Newsletter, February 2009

2 Timothy 2:2 Jay’s discipleship group in Ouaga will soon take on a new twist. Two leaders in the group will begin to guide those new believers through this early portion of their Christian journey. Jay will continue to meet with these two young men to offer them leadership training and more in depth discipleship and they, in turn, will teach the new believers what it means to really be a follower of Christ and how to grow in their faith. One of these young men is literate; the other is not. Both of them are young men who have shown a sincere desire to lead lives that are pleasing to the Father. Is the ability to read a Biblical requirement for leadership? No, so pray for Kahdair, that as he hides God’s Word and His stories in his heart, as he shares that Word with these new disciples, as he lives out a Godly life before young believers and others, that this “unschooled and ordinary man” will have the courage of Peter and John in Acts 4 and that all around him will “take note that he has been with Jesus.”

“Group Meditation.” In my ladies’ discipleship group, that’s what we’ve begun to call the process of repeating a Bible story or verses to be memorized. We, the church, gather together in a building – with a straw roof and a dirt floor. Before our meeting one servant heart has come to sweep the floor of its wind-blown debris and goat and sheep droppings. Some of our ladies are not readers, and this “group meditation,” this repetition, is helpful to them and to all of the rest of us as well. We listen carefully as someone tells the story. Then we go around the group repeating the story and listening intently to see if correction is needed. If we see that some are struggling, we act it out. During the telling and retelling and correcting of the story (with much celebration for those who tell it without fault or help), we find that the Holy Spirit is whispering to those hearts who are meditating on His spoken word. Recently the story was about Mary and Martha. “What has God said to you through this story?” I asked. Wow!! To one, “When we have visitors in our homes, we should give them more than just food. We should talk about spiritual things and what Jesus would talk about.” To another, “As women, we often skip out on the worship service and teaching time if baptism or some other church celebration is taking place. We are the ones who must prepare the food. Maybe we should make more of an effort to hear the teaching on those days.” To yet another, “We talk too much about others. Martha wanted to point out what she saw as her sister’s weakness to Jesus. But He saw it in a different way.” Knowing that God has spoken to us, individually and corporately, we pray together, commit to share what we’ve learned with our children and others. And I, the missionary, marvel at the great goodness of my heavenly Father who allows me this phenomenal privilege – to hear His voice in fresh ways through the voices of those whom I have come to serve in His name. Thank God with me for these ladies who, according to Colossians 3:16, are letting the Word of Christ dwell in them richly as they teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as they sing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in their hearts to God.

A word about those Shafto kids... All parents should be able to boast in the Lord and share thanks for their children’s successes. This month we boast about James, who was named “co-most effective delegate” of the Security Council at the Model United Nations conference in Accra, Ghana. Students from international schools from the countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Lebanon, and Germany participated in this conference. We boast about Robbie who received an A+ in his guitar class. Kids from his class performed at the Celebration of the Arts at the end of the quarter. All who attended (not just the proud parents) would agree that Robbie’s performance of his own song was one of the best, if not the best, of all. What a joy to hear his guitar ring through our home as he sings praise to the Father! We boast about Madeleine with her straight A report card, creativity without end in her school projects, and her selfless compassion as she faithfully goes each Monday afternoon to a local orphanage to bathe and feed and play with babies and toddlers. Thank God with us for these precious ones, “our heritage and our reward.”

Blessings,
Jay & Kathy Shafto
James, Robbie & Madeleine
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Newsletter, December 2008/January 2009

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

Newsletter, October/November 2008

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our praying friends!

On Friday evening twenty-two IMB missionaries to Burkina Faso and northern Ghana and their children will gather for a time of thanksgiving, worship, and good eats. Just like you, we will eat turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, apple pie, and any other traditional Thanksgiving foods that you can imagine. As we sit down to worship and offer thanks, one of our greatest blessings is your faithful prayer support. Thank you for reading this newsletter and going before the Father on behalf of the Shafto family and all of the Bissa people of West Africa.

Twice a week Kathy, T.K., and Todd head into the nonzoned, shanty town of Ouagadougou to share the gospel with Bissa immigrants to the city through evangelistic literacy classes. The students arrive with babies on their backs and books on their heads. We sit in a small circle under a straw hanger and help mothers and young men learn to recognize drawings in a book so that they will learn to hold it right side up. We write on old-fashioned slates and chalk boards and hold fretful babies while mothers try to form the letter “a.” And in the midst of a reading lesson, we share truths from God’s Word. “How do you think this world came into being? The sun? The moon? The stars? Let me share a story with you.” Pray for these students and their children, most of whom are hearing the gospel message for the very first time in their lives. Pray that God’s truth will resound in their hearts above the noise in the streets and above crying babies.

