MARCH 2009 EMAIL FROM OBERGS IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA
 
STANDING STRONG
            Last December, in the village of Banakoro, the good news of Jesus Christ was proclaimed for the first time.  Pastor Fidele, overseeing the church in nearby Samorogouan, was excited to see about 18 people respond to the gospel message, including an old hunter named Nege (pronounced “Neh-gay”) and his family.
            Persecution followed shortly after.  Those who had accepted Jesus as their Savior were threatened that if they continued on with their new faith, they would be completely cut off from their families (including being kicked out of their homes and left without any food).  Facing this fear, most of those who had made commitments turned back.  They knew in their hearts that this was the truth, but the cost of following that truth was too much for them to bear.  
            However, Nege and his family resisted the persecution.  Willing to face whatever might come, they became even stronger in their resolve to follow Christ.  Nege burned all of his fetishes, and the family has faithfully been attending church in Samorogouan on Sundays.  They opened up their courtyard to hold church services in Banakoro on Saturday night, and they have a strong hunger to grow in their new faith.
            Three of the people who had chosen to follow Christ initially have been coming to church on Sundays in Samorogouan, showing that they still have a desire to follow, but they are too afraid to do it openly in their own village.  Please pray for them, that they would have the courage that they need to follow Christ openly, that God would provide for their needs in the face of persecution, and that their testimony would be an example to others who know the truth and are being held back by fear.
            Pray for Nege and his family, that they would be protected and continue to be a strong testimony to their friends and neighbors in Banakoro.  Pray for Pastor Fidel, so new in the ministry, as he shepherds this flock and stands strong himself in the face of adversity.  We praise God for the work that He has begun in this village!
 
YOUTH WORK!
            Our home service spent on Bainbridge Island doing youth ministry before we came to Africa was highly fulfilling for us!  It is exciting to see young people catch the vision to live their lives completely sold out for Christ and to continue on with that passion as they move out on their own into adulthood.
            We have a great opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of some high school students in the Kenedougou region.  Most students who grow up in the region do not have the opportunity to go to high school, simply because there are few high schools in the area.  However, many of them would like to continue on with their education if they had the possibility to so so.  
            Modeling what has been done in other parts of the country, we are setting up a “youth foyer” in Ndorola for high school students to come to for furthering their education.  We are currently building two small houses, one for the gals and one for the guys, on the church property.  A youth team from Salem, OR, has raised the necessary funds for this project, and they will be coming the last few weeks in March to paint these buildings . (More to come on the team and what else they’ll be involved in.)
            Our goal is to have these foyers functioning this coming fall when the new school year starts up.  Pastor Samuel and his wife, Elizabeth, are looking forward to overseeing this ministry.  Parents who send their high school students to Ndorola for schooling will also send along bags of grain for their support, and the youth will also help Samuel and Elizabeth in their fields and with daily chores as part of their “payment”.  Not only will these students have the opportunity to further their education, they will also be growing spiritually as Pastor Samuel will lead regular devotions, and he and his wife will have the opportunity to speak into their lives spiritually.
            Please pray for this undertaking, that this ministry will have a powerful impact on the lives of the youth, who will be the future leaders in the church and in this country.  Many of our church’s strongest leaders have come out of similar foyers, and we pray that God will use the Ndorola youth foyer in such a way for His glory.
 
PRAISING AND PRAYING THIS WEEK:
*The Hull family should have arrived in Florida by now.  PRAY for Toby as he goes to the doctor, that they will be able to run the right tests and find the reason behind his high blood pressure and heart issues.  Please continue to PRAY for healing for him.  Please PRAY for the entire family as they transition back to life in the States.
 
*PRAISE God for the two nights of evangelism in Badara.  About 8 people gave their lives to Christ, and many came forward for prayer.  One lady who was prayed for (who has been suffering from insomnia and could only sleep during the day) came and told the pastor the next morning that it was the first time she had been able to sleep during the night for months.  Please PRAY that this woman would see God’s hand at work in her life and desire to follow Him.
 
*Kevin heads to the bush this Thursday-Sunday for four nights of evangelism around Badara.  Please PRAY for the villages of Gwini, Kwini, and Samblakoura, that many would respond to the gospel message and find freedom in Christ.  PRAY that Kevin would continue to have energy and good health.
 
*Bonnie will drive out to Badara this Sunday with a group from the Alliance Women’s district committee to attend church there.  PRAY for safety as we travel and for an encouraging Sunday with the believers there.
 
*Pray for the final construction of the Ndorola youth foyers, that they will be ready when the team arrives.  Kevin will probably roof the final building next week, if all goes well.
 
*PRAY for the Salem youth team as they are getting final preparations ready for their trip.  Please PRAY that each one will be touched in a powerful way and be challenged to follow God’s calling on their lives, in whatever way He is doing so.  PRAY for us as we finalize details and are getting ready for them!  :o)  
 
Thanks so much for your prayers—you are making a difference!
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 . . .  And we are SO grateful!
 
To give to the Great Commission Fund (helps keep us on the field) –or-
To give to the Oberg Work Special Fund (for our ministry needs in Burkina):
 
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.