Burkina Bound

Riots and Gunshots

2011-03-23T13:13:00.000-04:00

This morning we received a call that our kid’s school had been canceled for the day. There is some military that is rioting. They broke into the military armory and there have been reports of violence through the night. We have been advised to stay in our homes. Several of our team mates who live in the city have heard gun shots throughout the morning.

There is a planned riot/march that will start in about 2 hours at the military down the street from our home. Please stop now and pray for peace and safety in Burkina.

A couple weeks ago news had broken of a university age student who died in police custody. People believed that he was the victim of police brutality, but the police said that he died from meningitis. Some scattered protests began and several have been killed. Due to the strikes by the Burkinabe students they have missed almost a month of school. They are due to return the 28th; however, we were told today that this may be extened due to the military situation.

Just recently Gabriella and I were on the way home from taking the kids to school and she commented on how pretty this building was and how badly she wanted to go to that place. It looked like a “princess castle.” I explained to her that the outside of that building did look really pretty but the sad thing was that inside that pretty place people were dying and going to hell… "Gabriella,this place is called a mosque" I said. This is where the Mvslims go for prayer. Instead of going to visit the mosque we need to pray that the walls would come tumbling down and that the people would hear and know the truth of Jesus. We stopped at that moment and prayed.

Little did I know that every single time we passed a mosque the entire car would hear, “WE NEED TO PRAY!” Needless to say this was at first funny and then became annoying. The other children would even try to distract her from seeing the ones we would approach as we would drive down the road.

DARKNESS… We live in darkness. So often I feel like we are deceived at how dark places are because the surface seems so light. From riots, to rebellion, to deception, to death…. People are living a life separated from the Father and desperately need Jesus. Please pray for salvation to come. Pray for safety and protection.

Trials

2011-03-05T11:09:00.003-05:00

So I threw grace out the window last night. We have been praying about making another 2 year commitment here in Burkina and really do not feel like God is done with us here yet. We still have to be approved through all the channels to come back, but we have felt like we will indeed return.

Just yesterday morning I was talking with the Lord and saying that there is no way that this cannot be You drawing us back. We were excited. I really felt encouraged that we have been going through 12 hour power and water cuts at the same time, mind you I have had three kids with vomit and diarrhea in the midst of this. I promise you that this is not fun just in case you would have thought otherwise. I have gone from freaking out about all the money we will have to raise on top of our current support that needs to come in….. To believing God for His provision and even excited to see how He is going to do it. So do you see the picture, we said yes we would return when things feel yucky and very uninviting. Lord doesn't this effort some immediate blessing here?!?!

OK so I know I am not the only one here……. The classic situation took place yesterday afternoon. The feeling you have when you have watched the Father and said I am stepping out of the boat in faith and walking on this water even though I have no idea how this will work. It feels amazing to trust Christ that way. However, with-in hour’s one attack after another began to come like a punch in the gut each time. I knew that the enemy was at work and I do believe that this is a spiritual attack. For that moment, I felt discouraged, but trusting my Father.

So as the evening comes, Samuel has bible study in town. I am then happy to have to drive into town to be out of my dark hot home. This is what I thought would be good for us… sitting in the air condition and just praying. It was STRESS. Driving the road with a million little mopeds, bicycles, and a few aggressive cars on the road was insane. They are not great about respecting traffic lights to start with, but when it is dark and there are no street lights on top of no traffic lights, it was a nightmare. I think the tears started to fly after seeing the 4th very disturbing accident.

We returned home to a dark home and decided to have a spend the night party in the car. The kids got settled on their movies and I began to complain to the Lord. I was mad but even more than mad, I was sad. My comments were Lord, SERIOUSLY!!! I feel like we have given up so much to follow You, can we not get a little break. You are the King that is reigning on the throne and I know that this is nothing for you. The picture that came to my mind right away was a picture of Jesus on the cross. He did not need to use words with me, I knew. He had given up His son so that I could have eternal life. My sacrifice is nothing.

I went to bed just discouraged.

When I woke this morning I wish I could tell you that each situation that arose yesterday had been miraculous taken care of, but I can’t. What I can tell you thought is that as I sat down to start my Bible study the first thing that I wrote on my paper was, “My grace is sufficient for you!” I really felt like before even opening my mouth that this is what the Lord spoke to me. I then started to try and have email downloading while I was readying and this subject title pops up…..The Benefit of Trials. I knew that this was for me. I have pasted the devotion below.

THE BENEFIT OF TRIALS

My grace is sufficient for you.

2 Corinthians 12:9

If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has nowhere to lay his head who still can say, "I will trust in the Lord," or when we see the pauper starving on bread and water who still glories in Jesus, when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction and yet having faith in Christ--oh, what honor it reflects on the Gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers.

Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring--that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a lighthouse out at sea: It is a calm night--I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm. The tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work: If it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we would not know how firm and secure it was. The masterworks of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties steadfast, unmovable--

CALM MID THE BEWILDERING CRY,

CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.

The one who would glorify his God must be prepared to meet with many trials. No one can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many. If, then, yours is a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it--hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end.

I am reminded that I am honored and blessed to serve the King of Kings, that He hurts when I hurt, that He wants nothing more than a deeper richer relationship with me and it is through these tough times that He is able to really shine in His greatness.

TRUSTING HIM!

When God moves in your Child's Life

2011-02-25T03:06:00.000-05:00

Blog Part 4

Silas is 9 years old and is in the 3rd grade at the International School of Ouagadougou.

Silas likes Superman and I think part of this comes from his love for his older cousin Bo.

This is Silas in the school assembly! They had a cause and effect presentation.

Silas also learned a little about cause and effect in his own life and obeying God.

Silas struggles being here. He trusts God, but he has at times counted down the days until he can be with his best friend, Jonah Brooks again. He heard Noah praying that God would tell us if we are to come back after our Stateside. Our stateside does not start until January 2012. We would go home to raise support for 6 or so months and then possibly come back. 4 days ago during our morning prayer time while Noah was praying Silas busted in with a WHAT? You said we were coming here for two years….chin is quivering and the tears begin to fall. I do not want to come back. I really miss Jonah and American football he says. I simply am heartbroken for him and try to encourage him as we are about 2 minutes from school.

Fast Forward to a week later- Samaho gets SAVED.

This is Samaho and her son Philemon!Fast Forward to the next morning during prayer time-

We use the ACTS- Acknowledge, Confess, Thanksgiving, and Supplication…. We are on “thank” and the excitement that we all shared in her decision for Christ was amazing. Silas stops in the middle of his prayer and says, “Wait a minute, so do you mean that because of us like 22 people will go to heaven now?” I respond not understanding the number he gave, “YES, Silas. Because you loved, prayed for, and showed Jesus by your life- Through God’s power Philemon’s mom and Surge gave their lives to Jesus and they will be in heaven with us. Who are the other 20 people?” Silas responds, “Ya know the people who come to church just because we are white and they want to see us or because there is a team here and then when Pastor Agabus is preaching they ask Jesus into their lives. That is because of us too?” My response with a quivering voice and tears streaming down my face was, “Yes Silas. Does it not feel so good to be the usable part of God’s power so that others come to know Jesus and heaven gets bigger? Silas, now do you understand that it breaks my heart that you miss home and Jonah and American football, but if God asks us to come back to Burkina it is only because He needs us to be the usable tool so that he can extend his grace and power and people will give their lives to him?” With a tender sweet almost shy looking smile he shakes his head yes. “Silas, if God calls Daddy and I to come back to Burkina Faso after our two year commitment here is over, He does not just not leave you out of the picture. He has a plan and wants to use you, but He cares that you hurt. It is in times like these that we have to trust God even if it does not feel like he is taking care of us or out for our best good because we really are sad and our hearts really do hurt….. Because we really do miss Jonah very bad or we really want to play American football. We are now at school and the kids have to get out of the car…. Silas is in the front seat and as he takes his seat belt off with the sweetest smile I have ever seen he says, “I love you mom.”

I know that it is in times like these, God reminds me that even though we hurt and suffer, it is He who will also grow and teach us love and protect us. At age 9, Silas’s heart is sufferings but he is learning lessons at 9 years old that I pray will mold him into a man of God that can trust God in ALL things because He knows WHO God is.

Thank you God for Silas, please bring Jonah here for a visit. We will wait for your timing, but please bring him! AMEN!

God’s Power in Usable People Brings Changed Lives and Amazing Things!

Samaho Gives her Life to Jesus

2011-02-22T03:48:00.001-05:00

Blog Part 3

This was taken on the way to school. The creator of the Universe is still in the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Talk about a thrill. This was better than anything I could have received.... seeing God move on and in the heart of my friend in which I have been praying for… Word do not describe the joy!

Philemon's mom has slowly allowed us into her life. She has slowly shared her hurts and struggles. She has shared how she is in an arranged marriage with a man who has been married 4 times and she had no idea before the marriage took place. She has shared that her husband has had 11 other children in which she had no idea before they wed. She has shared some very intimate details about the pain she has endured in this marriage.

She, just like all women wants to be loved and cherished. She wants a husband that will care for her and her needs. She wants a husband that will love and care for their son. She lives in a constant state of stress at how she will provide for her son and herself alike. She lives in a constant state of stress being married to a man that has had 4 other wives and all have left him. She has had a void that she continues to just explain away as her circumstances.

I have shared with her for months that more than anything she needs Jesus. More than anything she needs that void to be filled with the peace that can only come from the Father.

She had come to fix a meal for our team and I asked her if she had been reading any more of the Bible I gave her. She said yes, and still said she knew she needed Jesus but "the day would come" when she would make this decision. This is the response she has given each time. I felt the spirit urge me to question her directly..... Samaho, what will happen if you die on your way home tonight... your eternity will not be in heaven with Jesus. Is it that you do not believe or is it that you are afraid? Her response, "I believe and I am ready right now." Seriously, I think I about fell off my chair.

This is the meal she prepared!

It was a precious moment as we gathered in a circle with our hands locked as John Arnold lead her in the sinners prayer and she gave her life to Jesus. Did I say it was AMAZING! This was a Mvslim woman who gave her life to Jesus. I wanted to do front flips right then and there.

I am so glad that it did not stop there. She brought her sister in law to church with her the next Sunday and she too gave her life to Jesus. Since then she has brought 5-6 people each week as she wants others too to know the peace that she is experiencing. Her present sufferings have not changed, but she can face each day knowing that the God of the universe is on her side.

We now are praying for her husband. She said that if he gave his life to Jesus, it would be an absolute miracle. We began a 30 day prayer journey for her husband. Please be part and have a hand in his salvation story. Pray that God would give him dreams and visions of his separation from Him. Pray that God would not let him rest. Pray that the blinding that has been placed over his eyes would be removed. Pray that God saves this man from himself! Pray that he will see and know the TRUTH and that the TRUTH would set him free!

Please also pray for Samaho and her sister-n-law Sali. They are amazing woman. They works hard. They have just stepped into the battle field and the enemy is ticked that once again he has lost another soul. Pray for her growth and protection in the Lord.

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Realities of Life in Burkina Faso

2011-02-18T13:14:00.000-05:00

Blog #2

This is a poem that Philemon has written since his salvation. Through his eyes, this is how he views Burkina. God is working in this kid. He is anointed! Please stop and pray for him right now. Pray protection, favor, blessing in his studies, salvation for his family members, and grace to pour upon him!

Realities of Life

He who believes in the Son of GOD has the witness in himself; he who does not believe GOD has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

1 John 5:10

THE WORLD IS FULL OF HYPOCRISY

Life is full of despair and indifference.

How many are those who are poor and weak and have been neglected?

How many are worthy of the money they possess?

In today’ s time the poor must remain quiet even when he is right and the rich can lie and still have the last word.

In the field, both morning and night the poor search for bread, honesty, and merit.

The rich know that they will eat whether by fraud or through indignation.

How many rich earn their money honestly?

And the rich who are worthy of the money they possess, how many are there?

The flesh is full of desire and of feelings which often lead to disobedience and ruin. And once we start, we cannot stop.

Suffering and perseverance are mothers of success.

After sufferings and perseverance, comes peace and joy given by the LORD.

Today we can be in abundance and tomorrow in destruction; as well as destruction today and abundance tomorrow.

When Jesus is not there, everything we do goes bad.

It is only by the gift that is given to us through Jesus that we can persevere.

The world is full of treason.

Sometimes the best feels like the worst.

Only the Father and Son are worthy of confidence and hope.

Don’t let us be carried away by pride and the search of prestige only to one day be humbled.

The work never stays in distress.

He who works and makes an effort will be rewarded.

“ONLY THE FATHER AND SON ARE WORTHY OF CONFIDENCE AND HOPE."

Life Change

2011-02-07T07:33:00.001-05:00

Part 1 of 4 Blogs…. They are long but well worth the read!

Noah, Philemon, and Amadou

Separation was born separated from God and from a relationship with Him. Separation’s needs have been met by a loving mother and father. Separation did not even realize that he was separated for many years. As Separation grew in years he felt like all his traffic lights looked green. In all honesty he had no idea what the traffic light was for many. When he was young he had two friends named Love and Grace. Love and Grace were different than he was and he always enjoyed being around them. Even when Love and Grace had things come into their lives that would normally destroy others, He noticed that they always would be around their friend named Peace. It was being around Love and Grace that Separation noticed the road that they traveled was always going the opposite direction as his. He also noticed that they would watch these traffic lights. When the light was red, they stopped. When it was yellow, they waited and were never quick to keep going. Sometimes they would move forward and sometimes they did not move at all.

Three Mvslim Boys singing "We Three Kings"!

Separation was always curious about this light they would look at. He questioned in his mind, “Why is my road going the opposite direction? Why are my lights almost always green except when I am with Love and Grace? Even this week when I noticed the traffic light, it was the first time my light turned red and what does that mean?” Separation has a good life. He has a family that loves him, his needs are met, he has good friends, and he feels happy most of the time. So again he ponders, “I have a good life and I am blessed, but something is different even better for Love and Grace.”

The more he is around Love and Grace his feelings begin to become conflicted. He loves being with them but they have something he feels like he is missing. Many times he also feels yucky about himself or choices he makes. In his mind, they are things or choices that are perfectly O.K. so why does he feel badly. Love and Grace have done nothing but love him and shine this light towards his life. One day Love and Grace begin to explain to him that they have so much love for him that they have to let him know that the road he is on is a bad one. It is a road that is lying to him. This is a road that may make him happy right now, but is leading him to death and hell. Separation really does not always feel happy, but he cannot see how their road is the right one. His road is the only one he has ever known. Most of his friends and family travel this road. His father has even warned him that the road Love and Grace are on is the road that is death. He has been warned to never make a u-turn or his family would not be pleased and even may disown him.

Brice a Catholic who wants to be sure of his salvation!

At first, Separation thinks that they are crazy. He laughs and then even finds himself angry. He sees that his traffic light is bright red and is almost commanding him to stop this conversation with them. He begins to ask many questions to challenge their belief and faith. As Love and Grace are sharing what their road and their traffic light have done and continues to do for their lives he notices that Love and Grace have friends that begin entering the room. All of a sudden the traffic light is there and is actually blinking U-Turn. Faith, Hope, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, and Self Control have all come to join Love and Grace as well. He feels more conflicted in his spirit than ever before. He recalls times when he has felt pulled in this other direction, but it simply makes no sense to him. Love and Grace give him a little more insight into the road he is traveling.

You see, Love and Grace are able to see where Separation’s road ends. Separation is riding in cruise mode. Love and Grace know that if Separation does not turn around, there will be a day that Separation will not be able to stop. He will be on a curve and an 18 wheeler truck is flying down the hill coming the other direction getting ready to turn the corner that Separation is traveling. Separation has been told that these trucks travel his road at fast paces and how dangerous it is. Separation has no idea that this truck is headed straight for him or even how fast the truck is traveling. Love and Grace are able to see very clearly what is about to happen to Separation and they cannot handle it. They love him and simply agonize at the thought of his death, hell, and separation from the Father in Heaven.

Three Mvslim boys we long to see know Jesus.