You prayed for Kathy’s dear friend Solange Ouedraogo and her surgery. Praise the Father that her surgery on one hip was successful and that the doctors will monitor the other hip in the months to come. She left the hospital in Benin today and will be returning home in one week. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery and rehab and that God will bless her return to ministry among the Baptist women of Burkina Faso.

It has been such a privilege and joy to have Todd Groff and T.K. Uhrich as fellow Bissa team members for this short time. They have a little less than one month left in their HandsOn term. Todd and T.K. have been faithful witnesses here in Ouagadougou and in northern Ghana as well. Pray that they will finish well as they travel out to Garango and Soumagou in Bissa land to encourage the believers there. Continue to pray especially for their friend Adam to be convicted of the truths they have shared with him and that he will make a decision to follow Christ.

Jay’s Field Strategy Leadership ministry has taken him to the Gambia for most of this month as he participates with colleagues in church planting training. He has been blessed and challenged by both the fellowship and the training. Pray that God will help him and Kathy to put these new ministry principles learned into practice in their ministry among the Bissa.

You prayed for James and Robbie and Madeleine and their ministry in southern Burkina Faso. Thank the father with us for a fruitful ministry there. To see how your prayers were answered, click here.

As we approach this holiday season, the great celebration of our Lord’s birth, we are constantly reminded that the generosity of Southern Baptists makes our life and ministry here in West Africa possible. The simple truth is that we couldn’t be here without your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Those gifts are the means by which we devote ourselves to full-time ministry, providing us with a home, food, medical care — even schooling for our children. Thank you! Please know that many people around the world are truly celebrating Christmas for the first time this year because of your sacrifice for God’s Kingdom.

Blessings,
Jay & Kathy Shafto
James, Robbie & Madeleine
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Newsletter, September 2008

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for our family and for our ministry. Although our stateside assignment time was hectic (7 states in 9 weeks), we were able to accomplish all of our goals, including wonderful, refreshing visits with family and friends, encouraging visits with supporting and partnering churches, attending debriefing conference in Richmond, VA, and touring 6 universities with James and Robbie. We screamed our way through roller coaster and water rides, relaxed at the beach with friends, canoed on an Arkansas river, jumped off a bridge into the North River in Massachusetts, attended a Boston Red Sox game, and cried when my 94 year-old Aunt Ora passed away. We reconnected with family at two fantastic reunions and enjoyed having Adam and Lydia, Jay's niece and nephew, with us for a couple of weeks. A resounding thank you goes to our home church family at Scotts Hill Baptist in North Carolina who rented us a mini-van for our extensive travels.

We are back once again in Burkina Faso, where we are enjoying the privilege that it is to be ambassadors for Christ among peoples who need desperately to hear the good news of His love and sacrifice on our behalf. The children have returned to school, and this past weekend we celebrated Robbie's birthday at the new paintball course in the city of Ouagadougou. The last week of October, our children will be joining other members of their youth group on a mission trip to southern Burkina with the intent to share Christ with the children of a village where a Christian Peace Corps worker lives. Please remember to pray for James, Robbie, and Madeleine, who are not just missionary kids, but kids who are missionary. They very much desire to have an intentional witness in their school, the International School of Ouagadougou. Pray that God will give them opportunities to share Christ with their friends. Pray also for the preparation of this mission trip as they learn how to share their faith in several different ways.

We are privileged to have two Southern Baptist churches "partnering" with us to reach the Bissa for Christ. As you pray for us and for the Bissa, please include Scotts Hill Baptist of Wilmington, NC and First Baptist Church, Clarksville, Tennessee in your prayers. These two churches are going the extra mile in helping the Bissa hear the gospel. Both are regularly sending evangelistic mission teams to West Africa.

Scotts Hill has adopted and engaged the Bissa people of Accra, Ghana. As reported from the team from Scotts Hill:
The Scotts Hill team continues to stand in awe of the work that God is doing among the Bissa in Accra. The team has made contact with Bissa in seven areas of the city. They are continuing to share the Gospel through various methods of personal evangelism and the Jesus Film. In September the team baptized three new believers. They have also seen a bible study formed in Maamobi with four of the believers attending weekly. Dramane, a young man who first heard the Gospel in Garango and who prayed to receive Christ in February 2008 was one of those who were baptized. He is leading the bible study in Maamobi. The team will return to Accra in February. Please praise the Father with us for Scotts Hill's commitment to push back darkness in Accra as they share the truth of the Light with the Bissa there.

First Baptist Church Clarksville, Tennessee has adopted and engaged the Bissa of northern Ghana. This very week, a team from FBC Clarksville is doing both evangelism in villages and health care ministry at the Baptist Medical Centre of Nalerigu, Ghana. Many Bissa from northern Ghana, as well as others from other people groups, seek physical healing at BMC. When they arrive, they find both their physical and spiritual needs attended to. Pray for FBC Clarksville as they share Christ with Muslim Bissa men and women who, for a long time, have been closed to the gospel. Pray for those who minister at the BMC to have the compassion and vision to offer both physical and spiritual healing to the patients who come to the hospital.

