Andrew and Esther Schaeffer

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

A SUPER CELEBRATION!

By Andrew Schaeffer, February 7, 2012

A couple weeks ago the stadium in Burkina Faso's capitol was nearly filled to capacity, but this was not a football game. There was a sea of blue in the stands, but these were not NY Giants fans. There were stallions and their dare-devil riders, but this was not a rodeo.

What attracted the huge crowd was Burkina's Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions 50th anniversary celebration! (In French, FEME, which is equivalent to the USA's National Association of Evangelicals). The sea of blue in the stands were Christians wearing clothes made out of the FEME's blue 50th anniversary material. The white stallion, Burkina's national mascot, and his rider were a reminder to this spectator of the rider who is called Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11).

Even more impressive was hearing the worship team and 2000-member choir sing praises to the Lamb who was slain and who is worthy to open the seal (Rev 5:6) . But what really gave me a foretaste of heaven was hearing Bobos, Gurunsis, Mossis, Samos and dozens of other people groups worshipping King Jesus together! (Rev. 7:9) It was indeed a SUPER celebration!

Shortly after Burkina Faso gained her independence in 1960, five evangelical churches and missions, including the Christian & Missionary Alliance, formed the FEME. Their goal was to cooperate together in preaching the gospel "where Christ was not known" so as not to build on "someone else's foundation" (Romans 15:20).

Over these past 50 years, the church in Burkina has experienced explosive growth. According to some estimates Burkina's evangelicals number over 1 million, more than 5% of the population. We praise God for the great things He has done!

Yet there are still so many walking in darkness! Yesterday over 10 million, 60% of Burkina's population, celebrated the prophet Muhammad's birthday.

Shortly before His death, Jesus prayed for His disciples and "for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe ..." (John 17:20b-21)

Please continue to pray for the unity of Christ's body here in Burkina Faso and around the world. It is undoubtedly our most powerful witness!

living the call together,

Andrew & Esther Schaeffer

p.s. Check out "Dr. Drake's" Burkina rap and our son Stephen's playground video clips:
Rap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDGJyeFIJ9s
Playground: http://youtu.be/4ZESxEIjEjg

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

1. Thank you for your prayers for my ministry at the FEME's 50th celebration in Bobo Dioulasso. The audience and I were all inspired by "The Sudan Band," a group of 9 young Americans who in 1890 were among the first to attempt to bring the Gospel to French West Africa.

2. Many gave their lives to Christ during the FEME's evangelistic meetings in 5 different cities. Pray that these new believers will be grounded in the faith and integrated into local churches.

3. We praise the Lord for more workers! Rev. Doug & Karen Conkle returned last week to help reach southwestern Burkina Faso, where many of Burkina's least reach people groups are located.

4. We are grateful for the excellent ministry Dr. Peter Colman had at Poundou and Maranatha Bible Institutes during this past month. Pray for Rev. Milt & Nancy Pierce as they visit to encourage churches in the Bobo District, where they spent their career.

5. Pray for Esther's teaching ministries over this next week at Poundou Bible School, the Kenedougou Province and in Dedougou.

6. Last week Burkina Alliance Church President Job Dao's mother-in-law passed away. This Saturday Job and Andrew will attend West Africa Alliance Seminary President Isaac Keita's funeral in Conakry, Guinea. Pray that our Good Shepherd will comfort the bereaved.

7. We are so grateful for generous gifts that will enable us to roof two more churches. Please pray that the Lord will also provide a motorbike ($1500) for 3 district superintendents. Pray too for the many who are struggling to make ends meet due to a poor harvest.

February 5, 2012 The week ahead Andrew and Esther Schaeffer
1. We are frantically trying to finish up our classes this week and give our final exams. All will have to be done by Thursday afternoon as our new semester starts Monday of next week.

2. Andrew is planning to travel to Conakry this coming weekend with our church president to attend the funeral of Dr. Isaac Keita. Pray for safe travels, good health, and that he would be an encouragement to all.

3. Esther travels to Pondou on Wednesday with Kiersten Hull to teach. We are already hearing of food shortages among our students there. Pray that we will have wisdom and that the Lord will provide all that our students need.

4. Some refugees are already coming to our city. We are hearing some discouraging figures as to the numbers who will find it hard to secure food this year. We know that this is why we are here at this time and that Christ still uses His people to meet the needs of those suffering. Pray that we will be Spirit-led in using the resources that we have available.

5. Friday, Kiersten Hull and I will again take to the roads. This time to N'Dorola to teach a seminar for new women believers. Pray that we will clearly present the new life that is theirs in Christ.

Burkina Faso

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