Email the Burks!

We thank you all who have been praying for rain, because this month has been slopping wet. Everyone seems to be pleased that their crops will be enough. The only problem has been that, since the rains seem to have come late so will the harvest. But where possible starvation and suffering could have prevailed, God's kingdom has instead stepped in. Thanks to the Oak Hills church and the coordination efforts of Severen and many others, well over 4 tons of corn was distributed to all our churches who are dolling it out to those who need it most, both in the church and in their communities.

In our own home, we seem to be under the siege of sickness, and not just us, but almost all the people who work for us have come down with something or other. We know that this is all just a part of life, but we would ask your prayers that we can do a better job of taking turns around here rather than all getting sick at the same time.

Because of the rains, Aaron has also found it literally impossible to get to many of his villages for weeks. The waters have receded though after a week of slackening of rains, and thing should return to business as usual in upcoming weeks.

May the peace of the Lord be with you,

Aaron, Andrea, Daniel, and Dylan

Email the Chankins!

The past couple of months have brought many exciting things around here. On the home front, we enjoyed a visit from Mandy's parents. They were here for around 3 weeks and they were able to see several villages, partake in the native cuisine and, of course, have tea with Barry. Naturally, much of their time was spent getting to know Emma and Jack. Grandparents, parents and kids all had a wonderful time and we are so thankful that Bob and Mary Sue were able to come. They are a blessing to us as well as to many of our friends and churches here in Burkina.

A fantastic milestone was reached recently in our translation work on the Train and Multiply curriculum. We now have all 63 lessons and the Student Activity Guide in rough draft form. The revision and clarity check is the next hurdle. Please pray that it continues to go well and that we are able to complete this process quickly. We also had the joy of sharing 4.2 tons of corn with our churches. It was a special donation given to help the church members and their towns with food until harvest comes at the end of the month. This was made possible by a generous donation from the Oak Hills Church. All the churches were overwhelmed by the gift and many were left speechless. Many of the churches have come back later and expressed gratitude for this gift and we, too are grateful to have been part of such an expression of love from across the ocean.

Also the village of Yo had six baptisms last month. It is exciting to see the churches growing and maturing. Several of the churches have started appointing deacons as well. Please continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide these young Christians in difficult decisions. The rains, which got off to a late start, have started to slow down, but the fields all look great and we are happy to say that it looks like we will have a good harvest this year. Praise God for his provisions.

Please continue pray for Jack and the rest of the family be healthy.
Blessings,
The Chankins

Email the Johnsons!

One month down, and all four members of the new-and-improved Johnson household are still surviving! Perhaps we are a bit sleep deprived, but overall everyone is doing well. Both Melissa and Amelie continue to be in good health and to do with their weight what is to be hoped (Amelie gaining it, Melissa losing it). We've certainly appreciated all the help, meals, and gifts that everyone has blessed us with over the last several weeks - we have truly been overwhelmed.

Over a two-week span, we spoke at four different churches about what God has been doing among the Dagara, each time to a warm reception. Following the ACU lectureship next week, most of our major furlough-y activities will be completed, and we will have a final month of spending time with family and friends in Wichita Falls.

Thank you again for all you do for the Dagara mission; whether it's praying for both the lost and the saved or taking a missionary out to coffee, we appreciate all of it.

Blessings.
The Johnsons

Email the Carters!

We'll cede our space this month to Chad's mom and step-dad, Mark and Carla Holland. It has been a great month as we continue to incorporate Benjamin into the family and tie up loose ends before furlough.

From Mark:
I was not expecting to be so encouraged by visiting new churches! Their prayers and songs, their warm receptions, the spirit with which they treated us was both refreshing and encouraging. Chad and I visited three churches while I was here Dano Pari, Muturi and Nawile and I was privileged to speak to them concerning the selection of deacons. As we approached the church gathered under a tree at Nawile, the entire church got up and came to meet us at the car, singing the whole way, shaking our hands and welcoming us into their midst. Can't wait for Richardson East to greet me that way when I get home! What a joy to be with people all the way around the world who love Jesus enough to leave their cultural religion and even risk losing their families because of their faith. It very much made my faith stronger by seeing theirs.

To top that off, we got to spend some in-depth time with Chad, Amy, Noah and Benjamin! The hospitality was great and the talk time was encouraging. Seeing the team work together was something to watch. Their faith in Jesus and their work for Him is inspiring.

The playground that Chad and I and some helpers built for Noah and Benjamin turned out great. The weather held out very well and Noah was able to play on it with his friends at his birthday!! What fun! It was a great trip.