We are pleased to share that we have two new members on the Bissa team. Todd Groff and T.K. Uhrich are semester missionaries through the HandsOn program for young adults offered by the International Mission Board. They are presently in northern Ghana and, with Jay, will be working alongside the Clarksville team in village evangelism ministry. We've been amazed and very proud of the progress that they've made in Bissa language study. Already they've been able to share the gospel with several Bissa families who live here in Ouaga. Pray specifically for a young Bissa man named Adam whom they have befriended. He is fasting and praying during Ramadan. Ask the Holy Spirit to use T.K. and Todd's witness to convict his heart of the truth of God's word as he seeks God during this Muslim holy month.

Some of you have been praying for my friend, Solange. She is the president of Baptist Women in Ouagadougou and a tireless worker in Baptist women's ministry in the entire country. Solange will be traveling to northern Benin on October 12 for hip surgery. She has advanced arthritis in both hips and will have replacement surgery in mid-October. Please pray that the hands of the visiting doctors who do her surgery will be guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray for quick recovery so that she can return home to her family as soon as possible.

Many thanks to all of you for your prayerful support. A special thanks to our Southern Baptist friends. We are reminded regularly by the daily needs in life that without your financial support of the IMB through both Lottie Moon Christmas offering and the Cooperative Program, we would not be able to continue this ministry.

Blessings,
Jay & Kathy Shafto
James, Robbie & Madeleine
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Newsletter, April/May 2008

Hello, praying friends.

I apologize for neglecting to write these past couple of months. Those of you who consider yourselves technology challenged will relate. My email accounts have had problems, and it has been a very frustrating process for me to try to solve them. Hopefully, when you receive this, the difficulties have been taken care of.

Thank you for praying for the closing session of Sylvie and Natasha's literacy class. Several family members of students were able to attend and heard once again the Good News of Christ's love for them. No public decisions were made at this time, but three women showed special interest in further conversation about the peace that Jesus offers. One young woman from the literacy class named Rosine attended our women's camp the following week. She has now heard several times in several different ways how much God loves her. She desires very much to know this peace that He alone can bring in the midst of a home situation that is not peaceful at all, but she is hesitant because of a hostile, unbelieving husband and family. Please pray that Rosine will continue to be convicted of Truth and that she will have courage to follow Christ. Give praise to the Father for Sylvie and Natasha and for their growth as Christian leaders as they conduct these evangelistic literacy classes.

You also prayed for our discipleship and leadership training camp at the end of April. Praise God for glorious answers to your prayers. Twelve women attended including two who are seeking. We had an incredible week of worship and Bible study. We studied the institution of the early church and took a very close look at the church at Philippi through a study of that entire book. Three of the women helped to lead studies in Philippians, and each day a different woman led in the singing and worship time. We made beautiful salvation bead necklaces to give as gifts to friends when we share God's truth with them. We memorized together Matthew 16:15-18 and took time each morning in personal devotion time (or 2x2 devotion time to help non-readers) to meditate on these verses and what they mean in the life of the church today. Watching women lead, tentatively at first, and then with increasing confidence is such a joy for me. As Paul said in Philippians 1:4, they are my "crown."

Jay continues to meet weekly with Yaya for discipleship and recently another young local church leader has joined them. Grace Baptist Church where Yaya is attending in Ouaga has asked him to be prepared each Sunday to sing a worship song in Bissa. Pray for this church to be a vibrant witness to the Bissa and others in their neighborhood and that they will exemplify God's grace to the entire the area.

His Field Strategy Leadership ministry took Jay to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire last month for church planter training along with other IMB West Africa leaders. His sessions were encouraging, and he especially appreciated the spiritual emphasis of this particular training. Thank God that this time was both a spiritually refreshing and an inspiring time for all of these missionaries. Pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of the Bissa young men with whom Jay was able to share during his time in Abidjan. As part of this FSL ministry we have the privilege to work alongside several West Africa church planting teams. One of those is the team led by Phillip and Teresa Lyons that reaches out to the Wala people. The Wala are some of the most ardent keepers of Islam in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Pray for Phillip and Teresa and their 6 children. Pray especially for their oldest son Zach who will be returning to the US to attend college this year.

This very afternoon we head to the airport for a four-plane ride to North Carolina for a summer stateside assignment/furlough. We hope to see many of you in person as we make the rounds through North Carolina, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. Thank you for praying for safety in our travels and for clarity in our communication about God's work through us to see the peoples of West Africa come to Christ.

May you experience the greatest blessings of our Lord,

Jay & Kathy Shafto

James, Robbie & Madeleine

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso