Andrew and Esther Schaeffer

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

https://youtu.be/9T1R1xI3x-I
https://youtu.be/tXo0H1Ts0vI
April 2021
Dear friends,

The apostle Paul writes: "so that I may by all means, in any and every way, save some by leading them to faith in Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:22, Amplified Bible). Our main ministry focus is building up believers through pastoral training and small group Bible studies. But we also look for ways to facilitate sharing the Gospel, especially with those who have not yet heard. Our radio, prison and hospital ministries are just a few of the means we use to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Yes, and even a music video! Music is a language that speaks to the heart. Written and performed by Pastor Salifou Bene, we are thankful to be able to add signing for the deaf community. We love the fact that this video will make it possible for all to understand the Good News of Christ.

The deaf community remains an unreached people group. In our part of Burkina, there is no strong group of deaf Christians, no church that signs, and no place for the deaf to go if they want to learn about Jesus.

At Bible Study last week some women brought a little boy to me. No one has quite known what to do for Achille. His mom began to attend the Bible study that I teach in her neighborhood. When she heard that I was involved in deaf ministry, she thought maybe I could help. Achille doesn't speak and his mom is not sure if he hears either.

Thank you for praying for us and for giving us the resources that we need to help children like Achille … “so that, in any and every way,” we too may save some by leading them to faith in Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Andrew and Esther

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Andrew & Esther Schaeffer
Mission Protestante C&MA B.P. 3050;
Bobo-Dioulasso 01 Burkina Faso, West Africa
Andrew: aeschaeffer@gmail.com
Esther: estherschaeffer@gmail.com

DONATE: We are supported through the ‘Great Commission Fund’. You can also contribute to support and work fund projects at www.cmalliance.org/give/ or by writing a check to “The Alliance” (memo: “for Andrew Schaeffer ministry”) and sending it to:
The Alliance, 8595 Explorer Drive,
Colorado Springs CO 80920.
Regular updates from MailChimp and www.cmalliance.org/subscribe

BOBO TEAM TWITTER PAGE: bobo_team

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

May 6, 2021

1. This is a big week for us with a two-day seminar leading up to graduation at our Bible School. We have been invited to speak at an English club at a local University as well as sharing with a group of servant girls. We are also getting ready to leave for the U.S. shortly after graduation so that we can hold some grandbabies! Pray that we will prioritize our schedules and lean on the Lord Jesus for wisdom and strength.

2. Pray for a deaf woman who is facing yet another difficulty. Thieves broke into her house and took all her money, phone, and other valuables. She has been struggling with loss of eyesight as well. Pray that she will come to know Christ in the midst of all these problems. Pray for our team as we help her and others in the deaf community that are in difficult situations.

3. We are working on a Sunday school manual in the Jula language. Pray for the team working on this project, that the translation will be clear and the typing accurate - no spell check for Jula!

4. Such a joy at the prison this past week. A woman was released after ten years. She accepted Christ and was baptized while in prison. Pray as she rejoins her family, looks for a church home, and finds a job.

April 29, 2021

1. We had the joy of watching the unpacking of the container and hopefully will soon see things up and running. We are so thankful for our colleague Anco who has done all of this work. Thank you for praying.

https://youtu.be/Yy5I-niTAaE

2. Pray for our Bible School students and the decisions about their placement after graduation. Pray that they would settle in quickly and be given land that they can farm during the rainy season.

3. Pray for Andrew as he speaks at the Poundou graduation ceremony and also at a seminar on the beginnings of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. A busy time as we finish grading and prepare for the end of the school year activities.

4. Pray as our team continues to help out at the deaf school. Pray for those children that will be taking exams this year. Pray also for our deaf students at the sewing school who will be taking a certification exam.

April 22, 2021

1. Thank you for all the birthday greetings and words of encouragement! I did a few of my favorite things; saw my grandchildren on video, radio in the morning, women's Bible study in the afternoon, preparation for pastors' wives conference. Just to remind myself that I am now 64, I realized part way through my morning that I had put my dress on backwards!

2. We have had the great privilege of visiting our former students on weekends and seeing first hand the work they are doing. We praise the Lord for the eight young people that accepted the Lord in the village we visited last weekend. Pray that the digging of a well on the church property would begin in the next few weeks.

3. If you ever want to go to a thrilling prayer meeting, join our widows for their day of prayer and fasting. We met this past week and they quickly lined up to share testimony after testimony of answered prayer. One woman who was left with five children has seen the Lord over and over bring her the help she has needed. Another had three visits to the doctor. On the first visit she was told she had a large tumor. The second visit a surgery was scheduled (which she couldn't afford). The third visit, no sign of the tumor. Pray for these women who truly depend on the Lord for their most basic needs.

4. Our fourth grandchild is expected in the next few weeks! Pray that the Lord would watch over Jillian (David's wife) and baby during these days.

April 15, 2021
1. Pray for Achille and the testing that he will have in the next few weeks. Pray that he will be able to get the help he needs to develop communication skills.
2. Pray for Andrew as he teaches a weeklong intensive course for pastoral students. These are very hot days and no fans in the classrooms. Even the teacher can find it hard to concentrate and stay awake!
3. We are thankful for the arrival of the container in Bobo. Pray as the team comes to do the solar installations at Poundou Bible School
4. Pray for several weekend ministry trips and teaching at a pastors' wives conference. Pray that the Holy Spirit would show us creative ways to reach the hearts of those around us.

April 9, 2021

1. It was one of those memorable events where everything went right. We are thankful for the open door we have to work with these young men at the detention center. To celebrate Easter we invited our Bible School students to lead a time of praise and dancing, followed by a huge meal as well as giving a Bible, new clothing, and shoes to each of the boys. Thank you for praying and giving so that we can be serving this community.

2. Our national church recently held elections. Pray for those who will take up their new responsibilities. Our church is facing unprecedented challenges especially persecution in certain areas. Even as churches are forced to close in some regions, the desire is great to continue with church planting in places where it is still possible.

3. We have a few projects this month. We are hoping to produce Sunday School material in Jula, a music video with signing, as well as a conference for pastors' wives. Each one addresses a different sort of need but all important. Pray that Christ would be exalted and that we would be a channel of blessing to many.

4. Pray for a church where we teach a Bible study. They just secured property to start another church and are facing some push back from neighbors. Pray that a peaceful solution can be found and that Gospel Access will be possible in all areas of our city.

Burkina Faso

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