August 6, 2009
By Andrew Schaeffer,
Serving in Burkina Faso
A few months ago Nicodemus, the director of the Alliance Bookstore in Bobo Dioulasso, asked me to help order 4,000 Jula songbooks from China Alliance Press in Hong Kong. (Jula is the local dialect in Bobo and surrounding western Burkina Faso.) Nicodemus’ songbook stock was depleted; China Alliance Press still had the songbook stencils from a previous printing-and the best price.
Songbooks Arrive in Burkina
Songbooks are still in great demand among Christians in Burkina Faso. Pastors encourage their members to come to church with their Bible and songbook in hand so that they can fully participate in worship.
Two weeks ago we received word that the 4,000 Jula songbooks had arrived at customs in Ouagadougou, Burkina’s capitol. Please pray that they will clear customs without expense and will be a great blessing to Jula-speaking believers throughout Burkina Faso.
2,200 Pairs of Shoes
A friend from Grace Church in Cleveland is responsible for screening brand name shoes, pulling them off of the market if they aren’t authentic. Since these imitations can’t be sold, he is able to donate them to Grace Church for distribution in impoverished countries through a partnership between Grace Church and World Vision.
Two years ago, we received 1,450 pairs of shoes-each pair carefully tied together and lovingly bagged by Grace Church volunteers. Another church member who works for a transport company shipped the shoes to port at no cost [to us]. As a result, each Alliance pastor and Bible school student in Burkina Faso received at least one pair of shoes.
This summer Grace Church blessed us with another 2,200 pairs of shoes, enough for each student at our three Christian secondary schools to receive a pair. What joy these free shoes are going to bring to these students!
100 Computers
Two years ago, we also received 20 refurbished computers for our new library at Maranatha Bible Institute, thanks to Stephen Beck at Global Tech Ministries. This year, he helped us obtain 100 more computers to update and replenish the computer labs at each of our three Christian secondary schools in Burkina.
Last week the container left port and is now en route to Burkina Faso. Please pray that the container arrives safely and will pass through customs easily.
Andrew and Esther Schaeffer are on a one-year home assignment, living in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.