December 19, 2007
By Esther Schaeffer, Missionary to Burkina Faso,
December 3, 2007
The United Nation’s latest country index rates Burkina Faso as the next-to-last country you’d want to live in. But we are certainly happy to live here. Let me share
a few reasons why we rate Burkina Faso as the best place in the world to live.
We work with a wonderful National Church. This afternoon, our 17 local churches gathered at a large outdoor theatre to celebrate what God has done for us over the last year. We don’t take for granted the godly church president that we have the privilege of working with and the many church leaders with a heart for the lost. Our National Church graciously allows us to minister freely and includes us in many different ways.
There is openness to the Gospel. I remember visiting one of our church families awhile back. They set up a television in the street and 100 people gathered around to watch the Jesus film. We hold backyard Bible clubs and 400 children show up. The opportunities at the Christian radio station are endless. Both Christian and non-Christian alike tune in faithfully to our broadcasts.
We have a record number of students at our Bible school and our new students are entering school with a higher level of education. We have been able to make significant improvements to the campus and it has been exciting to see the dream of a new library become a reality. I have endless teaching possibilities. Our women are so hungry to know what the Bible says. I teach for an hour-and-a-half and think, “Surely they have had enough.” Then the women fill up another hour with questions.
We have such a wonderful missionary family. We complement each other, help each other and encourage each other. Our times of prayer and fellowship help fill the void that we sometimes feel being so far away from family and friends.
When my sister sent me the UN’s index she added, “Just in case you needed proof that you are in a country that needs you.” Isn’t it that sense of purpose that makes life meaningful for the Christian, no matter where we live?
I doubt planet earth would have rated very high on heaven’s index of great places to live. Yet our Lord Jesus willingly chose to move here, in spite of the conditions, so that needy people might know Him, the true Light, and experience life in all its fullness.
Thank you for helping to make it possible for us to live in the greatest place on earth. Merry Christmas!