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September 17, 2009

Keith and Lynne in Gorom-Gorom 1 - by Lynne

We are now back in the UK. Thanks for your prayers.

Keith's Introduction
Our time in Gorom-Gorom was good. There were a lot of good things happening - the soccer school, baptisms, our wedding blessing, catching up with our Burkinabe family and friends. But it was too busy - there was simply too much for our short first visit there. There was also a big flood in Ouaga, which you probably heard about.

Unfortunately we didn't have any internet connection, and we were unable to post anything, so I will be correcting this over the next few days, with photos and video.

To begin with, here is something written by Lynne a couple of days after we arrived, and shares her perspective on our time there in Gorom-Gorom:

Lynne's Observations (Wed 2 Sep)

"We arrived safely in Ouagadougou last Saturday. However the truck we drove to Gorom-Gorom had no MOT and Keith’s trunk with all his personal effects has gone missing...welcome to Africa!

When we left Ouaga we just missed the terrible floods they have had to endure...the hospital has been flooded and thousands of people have lost their homes. They had more rain in a few hours than Gorom gets in a whole year. Please pray for the people who are suffering the loss of the few possessions they have, for the church to step in and provide relief and as the sewage system fails to cope for protection against disease.

We arrived in Gorom-Gorom for the first time as a married couple and have began to set up home. I (Lynne) am adapting to the heat, culture, setting up house in our 1 room traditional mud-brick house, shaking everyone’s hand and practicing my terrible French and non-existent Fulfulde. Keith is getting used to having a wife spend all his money and the challenges and restrictions that marriage brings. We both agree that our lives have in every way been enriched by marriage. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I get very tired trying to concentrate on what people are saying and in this culture where hospitality is important many people come to visit us. Keith is translating for me and that takes a lot of his time and energy too. People here have been so kind, especially the two families who we share our yard with. They have been very considerate of the challenges we face and the men have included me in everything, even though this is not cultural. Please pray for the families of Pastor Pierre and Seydou who are such an important part of our lives and have given up so much to come to this physically and spiritually dry region to serve God.

Many of the local pastors have come to visit us, and recently brought us 4 live chickens and 100 eggs for a wedding gift! Keith spends time encouraging them and helping them in their ministry. He is so well respected and loved by the pastors and the local community here, having sown 20 years of his life into helping this region and bringing the gospel to its people. The pastors here have come mainly from the south where farming is easier and their lives more prosperous. They have come to this area and had to learn local language and start from scratch. They and their families have sacrificed so much for the sake of the gospel. Please pray for them.

The soccer school is working well. The team of 14 from churches in the UK are very professional and have really engaged the 100 local kids who have come. It’s a 7 day residential school, both kids and team staying in a local high school. The women here cook for them and it has all been a mammoth undertaking. Keith and I discovered that one of the translators is vegan, so we have been attempting cooking for her African style...not easy! There have been a few minor health issues within the team (not related to our cooking!!) that I have been able to help with. They are mainly university students at a critical time in their lives making decisions that will shape their future. Keith is speaking today to encourage and inspire them to live for Christ. Please pray for these young men and women. Each evening there is a testimony time and the Muslim kids get to hear about the Saviour... perhaps for the first time. Please pray for many to come to faith, for open hearts. It is Ramadan here, the Muslim month of fasting and seeking God. Pray that they will seek Him and find Him through the Lord Jesus.

We have also met with the Chief Medical Officer for this region with regards to starting a mobile dental clinic on our return next year. It seemed to go well as he recognises the need...for this whole region, the size of half of Wales there is no dentist.

On Friday 4 local women will be baptised...this will be an occasion for great celebration. We are seeing the church come to birth in an area where coming to Christ means persecution and suffering. It will also be an opportunity for the gospel to be preached. Please pray for these ladies as they take this step of faith on Friday.

And next Saturday we are having a wedding blessing...really it’s more like a wedding ceremony African style and in the evening all our neighbours will come for a celebration to our yard. Once again people will get to hear the message of salvation through Christ. Please pray for people to receive the word of God into their hearts.

We arrive back in Glasgow on the 16th and look forward to seeing you all soon. We miss you and pray for you all."


Posted by Keith at September 17, 2009 08:52 PM