Email the Johnsons!

We've had an eventful couple of weeks here in the Golden State! Much of our extended family was able to make a trip to Disneyland together. Although it was a little overwhelming to all of us at times, Elijah probably did the best of anyone! In particular, he loved all the characters (and we discovered that Mickey's nose can fit in Elijah's mouth...).

The Sunday following that trip, Andy was able to preach at one of our two sponsoring churches, Tri-Valley. We were very blessed to share what God has been doing among the Dagara and to see how much people honestly care about the work there. The week following we headed to Andy's happiest place on earth: the Pepperdine lectureship! Tri-Valley generously covered our expenses at this week of spiritual refreshment. We enjoyed catching up with old friends, professors, and mentors as well as making new friends.

We'd like to close by asking you to be praying for our little girl yet-to-be-born. It turns out that our complications might not all be finished, although the doctors here are still very hopeful that we will be able to have a normal delivery. We would appreciate all the prayers that you could offer on our behalf.

Currently, we have returned to Texas. We enjoyed our time in the Golden State and can be reached by phone at (940) 766-5374 -- we'd love to hear from you!
Blessings.
The Johnsons

Email the Chankins!

We have had a good month. The work is moving along. There are many people coming to Christ in this season of evangelism. Please pray that God will bless the harvest with leaders for these new areas. Archie has challenged Mou to step up and make the necessary changes in their lives. There are two villages that have asked for us to come and teach and we would like to begin doing this soon.. Train and Multiply translation project is going well and next month, we are to teach one of the booklets on church leadership at a leaders' meeting. Please pray for that meeting and for the people in Mou. We also ask for prayers for the preaching point of Bavule. Kpezuo, the leader that is teaching in this village, is feeling discouraged. His discouragement comes directly from Satan as he continues to attack at every level and causes Kpezuo to feel quite inadequate to teach others about Christ.

West African Missionary Retreat (WAMR) was this month. We had our first big car trip with the two kids. They did extremely well so we took the opportunity to visit the missionaries in Togo and Benin as well as attending the retreat in Ghana. Mandy and I were encouraged by the speaker, Joe at WAMR, and enjoyed our time with all the other missionaries from the Christian church and church of Christ. During this trip Emma celebrated her 3rd birthday. Emma and Jack loved playing on the beach and with all the other kids. Emma got to ride a horse for the first time. A good time was had by all. even though we spent 55 hours in the car over the 3500 kilometers (2188 miles) we traveled. Thanks for your prayers for safety.

Blessings,
Archie, Mandy, Emma and Jack

Email the Burks!

This month we have seen lots of amazing things among the Dagara. The churches are growing and maturing. This month some folks out in Nyinyime just decided to have a party to celebrate all that Christ had done for them. There was a large crowd with folks from all over the western cluster. At the party, Domanyuora (one of the most respected leaders of this church) showed Aaron a list of 73 people from Di-doro that have signed up to hear evangelistic lessons. Praise God for how he is using Dagara Christians to reach out to others who would seek a relationship with God. This has also been a month with some missed village visits (about a week and a half) because Aaron has been feeling under the weather. However, he seems to be feeling fine now. We are still trying to crank away on typing in original drafts of "Train and Multiply" lessons for our leaders. Aaron has been studying with one man in Nyikpier (Kpezuo) who wants a Christian marriage ceremony. He is currently married to two women neither of whom have been baptized, but seem to be willing to come to church and listen to lessons. Pray that God will glorify himself in this family. Because we could not afford WAMR (the West African Missionary Retreat) this year, we decided to stay a little extra in the capital this month and we have gone bowling and may go swimming tomorrow. We are enjoying a little r and r. It has been since mid-March since Andrea and the kids have been to Ouaga. Thank your for praying for God's mission here.

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Aaron, Andrea, Daniel, and Dylan Burk

Email the Carters!

This month has been a fast one around here. We had a trip and a busy time with intern preparation. First, we took a short, six day, visit with the church in Lyon. It was very encouraging to be with those folks again (and a reprieve from the heat). They are a very committed group of about 60. We cannot emphasize enough what a support that congregation has been to our team. They will hopefully be sending more folks to encourage churches here in Burkina. Because of their proximity and shared language, they will hopefully always have a special connection with the Christians here.

We are gearing up more for this summer's batch of interns and at the same time we are preparing in advance for life with two children. The small guest facility is being finished as we speak and everything is falling in place for a survey trip among the Marka people and some Dagara language learning.

Don't tell Noah, but it is almost time for him to move to a big-boy bed! We don't think he will mind one bit, but we want to get him trained before Benjamin is here (Yes, it is for sure a boy!).

There are so many exciting and prayer-needing things that are happening among villages that I cannot recount them here. Please take a moment to read a village blog or two and pray for a church (links on the right hand side).

Thanks for your continual support of ministry among the Dagara.

In Christ,
The Carters