Justice Issues Series

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Tags: burkina faso africa church mission discipleship blogging burkina fulani justice poverty malaria missional missional church emerging church missionary

Posted by Keith at 11:22 AM

July 15, 2005

* Prayers for Sudan from Stephanie at words from a wanderer.

* One man and his blog has this from the the day after the London bombing.

* Rick at new life emerging has some great challenges for us recently: Living the Christian life is not about cuddle time with Jesus, and (relating to my post about truth and blogging) this on getting real instead of right

Posted by Keith at 09:07 AM

July 14, 2005

There are real people out there. I had my first ever "real life" talk with someone from the blogosphere yesterday. Andy Jackson of Smart Christian phoned me on Skype. I've appreciated Andy's thoughtful approach to the links he gives, and the perspectives he shares. I was quite nervous initially about being phoned out of the blue by someone I've never met, and for whom I have a degree of regard. But it was a great blessing making contact and being able to talk and pray together. It also showed me the potential of stuff like Skype to help address something I wrote about here - the need for us as Christian bloggers to build community beyond the webpage. We have, through blogging, the privileged possibility of "meeting" people from around the world, and of different perspectives from ourselves. But it is a limited community if it doesn't move beyond commenting on each others' blogs. Good to talk to you, Andy.

Extremism: The danger of religious extremists from Richard White.

Conscientious objection: Rebekah at Through a mirror darkly has written this moving post about her Christian brother's experience as an interrogator in Abu Ghraib.

Store Wars: May the Farm be with you!

Posted by Keith at 09:26 AM

July 13, 2005

How often have we been at fault in this - to be, at the same instant, both right and wrong: having the "right" arguments but the wrong attitude, the right beliefs but the wrong heart... Sadly, I suspect many of us have seen this on too many "Christian" blogs. And, if we are honest, we have probably been guilty of it ourselves.

Continue reading "Truth and blogging"

Posted by Keith at 10:24 AM

As you know, I have worked among Muslims for many years. We have shared our lives, food, and faith with each other. While recognising our differences - and yes, trying to convince each other - this has never stopped us having a mutual respect for each other as individuals made in the image of God, and as people of faith. I have found the vast majority of Muslims to be generous and hospitable. Most have the same desires as Christians to be able to provide for their families, live in peace, and seek to serve God.

Normal Muslims are as much victims of terrorism as anyone else. As Christians, we mourn with those who mourn, we condemn terrorism, violence and injustice, and we hold out the hope of the gospel. I hope we are ready to do more: We can speak out against the prejudices of those who would tar all Muslims with the same brush of extremism. We can stand against hasty, inappropriate, and wrong reactions. And we can reach out to stand with Muslims who feel vulnerable and afraid. We can be agents of reconciliation in a world torn apart by fear, prejudice, and hatred.

There have been many Muslim condemnations of the terrorist attacks in London. Here are just a few:
* Umm Yasmin has brought together a list of Muslim condemnations of the London bombing.
* Iraqi expat in this post says; "Yesterday I was ashamed, because Muslims have attacked innocents in the country that has given to Muslims more than any other Muslim or non-Muslim country. I was ashamed because of the wickedness and ungratefulness of those who call themselves Muslims."
* A candle-lit vigil in Bahrain, and another in Jordan, in solidarity with Britain.
* Mustapha has designed a "No to terrorism" banner for Muslims to add to their blogs.

Posted by Keith at 08:18 AM

July 12, 2005

My blogging has been somewhat heavy recently, and rather pre-occupied with the G8 summit. So I think it's time for a change in tone:

I bought my second ever DVD a couple of weeks ago.

My good friend Dave says that post-moderns tend to define themselves by what they consume. I suspect I'm not very post-modern in my approach to life, but we were wondering if this explains why so many bloggers put up lists of what they are reading and listening to on their sidebars...

Anyway, in conclusion the only two films I own are this - probably my favourite film - and now this.

Now, dare I ask, what does this tell you about me?

Posted by Keith at 02:07 PM

July 08, 2005

Help someone in need.
Give a gift to someone in need of encouragment.
Send a card expressing appreciation of someone.

But don't tell anyone.

Last Week's Good Idea

Posted by Keith at 07:43 AM

July 07, 2005

Lord, have mercy.
Comfort those who mourn.
Strengthen those who serve.
Protect the innocent.
Establish justice.
Keep our hearts from bitterness,
And help us to do what is right.