Love begins to tell Separation that the road he is on may be a whole lot of fun, may even seem completely safe and moral, but the person controlling his traffic light ultimately wants to kill him. He was born on the road that leads to death. Then the controller of his traffic light is going to do everything he can to keep him on this road. His road is like the road that Love and Grace travel- it will tempt him to steal, cheat, lie, gossip, be consumed with pride, look at inappropriate things, be unfaithful to his wife, bring depression, a low self image, fear, anxiety, etc. The big difference is, on his road when those temptations come, his traffic light will always be green…. ALWAYS. There will be times when the light is green and yet you will still stop. You know in your heart that these are not good things, but you stop because you are a good man. You may stop because you may see the risks… for whatever reason… you stop.

Separation says to Love, “you talk about all these things but you have all of these things in your road too.” Loves explains that he is absolutely right. On our road there are these traffic lights that appear that are there to try and steal, kill, and destroy us. The controller of your lights tries to control our road also. He has put things there to trick us and try to destroy us; however, there is never a trick or a temptation that does not have a beaming bright red light telling us to stop. Sometimes we allow ourselves to see it is as yellow. We may stop and think about it and many times the light becomes clearly red. Sometimes we see it as orange so we move forward anyway and find destruction.

2 Mvslims playing Mary and Joseph in our Christmas play.

There has been a friend in the room that Separation could not see. As Love, Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, and Self Control were all praying for Separation….a beautiful thing took place. Separation began to see a small flicker of this other person in the room. The more he listened to Love and Grace the clearer the person became. Separation felt a battle in his soul. He felt pulled to stay on his road, but He could not resist his spirit pulling him to this other person. Separation finally said to the others, I want your road. I do not understand all of this, but I want your road. I want your traffic light and the person that controls it. I do not want to travel any longer on this road of destruction. I want to make a u-turn and fully receive the life that is waiting for me. It was then that through the small crowd, a man walked up to Separation. With tears running down his face, Separation said, “I just do not understand how this is possible for all of us?” Truth lifted the hem of his robe slightly so that Separation could see these huge scars that cover the tops of his feet. He then holds his palms open to show the nail scares that take up such a huge part of his palms. This man put his arms around Separation and pulled him into his chest holding him tightly and said, “Hello, my child… my name is Truth.” He then said, Separation now that you are my child, I am going to change your name….. You are no longer Separation and never again will be… you are Saved and always will be!

Think about this for one moment, how many people in your families, jobs, neighborhoods, grocery stores, and churches are named Separation? Are you Separation?

In this 4 part blog post, I am very excited for you to hear the Story of Philemon. He was first named Ishmael and also separated. He is now called Philemon and also SAVED!

More Blogs Coming

2011-02-07T03:40:00.000-05:00

I seriously have 8 blog posts sitting in a file and have not had internet to post them. They are coming and each have exciting news to share!

From My Anointed Gabriella

2011-01-23T18:33:00.000-05:00

Seriously, my baby girl is a constant reminder of Jesus and brings such conviction in my life. I love her!

Each day holds something new and I have started writing down things in a folder called,

"Out of the Mouth of Gabs."

This morning my daughter walks out from her room with her wire curly crazy hair going into a million directions and she says, "Mommy, heaven is better than America ya know." My response as you can imagine was, "You are exactly right Gabriella and aren't you so excited to get to Heaven and see Jesus?" Gabriella responds, "Yes mommy! I just woke up and have not eaten breakfast."

We do not have to be on a particular subject or in a certain place and my girl will bust out with some type of powerful statement that I know is a sweet reminder and encouragement from the Lord. Today, I pondered what she said. We are often talking about what we miss in the US. First is always a name of someone in our family. We then move to friends, church, restaurants, schools, movies, stores, etc. We get excited and we talk about the first place we want to go when we get back. We talk about who we hope will meet us at the airport and we really get excited with a longing for that day to come.

God was precious with me this morning and I really felt that Gabriella's very first words after waking up were for me. Connie, continue to long for me, for your real home, for My presence. Do not be caught up in your human understanding, serve and live with the anticipation of heaven, and with an excitement longing for eternity in paradise.

Thank you Father and Thank you Gabriella

Why am I surprised that God did it again?

2010-11-24T06:36:00.000-05:00

We told her we were headed to a meeting and she was so excited she was getting to go.... yet she had no idea the surprise she would get!

In my life I have honestly experienced some enormous God-sized miracles and blessings… Sometimes even back to back. To this day I do not know why I do not expect God to blow my mind in the blessing area. For some reason if God has just like blown my mind with an amazing gift I assume it will be some time before I receive again. God has been a God of blessings in my life for as long as I can remember. I mean like in the department “of only God can do” things. He continues to be up close, real, and personal in my “heart” department.

After being able to surprise my family back in September, having someone buy me a plane ticket… Never did I dream that the same thing would happen for my mom coming this direction. My kids have been doing great here, but have really been missing family. Without exaggeration, they pray every day for Grammie as well as others in my family to get a plane ticket. I have known and trusted that God’s timing is perfect, but I have been discouraged that each time she has tried to plan a trip it has just not worked out. I found myself praying this way, “Lord, I know You have the perfect time for my mom to be here and I feel so blessed that you gave me that trip home. I am just choosing to trust You and Your timing.” Why did I not believe that God could and would bless my mom the same way he blessed me? I operated as if I felt like I had used up the blessing box or my blessing was just so big that it sounded crazy that another one would come along so quickly?!?!

Thank you Lord for reminding me that your blessings and mercies are countless and timeless. Thank you to the family that made it possible for my mom to come and surprise my kids. Let me assure you that their love and joy tanks are over flowing. Thank you for providing her the opportunity to come and see how God wants her to be part of what He is doing here in Burkina. May your family be forever blessed for your sacrifice!!!

Isabella and Gabriella walked up to where I was standing. When I moved and my mom was standing there, Isabella froze... Gabriella busted around her to get her Grammie.

Talk about one happy Gabriella!

Isabella's smile has gotten bigger but she still has not moved! I think she was in SHOCK!

Gabriella is still in heaven with her BFF.

Reality for Isabella has sunk in and now she is wanting some love from her Grammie!

A lot if joy, but Isabella still has had no words!

The Favorite Son-n-Law is excited too!

The girls said that this was the best meeting ever!

Our guard Surge knew the surprise that was coming. He stayed with the boys to be part of the surprise and to meet his white Grandma.

After about a minute Surge got up to greet my mom. He sat down and within 10 seconds Noah noticed a very familiar face and his jaw dropped.

IT"S GRAM!!!

Samuel and Silas want to join in on this.

Samuel and his Grammie!

Silas and his Grammie!

The Feild Family as well as Surge are very HAPPY and BLESSED!

Listen to a story bout a man named Jed!

2010-10-22T11:35:00.000-04:00

Did you watch the show Beverly Hillbilly’s?

Seriously, go ahead and sing the show’s opening song…..if you watched the show the tune is probably already going through your mind.

Listen to a story about a man name Jed, poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed. Then one day he was shooting at some food and up from the ground came a bubblin crude. Oil that is.

Being here in Burkina but specifically on the property where we live, I have often felt like the Beverly Hillbillies just with the order being different…. Let me explain…

LAC- This is a Christian boarding school that has boarding for boys. Girls are welcome but there is not a boarding option for the girls; therefore, the population of boys to girls is a huge difference. This year there is a little over 400 students. I am not sure with this new school year what the ratio of Christians attending the school is, but many years there are more non-Christians than Christians. Why would non-Christians come to this school- The answer is easy…. This school has a reputation of assisting students to walk away with a good education. Also, there are exams that are required to advance to the next grade level throughout their education. At this school the percentage of those who pass these required exams are higher than many of the other schools. So, a devout Mvslim will agree to their child being in a Bible class every day if being at this school will help produce a passing mark.

This is the administration building.

Seriously Connie, how do the two relate???- From the start, Chris and I have felt like God lead West Ridge to partner with the LAC, and this place is a rich oil field with so much potential . Here we are this white southern family that lives with black poverty stricken Africans. Physically, we stick out just like the hillbillies did in Beverly Hills. Yet, whereas the Hillbillies went to Beverly Hills after discovering oil, we have been brought here where the riches are seemingly yet to be fully realized; we have been placed on this land before the oil has really begun to come to the surface. We believe on this campus there is some deep rich life changing oil that has the potential to change the country and beyond and unlike the hillbillies our gain is much greater than monetary wealth. Jed struck oil when he was out looking for food for his family; I believe we will strike oil as we are out feeding His.

You see, when these children give their lives to Jesus, they are coming from all over Burkina as well as a few from other African countries. They have the opportunity to return home and be a direct source of light. There are already reported testimonies of life change that have affected entire families. At times there has also been abandonment for these students as well. Their salvation has the potential to come with a grave price. Back in April, a non believer asked me the question, “If what you call salvation would cause a person their family, friends, and possibly their life..Why would you be so cruel and put them in that position?” My response to her as tears streamed down my face was, “Everything in me agrees with how horrible their circumstances could be…. I cringe at the thought of the cost, but what I do know is this…It would be cruel and selfish for me/you/us not to tell and proclaim the truth with them because of the possible horrible things that could happen. For one day EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. My mind does not even want to grasp their possible circumstances, but my mind cannot handle that their knee being bowed could be upon their separation from God the Father and their entrance into the flaming confinement of an eternity in hell. I trust in God’s sovernty that losing a physical life and gaining life eternally in paradise with Him is well worth the trade off.” My friend did not respond.

This is the new LAC classroom being built. This will facilitate students coming back here for their first year of High School.

I cannot explain the burden our family has for this school and the honor we feel to be so closely connected to them. We are very excited about the specific doors God has opened for us here…Please, Please, Please pray for us and that salvation be upon these children and their villiages.

-Last Saturday was our kick-off English movie night. Twice a month, we will have a movie night projected on a huge wall. We will stop the movie mid-way and the gospel will be shared.

-We will host the 50 plus staff members in a luncheon each quarter and share the gospel, encourage, and pray for the staff. Many of these teachers are Mvslim.

-I will be working in the admin office a couple hours a week, helping to learn and then teach a program that can help them be more efficient in the office.

-We are both working with students in a smaller setting helping the students with their English.

-We will be helping out in the classroom, having an opportunity to build relationships with the students.

-Once a month, we will have a sports day. This will be an opportunity to simply invest in these students in a non threatening way showing the love of Jesus.

We have spot-lighted the LAC and our specific ministry here and we really are asking for your help. We cannot do this without you. We need people who will pray for us on a regular basis. The spiritual warfare that takes place here is at times overwhelming. We need people praying. We also need your support financially. We have been so encouraged and blessed each month at God’s provision through His children because we cannot be here without your financial support. Please pray about supporting us financially. Lastly, we need to purchase a vehicle. This would be a tremendous help to our family and ministry and so we are asking God to bring the funds and show us the exact vehicle he would have for us. Please pray about God’s provision for us and giving towards our monthly support and or our vehicle fund. The link below will take you directly to our giving page. All donations are tax deductable.

[ click here for ] BurkinaBound Online Giving

There is a curve in Learning French... What I thought I said was really not what I said... YIKES!

2010-10-21T05:29:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday night we kicked off the year with a movie. The kids started back the 1st of Oct so it has given them time to settle in and was a good break from studies. More than 200 students came and all stayed very interested to the end. We showed the movie Narnia. While Chris was setting everything up I explained to the students that Chris and I were here because of our great love for Jesus and our great love for them. All the students were quiet and Agabus was standing there with me and I noticed him looking at me weird. I paused and he got a little clarification from me... With my terrible accent, the word for love and death/to die sound very much the same. They seemed to all think I said we have a lot of death for Jesus and we have a lot of death for them and we wanted them to know the death of Jesus also. Though it was a very embarrassing moment for me, it was a great start as the kids and myself laughed. After being able to clarify, Agabus said that this was good because it broke down some walls right from the start. We invited all of them to be part of worship yesterday morning and they now know why our family is here. At the end, Agabus explained the symbolism of the movie. It was really a great night. Pray that God will stir the hearts of these students unto repentance and faith in Him.

The second thing is I have become very good friends with one of the students moms. Saturday was a day at the LAC for parents to come and visit. I have really been praying for her salvation. She is mvslim. Her son gave his life to Jesus here at the LAC a little over a year ago. Each time we are together, she has opened up more and more. Today, God opened the door for me to share the gospel with her. She is suffering and really feels like her life is hopeless. I told her she needed peace in her heart and life and that could only come from Jesus. I gave her a bible and asked her to read the book of John and on her own she promised. I do believe the day is coming that she will give her life to Jesus... please pray for her. Just pray for Philemon's mom. The funny thing about this story is that again before she left I really stressed that she needed al lot of peace in her life that could only come from Jesus.... with many tears her response was, I know!

Praise God He worked in spite of my very bad French because once again my accent did not serve me well.... (this is terrible and I feel so stupid and sorry mom for saying this word out loud) the word for peace and the word for fart sound very similar. Chris about fell over when I was so excited telling him in French what I said to her. His response was so Connie... you just told her that she needed a lot of fart in her life that can only come from Jesus. Please tell me you really did not say that. ..... Seriously will not make those mistakes again... You better know I now have a better pronunciation of those 4 words!

Thank the Lord he works in spite of me!

We really are excited about what God is doing at the LAC!

I Love Number 32's Mom!!

2010-10-11T19:20:00.002-04:00

In the past few months God has used the lives of others to make a major impact on my life. I love to hear the life stories of others especially when one has allowed God to be the center point. Over the next few weeks, I want to high light a few people that I think are hero's in the faith!

If you live anywhere near North Paulding High School you have probably heard of number 32 on the Wolfpack football team. The name of this senior is Chris Conley. Last year before leaving for Burkina, my three boys fell in love with NPHS as well as cheering on their cousins Bo and Joel who are on this team. Our family has regular prayer time and I remember hearing my boys pray for their cousins and the name Chris Conley would find the way into our prayer time also.

I finally asked my sister about who this kid is. My boys would say that he is one of the players on the NPHS team and he is real good. They would also say, “And he’s a Christian too.” My sister began to explain that this kid started playing football in 9th grade. His mom desired that her children know and have God first in their lives above all other things. After that she desired that they be committed to their education. If those things were in check… then they could play sports.

I am all about peewee sports and even my own children have played baseball, basketball, and soccer. This is not in any way a judgment or a bash about young kids being in sports. This is simply something God used to touch my heart as I connected with hers in longing for our children to be rock solid in the Lord. I must admit that when my sister shared with me the testimony of this mother who had such great wisdom that she put what seemed to be a joy to her children on hold for the sake of what she knew held a much greater importance…. My thoughts were….”Lord, may I as well live with that kind of wisdom.” I already desire these things but never would I have made the concentrated point to hold off sports and other things so that my children have a foundation built solid on the Word of God and their relationship with Him. I must add that this could mean them never playing sports. I cannot choose Jesus for them- I can only love, live, and direct them in the way of truth and pray that they choose a life that is submitted and committed to the Lord.

I am sure that Christina Conley over the years was talked about for not allowing her children to play sports. I bet her children possibly asked her more than one time why she felt this way or even assured their mom that they were ready before 9th grade.

Her first son has graduated and is in Tennessee on a track scholarship. Chris will graduate early and is heading to UGA on a full scholarship. WOW! She also has a daughter that is excelling in track as well.

I know that faithfulness does not always bring a reward such as this on this side of eternity; however, I know that faithfulness and surrender does indeed bring blessing and honor to God and the reward will come. Christina Conley, you are a courageous woman and example of a mother who loves truth and the Heavenly Father more than the temporary happiness of your children. I love to see your strength in the Lord and I love to see how God is blessing the lives of your children. I also love that Chris has become a huge role model in our family. My boys see the God factor in Chris’s success. Know he is prayed for and looked to as a hero by us all the way over here in Burkina Faso. Go Dawgs!

P.S. To make sure I had my facts straight, I emailed Christina and allowed her to read this blog entry before I posted it. I am going to paste just some of the words in her response…. It only goes to more affirm the woman of God that she is and that she is living a life committed to him!

Response from Christina: I know the compassion of our Savior and how He knows the mess of human flesh that I was before I came to know Him as Savior and then miraculously, blood covered mess that I still am as I grow daily by His grace.

