MARCH 2008 EMAIL FROM OBERGS IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA

HEALINGS, THEN DEATH—THE QUESTION OF “WHY?”

            We’ve already reported some of the amazing things that took place during the evangelism that the Alliance Women’s group and Toby Hull did in Ndorola and surrounding villages.  Since our last report, we’ve heard some other amazing things!  One of the people who accepted Christ in Siri was the wife of the chief—we pray she will have a crucial role in winning her husband and family to Christ.  Many people received healing in the village of Bangaso.  One woman who limped along can now walk.  One family whose children were all sick saw their children healed.  The next day, the parents brought their kids to the group doing the evangelism and said that they wanted their kids to follow Jesus.  So, the evangelism group prayed with the kids and spent some time teaching and explaining the decision that they were making.  The parents have obviously seen the power of God and acknowledge that He is worthy to be followed, but for whatever reason, have chosen not to follow Him themselves.  Please PRAY that they will see their need for Jesus. 

            After the evangelism campaign, Pastor Samuel from Ndorola went to go visit the new believers in Bangaso to follow up and to continue to encourage them in their faith.  He was so excited to be involved in what God was doing and looking forward to the work ahead in discipling these new Christians.  The day after that trip, his baby girl, Joanna, died.  (We mentioned this as a prayer request in a former letter.)  Pastor Samuel is really struggling (understandably).  It has been hard for him to see the healings that have taken place, and yet, his own daughter was not healed.  (We found out later that the reason why she died was because they couldn’t find the vein in her arm to give her an IV that she needed.)  This has been a heart wrenching situation.  Pastor Samuel and his wife, Elizabeth, lost a 6 month old baby when they were in Bobo several years ago.  Samuel says that for some reason, that death was easier to deal with—they really felt God’s comfort and peace during those days.  The death of Joanna has been much harder.  They are trying to trust and move forward.  Please PRAY for this family, that God would comfort and give them what they need to get through these days.  Please PRAY against discouragement and despair—the enemy would love to see them flounder and fall.      

A LONG WALK TO FIND PEACE

            Kevin’s evangelism trip started off last week with a bang!  On the day he left for Sirasso, he stopped off in Ndorola to greet Pastor Samuel and his family.  When he arrived, he found that Pastor Samuel had a visitor.  An old Muslim man had walked from the village of Siri to the pastor’s house (about  1.5 miles), in order to visit with him and ask questions that he had about what he had seen and heard during the evangelism that had taken place in Siri a few weeks ealier.  During their time together, this man gave his heart to Jesus and is now following Him!  Please PRAY for this man, and for all the other people who had seeds sown in their hearts during the evangelism times but have yet to make a decision.  To see an old Muslim man come to Christ in such a way has been a powerful testimony.   

FIRST WOMEN BELIEVERS IN KATANA

            Do you remember Omar, the man who came to Christ and refused to take part in the fetish worship, whose father-in-law took his wife away, who has had several children pass away since his decision to follow Christ, and who has still remained strong in his faith?  We are SO happy to let you know that his two wives have chosen to follow Christ this past week!  (He was a Muslim before his decision to follow Christ, and for those of you who don’t know, the taking on of several wives is a common practice.)  Up to this point, all of the people who have accepted Jesus in Katana have been men.  For some reason, the women were not choosing to do so—until now!  Please PRAY that these ladies will grow in their faith, and that their testimony will be instrumental in helping win other women for Christ.

A PARTY GOING ON IN TEMETEMESO!

            Imagine this—Kevin is driving into the village of Temetemeso, our LandCruiser stuffed full of believers coming from Sirasso to help out with the evangelism, many on the roof rack because there just isn’t enough room inside.  As those on the roof pound away on drums and sing, a crowd of 200-300 kids come running, cheering, jumping for joy, and dancing, surrounding the vehicle so Kevin has to inch along!  Kevin said it is a sight he will never forget, and a welcome that has been matched by none!    

            During the evenings of evangelism, there were over 1000 people who were there.  They listened attentively to the singing and preaching.  When the movies were shown, they were actively interacting—gasping when something went wrong, clapping and cheering when Jesus healed the sick.  Kevin says this crowd was the most actively engaged of any he has ever seen.  When the invitation was given to follow Christ, 25 adults and many, many children came forward and gave their names. 

            God is doing a tremendous work in this village!  We are seeing the group of believers growing, and we have an open invitation from the village to come back as often as we can.  PRAY for Pastor Marcel as he shepherds this group—he’s got a lot of work to do, but his heart is really into it and he’s actively engaged in sharing God’s love.

WELCOME NEW BABY, LUCAS JONATHAN HULL

            Toby and Kiersten had a baby boy last Sunday, on February 24^th.  The delivery went well, and Lucas is a sweet, healthy little guy.  Thanks for praying!  :o) 

THIS WEEK’S EVANGELIM TRIP

            Kevin leaves today (Monday) with Toby for a four day evangelism trip to Nimberla.  Two years ago, one person came to Christ during evangelism—since that time, a handful more have been added and are worshipping with the Sirasso group.  This village is huge—15,000 people live in and around it.  Please PRAY that many will come to hear the good news of Christ, and that they will be drawn to His saving power.  PRAY for Kevin and Toby as they use these days to plan and make decisions about which discipleship materials that they will be using as follow up with the new believers.

TWO STEPS FORWARD, THREE STEPS BACKWARD

            Please continue to pray for me (Bonnie) as I’m trying to catch up with the bookkeeping.  Seems like I am making progress, but it is going slowly.  I know many of you are faithfully praying for me—thanks!  And keep it up!  :o)

CONNECTING OVER THE MILES!

            We were greatly blessed yesterday (Sunday) as we spent our afternoon/evening doing three video calls with Pastor Jody Bowser and the Moses Lake Alliance Church in Moses Lake, WA!  They set up a Skype call with us during their services—they could see us, we could see them, and what fun it was!  We were able to share what God has been doing here, and they spent time praying for us.  Our hearts were very touched!  Any church or group who is interested in doing this, let us know.  It really isn’t too difficult and it is a way that we can all connect just a little bit better.

Check out our field website!!

            http://burkinaalliance.org  You’ll see new pictures, read new stories, and find all the facts you need about Burkina Faso.

Financial info

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’d like 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.