MARCH 2007 EMAIL FROM OBERGS IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA

EVANGELISM UPDATE
The team arrived from Bainbridge Island last Monday and Kevin took them to the bush Wed-Thur nights. They had an excellent opportunity to see the ministry that is taking place here during our evangelism campaigns, as well as experience life in a very remote setting. We praise God that during those two nights of evangelism, about 5 men came forward to commit their lives to following Christ. There is an existing church in this village of about 15 families—please pray that these new believers will grow in their faith as they join this group. (See picture for typical evangelism scene.)
Fri-Sat nights, Kevin returned to the same area for evangelism in a neighboring village. I should explain that the villages in this area are heavily animistic, and it is a very real struggle for these people to leave their ways and turn to Christ. During the showing of the film, they watch attentively, and they also listen very carefully to the message that is preached. Kevin said that many raised their hands to indicate a desire to follow Christ, but when it came time to come forward and pray with the pastor, only one person made his way to the front of the crowd. It is SO hard for them to “forsake” their former ways—Satan’s power of fear over these people is strong. Please PRAY that they will find true freedom in Christ, and that they won’t be afraid to make that initial step of accepting Christ as their Savior.
Another blessing during this time was that the chief of a village we were in three weeks ago for evangelism gave the new believers there an old school building that they can use temporarily, until they get their own church built. It is quite a shock that he would be willing to go this far—usually granting land is about all we can expect to receive, and sometimes that isn’t easily obtained, and so we are praising God for this provision.

A LITTLE FURTHER EXPLANATION
Kevin also had the opportunity to return to the area where evangelism took place the last week of January. You will remember that over 100 people responded to the gospel message at that time. On his return, he found that about 11 of those are faithfully attending church and seeking to grow in their faith. You might be surprised or discouraged at this news, but to be honest, this often takes place here. Often we don’t like “publishing” the numbers of those who made decisions during the campaigns, because those who follow through on those commitments are the ones who reflect the true “numbers” of believers in that area.
One might question the value of doing the evangelism campaigns and whether or not this is the most “effective” way to go about it. The important thing to realize is that we view the evangelism campaigns as the initial step into a community, a way to introduce the gospel of Christ to a large group of people, and allowing those who are ready to respond the opportunity to do so. What is MOST IMPORTANT is the follow up that takes place, the work of the believers and the pastors in continuing to share the good news, to answer questions that arise, and to establish a group of believers who will continue to reach out to those around them. Often commitments to Christ aren’t made initially at the time of the campaign, but as the Holy Spirit works in peoples’ hearts and they continue to search for truth, many will make a commitment to follow Christ later on as a result of that initial “introduction” during the evangelism campaign.
Last summer, you will remember that Kevin did one campaign in the month of July. Usually we don’t do them during rainy season, as it is a difficult time to get around and the damage that is done to the equipment if a sudden rain storm comes can be irreparable. During that campaign, one young man made his way forward in front of a very large group of people who had come and accepted Christ as his Savior. This young man’s name was “Ngo”, and you might remember that he is the one who died just a few months ago. If that campaign would not have taken place, Ngo probably would not have had an opportunity to hear about Christ, and he would not be in heaven today. Is it worth it even for just one person? I’m sure that Ngo would tell you, “Yes!”
God knows! We will continue to move forward as He leads, praying for those who are ready to respond initially during a campaign, and praying that it will be the first step on a spiritual journey for those who will respond to the gospel of Christ later on. Please join us in those prayers, pray that we will have wisdom as we move forward, and pray that the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon this place and lives will be changed for eternity! Thanks so much—your ministry of prayer is crucial to what is happening here.

THIS WEEK’S CAMPAIGN
Kevin leaves today (Monday) with two Bobo pastors for another four night evangelism campaign in the villages of Banzon and neighboring Kounesini. You might remember that Pastor Francois is in Banzon, and there is a fairly large group of believers there. Please PRAY through the evangelism requests that I sent out last month for these two villages—we would love to see God grow His church in this place.

BLESSINGS AND BURDENS
God has blessed us tremendously this past month. Visits with our niece and with friends from Bainbridge Island have touched our hearts, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time together with them and being a bit spoiled!! :O) (Our pantry is stocked once again with American goodies . . . .) Our prayer conference was a wonderful time of spiritual refreshment and challenge—the team who came from Salem, OR, were such an encouragement to us and God spoke to our hearts in many ways. We have much to be thankful for!
But to be honest, these past weeks have seen some discouragements. You will remember that during our last “evangelism” season, we had some major issues that took place. It appears to be the same this year—different issues, but to be honest, discouraging to us at the same time. One of the pastors we work closely with and an evangelist who was going to be part of one campaign have both been put under discipline by the church here for some serious sin issues in their lives. (Please pray for these men and for their families, that they would seek God, and that He would give them victory in their lives and bring them back to complete restoration.) Some issues from home are also weighing on our hearts at this time. The busyness that naturally comes at this time of year makes our lives quite hectic, which means that the added little things that come our way can appear to be bigger than they are! And to top it all off, the Bobo police are out in full force and I (Bonnie) have been pulled over 5 times in the last two weeks! Most of them have been friendly and just checking paperwork, but I had another run in with the same guy as last year who pulled me over and fined me again for running a YELLOW light . . . . So frustrating! Please PRAY that God would help us as we process these serious (and not so serious) issues that come our way, that He would give us His grace to deal with them, and that we would continue to have His joy in the midst of difficulties.

JUST A LITTLE NOTE
Due to the craziness of our lives at the moment, I apologize to those who have emailed and are waiting a response from me. I hope to be wading through my inbox soon—thank you for your patience. Also, for anyone who might have given to us financially over the past several months, I believe that one of my thank you notes was torn up in the mail and you didn’t get it—please know that we appreciate your gift and we want to be sure to express our thanks!

Thanks for your prayers—we are counting on them!
Kevin, Bonnie, Daniel, Jacob, Abby, and Emma
kevinoberg@cmaburkina.com

How You Can Give To Our Ministry In Burkina Faso . . .

To give to the Great Commission Fund (GCF: general support fund for C&MA work at home & abroad, providing money to keep Alliance missionaries on overseas fields) -or-

To give to the Oberg Work Special Fund (for ministry needs for our work here in Burkina Faso--email us if you want a list of projects we are working on):

1) Mail a check payable to The C&MA to the following address, with the appropriate information in the memo line of the check (include our name and the fund desired: i.e. “Oberg GCF/Support” or “Oberg Work Special”): The C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
2) Go to www.cmalliance.org to give online with a credit card.




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