I love reading the wisdom of Catherine Marshall and Elizabeth Elliot, and I believe it was Catherine Marshall who when asked if she would talk about being a mother likened her acceptance of such an invitation at that point to someone negotiating a trip across a stream on horseback and yielding midstream to discuss how it's done well before the completion of the journey. I believe myself to be midstream with much more ground to traverse long before being the subject of one of your blogs.

Our Lord is so incredibly awesome in the LOVE that He has shown all of us, particularly me. If I could share anything with someone right now, it would not be about me, it would be that we truly cannot be separated from God's love and that He (GOD) is incredibly merciful and will forgive us our sins if we call upon His name. I am proof of that.

My HUGE Surprise

2010-10-07T14:51:00.001-04:00

Have you ever felt so much gratitude for someone that you did not even know how to express yourself?? As many of you know, an amazing family made it possible for me to return to America to surprise my family. I did not spend one dime for my ticket and the sweet time I had going home was a gift that I will remember for the rest of my life.

To the family who did this for me… Thank you and may you be forever blessed by your graciousness!

I arrived in Atlanta and had asked my brother to pick me up from the airport. He did an amazing job keeping a secret! Thank you Tod!

My first surprise was when I walked into his home and was able to surprise my sister-n-law. She did as I expected- her mouth dropped open and then her hands flew up over her mouth. It was then great to receive a huge hug.

She was the camera... We did not get a picture together :(

From there we headed to the school where my nephew Robby had a football game. He was on the field but so was his older brother Bo. I stood at the fence and looked at Bo straight in the face. I normally do not wear sun glasses and was wearing them so this did throw him off a little; however, the stare and him trying to figure out how someone could look so much like his aunt was so funny. It became hilarious when he began walking backwards biting on his fingernail just looking at me… then it clicked… it is my Aunt Connie!

I had been waiting for the moment to throw my arms around my mom. I knew she would be at the ballgame so I started a few rows behind where she would be sitting with the hope that she would see me when she walked up… no luck there. I then walked down and sat 2 rows in front of her thinking she would catch a glimpse of me…. No luck there either. My sister-n-law was down at the fence taking pictures. We all wave as she takes a picture. I then turn and look at my mom and smile and she smiles back…. Again no luck there either.

My laughter is now a bit uncontrollable. My nephew and I both are cracking up but with such anticipation for her to see me. Well, a little help from my brother and this was her first couple moments after she saw me…….

It was everything and more that I wanted it to be. I cannot express the joy that filled my heart hugging my mom and just being in her presence.

Robby who is on the field was pretty quick. We all yell at him and wave and he waves turns around and then does that fast speed rip his head back around as we notice that it has clicked that I am there.

I did not get a picture with him that night, but here he is.

Next is Joel, another nephew. I again am sitting in front to him. I look at him several times and every time I look directly at him, he turns to talk to someone else. When it finally clicked, he busted down and threw his whole body in my lap…. Again laughter and tears flowed.

I know we look like Ken and Barbie.

Half time has come and we move on to the concession stand where my brother-n-law and 2 nieces are working. I wait in line for some time and they have now all looked at me and not noticed. A little girl asked me if I wanted something and when I asked if the cheese or pepperoni pizza was better the 2 girls busted out the door and more tears began to flow. It was amazing!

From there we do everything we can to keep my older sister at Five Guys where she is ordering dinner. Poor girl, she has now been to the counter three different times to order and all she wants to do is get home. I make it there just in time and when I walk in… her words from the start… “SHUT UP!” And yes once again, tears come.

We did not have a camera to capture the surprise, but here is my big sister whom I adore!

I think one of the saddest yet sweetest moment was when Jonah her son walks in and though he is glad to see me, his heart is so sad that his BFF my son Silas in not there with me.

I am sure that this is what my nephew Jonah felt until he realized that Silas was not with me.

We head back to the house and I decide to just bust in the room where my little sister and niece are… the niece I have not yet met. She was much the same as my older sister…”SHUT UP!” And yes, the tears flow. I then have the greatest joy in meeting my new niece and sitting in the presence of my baby sister and my family.

Susie- Why in the world do we not have a picture together where you can see our faces???

Lastly, my brother-n-law Eric walks through the door and by that time it is just laughter. Can I even begin to relive and tell you the joy and excitement that filled my heart that day! I LOVE my family!

I think this in and of itself is a sweet story, but the best part of this story is how down to each detail, God gave this to me as a gift. It was so detailed that I honestly feared that I was coming home because something bad was going to happen that I needed to be there for. The Father knew that I needed a time of rest, that I needed to spend some long overdue time with my family. I had prayed months back about going home this particular week because I knew that school was out and so many of my family members work in the school system. I just cannot express just how special I felt cradled in the arms of God through his presence and this gift. Others were gracious and God so blessed.

Gabriella's Big News!!!

2010-09-09T15:03:00.002-04:00

I totally get why the Word tells us to have faith like children…

Gabriella is naturally expressive and very passionate about things. She has been passionate about Jesus and the truth of who He is honestly since she could talk. She has wanted to ask Jesus into her life for some time now. I kept putting this off just due to her being so young and wanting to make sure that she understood. Chris and I have both had conversations with her and she knows and believes the truth, but again we have just waited – well due to our lack of faith because she is 4. Well, yesterday she was done with me putting her off until she, daddy, and I could talk once again….this is her salvation story!

“Mommy, I know that you are having your Bible time and I am not allowed to talk to you, right?” That’s right Gabriella. “Well, I have a reeeeaaaalllly important question.” What is it Gabs? “When do I get to have my Bible time?” We will do that tonight. “Well, I want to talk about becoming a Christian really bad. I do not want to wait for Daddy.” Ok let mom finish my Bible time and we will talk about it. “Well mom, I am just going to ask Jesus in my heart right now.” Ok so the girl is ready and this time I am not going to stop the spirit of God from moving in her life… I put my Bible study down and asked….Gab, tell me why you want to ask Jesus in your heart and be a Christian so bad? “Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Sin is my bad choices and I do not like to make bad choices. He was on the cross and he died. His mom was Mary and she was so sad and she cried. Mom, no one even gave Him medicine at all. His Father who is in heaven just breathed like this (she put her hands to her mouth and blew) and brought Him back to life. No one even helped Him it was only His Father. Really? Wow Gab.. Where is Jesus now if He came back to life? “He is in heaven with His Father but they are the same God too.” What about us? I thought that someone was going to stay here and help us? “That is the other God, but He is the same too… like the other 2 Gods.” Gab, why do you want to ask Jesus into your life? “Mommy, because I want to be with God really bad and I do not want to make bad choices anymore.”

Needless to say, we got on our knees and my sweet baby girl prayed from the depths of her soul and gave her life to Jesus!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

So I Have a Middle School-er!

2010-09-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

Samuel is a super special kid. Two weeks ago, I had a total flash back of the day I delivered. Samuel was 2 weeks early, my labor and delivery was amazing, and here we had this sweet baby boy. Looking back I remember almost feeling like I was in a daze; yet, at the time I did not realize that really I was sick and fighting an infection. Within 45 minutes my sweet newborn baby was whisked away and taken to NICU to be evaluated. My sister who had been down this same road with her son noticed that he was grunting when he would breath.

Within 2 hours we were told that he was being admitted into the NICU and they were going to take some blood and see if they could determine if there was any infection. His breathing continued to get worse and it seemed that from that moment everything went downhill from there. In less than 24 hours I was told that I have a very sick baby and that he was in critical condition.

I had been to the doctor a couple days before my labor had begun because I thought that my fluid had been leaking. I knew in cases like these it is very dangerous because it is an open door for infection. They did a sonogram and said that my fluid level was ok so they were not concerned. Little did we know that during this time, my baby was getting very sick.

On day number 2 we were numb and not understanding what in the world was happening to us and to our baby. We were told that he had not been showing any signs of improvement and he actually had continued to decline. They had given him drugs to temporarily paralyze him because they needed his body at a complete state of rest. They felt his heart and lungs were working overtime and so they did not want any stimulation of his body at all. I was able to put one finger on him, but was not even to move my finger. The only emotion possible for me at that time was total dependence on God. It was because I believed in Him that I could get out of bed despite the intense pain that I was feeling.

We get to night 2 and we are told that our baby needed to be transported by ambulance to Egleston Children’s Hospital. We were told that there was a machine there called Ecmo. It is really used for a last resort procedure because it is very invasive. It is a heart and lung bypass. From what I understood at the time, they put a tube in the side of the neck and basically use this machine to work as your heart and lungs to give your heart and lungs time to rest and hopefully strengthen them. YUCK is right, but if it meant saving my baby’s life, we will take it.

The prepared him for the transport and my mom prepared to follow the ambulance and take Chris and I to the hospital. Of course my mom could not drive fast enough as the anxiety mounted in my entire body. We got there quite a bit after Samuel did and anxiously waited in the NICU waiting room for someone to come and give us an update…. This tall woman walks out. She has short hair and is wearing no make-up and really looks more like a man than a woman. Right off the bat, I was not feeling this great sense of compassion from her. She introduces herself and has us sit down. She sits in front of us with her legs spread and almost resting on her knees with her elbows, and begins to give us an update.

Samuel did not do very well during the transport. It was rough on his body, but we have him hooked up to the every machine imaginable, IV’s in place, etc and we have him stabilized for now. We will watch him through the night and make a decision about what is the next best step for him. She then looked me in the eye and said, “Your son can not get any more sick, or he WILL DIE!” My response, “What I am supposed to do with that information?”

She encouraged us to go home and get some rest and to call or come back early in the morning. I remember going home and falling apart and then crashing. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and found Chris calling radio stations asking if they would ask people to pray for our son. We could not ask too many to be standing in the gap for his life. We knew that it would only be the hand of God that saved our child.

We returned to the hospital the next morning to be greeted by an angel. We had a nurse that was assigned to watch Samuel 24/7. She was short with black hair and glasses and could not have been more gracious to me not only having a sick baby, but being a new mom as well. She had made him a name tag above his bed. It was one of those sweet babies that was made to look like a snail and had his name below it. Her words were, “Samuel can move as slow as a snail as long as he moves in the right direction.” She explained every machine and said that he was still very, very sick, but again stable.

At that moment, I knew that the more I appreciated each person the better care they will give my son. I tried to respect every wish they had and not to be demanding of anything. Every time we would leave the room I thanked them, let them know that we appreciated them, and asked them to pray for our baby.

Well, he not only made it, but made it without Ecmo. I believe with all my soul that God touched his life and healed him physically. We signed all kinds of waivers as some of the treatment could have some very severe side effects. To this day, we thank God for touching his body and love that he is still with us today and healthy as can be! As much as I am trying to handle this whole middle school thing, I know God has a great purpose for his life and cannot wait to see how God will use him!

Courageous!!

2010-08-19T07:57:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken rigft before they headed to the airport heading back to Atlanta!

Courageous is the first things that comes to my mind when I think about Joanna! We are putting out a major call for prayer and blessing for her. Joanna has been to Burkina several years in a row and we were blessed to have the opportunity to serve with her this past June. She has an amazing spirit, beautiful smile, heart for ministry, natural ability, and willingness to be lead by the Spirit of God. I LOVE being married, but I hate that I was so consumed with being married that I did not open myself up to being used by the Lord during my single years.

As you may be aware… I am not a home schooling mom. I so loathed the thought of home school that I told Chris while we were dating- yes pre-kids that if he wanted a wife that home schooled… it was not going to be me. For the record, I am a mom that supports home school 100%. I in fact, am jealous of the moms who do this and do it well. Seriously, each home school mom in my book has a hero metal to wear proudly.

Well, would it not be the case that God would have some type of home schooling in my future. Thanks Lord! In the past 6 months I have given up the right to not be a home school mom. Have not held back my feelings from the Lord, but have truly surrendered to walking in obedience even if that meant home school. During this time, the Lord made it very clear to Chris and I that we were to take this next year with Samuel and home school him. As the Lord revealed this to our hearts, we asked Samuel to be in on this process and asked the Lord to give Samuel a peace about this as well. …. He did!

We felt like God was asking us to take this time and invest in Samuel on so many more levels than schooling. He is a neat kid and is at the fresh I am starting middle time when so many things change. In thinking through what God wanted us to do over this next year, I really felt like God was asking me to do this home school part by myself. I really felt encouraged to look for someone that God would call to come and help us in this process. Well, I feel like we were blessed beyond what we could have imagined. After asking Joanna to just pray, I honestly was shocked when she responded. Not because she would not be obedient to God’s calling, but that God would give us greater than what we were praying for. We were asking for a teacher that would love our children and model Godly character. We are getting a teacher that is that and so much more.

Please pray for her. We are praying fishes and loaves as we know and have seen how God provides in times of need. We hate raising our support and we know the mindless energy that it takes . Our prayer is that Joanna will have every dime either given or committed as soon as possible. If her funds are there, she plans to come in January. Our prayer is that the months leading up to her arrival she will not have to focus on finances; rather, she will be able to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for this next chapter in her life.

Many people want to give financially but often feel like with their own financial plate, it is just not possible. Many have mentioned that they feel bad sending a $10.00 check because it seems so small and they feel embarrassed so it is easier not to give at all. PLEASE do not let that stop you. When 10 people give $10.00- that is $100.00. I am asking that you stop right now and prayerfully consider supporting Joanna. Take the money you would spend going out to dinner just one time this month and help her, help us, faithfully serve here in Burkina Faso.

To support Joanna financially: You can give a one-time donation or you can commit to a monthly donation. If you would like to do this, you can write a check to Engage Burkina with her name written in the memo line. You can send the check to Engage Burkina at 3522 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas, GA 30157. If you choose to make a monthly commitment, please include a note informing Engage Burkina that you would like to give a monthly donation and what that amount will be.

From my heart....

2010-08-15T16:47:00.000-04:00

I adore these guys!!! Just because picture...

Matt Wilmington did a sermon several years back and talked about his families mission statement. I really wanted to do something like this with my family but also desired a personal mission statement as well. One big confession for me is that many times God might put something on my heart and then I move forward with a right heart but get side tracked on a marketing view. It has been years and “I” have not come up with my personal mission statement because there was not anything that “I” could come up with that reflected my heart’s desire and sounded fluff and catching!

Fast forward to this past week…. I am in the middle of my time with the Lord. I am asking God to manifest himself in my life and may the fruits of the spirit be evident. I began asking the Lord once again as He knows my heart to give me a personal mission statement. One that reflects my heart, two-something I could share with others and it point them to him, and three- one that He inspires. After a gentle rebuke, I felt like this was a crash and burn attempt last time because I took my eyes off him and took the controls in trying to formulate the words of my mission statement. This particular time, I committed to wait on the Lord.

Seriously all the while I am praying this song is in my mind. I continue to move forward after prayer with more of my study and I find myself singing out loud… “To love the Lord our God, is the heart beat of our mission.” Talk about a stop dead in my tracks… Lord, in the past I did not use just a scripture verse as the heart beat of my mission because (and I say with shame) it was not fluffy and did not have this cutting edge sound. In my mind I needed a flashy statement that reflected the verse I would use. For the record, I love when people seeking God can put together something and in such a way that it could be used as a bill board…. so this is in no way a negative to those that God has gifted in this way or spoken to in this way!

OK so the Lord did not literally speak but He so spoke to my heart. Connie, I want you to stand on the basis to Love me with all your mind, soul, heart, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. My very first thought was loving you Lord will be way easier than loving my neighbor. I then began to meditate on this verse… yep another confession not knowing where it was in the Word…. To love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. This does not just mean to practice the expression of love as a feeling. Loving means Obeying!Trusting!Following!Honoring! and oh how the list go on. Then to love my neighbor as I love myself. I do love myself and want the best for me so even when someone rips me up, cuts me off in traffic, makes a stupid choice, hurts my kid,- Connie love them. Seriously think of all this verse means…WOW I honestly want to live this way.

So I finish my Bible study and then later take some time to find out the reference of this scripture. This verse is mentioned 3 times that I could find in the new testament. First, in Matthew- When asked which is the greatest commandment of the law. Second in Mark- When Jesus says there is no commandment greater than this. Third, in Luke when Jesus says, “Do this and you will live.”

