Following an action-packed team visit to Burkina Faso last week, my heart is full of gratitude and excitement in equal measure; gratitude because the ten of us on the team have returned to British soil safely and in good health; all of us changed by our experiences in this wonderful part of Africa. 

 
We are thankful that we all eventually got to Burkina, (no thanks to ‘Air Chance’ as I now call them), even though five of the party spent 2 days – rather than the scheduled 2 hours – in snowy Paris, with only summer clothes to wear. We are all glad to have experienced God’s work in a far-off nation; what a privilege to share the love of Christ with the beautiful people of Burkina Faso. There is a reason it is called ‘the land of upright men.’


The team worked together with grace and enthusiasm, thoroughly enjoying the adventure. All of our planned objectives were met; we helped plant a church in an unreached village – many were exposed to the gospel for the first time whilst a church building was erected by flood-light. Amazing. We also helped establish the first church-based computer training centre in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, aimed at helping young under-educated girls develop skills for the future.


Under the exemplary leadership of apostolic pastor Moise Oubda, the Lafiabougou church continues to make a huge impact in their city and region. Most of our team were involved in visiting schools and helping with a children’s mission: Well over 500 children swarmed  in the dust and huddled close to hear about Jesus. Last year this one AoG church saw over 130 people baptised into faith in Christ; on one Sunday we saw 19 enter the cleansing waters of the baptistery. What celebration! What’s more, Moise continues to drive forward a progressive church planting mission with full support from his elders – there are now well over 30 churches planted by him in recent years, some in neighbouring Mali.


Together with Arthur Shivas (wearing his ‘Incare’ hat), I was able to see the new primary school in impoverished Bama, built with donations from Watford Community Church, local schools in Watford and other Incare donors. To see a class under way was exciting. Even more exciting is the prospect of raising sponsorship (just £25 per year) to see the school full of children in the future.

 
Gareth Webber (AoG pastor from Folkestone) and I where the Bible teachers invited to a day-long pastor’s conference. It was the first for the newly-formed Banfora region; again, a huge privilege. A powerful time of humble prayer followed, leaders calling out to God for refreshing and power to serve him more effectively.

 
The most exciting aspect of it, for me, is a powerful and profound sense of partnership. On a whole number of levels, connections have been made by God for the kingdom purposes. Longstanding connections between AoG UK and Assemblées de Dieu, Burkina Faso have spread widely and grown deeply. This is reflected in a precious friendship between Moise Oubda and I, our churches, and all those we have worked with. We visited WCC’s own ‘adopted’ missionary, Daniel Ouedraogo. He wears his Watford FC shirt with pride (and why shouldn’t he!). This pastor has strong and growing leadership qualities. As the Lord led us, we were able to grant enough finance to finish their [our] building fund to build a larger church. This poor subsistence-level congregation of 100 has raised £700 already for a church big enough to house them! What joy to be able to complement this with enough money to finish the work; a gift expressing our partnership. We received from the church in Koloko, however, something of greater value. There, in the half-lit dust, they cried out to God for WCC to have a building of our own. Oh, how they prayed for us with the faith of farmers who expect a good harvest. 

 
When we dragged ourselves bleary-eyed through customs at Heathrow, I was inclined to go through the red lane: I do have Something to Declare: The Lord of all nations is good. He is relentlessly extending his kingdom and I am overjoyed to play my tiny part.