Posted by Keith at 08:31 PM

July 04, 2005

A group of about 14 of us from our church, Glenwood Church in Cardiff went up overnight on a coach to Edinburgh for the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY festival.

A particularly special moment for me was meeting three farmers from Burkina Faso - including Boureima, a Fulani from Gorom-Gorom! They were over with Christian Aid to talk about their own situation of food insecurity. Boureima recognised me, and we babbled away happily in Fulfulde.

Other personal highlights:
* Walking round Edinburgh at 7am in the sunshine, before everyone arrived, when the streets were empty and silent.
* Listening to the speaker from Tear Fund, from the Make Poverty History steering committee, speak of the 3000 year-old protest song from the Bible, where the Psalmist speaks out against injustice.
* The march. Being part of vast numbers of people coming together to call for justice for the poor. And the good humour and friendliness of everyone we spoke to.
* The Sudanese group from "Protect Darfur" and their dynamic drumming.
* Rinky-dink for the fun they brought to the march.

* Lying on the grass in the sun, listening to Billy Bragg leading everyone singing "One Heart"
* Listening to a muslim speak on how his faith led him to be there, to join those of other faiths in the struggle against injustice. And watching a small crowd, including a Jew with his skullcap, and a Salvation Army member, listening intently and respectfully.
* Bumping into Paul, who I was at university with, too many years ago.
* The Police having nothing to do.

Tags: g8 edinburgh make poverty history

Posted by Keith at 01:37 PM

July 03, 2005

"I've never done anything like this before, where there's been no trouble and everyone was so happy."
(Comment by a police officer at the end of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY march and festival in Edinburgh yesterday)

225 000 people were there to call upon the leaders of the G8 to act justly for the poor in aid, trade and debt, and a great time was had by all. After travelling overnight to Edinburgh, and overnight back again, we arrived back in Cardiff at about 5.30 this morning.

Pictures, highlights, and observations from the festival coming soon.

Posted by Keith at 10:06 AM

June 23, 2005

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt 5:45)

Here in Britain, if nowhere else, when we read this, we tend to think sun=good, rain=bad. We even pray for “good weather” for our special events so we won’t be inconvenienced, while at the same time farmers are praying for rain so they may be able to live for the coming year.

Actually, for people in Bible times, as for those in Burkina Faso today, Jesus might have been saying something different. It is true that the sun is a blessing for the light and life it brings, and that it is a symbol of strength and steadfastness. But it is also – for agricultural societies – a hardship. The sun scorches the land, beats upon the labourers, and withers the young plants (Ecc 9:9, Is 58:11, Mat 13:6, Ja 1:11). Having worked in rice fields in the scorching African sun, I can tell you, that the sun shining on you is not always a pleasure. One of the blessings of the new creation is that the sun will no more beat upon us (Rev 7:16).

Rain on the other hand is fundamentally a blessing. (It always irritates me when grumbling Brits complain about the rain. We have such a rich and beautiful country largely because it is so blessed with rain. Who would rather live in the desert?) Look at these verses for example; Deut 11:11-14, 2Chron 7:13, Ps 68:9, Pr 16:15, Ac 14:17. A common threat the Lord uses for judgement is to withhold the rain. The consequence of that is not just a hosepipe ban, but loss of harvest, and famine.

This perception of rain as a life-giving blessing is of course tied to understanding our dependency on the land. In Burkina, among the Mossi, if it rains on your wedding day, it is considered a sign of God’s blessing on your marriage. Because of our prosperity, we have lost sight of rain as a blessing – it has become an inconvenience. And the heat of the sun, instead of suffering, is the blessing of pleasant leisure-time.

So the way we read the verse has not only been inverted, but also watered down of its power – from being about life or suffering, to comment on God bringing times of pleasure or inconvenience. Now, the central theme of this particular passage might still be there: God does good to all, even those who live against his ways, and so therefore should you. But it does maybe reveal a distorted image of our view of God. And maybe there are other passages, where our earthly prosperity has removed us more seriously from a truer understanding of, and obedience to God’s word.

What do you think?

Posted by Keith at 01:02 PM

June 16, 2005

I had an email today from someone called Keith Smith! Apparently he had put his/my name into Google, and come across my website. He is an amateur photographer, and pointed me towards this competition, which I'd love to enter, if only I can find the time...