So for all to know, I believe that God has given me a mission statement for my life;

To: Connie

Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your strength, and with all your mind, and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Luke 10:27

From: God

To take this a step further, I believe that God was asking Chris and I to talk to our kids about a family mission statement. Be ready… I am so excited to share with you what God is doing in our home and how He is speaking to our kids and giving them scripture that they want to bring to life in the lives of our family!

A Big Fish Out Of Water...... AND Loving It!

2010-08-11T22:46:00.001-04:00

So I think I just had my first official girl’s night out since I have been in Africa. I have to start by bragging just a little bit on Jesus. He placed this amazing vision on the heart of a woman here in Burkina to help girls/teens in crisis. She prayed for years and the doors never opened. She did not allow the lack of an open door to end her praying. Due to the war in Ivory Coast- 8 years back, God moved Steve and Amy Nehlson to Burkina. An amazing family!! Who ever knew that God would connect these two women to come together and start this amazing ministry….. The Dorcus House!

Currently there are I6 girls that are living at the Dorcus House. These girls will capture your heart and mostly due to the fact that they glow. One of the things that I have expressed since living here is that I hate that I do not see people smile very often. Maybe I am just not at the right place at the right time, but I have had to work at times to pull a smile out of people. These girls walk in a room and they light it up with their smiles. I believe this is because they truly have a deep appreciation and love for the Lord. When you are saved from much, I think gratitude goes to a whole new level.

So a little about this ministry… They run an amazing program. Just a few things they are doing for these girls… First- They are loving them and giving them Jesus. Second- They are loving them more and giving them Jesus. Third- They are watching lives change as these girls surrender their lives to the Lord. They have regular prayer and bible study. They all have responsibilities in cleaning and cooking on a rotation basis. They are being taught to read and write French which brings so much value in and of itself. They have learned how to make purses that are amazing. They know how to make soap and are learning to sew clothing. They have been given a gift. They are being taught a trade that after leaving, they will have skills to return home and use to look for work. There is no doubt that God is doing some amazing things in the lives of these young women!

Ok so fast forward… There has been a CMA youth camp here at the LAC. 11 out of the 16 girls were able to come for the final 2 days of the camp. I was so excited when they showed up at my door during their break time to visit. We began talking about the evening and they could not wait for the closing ceremony to begin. They were stoked about praising the Lord through song and dance. I told them that I would try to stop by. Well, glad I really did get ready for this because at 9:00pm, I had 11 girls at my front door ready for me to go over to the worship time.

Please picture this… a couple hundred black people and then me. My tan is not even good. Yep, I was so the only white person to be seen and everyone knew I was there. I stood out like no one else. I think the only thing brighter than me were these shoes that I want to bring home for Pastor Brian to wear one Sunday morning.

Take it a step further… White girl who cannot dance, danced and worshiped with them until 3:30am. It was amazing. What was even more amazing is that I am missing my family and girlfriends badly. I am nowhere near ready to be done here, but just to have a phone line and good internet to communicate…. Please help me here Lord! Desperately miss my mom sisters and brother. I miss my Randal girlfriend, My Roswell 6 girls, my amazing Jax friends, and my dearest Bec. I have been one of these girls that has been so blessed with amazing girl friends in each place I have lived…. Really only God could give friends like I have. Well would it not be just like Him to fill that void with these amazing girls and worship. I was totally embarrassed trying to learn some of these African dances. My children would have been like, “Mom, please stop!” BUT… in it all was a gift for me. I really experienced this time of worship in His holy presence as a gift. I learned that being a fish out of water may not be something I will run from in the future; rather I may need to run to it…. I would have never thought such a gift would have been awaiting me!

Please pray about supporting us. We are only able to be here because people give! Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!

https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

He Came Back for an Encore

2010-07-28T20:32:00.001-04:00

God the Father is indeed worthy and due our praise!

APPLAUD HIM, BOW BEFORE HIM IN WORSHIP, FOR HE IS HOLY!

It is time for more worship as we praise God for all He is doing in Burkina Faso!

I pray that you would continue to applaud Him as I share some of the highlights of our last team.

This will sound crazy but the teams almost feel like pregnancy in a very small way. We are so excited for them to get here, but we always wonder if we will love the new team as much as we did the last. Will we connect, Will we be able to meet their expectations, Will they hate it here? Each time it is just like that second or third child that you wondered if you could love as much as the first. You never dream another team could be as good as the last. After each team leaves, we honestly mourn their departure. We are amazed at the love we have for each person that God brings over here to serve. See below the July team that ministered and blessed many lives…. Including the Feild Family!

West Ridge July 2010 English Camp Team

Please pray right now for this team. Pray that they will not ever forget how God worked in and through their lives.

We started off the week with a time of evangelism. We were able to show the World Cup on a large screen at the LAC soccer field. During half time, Vince gave his testimony and the Pastor followed up by sharing how to be saved. We were very excited that more than 100 came. This also was great as there were several there that did not know there is a church on the LAC campus.

People gathered to watch the World Cup

Please pray right now that the seeds that were planted will be watered and those who do not know Him will not rest until they are secure in their salvation with Christ.

We were blessed to have a little over 40 students for the English Camp. In the opening ceremonies, Holly shared that they were here because we sincerely wanted to help them learn some English, but the number one reason was to share the love of Jesus.

We started with a test to place each person in the class they needed to be in.

We cannot rave enough about each teacher. Those who are teachers by profession in the States and those who are not, all did an amazing job. Each student was thrilled to have the teachers and class they were assigned.

Vince had the older students. Most of them had a good knowledge of English.

Vince brought the heat in his classroom. The students received way more than just an English camp. I am amazed at the amount of information Vince was able to go through in just one week. Each time I was in his class, the students just hung on every word.

This was a girl in Vince's class. One Day a picture of her was taken and a combination of bad lighting and a cheap camera put spots all over her face. She had tears coming down her cheeks and asked for prayer over this. She was afraid that there was an evil spirit that caused this and she could not return to her village like this. My heart broke as I touched her back and literally felt her trembling. I have no doubt that God allowed this. It was simply another opportunity to talk about Him and truth.

Please pray right now for her and her salvation. Pray that she will rest in the peace and power of our creator.

This was Holly and Anne's Class. They had one of the intermediate classes.

Holly has a gift. She does this in the States and we were very blessed to have her head up this camp. Her classroom would have not been near as fun had Anne not be there to teach with her. They were a great team and the students loved them! I have started working with three of the students from their class 3 days a week and they can not say enough how much this camp has helped them.

This is Colleen's class. She also had some intermediate students. When I talked about Colleen to my husband my words were, "She not only gets it, and believes it, but she lives it." My heart connected with hers and I feel so blessed to have a prayer warrior like her praying for my family and the lives of those here in Burkina. Above is a drawing of a warrior who has put on the armor of God. The students in her class were discipled.

This was our class that knew the least amount of English if any at all. This was Jennifer, Sue, and Michelle's class. We are thankful to the Varsity as the kids loved the hats and the photo opportunity.

These ladies did an amazing job. One of the children from this class told me in French that he wanted the same class and the same teachers next summer.

Our last class is one that we did not plan for, but a blessing beyond what can be described. Kay was able to invest and teach the ladies that work at my home and in the center. They felt so special and continue to practice their English. Kay was able to start “Apples of Gold” in Burkina!

Kay put together some great crafts for the students. They enjoyed each and every one!

This is a guy who has made some of our furniture. He does not know the Lord; yet, he heard the name of Jesus all week and was making a cross necklace representing Jesus death and resurrection.

After class, the students had the opportunity to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, or sign language.

Needless to say, the camp was a huge success. We have been asked not "if" but "when" we will be coming back. We have also been asked if we will do this more than one time a year as well as making it longer... even up to a month.

Closing Ceremony was a time of worship.

We were humbled and blessed when as a gift the students sang God is so Good in English. They also took up a collection and gave each one of us a gift. They have nothing and yet they are still giving.

While the English camp was taking place, Chris, Matt, and Caleb were working in the extreme humidity and heat helping with the next classroom at the LAC. This will enable the LAC to open up more spots for students to attend this next year. They also spent time painting another room in the home of the LAC pastor.

These three guys worked very hard and I think even felt a little "high" with paint fumes and no ventilation!

This is the Compassion Center at the LAC. This was a highlight and a heart break. These children were writing letters to their sponsors.

This was one of two meals they ate during the time they were at the Compassion Center.

The children were given bread and milk. This taller girl offered to give her lunch to one of our team members. Humbling!

We are ONE in the Spirit proclaiming the Name of Jesus so that all may know HIM!

APPLAUD HIM!

Once again, we want to thank you for your support to us as well as all the needs we have here in Burkina. PLEASE- will you pray for us and the ministry?!? The field is ripe and as much as God is working, the enemy is ticked…. We need prayer!

We hate asking for financial support, but we can not be here without people supporting us financially. Will you pray about supporting us financially? Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? We are only able to be here because people pray and people give. See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!

https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

APPLAUD HIM!

2010-06-29T18:25:00.000-04:00

Family and Friends,

Since arriving the end of January, we have had 2 film/production teams and 2 large teams that have done work on a school and building churches in addition to evangelism and ministering to pastors. We have been asked several times, “How have your teams been? Did everything go O.K.?….” I cannot keep from smiling and cannot explain how honored we are to be doing this job. We love it, love it, love it! Today in my Beth Moore Bible Study she said on her video that she is always applauding God. She just claps all the time and applauds Him for the amazing things He is doing. I loved her follow up line when she said, “Don’t think He won’t come back for an encore.” Right now feel free to just start clapping. Are you at work, in the library, in your bedroom…. APPLAUD HIM!

These are some really amazing people!

Our last team was made up of 13 people who were from Church at the Ridge and West Ridge Church – both are located in GA. What an amazing group of people. To hear story after story of how God prepared them for this trip and then to see firsthand how He moved in their lives while they were here. APPLAUD HIM! Lives will be changed as a result of each person that He used to make this trip possible. There are those who prayed, gave financial support for them to come, watched their children, and paved the way for each person to be here. Then there are those who made the trip with long travel hours by plane, then long travel hours in a crammed Land Cruiser on unpaved roads with no air conditioning, and then worked long hours in the hot-hot sun. Many played with children and ministered just by their presence. There were days with no indoor plumbing and life that is unimaginable to many of us. One thing that always amazes me about this is that there are tears and smiles despite these conditions- it shows the desire for God to move more than the desire of our own comforts…. Amazing…. APPLAUD HIM!

Headed to the Bush!

Lucky one's who sat in the back!

While the team was in the Bush they put up 2 hangers that the church will build walls around. They met for church in their new buildings last Sunday! In this culture, this structure gives validity to the church.

Getting started...

Lives that have been impacted by the Love of Jesus though this team!

Stop right now and pray for this church to be blessed and that many come to know Him.

Playing with the children... Notice the teams sleeping quarters???

APPLAUD HIM!

This is a hole in the ceiling of the pastors home. The roof had some major issues over their bedroom and needed to be replaced.

This is the pastors den area that was in need of some major cleaning and painting. This was not a planned part of the trip. After several days in the Bush, the team was not ready to stop serving...APPLAUD HIM!

The roof was fixed!

This is Suzanna...the pastor's wife. She told me today that God brought saints into her life and the life of those in Burkina.

They are standing in her den freshly painting den with joy that she could not explain!

We did manage to get some African dancing in!

This is Hailey Oby. She was the only high schooler to make it on this trip. She is brave, courageous, and has a heart sold out to serve Jesus. We love her and are so glad she was here!

One of my favorite times is when we have the team in our home. We love hearing specific ways in which God worked in their lives on the trip.

This is Joanna. I am thinking she will be our intern very soon... and we can not wait!

This is when the Feild family starts to mourn... We hate having to say goodbye and will never forget the impact this team had on our lives!

APPLAUD HIM!

First, will you commit to pray for us and the ministry here in Burkina?!? The ministry is ripe and as much as God is working, the enemy is ticked…. We need prayer!

Second, will you pray about supporting us financially? Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? We are only able to be here because people pray and people give. We need your support! See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!

https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

Peace

2010-06-08T04:54:00.000-04:00

Just Because Pictures

Sometimes the books I say are the best ever are the books that have so hit me right where I was at during the time I read the book.

So I love Beth Moore but in all honesty, I have not done many of her Bible studies. When I arrived in Africa, I was told about a ladies Bible study that took place with other English speaking women in Ouaga. I went for the fellowship more than anything in the beginning, but have found that God really did not have the fellowship as the first priority in my life. One thing after another has kept me from being with the ladies, but it has not kept me from being in the study or the Word!

Well, the study we are doing right now is Living Beyond Yourself. I honestly have wanted to send Beth a picture of myself and ask her personally if she saw a vision of me when she wrote this study. I think Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb is the only other book that I have read that has been frightening at how the writings and encouragement in the book reflected the things that were so fresh in my life.

I feel terrible to say that I never dreamed that a study on the Fruits of the Spirit would be so amazing and help me to identify things in my life being related to a lack of a certain fruit. This is even more embarrassing to say after thinking that I have been a Christian for 28 years.

A couple weeks ago was on peace. Most are familiar with the story of Job. We know he had intense trials and we always say we sure don’t want to be in a “Job” experience. Though I have read Job in the past and have heard the story many times, it was so good to go back and re-read the story of Job and to pay closer attention to each detail. I honestly cried as I read verse after verse at how the enemy tried to rip his life apart and God allowed it. Job was not going through this because he has sin in his life.. this was not about God pruning him. The enemy just wanted to prove that he would indeed crack and turn against God. In the first round all his children and possessions were taken from him not to mention all in one day! What did he do in response…? Ripped off his clothes and bowed before the lord and worshiped.

I must confess that there have been circumstances in my life that have caused me intense pain, but I did not bow before the Lord and worship as Job did.

I have really been challenged to worship Him in all things great and small, good and bad, and when I understand and when I don’t.

May the peace that passes all understanding fill you and every circumstance you may be facing as you worship Him!

I'm wife # 3, been let go from my husband, and I have AIDS....Pinch me as this can NOT be real!

2010-05-23T17:33:00.000-04:00

To suffer alongside people you love is difficult. I am certainly a newbie living in Africa because each time I experience something new, I go through every emotion imaginable. I know living in Africa my heart will always be sensitive to these things, but I hope I will do better at handling the extreme emotion I feel with each new situation.

I just cannot wrap my brain around my newest situation. I am telling you that people drop dead here all the time. I have never seen so many children living with tantie or grandma or village friends because mom and/or dad are dead. Yesterday I had an African friend come to my home and she sat for over an hour and wept. Africans do not like to cry and most often they won’t in front of others; however, this has not been what I have experienced since I have arrived. Anyway, the reason she was hurting so much was she has a cousin who was infected with aids. She was the third wife to her husband and when he found this out he left her about 10 years ago. Not divorced as we know it, but just left. They had 3 children together. Two of them are older and could take care of the youngest who is now 12 but if they take her on, they almost throw every chance of marriage out the window. My friend was asked to take this 12 year old when her cousin dies and that appears to be very soon. She cried and cried because she said she had to tell her cousin no. She herself along with her husband have children of their own and an additional 6 people that live with them and they can hardly afford to live themselves. I still cannot wrap my brain around 11 people living in a 3 room home that is the size of my den.

Ok so what will happen with this child... she will either just remain in her village and really have no place that she really belongs or in many cases like this the child becomes a street kid because the MVslims will take them in. They will cram all these false teachings down their throats, filling them with lies, provide them enough food to just stay alive, yet use them as begging slaves that walk the streets on Burkina. They receive no education and learn to survive which in turn many times makes them really rough kids.

In times like this I want to explode and the reason I want to explode is that this is normal.

Please stop right now and pray for this 12 year old girl. Pray that God will provide just the place for her when her mom who is a Christian by the way, goes home to be with the Lord.

The soil is ripe... Pray for the harvest and it's protection!

2010-05-22T18:55:00.000-04:00

These are some of the top academic students at the LAC

I have to tell you that despite how hard this has been, Chris and I do not doubt one bit that God brought us here. When we are asked by people who live in Ouaga where we live, everyone looks at us like we have 2 heads. To be 16km from Ouaga, we live far! It is a long drive to go into town but in many ways we have the best of both worlds. We are close enough for our children to go to ISO which is invaluable to us, but we live on a piece of property that could not be a better fit for our children and we are sitting at the front door of a gargantuan ministry opportunity.

