MAY 2009 EMAIL FROM OBERGS IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA
 
BACK IN OREGON!
            Thank you SO MUCH for all those who have been praying for us over this past month of transition back to the US.  We did arrive in the US—a relatively “hassle-free” trip (other than an annoying plane delay at the end that resulted in a 2 hour later arrival time in Portland, OR).  Not too bad, but when you’ve already been traveling for 34 hours . . . .   :O)  But, a very nice lady at the Ouaga airport did move our family into the VIP lounge when we flew out of Ouaga so that the kids could sleep on some comfy couches (our flight left at 3:30 am), so I can’t complain . . . .  
            We are living in the home that Kevin grew up in, which is the same place where we lived during our last home assignment.  The kids are really enjoying being back in America.  Daniel and Jacob have sheep (“Commer” and “Stinky” at the moment, but we’re hoping for a name change on the second one :o) and pigs that they are taking care of and will show at the county fair in August.  It’s been a “cool adjustment” having come from hot season in Burkina to rain in Oregon, but everyone seems to be adjusting fine (after some quick shopping for warmer clothes right away!).
            We hit the ground running and in many ways feel like we haven’t yet recovered from our last couple of months in Burkina.  Those were pretty stressful months, and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your prayers in getting us through.  Please continue to PRAY for us as we get used to life in America again.  
 
WHAT NOW?  
            I’m actually writing to you from Louisville, Kentucky!  Kevin and I left last Wednesday to go visit his brother and family in Florida, see some special friends in Georgia, and now we are at the C&MA’s General Council in Kentucky for the week.  It has been SO great seeing family and friends, and we will spend a lot of time doing that this summer.
            We have decided to home school our kids for the year, making it possible to travel as a family as we do our tours in the churches sharing about all God is doing in the Kenedougou region in Burkina Faso.  After being separated so much these past years with Kevin in the bush a lot, we decided we needed a year of not being so separated!
            Our prayer emails will probably not come as often as they do when we are in Africa, but I will do my best to keep you updated as frequently as I can so that you will continue to have up-to-date praise and prayer requests.  We are hoping to receive emails from those we work with in Burkina as well, and I will share that information with you as I get it.  PLEASE continue to PRAY for our pastors and the work in the Kenedougou region.  We would love to see the National Church take hold of this ministry and thrive this year!
 
HEART HEALTH
            Now for your official “health update”.  :o)  Thank you SO much for praying for Toby Hull and his hearth issues—many of you have faithfully prayed for him and have asked how he is doing.  He and Kiersten are at Council here in Kentucky with us (just had dinner at TGIF with them tonight—YUM!), and he is doing very well.  He is on blood pressure medication for 6 months, and then the doctors will watch how he responds when they take him off.  We are all praying for a clean bill of health.
            I (Bonnie) have also had some recent heart issues that I would like to ask prayer for.  About a month and a half before I left Burkina, I started experiencing regular heart palpitations.  To make a long story short (and spare you all the details), I ended up in the ER last week in Dallas, OR, due to the fact that the palpitations were happening very close together (and thus, making me dizzy).  The doctor ruled out any danger, and I will follow up with my family doctor in June.  The ER doc thinks it is a combination of stress (I wonder why!) and caffeine.  So, I’ve been “caffeine-free” for a week now, and I have to say that I’m doing MUCH better.  I feel the palpitations very rarely, and maybe by the time that I see the doctor in June, I won’t be having them any more.  Please PRAY for complete healing for me and for wisdom for the doctor when I discuss this with him.  
 
MK (MISSIONARY KID) QUOTES OF THE MONTH:
Daniel:  American church is not as hot as African church!
Jacob:  Is it EVER warm in Oregon?
Abby:  Can we go to the Dollar Tree today? (asks this every morning)
Emma:  McDonalds!  McDonalds!  (when discussing what we should eat)
Mom and Dad:  Kids, put your shoes on!  It’s 55 degrees!
 
Thank you so much 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 . . .  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.