Posted by Keith at 10:47 AM

June 10, 2005

These last few weeks have been busy, and I’ve not been able to write as much as I’d have liked. The worst is over now, and I am hoping to begin posting a bit more. I don’t know how some people manage to write so much, so well, every day. I conclude that either they must be much cleverer than me, or they can’t have much of a life outside of blogging!

One of the things that I have been involved in over the last weeks has been a bit of teaching with my mate Dave, over at CYM in Bristol. This is training youth workers, and we got asked to help out with the bit on work in the multi-cultural context. The students were an animated and friendly bunch, and – after my own initial nervousness – I grew to enjoy time with them. It did serve to highlight how far culture in the UK has changed since I have been in Burkina. So I learned a lot myself – having to learn a bit of the language about chavs, townies, skaters et al. The cultural and spiritual principles of mission work are of course hugely relevant as we think about how to reach this generation. I hope to write more on this, and on the relationship of gospel and church to culture soon.

Posted by Keith at 03:07 PM

May 31, 2005

Rob was great on Sunday, speaking from 2Cor 8 on generosity.

We are so thankful for God's extravagant generosity towards us. This generosity is typical of the way he treats us. He is generous in creation, generously forgiving, generous in his blessings, generous in his mercy, generous in his love. God is not stingy. He does not only deal out limited doses of goodness, strictly according to what we have earned. Matt 20:1-15 - among many other passages - teaches us that God is (if you'll excuse the expression) not fair. He reserves the right to give us more than we deserve - even when he is hurt by our abuse of his generosity (such as the 9 ungrateful lepers in Lk 17, the crowd of self-centred followers in Jn 6, or you and me in our half-heartedness and self-centredness).

And so he calls us, too, to godly generosity. How do we match up in this? Are we generous in embracing and including those who are awkward or different? Generous in overlooking the faults of those who annoy and upset us? Generous in doing good to those we consider undeserving? Generous in speaking well of people? Generous in giving to the needy - even if we aren't sure they will use it well? Generous in how we treat those who disagree with us? Generous in believing the best of others?

Or are we mean-spirited? Giving only the time, money, and effort we think we can afford, that which doesn't cost us too much? (It is possible of course to give a lot without being generous - as Jesus' observation of the widow at the temple shows us in Lk 21:1-4.) Are we concerned with controlling and judging others - dishing out only the praise we think they deserve, and the financial help we think they will use properly - thus presuming to ourselves God's role of judge? Are we too busy with looking after our own interests to be able in any case to do more for others than appease our consciences with a nominal financial donation?

Generosity is opposed to meanness, to legalism, to efficiency, to control, to self-concern. Generosity is xenophilic.

So... are we generous with our words, with our homes, with our possessions, with our time, with our money, with our attitudes...? When we meet people like that - people who do not just give a lot of money, but who have a generous attitude to life, who are quick to see and speak of the good in others, and who show unearned kindness, that is so attractive, because there is something of God's character there.

Actually, I guess extravagant generosity is not a bad definition of grace...

Posted by Keith at 04:45 AM

May 30, 2005

A few people have commented that I have not been posting much recently. Nice to know I'm missed.
The usual excuses - and normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Posted by Keith at 07:32 AM

May 16, 2005

Well done, the Baggies !

Posted by Keith at 06:37 AM

April 20, 2005

The fund-raising do at Link Romania went really well. I survived the daunting cross-cultural experience of a black tie event. Managed to borrow a dinner jacket and bow tie. And even enjoyed the evening, which was a lot of fun.

At the same time, it was for a serious purpose. Romania is still in need of prayer and help. 44% of Romanians live in poverty on under $2/ day. Link Romania have some great projects that they support. Go to their website to find out more.

Posted by Keith at 09:37 AM

April 16, 2005

Today I am going to a fund-raising event for Link Romania. This is a Christian charity working for humanitarian aid, poverty alleviation, and sharing the gospel, in Romania and other Eastern European countries. They do a great work, with projects in hospitals, shanty towns, farms, life skills centres, and a yearly "shoebox" distribution. Check them out - and maybe support their work.