Just as I said in another blog post, the LAC is under some intense spiritual attack. Each week, our eyes are opened to new things here and it is as much exciting as it can be scary. At this moment, we know that first and foremost our job is to pray.

This is Agabus...He is the Pastor at the LAC Church

Today we were told that back in September 2009 there were 3 days of evangelism that took place here. On one of those days, a man spoke a prophecy over the LAC and he said this, “God is at work and wants to do some huge things here, but unless people are praying it will not happen. There is going to be an enormous amount of attack from the enemy that has already started here.” We can attest that this is just as real as each breath we breathe.

In no way do we think our work on wells or cities should stop. A village will be changed if a well and clean water is brought to that village. The pattern of this has held true. But the comment was made that by investing in the LAC, we can see more than just a village change, we can see a country change and other countries greatly affected.

This is Poda. He is the director at the LAC.

Our church, my family, our faithful financial supporters and others have invested a ton of time, energy, and money etc for us to be here…. but please please please pray! We need an ongoing inundation of challenging people to pray. Our purpose to be here was to see God work and lives changed, but unless we pray we are in trouble.

Please stop even right now and pray!

My First Mother's Day in Burkina

2010-05-09T16:36:00.001-04:00

My children can make me want to pull each hair from my head, they can totally exhaust me, at times I wonder if they will ever grow out of these very annoying stages; BUT, when they are sweet… they are really sweet to the core! Today, I was the Queen in our home and I felt so special!

My Homemade Red Carpet

My day started by sleeping in with air conditioning. If this was my only gift, it would have been enough…. But it kept going! I got up and opened my bedroom door to five very excited children each with a homemade card- (which are the best), and a homemade red carpet walk to the love seat in our family room. I sat down and a crown was placed on my head and above me a big sign hung. I was served pancakes and whip cream and slushy orange juice. Can I tell you that I could not hold back the tears as I read my sweet cards and how loved I felt.

My crown which read, "Happy Mother's Day... Queen for the Day"

We then had some family time with Chris leading us in Bible study and worship. This is not normal for us not to be in church, but I almost hate to admit, it was nice to worship in English. Before our church time began, I was given a gift to open. When I opened my gift, I laugh at the thought of how excited I was….

One of my gifts!!!

Yes… Oreo Cookies. I was so excited that it did not matter that I had just eaten pancakes… I was eating some Oreos right that moment. I was also given a very cold diet coke that was simply icing on the cake. We went to the pool as a family and had lunch there to return home to a nice spaghetti dinner. I have been so blessed and am so thankful to be a mom of these five children.

On another note,

I have thought all day about my mom today too.. Hence the blog about her below....

As I have reflected on my day, my mom, and all the emotion and feelings that have come with such a special day, I could not help but also think about God the Father. How He must want to pull every hair out of his head because of me, how frustrating I can be, BUT how much He delights in me despite my sin, my faults, my mess-ups…etc. As I delighted in my children’s love for me, I can only imagine how He must be blessed when I roll out the red carpet for Him, crown Him king, and delight in loving Him…. WOW!

I am blessed to have a wonderful mother, be a mother of 5 precious lives, and to be a loved daughter of the King! Who could ask for a better Mother's Day!

A Tribute to My Mom

2010-05-09T15:44:00.001-04:00

I love that Mother’s Days lends itself to being able to reflect and appreciate our moms. I love the phrase, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"… I think that when we are separated from those we love, we see to even greater depths how thankful for we are for those we are separated from. I assure you that I love you mom more this Mother’s Day than in years past. You have done nothing different, I just realize in your absence how my heart literally aches not to be near you on this day.

I wanted to say a special thank you to God today for you- Mom. Many of you who know her know what a wonderful woman she is. She and I are so different, but our love for Jesus, people, and ministry gives us such a closeness. My mom was always the spiritual leader of our home growing up. She was the one who lead me to the Lord, discipled me even when I had no clue I was being discipled, and constantly lived a life that has pointed me and others to Jesus. She is the one who made getting off the school bus special. She awaited us with a smile and always a good snack. She is the one that made pay day pizza night exciting. She made birthdays so special. She made meal time a special event for our family. We had a pretty wonderful father, but she is the one that held us all together. She was always there to encourage, wipe away tears, pray for our spouses starting in middle school, push us when we needed pushing, discipline with love, hurt when we hurt, speak truth even when it hurt her to do so; yet knowing it would bring us to a closer walk with Jesus, and always display an unconditional love.

Mom, I love you and I appreciate you. I know that you are my greatest fan, you believe in me, my husband and children like no one else. I know there is no one else who prays for us like you do and that is a gift that goes without words. I hope that you know how thankful I am to be your daughter and I pray that I can be the kind of mom to my children that you have been to me.

I love you Janie! Happy Mother’s Day!

Do people really still get possessed by demons?

2010-05-02T08:24:00.003-04:00

In the back of this picture, the first building is the Admin Office and in the far off distance are classrooms!

So living in America, I have never seen anyone or heard of anyone personally that has been demon possessed. I have read about people in the Bible who were possessed but that is where it stops for me. One thing that the Lord has shown us here is that God uses/allows all types of different things in our lives that will get our attention. He uses/allows things that will draw people to an intimate relationship with Him.

I have mentioned before, we are blessed and I am so thankful to be an American. In the same breath, I believe that it also makes our need for Jesus much lower on the totem pole. I think there is a very sly silent deception that is taking place in our county and to me this is very scary.

More of the LAC Campus

Jumping ahead in my thoughts for a moment… Why Investing in the LAC is Important = Why we need help here!!!

We have been here 3 months now. We have seen and heard things that have blown our minds. With so much need here, how do you decide where to start? They all need help and they all need Jesus. We are so glad that West Ridge chose to give back and wants to be part of the ministry at the LAC.

I was able to spend time with one of the Assistant Director’s at the LAC. He began to share with me a more detailed history about the school and things that he has personally experienced here. He said that even though the school is an openly said Christian school, the intent is to have such a high success rate in education that it draws those that do not know Jesus. Once they are here, they pray with intense force asking God to begin working in the lives of these children. These students come from all different religious backgrounds. Some that are heavy in practicing their faith and some not.

He began to share story after story of conversions that have taken place. The students are required to be in bible class once a week no matter what their faith. This is agreed upon by the parents before they enter the school… it is obligated that they attend this class. Again due to the success rate devout Mvslims will send their children and agree to this.

Soccer Field at the LAC Campus

So, to give you a specific story…… He had a student that came in to his office. This student had been having nightmares and began to share the things going on in his mind. He could not rest and it was obvious to this director that this was a complete spiritual issue. This student comes from a devout Mvslim family. When the director spoke and talked about God and his need to be filled with his Spirit, the student began to majorly shiver. Being that Africa is as hot as Hades I was surprised that he asked him if he was cold. Students response was no. The Lord spoke and the director knew that this student was being attacked by evil spirits within. As the director began to pray, the student began to respond just like those that are mentioned in the Word. His body seemed to become uncontrollable. The director prayed louder and stronger calling on the name of Jesus and demanding these evil spirits to depart from his body. Finally the student’s body came to a calm. The director was able to share that this student now had an opportunity to be indwelled with the Holy Spirit if he would call upon the name of Jesus for salvation. At that moment… He DID!! The director then began to share with him that he was a new creation. They then asked God for a new name for this student.

Jumping forward, this student was able to share with his mom what had happened. She too came to know the Lord. I was already speechless at the first part of this story as demon possession is something that really freaks me out and because it is not something that is seen in my neck of the woods. My speechless now has turned to complete shock when he told me that this child is related to one of the most powerful men in the Mvslim faith. That right now, the student and his mother have to be silent about their conversion because it could mean death. Right now, they are praying earnestly for this person with the intense hope that he too will come to know the Lord. WOW- a relative of one of the most powerful Mvslim leaders has come to know Jesus and his mom as well and this happened as a result of this child attending the LAC.

So, speechless turned to shock and has now turned to I think I am going to stop breathing. He told me this student’s new name and encouraged me to pray. My response was wait a minute… This student is the same student that I came to you about and asked your permission for him to enter our yard? This student that is very close friends with my boys? This student that my husband is taking to the pool to try and teach him to swim? This student that I just exchanged numbers with his mom so that we could have their family over for dinner? First thoughts were- I am totally freaked out. We have asked that God bring people into our lives that we can minister to. We want to make a difference here. We want to see lives changed. But, I am not sure that I ever expected to be in such a close relationship with family of one of the most powerful Mvslim leaders in Burkina Faso.

My next thoughts were complete fear. This director expressed that for this student and his mom, their salvation could come at a very high cost and put them in much danger. We are openly known as Christian missionaries. YIKES! My next thoughts… WOW- we have a responsibility to them. I am not sure how God wants to use us in this situation, but he did not bring us into this relationship by accident. Comments we have made about this child before we knew this information… He had told our children that he and his mom were Christians and the rest of his family was not. But we still were just drawn to the fact that He has the sweetest Spirit. He has this quiet joy about him. We are thankful he and the boys are such good friends. We still feel this way, yet now knowing his story we are amazed at the power in his testimony!

Please pray for them. Please pray for us. Please pray for our protection. Please pray that we would be lead by the Spirit in every step of this relationship. Please pray that many Mvslims will come to know Jesus through this student. Please pray about how you can invest in the lives of these students. Is God calling you to be in regular prayer for them? Is god calling you to come and for a week just build relationships through playing sports together yet ministering to their lives by living the love of Jesus? Is God asking you to pay for a classroom so they will be able to accept the many students who would love to be here; yet, there is no space?

Just a thought…. What has your salvation cost you?

Baby Israel needs HELP! Please PRAY!!!

2010-04-30T15:40:00.003-04:00

I have just left the hospital visiting baby Israel. He is 14 months old and is very very sick. His family lives across from us and his father works at the LAC boarding school. They are at the hospital they can afford and they are doing as much as they possibly can for their son.

I never in my life thought I would experience something like this. My heart feels like it is about to explode! I was blessed to head to the hospital to minister to this woman as I too am a mom that have sat long hours praying for my childrens health. I arrived with my pastor’s wife and could not fight back the tears. There are 6 beds in one room.. not what we know as beds and certainly not a regular hospital bed. It is hot and dirty. There are not nurses or doctors around, there are just sick children. Baby Israel went to the hospital 4 days ago with a high fever and was pretty life less.

In four days this is what has happened…. Day 1- Blood was taken and an exam was done. Meds were given for the fever. An IV was inserted in his hand for sugar water and vitamins. This IV is still in his hand and the tape covering this area going into his veins is so dirty. At first, I did not understand. Why have they not changed this? It can get infected being this dirty. Here if you need anything, you go get it at the pharmacy and bring it back to the hospital… even the tape to hold the IV to the hand. When is it changed???? When the family can afford to buy more tape. Day 2- The results did not show the problem so meds are given to treat the symptoms. Day 3- Nothing is done just more meds given.. no change. Day 4- Israel continues to decline. Breathing is slow. Mom keeps putting ear to Israel’s mouth to make sure he is still breathing. Tomorrow is Day 5 and it is a holiday here. Israel will go have the same exam that he had 4 days ago, but the results will not be given until Monday. Results will be ready tomorrow evening but it is a holiday and the doctors at this hospital have the day off. Family will have to wait. Day 6- Sunday- Doctor’s have the day off so the family waits. Day 7- If Israel is still living, doctor will come and give results of test at that time. Unacceptable were my words.

I asked if this is the way it is everywhere. I called our field director here and had an intense moment of total breakdown trying to understand how this can really happen. Is there not another option?? How can a mother’s heart sit and watch her child suffer for 2 days because it is a holiday.. because you do not have the funds for other medical help?!?!? She said that it is not that there are not other places that can do more, but you have to have a lot of money to get this kind of care. Most Burkina Bay could never afford this. The hospital where they are now is $2.00 a night. A good hospital is going to be $20.00 to $30.00 a night. Each test that is run, you pay. Meds are more expensive..etc. When I asked her what it would cost if I took this baby to a hospital she recommended, she said you need to prepare yourself for this to be expensive. They have paid as much as $600.00 to help another child in the past but it could be more depending on the sickness.

Will you help us help baby Israel? We would like to take him tonight to a hospital that can give him immediate attention. We know that prayer is more valuable than a better hospital or immediate attention so please, please, please pray first. Second, if you feel the Lord lead… please make a donation to help baby Israel!

You have to copy and paste the link below to donate. You can not just click on the link... it must be copied and pasted. This will go to our general account so please send us an email (feild2@juno.com) letting us know that you have given to the baby Israel fund and how much you donated.

http://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

Silas’s bags are packed!

2010-04-30T08:44:00.000-04:00

I often crack up at my kids with how they respond when they are angry. Chris believes that the real manufacturer of the Nintendo Wii is the devil himself. We just were blessed by Samuel’s teacher. He gave us the exact power source that we blew upon our arrival. We sense that just may have been a blessing and a curse all in the same breath. Our kids fighting and fit pitching escalated 30%.

We laid the law with the children… “If you pitch a fit or fight over this Wii one time, you loose it for the day. Whoa and behold if day 2 Silas does not flip out at how he hates playing with his sisters at the same time. They are too slow and they stink! He was given grace and a quick warning of the rules. I was so mad as he let his anger get the best of him and blew it. OK Silas, your done for the day.

Without a word, he got up with a face as red as a tomato and headed for his room. About 15 minutes later I headed past his door only to notice the picture above. When I asked what in the world he was doing… this was his immediate response… “I am going back to Georgia tomorrow with the team. I am gonna live at my house with Jonah.”

The team did in fact leave; yet, the bags stayed packed until they were gone…Poor Silas!

I was chosen!

2010-04-29T13:36:00.000-04:00

To be continued…..

18 months later in a different country, with many different languages, and a different culture…God spoke. I have been operating out of truth and not feelings. I think this is a good thing because our feelings often deceive us, but to feel a break in what has seemed to be silence or distance from the Father has been a revival in my life.

As I was feeling inadequate to be here in Burkina and feeling like there were a million other people that were a better choice, it was not autoable but it sure felt like it… I felt as if my Father with joy in His heart and a smile on his face- whispered , “Connie, I chose you and you are the one I want here for this season.” I think every woman and man alike want to be chosen. We want to be liked and be the one picked. It makes us feel accepted, wanted, a part of, like we have some value to add, etc. I pondered this for a couple days. The God of the universe chose me for this task! It suddenly did not matter if others thought I was a good choice because God did. I have always said that I want each day of my life be one that honors the Lord and I still pray for this. BUT, looking though a different glass and being chosen by God for this work….Oh, how I long that each breath of my life be formed, filtered, and used for your glory.

My next step in healing came from the Bible study I am doing. The focus just happens to be love. I was studying Agape love and I love what Beth Moore had written. “Agape means God did what humanity most needed. He pursued in us that which was highest and best. Agape always flows from what is right and what is best. Agape is not as much a feeling as it is a response. ” Over these last 18 months could it be that God has been showing me His agape love!!!

I know that I am not the only one that has struggled. I know I am not the only one that feels or felt like a failure, unusable, not good enough. I know that through many different situations many have also felt a silence from the Lord. If you are at a low point, I challenge you to hold fast to the truth despite what you may feel and despite the amount of time you have walked in the desert. It is ok to be angry, sad, discouraged but when you put your head on your pillow at night, know that there is an Agape love that God the Father has for you. I pray that during this season you will hold fast for the other side…

What is the purpose of me being this open on these two blog posts??? I want to shout it out that I am humbled and blessed to be chosen by the King. With this truth brings confidence and I long for others to feel and know this same sweetness that I am experiencing right now…. Because you too have been chosen!

Psalm 119:29-32

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statures O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart FREE!!!

Did God stop loving me?

2010-04-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

Did God stop loving me?

