[Dagara Digest] Special Visitor's Edition

[Burks]

Erik Tryggestad, assistant managing editor, The Christian Chronicle

www.christianchronicle.org

I'm a United Nations nerd.

My love of all things international started in high school, when a social studies teacher inspired us all to take part in a "model UN." We loaded onto an Amtrak train in Atlanta and traveled to Washington, where we pretended to represent the nations of the world, arguing over resolutions to clean the environment, equalize trade relationships and basically bring about world peace.

Plus, we got out of about a week of school.

For my first model UN assignment I got one of the "leftover" countries -- a landlocked African nation I'd never heard of named Burkina Faso. I represented Burkina in the International Monetary Fund summit. The number of votes you got was equal to your country's contributions to the fund, I think. As Burkina Faso, I had one vote. The kid representing the United States had 476.

I saw pictures of Burkina, learned about the issues facing its people and even got to visit the country's embassy in D.C. But I never imagined I'd ever set foot on its soil. And here I am. I praise God for the opportunities he's given me.

This is my sixth trip to Africa. I've been to Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana and Zimbabwe. But Burkina is unlike anything I've ever experienced. There are so many paradoxes here. The level of poverty is higher than what I've seen in Ghana, but the roads are far better. People live hand-to-mouth, but will give you their best eggs and a whole chicken just for visiting them for a few minutes.

I'm very appreciative for the time I've had here. I'm thankful for the dedicated Christians I've met -- Nab, Patrice and host of others. I witnessed more than 40 baptisms during my short visit. Incredible.

I offer a big thanks to Chad, Amy, Noah and Benjamin for hosting us. It also was a thrill for me to get to spend some time with Andy (a longtime friend of my wife's family) and to get to see the new baby.

May God continue to bless this team as they work among the Dagara. I've got a lot more to say about the work here, but I'll save it for The Christian Chronicle.

Deon Fair, Missions coordinator, Richardson East Church of Christ:

This has been great trip. Not because of its novelty in exposure to Africa and its issues but in spending time with the team. I am impressed by the team and their prayerful operating mode amongst the Dagara. The team has done a good job encouraging the local leaders of the church. The team has a well defined approach for developing local church leaders. Translation of the NT is progressing in a disciplined and collaborative manner with the Wycliff translation team. In fact, the team has had wonderful access to drafts which has afforded them good opportunities to provide helpful and informed feedback. One observation I heard is that the team has a level of access to scholarly work that was not expected, I guess, in the context of "rural Africa".

We should be proud and I am, of the manner this team has approached it's work; sensitive to culture, humble and collaborative instead of directive, and I pray that when they leave, the church will be stronger and more stable because of their hard work. Signs are already evident that the Lord is providing great progress.

Africa and the church in Africa remain an exciting story of God working. The church amongst the Dagara is growing both in numerical count but more importantly it is growing in maturity of its leaders. They are capable and willing to learn and share their needs, concerns and prayerfully their issues.

I am thankful to Chad & Amy for hosting us and making this a great trip. I hope our presence has been encouraging.

Thanks!

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Posted By Burks to Dagara Digest at 7/25/2009 10:00:00 AM