Email the Carters!

When we mentioned the "Baptism Party" in Dagore last month we had no idea what effect it would have. The village of Muturi loved the idea and is now planning their own celebration to witness to their village. The biggest challenge this month has been some theological vocabulary in our leader maturation curriculum. This is something that will be in print so we need some succinct words that can consistently communicate ideas such as: grace, pastoral, mercy, ministry, and disciple. This has required inventing new words in many cases. How do you take the idea of grace, boil it down to the highlights, and make a new word out of it? God's-free-forgiveness- forever-'can't be earned or repaid'. Ideas?

Noah continues to grow and develop. He had a close call with a snake recently, which gave his mother an adrenaline rush. Other than that the main thing is the transition from the walking to the running world. The guys had a long overdue retreat into the desert. They visited the Sahel and spent time exploring markets, ruins, and camels. For just being a 9 hr drive from Dano it is a completely different world.
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.

Chad, Amy, Noah

Email the Johnsons!

Greetings from Dano! Things have been going well for our family, and we pray that this newsletter finds all of you enjoying fall weather. For our work, it is both the best of times and the worst of times. On the one hand, village visits have been difficult to maintain. God has been good to the Dagara this year, and there is much that needs to be harvested; consequently, it is difficult for people to take the time necessary to come to our midweek teaching times. However, on the other hand, we have had the privilege lately of sharing the gospel of Mark with Dagara Christians. The Mills family, SIL translators working with the Dagara, have given us advance copies of the gospel of Mark to use until the big cross-denominational release party to be held sometime after harvest season. It is a wonderful privilege to be reading directly from God's word to the Dagara Christians for the first time ever! Please pray for the Mills, that their work would be both accurate and speedy.

As to our family, we continue to see progress in Elijah's adoption. We have received the official adoption ruling in writing from the Burkinabe government. Additionally, we have already obtained a new copy of his birth certificate, listing his 'new' name and us as parents. We've turned in the paperwork on his passport and expect it sometime late this week or early the next.

We heard last night that one of the Christians in Mutori, an older woman, passed away. Several of us will be attending the funeral over the next couple of days. Be praying for that young group of believers, that they will be a comfort to each other as well as use this opportunity to speak of the hope that we all have as Christians.

God bless you all!
Andy and Melissa

Email the Chankins!

The harvest season is now in full swing among the Dagara. The villages where Archie has been working or will begin teaching in soon have asked for a few weeks to finish up harvest. This allows Archie a few weeks to pray and strategize with Donatien on how best to approach Mou. There are many people who come to the lessons regularly and Donatien believes once one of them is baptized there will be many more to follow. So please pray that the Spirit will continue to change the hearts of people in Mou. Archie will also be using the time to try to get ahead on the Train and Multiply goals. Thanks to the Andy and Chad we are making great leaps in Train and Multiply. Please pray that it continues so that we will be able to have the whole curriculum in rough draft form by the end of the year.

Around the Chankin house, Emma and Jack are growing. Jack has his two front teeth now so, he no longer looks like a prize fighter. Along with his front two teeth he has several more breaking through. Pray for his sore gums. We were able to host the Debbie Mills and her son Caleb (wife and son of the SIL translator in our area) and our teammates for a morning of swimming and play time for all the kids. A good time was had by all. Archie had a lot of fun on the guys retreat to the Sahel. It was quite an experience and the highlights were seeing an archeology site with 10th century ruins, riding some camels and camping out. We would ask for continued prayers for our family's health both Emma and Jack have had colds recently.

Blessings,
Archie, Mandy, Emma and Jack

Email the Burks!

We are transitioning into a family of four. We promise, we will send pictures as soon as we kind of get on our feet. We are enjoying being with our families for another month or so before heading to be with our supporters in Birmingham, Alabama, the Homewood Church of Christ. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. In this season of gift giving, may you give God the gift of trusting in Him with everything. If you would like to get in touch with us while we are in the states, you can contact us at 210-744-5667.

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,
Aaron, Andrea, Daniel, and Dylan Burk