Today's fundraiser is a Fashion Show and Cabaret - and I am expected to wear a dj and bow tie! This is way outside my comfort zone - I'm much more comfortable in a mud-brick mosque, or sitting under the acacias with the Fulani, wearing African dress and a turban. But it is for a good cause, and - as a missionary - I guess I'll just have to adapt cross-culturally to the environment...

Posted by Keith at 08:01 AM

April 12, 2005

Over the next few weeks, I am going to try and highlight some good blogs that I think you would benefit from getting to know. There are so many out there, and sometimes we need help to find those who might have an encouraging or challenging perspective that we might otherwise miss.

My first blog of the week has to be that of my colleague Steve Davies at Voice in the Desert.

Steve joined me in 2002 in the work among the Fulani of Burkina Faso, and has been a great friend, and a blessing to have around. While I am on sabbatical, he is carrying on the work, sharing the good news of Jesus, exploring the interaction of gospel with Fulani culture, , feeding the hungry, trying to get our radio station started etc. In his spare time, he blogs stories, poems, and all sorts of other good stuff from the telephone centre in Djibo.

He is a good - no, an excellent writer, and has had stuff published in various journals, and won several prizes. He writes with insight and humour into local culture in a way that also challenges our apathy and prejudices. He's also a really good bloke.

Some of his stuff that is very worth reading:
The account of his burning some charms at Djibo market.
His observations of garibous, Quranic students in Djibo
The hunt for fifteen zero
Wind of God - a poem about the loss of the harvest
Three truths - another poem, and apparently Steve's own favourite of his writing.
The story of a 4-day cattle drive he did with some Fulani herders. This is quite long, but worth it.
His thoughts on being a missionary

Posted by Keith at 08:43 AM

March 28, 2005

Go and watch Hotel Rwanda.

Posted by Keith at 09:33 AM

March 22, 2005

I have recently come across the website of my friends Mike and Ceciel, serving God among the Wodaabe Fulani of Niger. It has helpful information and some great photos.

Do pay it a visit, and pray for Mike and Ceciel.

Posted by Keith at 10:06 AM

March 11, 2005

The Anastasis has just arrived in Liberia. Jenni at Vessel of Mercy, who is on board provides this link to the story of a man called Friday. It is a story with photos of Friday and his facial tumour, and the corrective surgery he underwent. It demonstrates the life-changing ministry of the Mercy Ships.

Warning: this is not for the squeamish. But if you do watch make sure you click the morph button at the end. And pray for the ministry of the Anastasis.

The link is here

Posted by Keith at 11:59 PM

February 24, 2005

Each week, there's a thing called the Christian Carnival, hosted at different people's blogsites. People from a range of Christian backgrounds and perspectives send in an article from their own weblog, and they are all posted up in one place. It's an interesting opportunity to see what people are blogging on about. This week it's being hosted at Wallo World. Go and have a browse.

Posted by Keith at 04:57 PM

February 17, 2005

I've been pondering what guidance the Bible has for bloggers. What does it say about how we should blog? what we should blog about? what we read in blogs? how we relate to other bloggers and comments? Here are a few exhortations with questions to ask ourselves for starters:

1. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your blog, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. (Eph 4:29)
Is what comes from our blogs wholesome? Is what we are writing helpful for building others up? Or does it tear them down?

2. Blog about others as you would have them blog about you (Lk 6:31)
The golden rule. If we blog about others, do we do it with love, respect, and integrity?

3. But in your blogs set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience... (1Pet 3:15,16)
Are we consciously allowing Jesus Christ to rule over our blogs? When people disagree with us, do we respond with gentleness and respect?

Continue reading "Biblical advice for bloggers"

Posted by Keith at 12:05 PM

I wrote in the post Shame to dancing about some women undergoing operations on the Anastasis. Following what was already a traumatic experience, their condition, VVF, had left them often isolated and feeling unclean and ashamed. The Mercy Ships website reports:

"One by one, they spoke of childbirth that lasted 3-5 days; of reaching a hospital too late to save the baby; of returning to live with their parents when they found themselves incontinent. One woman, now aged 35, had lived with a fistula for more than 20 years after her first and only pregnancy. A slight girl, believing herself to be 14, had already borne and lost twins before the pregnancy that caused her fistula three months ago."

The operations change their lives and, when the women leave the ship, they get given a new set of clothes and have a celebration. Jenni at Vessel of Mercy, who is on the Anastasis writes of her time spent with these ladies, and has posted some photos of the women celebrating in their new clothes. For me, this is a real picture of what Christ does for us in lifting us up and clothing us in his righteousness to new life and celebration. It is a particular joy for me to see the photo of Fatmatou, one of the Fulani ladies there.

