Christianity has been in Africa a long time. If you want to talk about 'our' churches only (that is, the churches of Christ), it's been here over a century, and our Africans brothers and sisters now outnumber American ones. Of course, if you're talking about Christianity in general, it stretches all the way back to the Ethiopian eunuch (a lot farther back than the Stone-Campbell movement!). No matter how you slice it, Africans from across the continent have a lot of wisdom and history to offer when it comes to following Christ. Therefore, it was with great anticipation and pleasure that we were able to attend this year's Africans Claiming Africa (ACA) for Christ Conference.

Andy giving an update on our work at ACA

ACA is a once-every-four-years event held somewhere on the continent of Africa to encourage church leaders; share ideas, successes, failures, and needs; and foster unity across national boundaries. This year, our brothers and sisters in Ghana hosted the event for the first time. Since it was virtually in our own backyard (a short 16 hour drive, and we were there), we couldn't resist going. Representatives from 15 different countries attended the conference, with people coming from places as exotic as Zambia and the United States of America. Delegations ranged in size from the host country of Ghana's crowd down to Burkina Faso's proud representatives (the two of us!).

The conference was called to order with a lot of excitement, as well as a good dose of pomp and circumstance. The traditional chief of the area welcomed us, as well as a number of political figures (we didn't catch their names…). At one point, representatives from each of the visiting countries were chosen to accompany these distinguished guests in viewing some displays. Oddly enough, Burkina's lot fell to Andy. Although he felt a little out of his league (a feeling to which we grew accustomed throughout the week), he enjoyed the chance to check out the chief close up. Incidentally, this guy even had on real gold flip-flops!

The teaching throughout the conference was wonderful. We were fed spiritually by our African brothers and sisters as well as by other missionaries. We learned quite a bit about a wide variety of topics:

• Appointing elders (1400 churches in the country of Ghana, and only 12 elderships - a problem that must be addressed)
• Aid projects such as well-drilling outfits and clinics (in 15 years of well drilling in Islamic Northern Ghana, 600 churches have been planted with 16,000 Christians)
• Ways to reach Muslims for Christ (worldwide, more Muslims have converted to Christianity in the last 30 years than in the previous 1400 combined)
• The aids crisis in Africa (in some countries, up to 40% of pregnant women are HIV positive)

The worship was also remarkable. Many of the songs came straight out of the hymnals we grew up using (albeit sung a bit more soulfully here - no offense intended), while we also enjoyed listening to groups sing in their mother tongues. It was a pleasure to praise God with people from so many different places in so many different ways.

While it was great, the conference wasn't perfect - it still has some room to improve. Although one of the stated goals was to encourage fellowship between French- and English-speaking Christians, everything at the conference was done solely in English with no translation. Additionally, by the conference's very nature, only those with money can attend (Africa is a big, expensive place in which to travel). There was a real overrepresentation of Christians who either come from the cities or are supported by Americans; very few 'village people' made the trip.

We were pretty humbled by the whole affair. We've been living in Burkina for almost two years now. We chatted with men and women who've been missionaries as long as our parents have been alive. We ate with men who've had their lives threatened numerous times for refusing to quiet down about Jesus. One especially poignant moment (for Andy) came when Burkina Faso was grouped among the "New and Difficult Fields" from which reports were to be given. While we know every place has its own challenges, he felt almost silly reporting along with countries like Ivory Coast (civil war), Angola (four landmines to every person), Sudan (ripping itself in the middle to form two new countries), and Liberia (a mess since it became a country). Suddenly, the facts that the electricity periodically fries our air conditioner or that strawberry season only lasts two months didn't seem like such insurmountable obstacles.

In brief, the conference was great. I believe most were encouraged, and many new relationships were formed and some old ones strengthened. On top of that, these two green missionaries were able to learn from some of those who have been there and done that several times. Most importantly, though, God was glorified by His children in a way that hasn't happened too often in history, and it was sure neat to be a part of it. Keep this continent always before the Father, praying that its sons and daughters might always be claiming new parts of it for Christ.

Blessings.

Andy and Melissa

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