October 22, 2013
By Betty Arnold, serving with Envision in Burkina Faso, West Africa
The following report is adapted from Betty’s recent update.
“Knowing the English word for ‘please’ is going to change so much for us! It will help us present a friendlier face to English-speaking travelers entering our country.”
This is one of many positive reports we received after 124 Burkinabé national airport police officers completed the English as a Second Language (ESL) course that a U.S. Envision team taught this summer.
We developed the curriculum with the help of the police, who walked us through the steps travelers take when they arrive at the airport, clear customs, and return to leave the country. At each checkpoint the police told us what they say to travelers; we then wrote the phrases on a white board in French and translated them into English.
Classes to Continue
During the four-day course the policemen reenacted the various airport transit scenarios and practiced speaking English with one another. At the end of the course, we typed up the phrases in French and English and printed booklets for each attendee to keep.
Many of the students expressed a great hunger to speak English fluently. And the airport chief of police has invited us to continue teaching the ESL classes, which we plan to start up again at the end of this month.
We’ve learned that the best ministries here are relational. This outreach has allowed us to build relationships with the men and women who serve at the Burkina Faso National Airport, laying the groundwork to share the gospel with them.
What You Can Do
Pray
Using the weekly Alliance Weekly Prayer Requests, join other Alliance family members to pray for our workers who are engaged in creative outreaches that embody the Savior’s care.
Give
- Give to the Great Commission Fund (GCF) and support Alliance workers, like the Envision team in Burkina Faso, who are building relationships that create opportunities to share the hope that only Christ offers.
- Give now
Learn More
- Check out short-term service opportunities through The Alliance.
- “A String of Lights,” in the October 15 issue of Alliance Life magazine, describes how teaching English to Malian professionals is creating opportunities to share the good news.