A mound of backpacks!

The first stage was purchasing some 4000+ backpacks and getting them stuffed with suprises for the kids here in Burkina Faso! What you see here is only one third of the backpacks that were stuffed before being wrapped.

Just thinking....

As the sun set each night this last week while I was in Ghana, I had time to really reflect on the past year spent here in West Africa. I'm beginning to realize just how far off I've been in trying to "guess" or try and "estimate" where I'll be in the future. I mean, who could have ever told me three years ago that I'ld be here in West Africa doing full time missions - certainly not me......and so I've allowed myself a new freedom of looking ahead at life. Gazing into the future with an open mind and no end in sight - dependant upon God's daily leading for my life......What a place to be.....

Looking a little closer.....

Soo, these last couple weeks have been filled with observations of all kinds. Throughout many of my travels here in Burkina Faso, I am always amazed at the flood of American t-shirts that seem to saturate the country from boarder to boarder.......but on this last trip it wasn't any American name brand or Nike swoosh that caught my eye. This pic was taken just before leaving a wonderful (and very gracious) family that we stayed with out in the "bush" for a few days. Notice the little girl's nice clean white shirt.......then look a little closer. It's moments like these that open my mind up to a whole "other" world out there. A perspective totally different than my own complete with other world views and sooo much more.........

No bus station here......

On one of our last village trips - we had a little time to burn on the side of the road just waiting for the next bus to come along that was heading our way. Luckily we had the shade of some trees and this great truck load of logs giving us a little shade and something to lean against

A little more than "Off Road"

Biking off into the "Bush" this last week was quite the adventure. After endless hours of scorching sun, we were looking at heading off for what we thought was just a short little ride down to the White Volta River. We were more than happy when the wind kicked up and the weather suddenly shifted, bringing in an awesome cloud cover and cool air. Three-four hours later we were on our way back - exhausted - but ecstatic about the latest adventure in the African Bush!

The Latest Village Trip...

Well, just this last week - I had the privelage of accompaning a small group of new interns here out into the "African Bush" doubling as a translator/photographer for the group! From the hot scorching sun to the fresh cool rains of Africa - we had an incredible time staying with an incredible local family that we had recently befriended and discovering further ways to introduce the Gospel to the remote regions of southern Burkina Faso!

All Smiles!!!

This last Saterday we had the awesome opportunity to present the Gospel to over 50 kids that we have been working with each week for the last year! This little guy is more than proud of his "Wordless Book" that he had just finished up. Nothing but smiles!!!

On the way to church....

A crowd of over 300+ people formed a greeting party and then followed the vehicles up to the small church in Ziga! This was all in response to the tremendous impact that the children's pastors training program is having.
Our first session was held just this last January with only 15 pastors being trained!!! After 3 of those 15 left to find work in Ivory Coast - there remains 12 children's pastors; and as you can see - God is using them to have an incredible impact!!!

Upon entering Ziga....

Upon entering the small village of Ziga - this was the greeting party that quickly surrounded the vehicles and led the way up to the small church. As you can see, the impact of the children's pastors training is hard to describe in words!!!

A GREETING FIT FOR A KING!!

Upon entering the small village of Ziga, hundreds of men, women, and children surrounded the vehicles in thanks for the incredible impact that our children's pastors training program is having in the area!!!!