Posted by Keith at 11:14 AM

February 13, 2005

I have updated my links at the side of the page and added some new ones. All are interesting - and there are a few more cross-cultural ones there. I'd like to draw your attention in particular to these two:

Joseph Hakim is a Sudanese Christian currently working with Serv Life in Uganda, where many of his fellow Sudanese have fled from the conflict. I am so glad to see an African Christian having the opportunity to join the conversation in blogworld, which has been so dominated by white, middle class, English-speaking blokes (like me in fact...). We do need to be hearing voices such as his. He has been writing recently on the peace deal in Sudan, and on AIDS.

Two and two makes five is the blog of Steven Nicholson, a North American pastor, also with Serv Life. In a recent post, he writes challengingly about the situation in Sudan, and our need to respond. No easy answers, but as Christians we cannot ignore Sudan, and need to be praying and seeking what the Lord requires of us in a stand for justice.

Posted by Keith at 10:54 PM

February 08, 2005

Amazing!

Posted by Keith at 10:26 AM

February 06, 2005

It seems that this site is now a finalist for the Blog Awards in the category "Evangelical Missionary Blogs." You can go to the Evangelical Underground site for more information. Go here to see the list of finalists and links to their sites. Joe Missionary, who I link to is also in the running, and he always has interesting stuff to say. To vote, send an email to eblogawards@gmail.com in the next day or so.

Posted by Keith at 10:21 PM

February 05, 2005

I have begun uploading a few photos from my Benin trip. Click on the photos here to enlarge, or go to Flickr to see more.

Posted by Keith at 12:18 PM

February 03, 2005

This site has been nominated for the category "Best Evangelical Missionary Blog" in the "1st Annual Evangelical Blog Awards" at the site Evangelical Underground!

Voting starts on the 5th (I think).If you want to vote for my site, feel free! Just visit here for more information.

Posted by Keith at 12:48 PM

January 25, 2005

I had an email from Steve today, with a bit of news from my friends in Gorom-Gorom. Hamadou had been to visit him. He has two young sons at school, aged about 9 and 7, of whom he says:

"Amadou and Iisaa are both doing very well indeed at school. (Amadou was first in his class this year and was reprimanded by the teacher only for telling the other pupils that if they too wanted to be first they should pray in the name of Jesus!)"

Posted by Keith at 07:10 AM

January 02, 2005

The tsunami disaster should raise painful heart-searching questions for those of us who are seeking to follow God about why such things happen. Our attempts at explanations so often seem trite and unsatisfying. Worst of all are the blame-giving exercises that see suffering as God's anger against the victims' sin. Several times (eg Jn 9:1-4, Lk 13:1-4) Jesus warns against the arrogance of such immobilising bad theology. Instead he turns our attention to our own need to do something.

As chief rabbi Jonathon Sacks said in an article in the Times this week:
"The religious question is, therefore, not: “Why did this happen?” But “What then shall we do?”...The only adequate religious response is to say: “God, I do not know why this terrifying disaster has happened, but I do know what You want of us: to help the afflicted, comfort the bereaved, send healing to the injured, and aid those who have lost their livelihoods and homes.”

I know many of us are praying, and have already given. If you haven't yet done so, please do what you can. From the UK, you can make contributions at the Disaster Emergency Committee website or by phoning 0870 6060900

Posted by Keith at 09:17 PM

December 23, 2004

This is a poem by my friend Lydia, who is 11. She is a Kiwi, but was born in Burkina Faso. Great stuff.

Christmas is a time of peace,
Where happiness and laughter does not cease
God's Son, Jesus, was born that night,
And to the world he brought us light.
He died on the cross to take away our sin,
So a new life we could begin.
He rose and lives today,
And very soon he'll come back our way.
Worship him, and live always
Singing songs and giving him praise.
So be a disciple and spread the news,
You've got lots to gain and nothing to lose.
Go to church and pray every day.
Read the Bible, and don't go astray.
Eternity is better than anything you've got.
All your good deeds will not be forgot!!!

