It was Easter Sunday morning in Burkina Faso. After the long, hot, dry season, the vegetation had almost completely disappeared.
Burkina was brown and dusty.
Everyone that morning was as eager for the first showers of the rainy season as many North Americans this year have been ready for spring after the long, cold winter.
The Bobo Central Alliance Church pastor had just finished his Easter sermon when the first rains began to fall. Within moments, there was a deafening downpour on the church’s tin roof.
No one could hear the closing announcements and prayer. So the song leader approached the microphone and led us in a Resurrection hymn.
Before long, the people began to exit the pews and dance in the aisles—Burkinabé style. We continued to dance and sing one song after another.
Since most walk or bike to church, no one was eager to venture out into the rain. We sang for an hour before the showers subsided and the service was brought to a close.
It was one of the most memorable Easters I’ve experienced as we celebrated Christ’s Resurrection and the new life that the rainy season (and springtime) brings.
Isn’t it wonderful to witness the Resurrection in God’s creation this time of the year?
—By Andrew Schaeffer, an Alliance international worker currently on home assignment from Burkina Faso