Email the Burks!

This has been a somewhat troubling but ultimately victorious month. We had to fire our night guard of 5 years. After 5 years of second chances, we not only came to the conclusion that he was incompetent to do the job, but that he also abused his position. We also learned the hard way that even if everyone else is kind of nonchalant about the hiring and firing practice, all it takes is one guy that doesn't want to get fired to make sure you follow every letter of the law. After coming very close to trial and feeling betrayed by the guy to whom we had given so much, we ended up with a settlement of paying him a year's salary (much less than half what he originally demanded). This was not only a difficult decision in letting him go, but a huge surprise to our budget.
In the midst of all this we had the privilege of hosting the Bill Burnett and Ron and Robin Hibbard from Vermont who were able to demonstrate God's love with two service projects. They mounted a door and some windows in an older ladies house in Dano-pari and taught some folks how to set up a drip irrigation garden for a lady in Nakar.
The greatest victory in all this, however, has been that even though the troubles with our night guard was a huge distraction we were able to keep on schedule with small group leadership seminars in the villages of Nyinyime, Nyikpier, and Dano-pari. Pray that we are able to mentor Dagara church leaders to become the teachers of other leaders from other Dagara churches

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

Email the Chankins!

The Harmattan continues, but the cooler temperatures have are steadily being replaced by warmer days. We even set our pool up again. This month we enjoyed a visit from Archie's mom and sister. They were able to spend about 2 weeks with us here in Dano and we are so thankful that they were able to make the trip to see this country which means so much to us. Emma and Jack were thrilled to have them around too.

Archie has started stepping back from weekly village visits. Severen, who Archie is mentoring, is doing most of the leadership training already in the village of Yo and he is stepping back as well to allow the leadership of Yo to step up. He is also doing the same for the villages of Yo-bagawn and Kuuri. Donatien's (the other church leader that Archie has been mentoring) home village is Mou, which is the furthest distance from Dano. He is doing a great job teaching but we are challenged to find good leaders in Mou. There is a lot of Catholic influence in the village of Mou and the church members have been told that they are not attending a "real church" or we are not teaching "the right things". Archie would ask for prayers for all the villages but especially the village of Mou.

Archie also has the opportunity this weekend to take four leaders from our churches to Lawra, Ghana to visit the dagara church there. Our friend Anthony Farrah, who is the pastor of the church, has been here to encourage the leaders and now our leaders are looking forward to spending time with him and with the church in Lawra.

On the home front, thank you for your prayers for continued health for Emma and Jack. Please pray that we would have a healthy last few months here. We think that Jack is starting to cut his two year molars. So, I think we are in for a fun few weeks with him.

We celebrated Jack and Elijah's second birthday the last week in January. Of course, Jack and Elijah made a great mess of themselves when they ate their cake. Then the Hauser family made a short visit. We also took that opportunity to have a early birthday party for their son, Sam. It is always great to see all the kids playing together and having some fun.

Please pray that things continue to go well with our move back to the states as it is coming up quickly.

Blessings,
The Chankins

Email the Johnsons!

Greetings from a steadily-warming up Burkina Faso! The days of bundling up (well, at least putting on a light jacket at night) are over, and we're heading toward the hot season. This, of course, coincides with the best time for evangelism, so please be praying for the efforts of the Dagara churches to evangelize neighbors and neighboring villages.

Family life has been good. We celebrated Elijah and Jack turning two years old with a turtle and train birthday party. It's hard to believe that Amelie is already six months old and has cut two teeth! Thankfully, our streak of miraculously good health continues.

Toward the end of January, our team hosted a seminar on the gospel of Mark (one of two books of the Bible published in Dagara). It was a wonderful success, as almost 70 people representing 16 villages attended these two days of morning-to-night lessons on Mark. One village that is 50 minutes away by truck sent six women on foot to attend!

In addition to getting back into the swing of regular village visits, we also helped to host a group of three from the South Burlington church of Christ in Burlington, VT. Ron and Robin Hibbard came prepared to install a door and a window for a widow that helps to care for an orphan. They also installed a drip-irrigation kit in a garden for a widow in the village of Nakar. Bill Brunet joined the ranks of the few (but not necessarily proud) repeat visitors, encouraging churches with his lessons on the fruit of the Spirit. Andy also enjoyed getting to take them to the Nazinga game park to enjoy a little of God's creation.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. They are needed and appreciated.
Blessings.
The Johnsons

Email the Carters!

Last month we told you of Chad's visits regarding 'backsliders.' There are two things that happen in nearly every visit. First, the churches love new attendance books. For an illiterate culture, the Dagara sure do love to write things down. Each congregation is learning to take the books more seriously since they allow them to help disciple and keep track of members. Second, everyone loves re-hearing three stories: Cain & Able, The Prodigal Son, and The Sower. It is easy to forget that Jesus prepared us for those who would respond and then leave. There were four kinds of soil and only one was good! Follow up more by reading the village blogs.

Chad's brother and sister-in-law, Kyle and Jenny Carter, are here visiting for a month. They are stopping through as they return to the US from China. For the past two years, they served as missionaries in Changsha (teaching English as their cover). They have had quite an active visit. They have helped with a mission medical clinic. Kyle has helped with some additions to Noah's playground. We all charged some elephants head-on, in order to avoid a sticky situation (Kyle, Jenny, Noah & Amy were on top of the car; advancing head-on was safer than backing up to turn around). They have also experienced a truck breakdown in the middle of nowhere (thrice!). Please pray for their remaining visit.

We also have a special prayer request. A missionary family might consider moving to Dano to work with the Fulani people. Many of you have heard of or met the Barry family. They are Fulani Muslims. This relocating missionary family might be able to relate the gospel in a way in which they will hear it best.

Thanks as always.
The Carters

Email the Richters!

If the rest of 2008 is anything like the past few weeks, it is going to be one incredible year as God propels us forward in His Mission. We are amazed at God's leading in our lives as He continues to affirm and bless our decision to serve Him in Burkina Faso.
We are very delighted and humbled to announce that the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas has agreed to sponsor our family in the continuing effort to reach the Dagara people. God did more than we expected or imagined by bringing us into this incredible body of believers. It is a partnership we will cherish for years to come.
We are also blessed to have our church family in Hawley, Texas stand with us in this effort. The Hawley Church of Christ is a place we've called home since our first days of ministry in 1990. When we do leave here in a few months, they say we'll leave with "claw marks" from all the people who don't want to let go of us.
Join with us in this time of thanksgiving for sponsorship and support. God is an awesome God! Please pray that our fundraising for our one-time expenses in relocating to Africa will go smoothly and timely. Pray also that God will loosen our tongues to learn to speak in French as we have begun language classes at ACU.
Part of our preparations to leave Hawley included the sale of our goats and horses this past month. The children handled it well which says one of two things; either they are really excited about moving to Africa or they are tired of having to feed. Knowing our children, it's the former. They, like us, are so ready to be in Burkina Faso.

Blessings,
The Richters