The End

Posted by Keith at 08:41 PM

December 20, 2004

I posted recently about partying with the poor. We used to invite 40 or 50, and get about 100+ turning up to our Christmas celebration. Nelson Mandela invited 20000 to his party, and 75000 turned up! And I thought my yard was crowded…

Posted by Keith at 10:44 AM

December 13, 2004

Twenty years after the first release, Band Aid is at number one in the UK again with the single that started a process that raised $144 million for projects in Africa. First time around it was for the famine in Ethipia. This time the focus is on Sudan, where fighting between government-backed militia and rebels has left 70 000 dead and 2 million homeless in what has been called genocide.

Continue reading "Rewriting "Do they know it’s Christmas""

Posted by Keith at 08:59 AM

December 11, 2004

Time’s running out, and Mum’s beginning to fret. I have to come up with something. Well, I’d like world peace, an end to hunger, and global revival, but I think that’s beyond her budget.

Let’s face it, most of us have more than enough, otherwise we wouldn’t have the money to buy a computer, and the time to spend surfing the net with it. Do we have to simply give and get more stuff?

Well, for those of you in my situation, help is now at hand. Send your family and friends to this site, and tell them to pick something. It is World Vision’s alternative gift catalogue. A well-targeted gift is given to a needy community instead of you, and you get a card about the gift that has been given. A fruit tree or mosquito net for £5, a sheep for £12, a school desk and supplies for £21… and loads of other excellent ideas.

So now you know, mum.

Posted by Keith at 04:18 PM

December 07, 2004

I bought a house this year. I didn’t mean to. It just sort of happened. I must tell you the story sometime – it seemed as though God just brought the house to me and dropped it in my lap. I struggled of course with the whole idea of spending such a huge amount of money on bricks and mortar when I know how much that sum of money can do in Burkina. Still do, actually.

Continue reading "Wanted: three stones and a personality"

Posted by Keith at 09:32 PM

December 01, 2004

If you are reading this so soon after the site’s kick-off, there’s a good chance you already know me. So, as you will know I am back in the UK for an extended sabbatical after 15 years in Burkina Faso. This is primarily a time of rest and recuperation, with the goal of returning to Burkina to continue the work there.

Continue reading "Out of Africa - the story so far"

Posted by Keith at 09:35 AM

Well, this is it – my first excursion into blogworld. I hope you enjoy the site. Many thanks to Steve Davies, my colleague, for helping me get it up and running. I feel strangely nervous about doing the blog, and not really sure I have much to say. However, my plan is to:
· Give regular updates on my life, my work in Burkina, and on other situations there for prayer,
· Post stories and photos of life in Burkina as windows into Fulani culture,
· Highlight and think about justice issues that we can get involved in,
· Ponder the whole question of church and mission, and what contribution the missionary context, and the African perspective can have.
· Along the way, I hope there will be time for a bit of fun, too.

Please add this site to your favourites, and come back to visit regularly!

Posted by Keith at 09:31 AM

October 18, 2004

Posted by Keith at 05:03 PM

October 14, 2004

My name is Keith Smith, and I have been working in Burkina Faso as a missionary since 1989.
Since 1992, I have been working among the Fulani.

I now spend about half of each year in northern Burkina Faso, working with churches there. The other half I spend in Europe and the States, trying to build partnerships between churches there and those in Burkina, and trying to bring insights from Africa to challenge the western church in its faith and discipleship.

The "Latest" page of my website, Under the Acacias is designed as an online journal, called a "weblog" - or missionary blog.

With this missionary blog, I hope to:

* Give regular updates on my life, the work in Burkina, and on other situations there for prayer.
* Post stories and photos of life in Burkina as windows into Fulani culture.
* Reflect on faith in Christ in daily life.
* Ponder the whole question of church and mission, and what contribution the missionary context, and the African perspective can have.
* Highlight and think from a Christian perspective about justice issues that we can get involved in, especially with regard to Africa.

Please add this site to your favourites, and come back to visit regularly!

At the Under the Acacias website, you can read more background on my story, on Burkina Faso and the Fulani, on our ministry among the Fulani, on issues of church and mission, and on Christian response to issues of justice. There are also stories and photos of life in Burkina.

Update: In February 2005, Under the Acacias won the award for "Best Evangelical Missionary Blog"

Posted by Keith at 10:38 AM

You can email me at:

keith [at] undertheacacias [dot] org [dot] uk

Posted by Keith at 10:00 AM