January 2008 was a year that started off ugly. We had just hit failure right in the face with a church plant we were doing in the metro Atlanta area. The words, “I don’t think it has what it takes/ I don’t think you have what it takes still at times haunt me.” Even if these thoughts held truth, no one ever wants to hear these words. These words in my mind translated- you are a failure, you are not good enough, you are not the right person for the job because you did not do a good job, you’re a failure, your giftings are somewhere else, you’re a failure etc. Times like these open the door for several things. First is the obvious. It is a time of teaching and growing in the Lord. A time for Him to prune you and draw you closer to Him, become more usable. Or it can be an open door for discouragement, bitterness, resentment, even a turning away from the things of God.

For me, this turned into bitterness and some very deep wounds. Not for one moment did I ever stop believing God loved me, but I sure did not “feel” that He loved me. I also felt like the more I sought Him the more silent He seemed to be. Having a relationship with the Lord since age 7, in times like these I get so frustrated because I feel like I know most if not all of the churchy (which really equals truth) answers. If I were to share, I could play in my mind what this person or that person would say. As well as even telling myself what I would say to someone else in this position. I wanted to be allowed to be hurt, I wanted my hurt and despair to be understood, and I wanted to be given back what I felt at the time was stolen from me. I wanted our reputation to be restored and I even found myself wanting my husband and myself to be something we were not. I wanted us to be that dynamic couple that would grow a huge church, lead people to the Lord, make disciples, and have books written about our success. Believe it or not, my heart was very pure. I wanted to be part of kingdom work with a huge success rate. I was desperate for answers and understanding of why the Lord allowed this to happen. We really thought you lead us here Lord. We thought we were doing what you asked. How did we blow it or better yet, you could have done it through us. Why did you let us fail? I wanted all these yucky feelings many of them lies to melt away. Can you say “counseling” was much needed!

What now Lord? Beyond the obvious with bills to pay we sat in this position of having no idea what God had in store all the while feeling so inadequate to do anything. I have heard the comment more than once, “Men go into ministry because they aren’t qualified for anything else.” If this were truth then what happens when you fail here as well? I knew this was not truth but it consumed so much of my thinking. What do others think and say about us. My husband as a leader, pastor, church planter??? This really grieved me. All I could think is, “Lord this has to be the bottom but that phrase that the bottom is solid just did not seem to be truth for me!” Nothing felt solid!

Here was an ongoing question I had for the Lord…. We have obviously failed at being the next Mr. and Mrs. Rick Warren. My husband does not have the natural gift of leadership and is not a natural visionary. He is not even on the top ten list of most effective communicators, but he has a heart like David, a faith like Abraham, a spirit like Joseph, is ordinary like Moses, in a small glimpse has walked in the desert like Job, he sits at Jesus feet like Mary, but….. Is our reputation like Noah and for us even a step further that the rains never came?

At this point, if my dad was living, he would hand me his all time favorite comment, “Come on Connie, land the plane. I do not need all these details. Get to the point!” Daddy, bear with me because all these details really will come to a really exciting moment…

Let me stress that I do believe it is important to pin point our gifts and work from where we are gifted and work out of our strengths. My inward struggle comes when I look to the Word. Searching the scriptures, I find God used more people to accomplish and do God sized things; yet, they were not “cutting edge”. They were simple, usable men. This is where I see it gave God all the credit. I am not suggesting that successful/cutting edge pastors that do have the huge kingdom success stories in their churches do not possess the same attributes as my husband and those in the Word I have mentioned but also with these additional gifts. Please also know that this is not an entry for my next theology contest, but truly the struggles that raged on a constant basis through my mind. I was always trying to figure this out and understand what in the world God wanted to do in my life and how He wanted to use my husband in ministry.

(For the record, I do believe that God calls us to do things out side of our area of gifting or natural ability. I believe he does this because it gives that much more room for Him to take the spot light. It draws us to a deeper dependence on him. I also believe that working from our strengths, gifts, and natural abilities is wise.)

To this day, I still cannot explain to you what God’s purpose was in this long period of waiting. I also cannot explain to you why we really feel God called us to plant a church and then it failed. This happened in December 2007 and we did not fully commit to come to Burkina until May 2009. Lord, Sweet Jesus aren’t you the one who is out for my best interest? 18 months with Chris out of a “steady/real” job and a whole bunch of silence does not feel like my best interest. We now have debt and need to raise support- and might I add this is something that does not come easy to us.

To bring a little sunlight into my testimony, we did indeed Praise the Lord with this new found direction! It was very scary, but also very exciting. We are moving to Africa. So the process and planning began. What will it take and when will the Lord send us. We had set several things as a standard for what needed to happen for us personally and financially. We would move forward in that direction until every door had been shut. In our minds, one of our biggest things we asked of the Lord was to confirm to us this direction through our finances. In this economy to raise this amount of money could only be a God thing. Even with the help of our mission’s pastor and with the church of our size, it did not guarantee financial support. As you can imagine, after what we had been through we also were very skittish. Could we really be confident in hearing and feeling that this was a solid direction from the Lord?

God opened door after door for us to be here. There were some that literally came with prophetic words of encouragement, there have been others that have been faithful, faithful prayer partners, and then there are others that have given financially. Though we do not have all the monthly support committed that we need, each month, God has blown our minds with those that have given onetime gifts that provided exactly what we need for the month. We are so close to meeting our monthly support. This has been so hard and I have hated each moment of raising support, but God has been faithful.

After being in Burkina 3 months now we have gotten the question many times from dear friends and family…, “How are you really doing? I want the truth.”

I have blogged about my two year journey to answer this one question….Growing can be painful, but I feel like this week God has brought me to my first really big ah ha moment since December 2007. This desert experience has been indescribably difficult…gosh, what was it like for Job? For most, it will seem so simple and so small, but for whatever reason, God has used my time in the Word and my Bible study to jump off the page and minister to my heart in an intimate way for the first time in over 18 months. Has the silence I have felt been broken or have I finally moved to a place where I can now hear his voice? No matter what the reason…. I not only believe that God loves me, but I feel His love for me.

Please pause for a commercial:

Would you consider a onetime donation? Is God leading you to give on a monthly basis? Being able to put finances on a back shelf/ knowing all our funds are raised will enable us to focus more so on ministry. If we had 75 people that would give $25.00 a month, we would have all we need! If we had 19 people give $100.00 a month we would be there. Please pray about supporting us and the ministry in Burkina.

P.S. Thank you Jesus for doctors/counselors like Melissa Hubbard who did indeed speak truth into my life. Who let me feel hurt but challenged me to forgiveness. Thank you Jesus for mothers like mine who hurt with and for me, cry with me, pray for me, and love me every step of the way. Thank you for a brother and sisters who stand by me always wanting and hoping for the best in my life, who do late night depression movies, oatmeal cookies, wedding cake, La Parilla meals, etc. Thank you for friends that show up at my house after a plea for prayer has been made with Take 5’s candy bars, encouragement, and prayer. Thank you for a co-worker like Linda that made days of intense discouragement still seem hopeful. Thank you Jesus for friends that pray just because they hate that I am hurting and want peace in my life. Thank you God for loving me so much that just like Jesus, you allowed these hardships and shattered dreams in my life to result in a long time of sufferings that would not necessarily bring understanding, but would bring life lessons and rejuvenation in my relationship with you.

My story to be continued…..

The Heart of Clarisse

2010-04-24T14:42:00.000-04:00

This is Clarisse in the Team Center

Clarisse works at our Center and has been so blessed by the Americans that have come and shown her the love of God.

Clarisse is a 30 year old woman that has 2 children. She is married to a Mvslim man and has been married since she was 19. Clarisse is a woman who is wounded and broken.

When I arrived in Burkina she was helping the pastors wife to hand wash all of our clothes before our washing machine arrived. She seemed very shy and when I spoke to her she would never make eye contact. Every time we saw each other she would shake my hand and bowe.

Slowly Clarisse is finding that we are safe. We are going to love her and pray for her; yet, she is still very reserved. Each week she seems to share a little more about her life and her story. You see, a couple weeks ago Clarisse said that her husband had abandoned her. She has a 6 year old who is living with her mother-n-law but the mother is in fact very mean. Clarisse’s father lives in the bush area and she is here in Ouagadougou living with her brother trying to work and obtain money to feed herself, her daughter that lives with her, and then also send money back to her father. My heart ached for Clarisse as I heard her speak. As a wife, I have tried to comprehend what she must feel and I simply can’t. Even just trying, the wounds feel intense for me.

A little more to this story… I just found out last week that Clarisse used the term abandoned because that is truly how she feels; yet, this is not exactly true. Her husband did not leave her, he decided to take on and marry a second wife as well. In my ignorance, I really did not think this was still practiced. I have found that it was at one time common here to have as many as 4 wives all living under the same roof. This now has been changed to two wives and is most common when living deeper in the bush or villages.

Ladies, ponder this thought for just one tiny moment:

What would you do???…How would you feel…??? If your husband comes home to inform you that he will be marring his second wife next weekend. He loves you and you are still his first wife, but you will now have another woman coming to live in the home as another wife/lover/mother to his children. What? Come Again? Now, I am sure their conversation did not go like this, but I have tried to just envision what this conversation did actually look like. Now from what I have been taught about this, Clarisse because she is wife number 1, will always have a higher position. If there is something that needs to be said or conveyed, he will tell her and she will be the one to communicate to the family. Unreal…are my feelings exactly. No way, you’re kidding right, I’m on candid camera!

My next thoughts came as I began peeling off the layers of my heart as I am a woman. I do not care what nationally, race, or religion you are…women were created to be loved. As we are to respect our husbands, they are to love us as Christ loves the church. This would not be in the Word if it was not an essential element for us as women.

Ladies, now ponder this thought:

He is taking on a second wife? Was I not good enough? Am I too fat or to thin? Do I not work hard enough? Is she prettier than I? Does he love her more? Does she bring him more pleasure? What did I do wrong? Why was I not enough? Yes, my heart is indeed in a thousand pieces and can they ever be put back together?

Lastly, ponder this:

How do you make this work? Seriously…how do two women co-exist as a wife to the same man at the same time in the same home?

Clarisse’s heart feels broken beyond repair. She has chosen to leave him- not to divorce him- but she simply cannot exist in this situation. Clarisse does have a personal relationship with Jesus. She is faithful at the church at the LAC and she does desire wholeness, but feels hopeless.

Please stop right now and pray that God will heal her broken heart. Pray that she will see His mighty hand in her life despite her circumstances. Please pray that I would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and know how to encourage her during this time!

Our first team was AMAZING!

2010-04-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

This is the team with 3 missionary families.

Our first team arrived back in March. They arrived on a Friday night coming in from Pennsylvania. This was a group of 11. The team was made up of mainly high school and college students and it was an amazing start for us! We wanted to shout out a big “THANK YOU” for the love, encouragement, and hard work they poured into their time here. There worked alongside local Africans as well as students from Black Forest Academy. They roofed 2 different churches and they also had the opportunity to invest in some of the local Africans. They worked hard and will probably never know how their time, money, service, and love has impacted the lives of these Burkina Bay People.

These children and their families have a finished church building and a place to hear the Word of God!

Waking up and getting ready to start working again!

Another really amazing part of this trip was that the father of the pastor that led this team had the opportunity to do some teaching. Charlie has his doctorate and is a professor at a college on top of also being a business owner with his wife. Throughout the week, Charlie invested in the lives of these leaders by giving them practical wisdom and help in leadership. The comment was made by one of the Africans, “Even when we ask questions, he answers as if he knows and understands the life here in Burkina and how to apply these principals.” God used him and he was a tremendous blessing.

Again, working hard!

Again, we want to send a huge thank you enclosed with many hugs. For each one of you, we pray that your lives were richly blessed and encouraged. We pray that as you have returned to the normalcy of life that you will forever be changed. Many blessings to all of you!

Just a thought…. Are you living in the Spirit?

2010-04-22T18:43:00.001-04:00

**Hope to post pictures soon, but the internet is moving to slow to do so!**

If I were asked to find one verse in the Bible that would sum up what I think life is all about…It would be more than difficult. How do you choose just one verse to define the majesty of the One and Only Lord God and the Life He created us for …It is impossible! If it was insisted upon me, I know that I would have to choose John 10:10 which says, “The thief comes ONLY to kill and steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

I trusted Jesus and gave my life to him as a 7 year old. Looking back over the years in my life, I have seen and continue to see the truth in this scripture over and over. Satan is always trying to steal from me- my hope, my joy, my strength, and ultimately the truth. He is also always working to destroy me- my reputation, my confidence in the Lord and ultimately I know he wants to kill the relationship I have with God my Father.

Yesterday, I honestly felt like I was close to the finish line. I know that in most cases the finish line is a positive thing; however, my finish line should be more defined as my quitting point. Yesterday, I simply did not have enough faith to even trust that God can do this life (living in Africa) through me. The enemy is working over time to kill, steal, and destroy the ministry set before us.

When I hit these low moments, one thing that aggravates me is that it is impossible for me to stay angry with the Lord. Here is where the rest of that verse comes in… Because God MY Father has come that I may have Life and have it to the full. In the past I really felt like having life to the full was so much about joy despite circumstances and just that intimate relationship with Him. As I have grown in my faith, wow… how it is so much more than that. I now see I will not know the complete full until I am in heaven with Him.

On a parallel note, I am doing the bible study, Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. Though we are on week three, I was drawn back to the very first video. She made the comment, “If I am living in a way that I can do these things, I am probably not living in the Spirit!” So hands down, I can honestly say that I am living in the Spirit! There is no way that in my own strength I could be here for any length of time. The enemy has upped his ploy and is working over time in my life.

For the sole reason that we are serving God, we are in the center of the battle field. I know the victory is already mine because I belong to the Lord; however, the battle still feels very intense. There is so much God is doing in Burkina and I know He wants to use our family to accomplish these things; hence, I understand the enemy wanting to kill and steal and destroy.

I stress these things today as a call for prayer!!! God is at work here and the devil is not pleased in fact I assume he is ticked off. Help us by standing in the gap and interceding for the following:

-Protection-spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically

-That we could be a constant encouragement to the Burkina Bay. In specific and more personally those that live near the LAC where we live as well.

-Pray for the children at the LAC that do not know the Lord.

-Pray for our faithfulness despite the hardships we face. There is no sweeter place to be than right in the center of His perfect will!

Just a thought…. Are you living in the Spirit?

Will you go to heaven when you die?

2010-04-13T18:09:00.000-04:00

We received some very exciting news this past week.... My nephew Jonah who is three days younger than Silas and his best friend in the whole world gave his heart and life to Jesus this past week. YEAH!!! We have all had joy, but Silas has continued to talk about Jonah knowing Jesus now. He has said at least 3 times, "Mom, now Jonah will go to heaven with me when we die." Silas is 8 and it brings me so much joy that he at a young age in his childlike faith fathoms the ones he loves spending eternity together.

The salvation of others is something we are constantly praying for in our home so this is something that our children are very aware of. Our girls have yet to make a personal/public decision for Jesus; however, Gabriella tells us almost daily that she is ready to follow Jesus and that she already believes and that she will go to heaven when she dies. We as her parents and our lack of faith want to be sure that she really understands the decision she is making. We do not want her to make this decision just because it has been modeled in our home. We want her to fully understand what she is doing.....

WELL, when your child reminds you that we should drink Jesus’ blood (really grape juice given at communion) everyday and talk about it every day because we need to always think about Jesus and how he took our punishment.... OUCH!!! I would say that her faith is more in tune to the things of God than mine at times and ... She is only 4!

Just some random thoughts...

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord? Are you praying for your family and friends who do not know Him? Are you rejoicing like Silas is when someone you love gives their life to Jesus? Do you really focus on the fact that Jesus took your punishment?

Please pray for Gabriella and Isabella. We believe salvation is close and they are both ready to make decisions for the Lord.

Jonah Scott- We love you and are so excited about your decision. We cannot wait to see how God uses you as a light for the kingdom!

What is Your Craziest Birthday Gift?

2010-04-11T10:29:00.040-04:00

I have been sick for about 2 weeks and just was not able to do everything I wanted for Noah’s birthday. Growing up my parents made birthdays very special and it is something I really want to pass on to my children. Noah wanted me to share with everyone back in America what his first birthday in Africa was like.

He woke up to a tradition we started years ago in France. He and Chris went to get breakfast for the family. There is a French bakery here that is amazing and has pain au chocolat and amazing croissants. We had an awesome breakfast together and then he was dying for his first gift. We were pleased to give him an addidas toiletry bag with body wash and cologne that I got at the after Christmas sales for $3.00.

