on their lips and its life changing power in their lives.  They told it on the streets and in homes, in schools, storefronts, and movie houses.  Several recognized the story.  “When I was growing up in my village in Burkina Faso”, one said, “I heard this story from an American missionary named Shafto”.  “We know him, too”, they replied.  The gospel story - sown in one country, harvested in another!  It knows no borders or barriers, be they political, ethnic, or religious. 

What started out as sharing the Good News has led to changed lives, and a community of Bissa believers working together to love God, love each other, and love their community.  I was recently in Accra and met with Mustafa and Victor, two Bissa believers who have come to know Christ through Scotts Hill’s ministry.  They had two burdens:  1. a place for the group to meet and worship without being harassed.  2. A way to help Bissa immigrants integrate into life in Accra without pressure to turn to Islam.  Loving God, loving their neighbor.

Through your praying, giving and going, you are making a difference in reaching the unreached peoples of Africa.  If every Baptist church and every one of her members would do the same, imagine what a difference we could make together.

Blessings,

Jay

My heart will always beat to an African drum...

Two months in the US was wonderful.  Walks and laughter, hugs and prayers, special lunches and potlucks, reunions and newborns...  Time with family and special friends never seems to last long enough.  But today I saw a Facebook post with a picture that said, "My heart will always beat to an African drum."  When Madeleine and I returned to Burkina, our first Sunday back we attended Wayalghin Baptist Church.  And I felt my heart beat with joy, with praise, with thanksgiving to our Father for the privilege of serving Him here.  I love the rhythm of African worship.  I love to dance to the alter (or maybe I just sway a little bit as a I walk :) with my offering.  I love to see people lift their hands and hearts to the One who has made them new creations.  This past Sunday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, I heard one of the best sermons I've heard all year.  I love being a part of the International Mission Board legacy that helped lead men like Vincent Konkonbo to the Lord and disciple him.  Thank you, Wayne Walton, for your years of dedicated service to Burkinabe Baptists.

This summer while I was spending time with family and friends, many of you joined me in praying for the 7th Annual West Africa Baptist Women's Conference held in Ouagadougou.  Thank you for your prayers.  Fifteen months of meetings and organization paid off, and the women who came from 9 different countries certainly danced and sang to the glorious beat of an African drum as they worshiped and praise the Lord together.  I am so proud of the Burkinabe Baptist women with whom I work.  They, along with the youth (ages 12-29ish) of our churches, welcomed all of their visitors, and I understand that the conference was one of great fellowship and tremendous teaching.  Thank you for praying with us.  I hope you enjoy the beautiful colors of Africa in the photos below...

prayer for the women...

They will come from all directions – north, south, east and west.  They will come by plane, by bush taxi, by car, by chartered bus.  Baptist women from at least 7 different west African countries will arrive in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, this coming Monday, July 9 for the bi-annual regional conference of Baptist women of West Africa.  Oh, how I wish I could be there to see the magnificent display of colors that my African sisters love to wear, to enjoy the worship through music and dance, and to hear the rich teaching surrounding the theme:  “Woman of Peace, A Source of Blessing.”  The speakers will share with the women how they can be God’s source of blessing in their homes, in their churches, and in their nations.

You and I can’t be there, but we can pray.  Please pray for:

• Safe travel for all participants:  Some of the women will be traveling for a minimum of two days to arrive in Burkina.
• Superb attendance:  The women of Burkina Faso have prepared for 700 women.
• Organizational excellence:  The precious Baptist ladies from Burkina have worked so hard to be well-organized for this meeting.  Pray that all of the details which have been meticulously prepared will fall in to place easily. 
• Excellent translation:  Translation will be from French to English and from English to French.  There will also be at least 3 other translations that will take place quietly in the audience.
• Excellent teaching:  Pray that all the teaching will be Holy Spirit inspired and that God’s message will be proclaimed.
• Vision for the nations:  Pray that each woman who attends will begin to see her responsibility that the gospel be preached to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

Thank you so much for your partnership in this ministry.  Your prayers are as important to its success as any other preparations which have been made.

Many blessings,

Kathy

Robbie's graduating!