December 30, 2010
This Blog Has Moved
Sadly, due to problems with Movable Type, I can't get back into my blog here.
Under the Acacias will continue however, and I have started blogging at a new site.
You can find it by following this link to:
www.undertheacacias-blog.org.uk
There you will be able to keep up with our news and photos from Gorom-Gorom, as well as other news from Burkina Faso.
Thank you. See you there...
November 22, 2010
Would you Adam and Eve it?
In Burkina, Lynne and I have been given the names Adama (Adam) and Hawwa (Eve). This causes some amusement because they are the names often given to twins here. While in Markoye recently, we met a family with new twins called Adama and Hawwa. So, above you can see Adama with Hawwa, and Hawwa with Adama...
...or was it the other way round...?
November 17, 2010
The Other Woman
Walking around Gorom-Gorom, as I introduce Lynne to people as my wife, most people have been really happy. Many of them – Christians and Muslims -have been praying for a wife for me for years. One had even offered me his daughter.
But our Tamacheq friend at the telephone centre looked a bit confused when I introduced Lynne.
"Oh..." he said, "...did you get rid of the other one then...?"
He obviously thought I had been married before.
It turns out he was thinking of my colleague, Dave, who used to live in Markoye, and was married. Now, Dave is quite a bit shorter than me, has black curly hair, and wears glasses.
However, it was an understandable confusion, because - as I am constantly told here:
"All you white people look the same..."
November 09, 2010
Inauguration of Wakkil Alla School, Gorom-Gorom
The inauguration of Wakkil Alla School in Gorom-Gorom went off really well on Sunday. Thank you for all your prayers.
Click Here to see a lot more photos and details of the day at the Acacia Partnership Trust website.
To contribute towards the ongoing building of the school facilities, please click below. Thank you.
November 08, 2010
Newsletter November 2010
Continue reading "Newsletter November 2010"
November 04, 2010
Gorom-Gorom School 2010-11
The new school year is underway at the "Wakkil Alla" Primary School in Gorom-Gorom in their new buildings.
Above is a photo of year 3 (CE1), with their teacher, the headmaster Nicodeme, and below is a picture of the school in use:
To see more pictures of the school, go to the APT website: www.acaciapartnershiptrust.org.uk, and please pray for the school and the children. Thank you.
On Sunday, it is the official inauguration of the school, with various dignitaries coming along to join us in celebrating the official opening of the school. I will be posting more news and photos after that time.
Of course, this is just the start. We will be re-starting fund-raising for the second phase of construction, including 3 more classes and subsidiary buildings. We estimate we will need about another £100,000, and will be producing a funding document in the coming weeks. To contribute towards the building of the school, please click below. Thank you.
October 31, 2010
Workers for the Harvest
Here are some of the pastor-missionaries with local churches and national denominations, with whom it is our privilege to work in the province of Oudalan here in Burkina Faso:
Back row: Jean (Tasmakat), Jean (Tinakof), Daniel (Gorom-Gorom), Pierre (Gorom-Gorom), Ousseini (Essekane)
Front Row: Matthias (Oursi), Samuel (Deou), Paul (Saouga), Adama (Markoye)
They and their families are an inspiration to us as they live out passionate and committed faith in often difficult situations, and as they seek to bring God’s love and grace to the communities where they live.
Please pray for these men of God who have given themselves wholly to serve Christ and the kingdom of God. Thank you
Please click below if you wish to donate online to support our church-planting work. Thank you.
October 28, 2010
This Week's Best Kicks
In third place: The Camel Kick. My truck gets swiped by an angry and obstinate camel’s thudding back hoof, as I try to squeeze past it to get through the millet fields to the village on the sand dune.
In second place: The Carling Kick. Simon Cox scores with a long-range cracker to seal the Baggies’ 4-1 victory over Leicester, and assure progress to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.
And the winner is.... The Tiny Kick. Last night, baby Smith made his presence felt with a few vigorous kicks to Lynne’s insides, causing delight in the Smith household :O)