This is Noah's birthday breakfast choice!

Noah got to have Fanta for breakfast!

There is a soccer guy from Cameroon that is very popular here. Noah was dying for this soccer jersey that had this guy’s name on it. We asked Emmy who helps us during the day if she would pick one up for us. The African way seems to be that if they think there is something better, they change the plan without asking. Instead of the black and blue stripped soccer jersey, she got him a long sleeved shirt that had an iron on of this guy waving. She was so excited and thought Noah would be also. Well, we were smart enough to know that since this is the only gift Noah asked for, we wanted to make every attempt to get this specific one for him. When Chris goes to purchase this, the price is 10,000CFA or basically $20.00. Being white gives the automatic your are completely wealthy stigma. Chris had our day guard go and get the shirt for him for the big price of $2.00. Amazing! Noah was thrilled to get both!

Noah in his new soccer shirt

Noah wanted Pizza for lunch so we took him to our favorite restaurant here. It is an outdoor place where there is a brick oven and the pizzas are really good. We always eat pizza and french fries. My family sent out a surprise birthday card for Noah. I pulled this card out and Noah began to fight back the tears. I think he was more excited about this card than any other gift! We all thought that Uncle Eric’s birthday wishes were the best…Instead of eating birthday cake the African tradition is to eat Rhino Hoof… We all busted out laughing and certainly drew attention to ourselves.

Surprise Birthday card from the Family

Noah reading a letter from Kate

By this time I was in quite a bit of pain so Chris brought the girls and I back to the house. They went to a nearby park that we thought had go carts. It was not what we had expected, but fun for the boys. They were able to jump on inflatables, ride water bumper boats, jump on trampolines, ride these motorized motorcycles, and ride bumper cars. Chris thought it was especially funny that the bumper cars here are quite a bit different than in the States. They look just the same and drive the same, but here you are not allowed to bump anything. In fact, only one car is allowed to go at a time and you just are supposed to drive around the circle. Silas thought that was crazy so decided to at least bump into the wall for fun!

Noah on his motorcycle!

While the boys were gone the girls and I were going to be baking Noah’s cake. Again, I was not doing well so I spent the entire afternoon in my bed. The girls had been playing in the front yard and busted in my door saying that Serge brought over a birthday present for Noah from Suzanne and Agabus. I told them that Serge could come in. As I am sitting up in my bed trying to get up, Serge comes down the hall with a live chicken holding it upside down by its feet. He said this was a gift for Noah for dinner and wanted to know if I wanted to chop the head off or if I wanted him to. You get one guess as to my response….. As my face contorted in an odd way, Serge busted out laughing and said he would do it. He went to the kitchen found a knife and headed outside. Isabella and Gabriella right on his heels wanting to watch…YUCK!

Next, I come into my kitchen to this now dead chicken with all its feathers boiling in my pot. He said he needed to boil it before he pulled off all the feathers. OK now I am really sick to my stomach and Serge is about to bust a vein laughing so hard. I tried to explain how honored we were at such a sweet gift, but I just do not think I did a great job.

The boys arrive home and are so excited to help pull off feathers and clean out the inside. Not to mention Serge was thrilled that Chris said he could keep the head. Can you say culture shock for me! Noah mentioned that he bet not too many of his friends in America got a chicken to kill for dinner for their birthday!

Samuel, Serge being silly, and Basearo pulling the feathers off the chicken

Despite having to postpone birthday cake, Noah has a great 10th birthday. Thanks also for all the phone messages…he loved each and every one!

Another Bit of Cultural Shock

2010-04-06T19:02:00.000-04:00

I do not iron. Cannot iron. Can never get the wrinkles out when I try to iron….Hate to iron. I was more than excited when a lady here told me it is better to have someone come to your home and have them iron there. This gives them a full days work. Before I even questioned the price I told her to put me on this plan and help me find someone. As expensive as things are here, labor is not one of them. To hire someone to do a job here, it is crazy cheap. Just so you know, to have all of our things ironed for an eight hour day, it cost me $2.50. This my friends is one of the perks of living in Africa.

So, this guy shows up at my home. His name is Aziz. He is college age, nicely dressed, and has a very warm smile. He asked where my iron was and I pointed to the ironing board and iron that I had brought from the states. He looked at me like I had 2 heads. I knew right away, this guy had no idea how to iron. My first thought was at least I am only spending $2.50. He ironed a couple things and then said that he would be back in a few minutes. I continued on, getting things ready for our first team to arrive and when I returned was amazed at what a great job he was doing. He proceeded to show me what a real iron is. Please see my pictures below.

The purpose of this post is more than just that I was totally amazed that the normal way to iron here is with a metal iron that is heated by charcoal. Though this does blow my mind, the more amazing part is that just a little over a year ago, Aziz gave his life to Jesus. He had been walking a road that was literally leading to death. He was a mVslim that had no hope. This guy was asked to help us by our pastor’s wife. His mother is deceased and this past year has been very hard for him to find work. Here is the really sweet part of this story… Many would think, “Oh wow, he has given his life to the Lord and left the mVslim faith. This is a big deal and I bet he will be immediately blessed with work, friends, encouragement, etc.” He is indeed blessed; however, his life circumstances have not gotten any easier and work has been even harder to find. Despite the struggles he may have with the Lord, He knows true joy and his life reflects that even in his despair.

We had a team that arrived from Grace Chapel church. There were two days that this group helped to roof a school and the youth from the church here at the LAC worked hand in hand with this team. This team not only helped in the way of some intense physical labor, but they invested in a relationship by serving alongside these Africans. Aziz’s life was encouraged and blessed at their sacrifice. Pray for him. Pray that we will be able to continue to encourage this young believer in the Lord. Pray that God will draw him closer and closer to Himself as he walks through these struggles. Pray that his life is richly blessed!

Basearo needs Jesus!

2010-03-23T18:21:00.000-04:00

Around 6:00pm tonight, two guys came to our gate and asked to speak to Chris. They said that they were the brothers of our night guard Basearo. Basearo was not here last night due to a head ache. We have noticed that when someone here says that they are sick, many times the sickness can result in death. For about 2 weeks I have battled with a head ache. There were two days that I stayed home and the word around here spread quickly. Many Africans asked Chris many times if I was ok. Our pastor and his wife came over to pray for me…. With the poverty, many cannot afford to go to the doctor or to get the meds needed to treat their sickness…. Therefore often resulting in death.

Without a second thought, Chris got ready and headed out to pick Basearo up and head to the hospital. We have been praying for him and his salvation. Many times when meeting a physical need the heart begins to open to spiritual things. Tonight Besearo was diagnosed with double pneumonia. God has opened the door even more so now for us to speak into the life of Basearo on a spiritual level.

Basearo needed IV fluids and 6 different medications. He was also admitted to the hospital. Because we were willing to pay for Basearo to be treated, his entire family feels much gratitude for us. This really could have resulted in death for Basearo. He is still not 100% but he is getting what he needs to return to better health.

We hate that he is sick, but we are thankful that this opens their hearts to spiritual things. Please pray that through this, Basearo’s entire family will come to know the Lord.

What is Your Passion?!?

2010-03-22T20:14:00.000-04:00

These are children that live in the village behind our home that do not know Jesus.

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a staff meeting this past week and a couple questions were asked.

1. What are your spiritual gifts?

2. What are your talents?

3. What is your passion?

4. What are your sleeping habits?

I want to highlight question number 3. Connie and I both responded with a fresh excitement –We are Passionate about what we are doing now -TEAMS! We love teams that come to serve God through missions. We both feel like we were “wired” for this job. When more detail was asked for about why we love teams so much, this is our response:

We get excited about seeing ministry happen in two different ways. We get to be part of the life change that takes place in those coming to serve, just as much as we get to be part of the life change of those that live here in Burkina.

This child is now being raised in a Christian home. Someone shared Jesus with his parents and they placed their faith in Him.

We need you and want to give the formal invitation -Will you come and serve on a short term trip? We cannot do this alone! We want to challenge you to pray over the next couple weeks and ask the Lord if you are one that needs to be part of a trip in the next year.

Would you pray and ask God to show you if He would have you come on a mission trip to Burkina? If you do think He’s leading you to do this, we understand that it can be a huge sacrifice in many ways. But also, many times Satan will use these things to tell you that such a trip is not a good idea, or not good right now… A few things he might use to deter any one of us are -money, children, work, money, time, fear, money, unbelief, “that is not me”, “God has not called me”, “That is for someone else”, money, etc, etc. These may even be real and valid concerns, however, we need to prayerfully discern whether or not it’s just the enemy trying to discourage us from even thinking that God would call “me” to serve on a mission trip. Because the truth is, YOU being here CAN make a difference in someone’s life –even your own!

Also, we have been extremely blessed and are very close to reaching our needed monthly support. We feel very blessed that our missions pastor back home has worked overtime on our behalf in helping to raise funds for us… A big “THANKS” to Paul Richardson!!! Please pray about helping us complete the monthly support we need. Will you give $10, $25, $50 a month?

If the Lord leads you to support us financially, please click on the link below and this will walk you step-by-step through the process to give. Whether you are making a onetime donation or a monthly commitment, please send us an e-mail and let us know. We are trying to make sure that our accounting is accurate and that the funds donated are placed in the right place.

https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

Thank you for walking through this journey with us. We are honored and humbled that God has called us to serve in this position and we know we could not be here without your support!

Grace and Peace to you,

Chris & Connie
Samuel, Noah, Silas, Isabella, Gabriella

American Menu with our African Friends

2010-03-16T16:10:00.001-04:00

Menu for the night:

Fried Chicken

Green Beans

Potatoes

Salad

Bread

Cake topped with strawberries and cream

AND- soft drinks…Coke, Fanta, Sprite

What a blessing for our family… We had Pastor Agabus and his family over for dinner. It was the first time their immediate family has had a meal with a white American family. When they arrived, the children were dressed in their Sunday attire. This alone was an honor to us. Normally the Africans do not eat in front of white people unless a close relationship has been formed for the most part. At an event this would be different, but in your home it is not normal for them to eat in front of you.

A few things they found funny: They do not normally eat with silverware. Though it was beside the plate, we encouraged them to eat how they were most comfortable. Chris even started eating first and made sure he used his hands in picking up his chicken. All the children wanted to use the utensils; however, they had no idea how. Pastor Agabus was a great sport with his kids and even teased them in a healthy light hearted way. One of them tried to use the spoon to cut her bread and they all laughed. They all loved dipping everything in the BBQ sauce. In all my years of cooking for American friends, I have never had anyone literally eat every single bit of meat off the bone. This is not a family that starves. I felt pretty confident that they enjoyed the meal!

After the meal, all of the children went to the TV and we put on “The Incredibles” in French. The children were glued to the TV and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed watching our children watch a movie together knowing how much they all were enjoying being together. We were not Africans and Americans, blacks and whites- We were brothers and sisters in the Lord and it was a very special time for all of us!

We had a sweet time of fellowship and really felt encouraged by Agabus and Suzanne. He really stressed that even though we are in a different culture, we still needed to be ourselves. God has a purpose in us being here and we do not need to make any changes to who we are for that to happen. They also expressed that they are extremely excited that West Ridge Church has been such a huge encouragement in sending us out here as well as all that they have done before our arrival. He feels very blessed that we are here to help them in bringing the name of Jesus to this village and students at the LAC, the Pougali people group, and to also assist in ministry in Sector 30 which is the poorest area in Ouagadougou.

Susanne has taken a position and will be helping me cook and prepare all the meals for the teams that come. Well, more so… I will be helping her. She is amazing and they both are very excited to have teams come and meet each one personally. When are you going to sign up?

Please pray for Basearo- I hope to post a picture of him soon!

2010-03-09T19:02:00.000-05:00

I have continued to ponder and study “sufferings” in the Word. Just to reinforce my post yesterday, I see the Lord use sufferings to draw many to Himself.

Well, Basearo- (base-ear-o) is our night guard who is here to protect our family. (We are not in danger, he is here just as a protection against theft.) This is pretty funny because he is normally asleep by 11:00pm. Despite his lack of alertness, his presence is still important. He does not speak French so it is interesting to try and communicate with him. He is 25, single, and comes from a mvsilm family. One thing that we love about him is that he has such a sweet countenance. We long to see him come to know the Lord and have been praying for His salvation as a family.

Last night he told Chris that his mother was sick and he may need to leave. Chris told him, please go and do not worry about it. Thinking he had gone, Chris was up through the night just making sure that our family was safe and each time he was up Basearo was still here. Chris assumed that things were fine. We feed basearo possibly the only meal he gets a day. Our children take turns taking this meal out to him. He especially likes pancakes with nutella! Tonight was Noah’s night. When Noah returned, he said, “Mom what does mama papa morea mean?” In French mort means dead so my heart sank… did he really just tell Noah his mom died? Did both parents die? If this is true, why is he here?

Chris went out to speak with him and for this conversation found someone at the school to translate. In a broken voice he explained that his mother did die. She was very old and sick. Chris encouraged him to go and be with his family and he said he wanted to stay. Everything has been taken care of and they will have a cermony in 100 days. We still need much educating on customes and traditions here.

Chris returned inside to share this news with our family. I have only known this man for a couple weeks; yet, I felt instant pain in my spirit for him. Our children as well were very sad and hurt for him. The very thought of losing my mother is unbearable. This is the woman who birthed him, cared for him, taught him, raised him, loved him, etc. She is gone forever.

The much more intense pain came when I dwelt on the fact that she did not know the Lord. She will have not another chance to call upon the Lord for salvation. To think about hell is enough to scare anyone to death, but to think about the eternal separation from Christ is a weight more than I want to bear. Truly, my chest began to physically hurt.

Please begin praying… Pray that through the suffering of losing a mom, Basearo will come to know the Lord. Pray about how you can be part of the ministry here in Burkina which will in turn provide more opportunities for people to hear the news of Christ and come to know Him personally. Pray for us… pray that we will best know how to minister and shine the love of Jesus to Basearo and his family during this very hard time.

How Does a Christian Woman have Victory Over Discouragement?!?

2010-03-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

I have not wanted to post anything in a couple days because I have once again found myself a little discouraged. I felt pretty embarrassed after posting a status on face book which read,

“I am about to burst into tears... It has been way too long since I have been able to talk to my family and friends...I so need them right now! Please Lord, bring me internet and a phone line!!”

Despite my regret and embarrassment, when I woke the next morning I found myself very encouraged at the number of responses as well as messages in my inbox. People prayed for me and it was much needed which in turn brought much encouragement. I have always wanted to be respectfully transparent; however, I have also wanted to portray the even when times are tough, God is all I need.

I was just on a caring bridge website of one of my closest friends in middle and high school. I was so thankful she was an only child and her parents were so gracious because I got to go on many Florida vacations with the William’s family. She has recently been diagnosed with a type of bone marrow cancer. This is the second friend close to the same age as I to fight cancer and I hate it! I will tell you what I see in it… I see suffering, hurt, discouragement, physical/emotional/spiritual pain…… but I see joy, hope, faith, hearts full of compassion and love for those hurting. I see God drawing people to Himself through the sufferings of others. On Misty’s website she is honest, bold, frustrated, tired of being in pain, full of joy, peace, and in every post points others to Jesus.

As I was sending her a message, the Lord really impressed on my heart that we are all drawn to and our hearts are softened when others are suffering. Come on Connie, it was through the sufferings of Jesus that I am able to have a relationship with God himself. More often it is in and through our sufferings that we seem to grow in a closer walk with the Lord. I was also reminded that the day I committed my life to follow the Lord I entered into a battle of light vs. darkness…. Suffering was part of the package…. And it IS because of His great love for me.

I have been dealing with some discouragement. I actually really like living in Africa for the most part. The life is much harder on a day to day basis just due to the lack of technology; however, the spiritual battles seem to be more intense as we are striving to serve the Lord. In my life, the more Chris and I yearn to serve the Lord, the more adversity we seem to face. (not in our marriage, just in day to day life) In certain times, we question the Lord and wonder what have we missed, where have we gone wrong, is there sin we have that we are clinched to and not confessing, what Lord what???!!!??? Many times in His loving touch and out of His great love for us, he is just making us more dependent on Him.

