EXPERIENCING MISSIONS-101
It’s been a long time since we were earning our Missions degrees at Simpson College (now Simpson University :o), sitting in Dr. Jack Davidson’s and Dr. David Dummer’s classes discussing cultural anthropology, basic missiology, church/mission relations, etc. Sometimes I wish I could go back and sit through those discussions again, now with a bit of experience and insight (and probably a LOT more questions regarding, “What do you do in this situation . . . .?”)
Now we’re in the thick of it, experiencing first hand all of those “theories” and “case studies” we studied so long ago. We got a good dose of the “church/mission” issue this past week. To put it bluntly, the meeting with the district did not go well. In fact, it fell far below what we were hoping for and we were probably the most discouraged that we’ve ever been in our partnership with the district so far. That’s just a bit of honesty there, and it drove us to our knees. It would take too long to go into all of the intricacies involved, but we were basically at a point where all we could do was wait on the Lord and pray that He would work in the hearts of everyone involved (including ourselves) and bring us to a point of resolution. We were frustrated, it was made very clear to us that they were frustrated, and there you go. Now what?
I’m convinced that all of you who were praying for that meeting had your prayers directly answered in the days that followed that meeting, rather than in the meeting itself. A few days later, one of the committee members came by to meet with Kevin. He apologized on behalf of the district for the way that the meeting was conducted. (Ever notice how an apology is like a healing balm on a festering wound? That in itself was a huge step in bridging the gap.) They talked further about some of the misconceptions that had taken place and what can be done in the future to avoid some of those. We were encouraged after this meeting, convinced that a “middle ground” can be reached and hopeful that we can continue to work together.
Please continue to PRAY. Our total desire is to continue to work hand in hand with the church. We might have two different cultural backgrounds in which we approach things, but I believe that God can use the strengths of both to further His kingdom in the Kenedougou region. Pray that we would all be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the church would see her potential and not focus on her limitations. Pray that we would be realistic and open to areas where we need to “bend”.
WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT!
God knew what we needed after having a week like we had, and now, we can’t tell you how encouraged we are! The district held a missions celebration service yesterday. It’s been one year since they sent Pastor Samuel and Elizabeth to Ndorola as their missionaries, and they wanted to have a service celebrating all that God has done in this past year in this missionary endeavor. Our national church president, Job Dao, gave an encouraging and inspiring missions message that ranked right up with some of the other top missions messages that I’ve heard. I was ready to jump up at the end, saying, “Sign me up!” :O) Well, I guess I already am signed up, but a good confirmation that we are where God wants us to be. Pastor Samuel gave a report of all that has been taking place in Ndorola and the surrounding villages, and a few times during his report, spontaneous clapping broke out as people praised God for what He has done and is continuing to do in the region. Samuel gave specific prayer requests and it was a blessing to take time at the end and cover these needs in prayer. (See picture—Samuel is on the left.)
We came away from this service encouraged—God is clearly at work in the Kenedougou region, and this was a good reminder to us to focus on what HE is doing. Kevin is excited to head into this year’s evangelism season—we can’t wait to see what God has planned! We wish that all of you who are faithfully praying could have been at this service—you definitely have an important part in what is happening here because of your prayers.
Please continue to pray for the district as they move forward in this missionary endeavor. It has been frustrating for them as many of the people who made commitments to help out in certain ways have not followed through on these commitments, leaving them in a difficult position, specifically related to financing. There is a group in the district who is definitely in support of and pushing for this missionary endeavor, but it is also clear that the district as a whole hasn’t adopted this vision as their own. Please pray for the district leadership, that they would know how to share this vision and that the pastors and believers would get behind it as we know they could.
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THIS WEEK:
*Kevin, Toby, the Bobo district president, and the Kenedougou pastors and leaders will be getting together in Ndorola on Tuesday to plan this year’s evangelism season. Pray for wisdom and that the Holy Spirit would guide and lead them in this planning. Following the meeting, they will be going to Sirasso to pray for Pastor Marcel.
*Pastor Marcel is not doing well. He is pretty much bed ridden and is suffering with the pain. Please continue to PRAY for God’s will to be done and for His name to be glorified. Pray for Suzanne, Marcel’s wife, who is caring for him.
*The end of Ramadan is this week (the month long fast that Muslims are taking part of around the world). PRAY that God would be working in people’s hearts and drawing them to Jesus. Please PRAY specifically for our guard, Moussa, who at one point prayed to receive Christ but has fallen back into his Muslim faith because his uncle will not permit him to leave the “family religion”.
*We head to Samorogouan on Sunday. Pray for an encouraging time with Pastor Fidele and Nyangali, and with the believers who are there. Pray that they would continue to be a strong testimony to Christ in that village.
Thanks for praying,
Kevin, Bonnie, Daniel, Jacob, Abby and Emma Oberg
kevinoberg@cmaburkina.com
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 give to the Great Commission Fund (towards our monthly support) –or- To give to the Oberg Work Special Fund (for ministry needs for our work specifically in Burkina Faso):
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.