First Impressions

Randy and Deanna Harrison, Alliance missionaries to Burkina Faso, recently had a visit from Elizabeth Buckley and her son, Josh, from Church of the Savior (non-Alliance) in Kentucky. Following are some of Buckley’s impressions. 
 
The first things I noticed about Burkina Faso were the chaos and dust. As Deanna and Randy drove Josh and me from the airport to their home, I was wide-eyed as we merged into the dusty streets teeming with traffic. Think of an ant hill that has just been kicked and you get a pretty accurate picture of the Ouagadougou streets—bicycles, mopeds, donkey carts, pedestrians, motorcycles, cars, and trucks all trying to be in the same place at the same time. I was ready to kiss the ground when we arrived safely at the Harrison’s house. Deanna told me that she had vowed never to do the driving in Ouagadougou. But now, after having been thrown into the driver’s seat while Randy was out of the country, she is quite ready for NASCAR. 
 
Our stay with the Harrisons was a joy from every standpoint. Randy and Deanna graciously welcomed us into their home, fed us like royalty, drove us all around the city, and included us in everything they were doing—grocery shopping, the youth group’s praise and worship meeting, a three-hour comprehensive tour of the largest hospital in Burkina Faso, and a church service in an impoverished neighborhood. It is a small church plant ministered by six college-age men with burning hearts for Jesus. After the service Deanna and Randy invited the young men to their home for lunch. It was delightful to hear their testimonies (expertly translated into English by Deanna). I am so impressed with their commitment and love for the Lord.  
 
On our first day we attended a lavish wedding in the large central C&MA church. The ceremony was beautiful, with the entire congregation dressed in their most vibrant colors. One humorous aspect about the wedding was that in Burkina Faso people do not show affection publicly, so the pastor had to politely scold the groom to get him to kiss his bride. Everyone got a good chuckle. 
 
Deanna and several other Alliance missionary women teach English classes in a local high school and at a recreational center four times a week. Josh and I were able to attend two of these classes and spent most of the class time conversing with the students. The students expressed their great appreciation for the classes because English is truly the language of the business world. These classes gave us an opportunity to really get to know the Burkinabe—they are lovely people. 
 
We also had an exciting overnight trip to Nazinga Game Reserve in southern Burkina Faso, where a bull elephant charged our SUV while Josh, Rachel, and her friend were riding on the top. I have a new respect for the speed and agility of the elephant!  
 
As Josh and I boarded the plane to leave, our hearts were full of gratitude for the Harrison’s warm hospitality that allowed us to experience real life in Burkina Faso. Even with the 9-inch lizards running across the living room walls (Prov.30:28) and the rats swimming in the toilet (no Scripture reference), I look forward to my return visit to a land and people I have grown to love.

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