Lorinda Robinson

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

Greetings once again from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso!

I trust that this letter finds you doing well and looking forward to the hope of spring. I know that Punxsutawney Phil said it was going to be an early spring and I hope he is right but it sure sounds to me like there has been an awful lot of snow in the air the last couple of weeks. Hope you can finally put those snow shovels away for the season!

Well, as you see, the title to this update is change and transition. So, let me fill you in on what is happening in my life.

First of all, I finished English classes for this year. What a blast we had together – learning English & building relationships. Let me just share a couple of exciting things with you:

* The week that we had our Strategic Field Review, my Monday night class met together to review. The following week when I returned, we had class as usual. At the end of class, I asked for prayer requests and praises. One of the students shared a praise for a subject that I had never heard about. I was a bit confused so asked when we had prayed for that topic. The students informed me that they had prayed for it the previous week when I was gone, adding that they couldn’t have English class without having prayer time. How exciting to see them taking their requests to God!

* At Christmas time, we did the Christmas story in English. At the end of my Thursday evening class, my students (5 M*slim young men – see picture) asked if they could have Bibles so that they could read it for themselves. I was more than happy to share Bibles with them. (Thanks, Greenville Alliance Church!) The following week, they wanted to know if I could help them get good English dictionaries to use while reading their Bibles and if they could ask me some questions about what they were reading. Yes! and Yes!
I have loved working with all 8 groups of students this past semester – teaching, learning, laughing, and sharing. I will truly miss spending time with them.

But change is in the air. It is time to think about heading to the US for Home Assignment. I will be heading Stateside in May, in time for General Council in Kansas City in May.

In the last letter, I mentioned to you that we would be having our Strategic Field Review (SFR) here in Burkina. It went well and I don’t think there were any real surprises as a result of it. Again, change is in the air. There are some changes in the works for Burkina and the C&MA in Africa, things like sub-regionalization & the integration of Envision (short-term), Marketplace Ministries (formerly IFAP) and CAMA Services into our teams, creating great potential for future partnerships.

Following the SFR, I had the opportunity to head to Senegal for a week. The first night while I was there having dinner with the team, Joel Bubna, the Field Director asked us what we would be doing in 5 years if there were no restrictions of any kind. I realized something: there are few points in my life that if you had asked me that question and then jumped ahead 5 years, I would actually be doing what I thought. God has a way of surprising us!

Five years ago, I had no idea that I would be looking at a transition to another country. But after much thought and prayer, I do sense that God is indeed leading me to head to Senegal after Home Assignment. Senegal is a country that is predominantly M*slim (95%). English is one of the tools that can be used to establish relationships and earn the right to speak into people’s lives. I am very excited about the huge ministry opportunities there! On the other hand, change, especially one this big is never easy. So, I covet you prayers:

1. that all the details and steps that need to take place to make the move official will go smoothly.
2. for good closure here in Burkina and all the good-byes: friends, colleagues, students, workers, etc. I don’t even want to think about how Adama is going to respond.
3. for sorting, packing selling things here; shipping furniture to Senegal; getting an outfit ready for there
4. for provision for the needs for the English Center in Dakar following Home Assignment.
5. Classes at Wheaton during Home Assignment starting in June (right after Council) Pray my scholarship come thro’!

I will try to be in touch soon with more details of how things are progressing and plans for the near future. Thank you SO much for praying and for you faithful, loving support. You guys are GREAT!

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

See text of letter above.

Burkina Faso

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