Well, today in Africa is “Fete de la Femme”. A day to celebrate being a woman. There was an organized party at the LAC campus where I live. Churches from all over Ouagadougou would be coming to celebrate being a woman loving the same God. After my morning, still not understanding what the Lord has planned in certain areas of my life and just feeling discouraged, I totally threw up on Chris with all my emotion…frustrated with God… and believe me I had no desire to go celebrate being a woman loving the same God. (I know you know what it means to throw on a life is great/ happy family face as your walking into church yet you fought the entire morning!) Low and behold the pastor’s wife showed up at my door reminding me and basically let me know that I had no choice in not being there.

Here we go fake smiles and yet on the inside still really frustrated with God… (I can only image what He is thinking when I throw these fits) on my way to the party. When I arrive there is a little over 100 women all dressed up and really praising the Lord through song and dance. In my unbelief, it should not, but God amazes me in the patience He has for me. In my disgruntled spirit and anger, it should not, but God amazes me with his love. In my confusion and blurred view, it should not, but God amazes me with His strength…I did not say answers, but strength. And in my times of sin and a hardened heart, it should not, but God amazes me with his forgiveness and amazing grace.

I longed to feel His presence this morning as He felt so distant. It is only a God who has the capacity to love the way He does that would have a theme of the day just for me…

“How can a Christian Woman have victory over discouragement?”

I almost felt like he audibly said, I love you this much. Come to me even if you don’t understand something, come to me when you are angry, come to me when you are hurting… I will give you rest. Again, He did not say answers or changed circumstances, He said rest. I often allow truth and my feelings to look like the same thing when many times they are very different. I share with you today that I have had some discouragement not going off the deep end, just discouragement because I know it makes a difference when people pray. I also share this with you today because just like my friend Misty, I want to allow Jesus to shine through my sufferings. If you are breathing, you have suffered, are suffering, or will suffer… and some of us more than others.

I am so thankful for these Burkina Bay Believers…. Despite their hard, hard lives and the intense sufferings they experience, they worship and love the Lord.

If your suffering right now, ask someone to pray for you, draw near to the Lord, and worship just as I am!

Noah and Big Mama

2010-03-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of a kid who attends the LAC boarding school. He is one of Noah's favorite kids. He is also the child that wrote his nick name in the freshly packed cement around our gate. It reads very clearly, "Big Mama."

Building Relationships

Noah is our second son and the one who is more than out going. He gives his teachers fits because he will not shut his mouth. He also is the child in our family that will aggravate the stew out of his other brothers and sisters. When the other children want alone time, he cannot stand it…he feels like he always has to be with someone. More often than not, I see this time in his life and the way he acts as a big frustration.

Today as I was praying about the different people that God has brought into our lives here in Burkina, Noah came to my mind. Because he wants to be with people all the time and will not shut his mouth, he makes friends quickly. He invests in others as much as he wants them to invest in him. His aggravation on many occasions comes when his need to be with people is not filled. He has already been invited to I do not know how many birthday parties, we do not drive on to the school property where our home is that the children are not asking him to come play before we ever get out of the car, and he has built a relationship with our night guard and they cannot even communicate with words. Our guard does not even speak French. Each person that is working on finishing up things at our home as well as our team center, Noah has built a relationship with and it normally starts by him kicking a soccer ball to them.

I found myself really thankful for Noah. I am thankful that he really is a fun loving kid that has opened the door for himself as well as us to minister to the lives of these people. Most of the people I mentioned are Muslim. Please pray with us that these relationships will be the foundation of us sharing Jesus. Noah really is praying that our Guard comes to know the Lord. His name is Bahsearo. Also, our house worker’s name is Emmy. Please pray for her salvation as well.

Meet Suzanne (Pronounced Susanna)

2010-02-27T15:50:00.000-05:00

Suzanne is the pastor’s wife who lives here at the LAC campus. She has been a very good friend to me since my arrival. She is one that has this continuous abundant joy as well as this urgency to see people come to know Jesus personally.

When we first arrived she was asked to help me around the house until we hired a full time person. Her wage for one day was 1000 CFA. This is equal to $2.00. She swept and mopped floors, dusted, cleaned bathrooms, did dishes, and then she did our laundry by hand. When I expressed how blessed I was and went to pay her, she was very reluctant to take the money. Her response was, I did not help you to receive a wage. I helped you because I am so happy your family is here to help us share Jesus in our village.”

Fast forward to the morning 2 days ago…..

This is graphic and disturbing…Caution….

I was on the way home from taking the boys to school. I was slowed down due to an accident in the lane I was traveling. Chris and I have seen an accident all but three of the days we have been here and most include a death. This particular accident was the most graphic I had seen and was very disturbing to me. Though the police were there, they do not guide the traffic, you have to make your own way through. As I was working my way through the madness, I naturally looked over to look at the accident. There was a man in his late 50’s or early 60’s that had been killed. He had been hit and was either on a bike or a moto. His body was lying on the ground with a black sack lying over his head. People were just walking up to the body and moving the sac to see who it was. As I drove past the accident, my thoughts immediately turned to the Lord in prayer. Lord, please comfort those who possibly lost a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, or friend. May the pain that they experience through this loss be something that will draw them into a relationship with you.

Now that afternoon….

Suzanne came over to visit. She asked me if I had gotten enough sleep because I did not look well. I instantly burst into tears and told her how heavy my heart was about the accident that morning and all the deaths I have seen on a daily basis. She lovingly held my arms and said, “Connie, this is the life in Burkina. Many, many people die every day and not just in moto accidents. People die everyday due to starvation, not having clean water or no water at all, disease, lack of medical treatment or the funds to get what is needed, and many other things.” She then again said, “Connie, this is the life in Burkina.”

At that moment, it clicked with me…. Her urgency made total sense now. When they wake up each day, they really have many more reasons to not know if it will be there last. I am very American and still compare everything here to America. My next thought was how blessed I am to be American and to have so many things that provide an easier/safer life. In the same breath, I felt that urgency that Suzanne has about people here needing to know about Jesus and giving them the opportunity to know Him personally.

Conviction quickly came. Just because life is safer and easier in America, it does not mean that our days are not numbered. I saw this clear picture of how we have so much at our finger tips that it causes a lack of need for the things of God. How many times I have not shared because I was busy or even too worried about what they would think or if I would have offended them. I do think it is important to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, but how many times have I had an excuse??!!

Please pray for our safety. Please pray for Suzanne, her husband Pastor Agabus, their son Jaackdiel, and their daughters Zezania and Grace. Pray for the people of Burkina to come to know Jesus in a real and personal way!

This is Suzanne painting for the first time. She knew we were painting our home and she asked if she could come and learn. She thought this would be a great way to minister to people.... Going in to their homes and helping them paint. Again, she has an amazing heart.

This is Suzanne's kitchen that is out side their three room home.

40 Days of Prayer

2010-02-22T08:22:00.000-05:00

Please join us in prayer for the next 40 days. We will be praying daily for our ministry and financial needs here in Burkina. We are asking the Lord to provide $40,000 in the next 40 days. We will be fasting every Monday during this time. Please join us in fasting as well. Even if you are not one that can give up food for a day, what about a meal? We know that prayer is the very core and essential to the work God has for us here. See below our follow up newsletter...

As Chris and I were praying this morning about our financial support, Chris stated that he does not want to be a salesman or feel like a salesman. Most missionaries will tell you that writing support letters and asking for money is so hard and so humbling! We ourselves feel nickeled and dimed all the time, and realize that our friends and families back in the U.S. are in the midst of a recession and many of you are trying to make ends meet. With that said and acknowledged, the reality of the matter is that God has called us to Burkina and He is asking for our church family and friends to invest into what HE has planned for people of Burkina. We are compelled to press through the discomfort we feel in asking and be obedient to what we know He has called us to do- serve the people of Burkina and ask our friends back home to partner with us in this mission in prayer and through finances. Because we know that God has called us here and has made the way, we unashamedly tell you that we need your help and investment!

We still have quite a bit of money that needs to be raised. Our church has been very gracious to our mission and out of our Christmas gift offering gave 15,000 towards the container that was sent with ministry supplies and our personal affects. They also gave an additional $30,000 towards our ministry/operating budget here on the field. Our budget here less ministry projects is $7300.00 per month, which was set by our sending agency after they analyzed exchange rates, fees, and the outrageous cost of electricity and groceries in Burkina for a family of seven. We were shocked to learn that electricity here is the most expensive in the world, and groceries are three times the price of what we have in America for a less quality product. Though it is very expensive to live here, we feel it is vital for a family to be here year round as it will enable West Ridge and the local missionary team here to double if not triple the ministry that will take place.

What are we asking?

We are praying for $40,000 in 40 Days

We need monthly supporters and one-time donations. Please pray about supporting us monthly or with a onetime donation! We are praying and believing that we will have $40,000 in cash or commitments in 40 days. Right now we have $3190.00 pledge towards our monthly budget of $7300.00 We need the remainder of this money pledged or given so that we can continue to invest into the people of Burkina. Will you partner with us?

If God has prompted your heart, we would love to get you all the information you need to make this happen. Please scroll down to the next page for donation and commitment instructions!

We are blessed and humbled and so appreciate your investment into God's work in Burkina and into our family! We covet your prayers for our family and for the people of Burkina!

With love,

Chris, Connie, Samuel, Noah, Silas, Isabella, Gabriella

P.s. ~To give a financial gift online is now an easier process with much of the guess-work having been dealt with.

However, to help with our records and to make sure your gift has been allocated accurately, would you please...

- Send us an e-mail notifying us that you've sent a financial gift...

- Let us know how you sent it (by check or Online)...

- Let us know who you sent it to (to West Ridge Church or The Christian & Missionary Alliance)

To Give Online
copy and past the link below-

https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12

Note: The link will refer to 15% going to the Great Commission Fund. This will not be the case for our project -our project will receive 100% of your gift.

Our Children's Prayer Request

2010-02-21T06:25:00.000-05:00

During our family devotions this morning, we asked our children if they had specific prayer request. I have typed them below in the verbage they used.

Samuel- Please pray that God will protect the Brooks and the Wells back in America. Please protect us here in Africa too.

Noah- Please pray that if Gram gets her knee replacement that she will be ok and that she can still come to see us.

Silas- I want you to pray that the time can go by fast and that Jonah can come here so I can see him. I just miss him so much.

Isabella-Please pray that the Africans can get more clothes. They only have one clothes and they need more.

Gabriella- I want to pray for all my family to get a lot of money to come and see us. I think Grammie will not come to see us because she is still not here and I want her to be o.k.

Princess Grace

2010-02-17T06:28:00.000-05:00

Princess Grace

Here on the school campus, there is a church that meets and the pastor and his family live on the campus as well. This family has been a tremendous blessing to us. Grace is their three year old and she has been over twice to play with Gabriella. My kids like to kill and destroy when they play and we continue to work hard at keeping this under control.

Our home as well as our team center are protected by a cement wall that goes around the entire property. This week we have used the team center to help us set up our home by having boxes and tubs spread throughout the center with the ability to separate all our things and put them away in a more organized order. In one of the rooms, we have all the kids toys and games. There are about 10 tubs of misc. items from dolls, to dress-up clothes, balls, games, play dough, art supplies, etc. This is where my two girls and then Grace and her older sister were playing. Bella and Gabriella returned home and wanted to stay at the house after playing for about 2 ½ hours. I talked with Grace and her sister and Susanna their mom and told them they were more than welcome to stay and play even though my girls came home to rest. After about 3 more hours, I sent Isabella over to tell the girls that it was time to go home.

In an instant, Isabella busted through the door like she had just seen a vicious snake. She could not say fast enough, “Mommy, you are gonna be so mad and you will be a really yelling mommy! (I have done a great job at not being a yelling mommy when I get frustrated with the children. I asked them to help me with this…. Hence Isabella’s comment.) It is all killed and destroyed over there. I assumed that they had done their norm and had several too many toys out and had a lot to clean up. I told her we would get to it later and I was glad that they all had such a good time playing together.

Morning came and I went over to start working on unpacking some more boxes. When I entered what was the room with about 10 tubs of toys I for a moment wished I was dreaming! If I had been in America, I would have not just yelled but probably had to leave my home with intense anger. There was not one bit of the tile floor visible. Every tub was emptied. Every game was out of the box. Items made out of play dough and then balls of play dough were everywhere. Every crayon and marker was out of the box. Do you get just a little picture of what the room looked like…? Yep, I took a few breaths and walked away.

I began to unpack as I grumbled at how mad I was at myself for not doing a better job of checking in on the girls. I was also mad at the two girls for not being more respectful of the toys we were allowing and wanting them to enjoy…… It was then that in a sweet and gracious manner, I felt like the Lord was giving me a picture of the joy this room gave those two little girls. It was like me walking into a room with 100 different wedding cakes. I would be been so excited I would have done the same thing except that the cake would have been on the inside of my body; yet, the joy no different. The Lord quickly moved me to compassion and a joy that I prayed was a high in the lives of those two little girls. (Oh, they are totally welcome back and I want them to experience that same joy; however, I will do a much better job in directing their choices!)

Three days after this event, Susanna came over. She wanted me to know that the princess dress and princess shoes that the girls had given to Grace had not come off her body until this morning when she made Grace take it off so it could be washed. She noted that she even sleeps with the dress and shoes on. The comment that made me melt was that Grace said, “I’m a princess now!”

Our Arrival Newsletter

2010-02-17T04:50:00.000-05:00

After being here two weeks, we have only grown more excited about what God is doing and honored that He is allowing us to be part of it! The children have adjusted even better than we expected. Connie has had a few moments of culture shock, but she as well loves being here. I think some of the hardest things for her have been: Having to filter and wash everything, getting the children to keep their hands away from their mouths, our feet always being dirty, and driving.

The BurkinabÃ© (pronounced 'burkina-bay') people have welcomed us with open arms and smiling faces. Despite the fact that we have a wall built around our house, the BurkinabÃ© children continue to stack bricks up so that they can climb the wall and get a little peak into our personal lives. Our children have already starting making some great friends. Even with the language barrier, they seem to communicate and love it. Noah has taught some of the boys to walk on their hands and to flip each other over the others back. Gabriella tried to teach the girls how to play freeze tag. She did not have success the first time but said, "Mommy maybe they will understand tomorrow." We do not go outside that our children are not the center of attention and they are loving it!

In these relationships our children have already made, there is already a neat foundation for us to share the love of Jesus. Though it is very expensive to live here, we feel it is vital for a family to be here year-round as it will enable West Ridge and the local missionary team here to multiply the ministry that will take place. We plan on spending the month of February finishing-up the bulk of our housing and Team Center setup, getting acclimated to our new community and doing some major crash French language learning. We will host our first team in March and plan on hosting two or more teams each month. We have already begun highlighting ways these teams can impact Burkina for the Kingdom. We are confident that God has good things for this place, and are excited that He is entrusting us with this mission!

In the days to come, we will be following up with an email specifically pertaining to our finances. Please be praying now about how you can be involved in this ministry!

Many Blessing Sent From Burkina Faso, West Africa!

Chris, Connie, Samuel, Noah, Silas, Isabella, Gabriella

The Three Little Pigs

2010-02-11T17:34:00.000-05:00

For years I have said that if we ever build our own home I wanted to go to some extra measures in securing it. I wanted to make sure that our foundation was built solid. Not only in construction but even more so on the Word of God.

I have often reflected to one of my childhood favorite books, “The Three Little Pigs.” I think that this story is such an amazing picture of our lives, how we build our foundation, and how the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy us. On many occasions this is how this book has played out in my life….

Situation #1- In so many areas of my life I have been like pig #1. I pray on the go and I am not faithful meditating and being in the Word of God. I have so much to do and want to honor the Lord and know my need for Him, but I am so busy. I have so many things to get done even ministry related so I short change my time with the Lord. I need Him, but I need to hurry up so I can get to other things. I built my foundation for that day with hay. When the enemy came along it did not take much for him to destroy my home as I fell into pride, selfishness, envy, and jealously. I did not prepare for his attack the way I should have.

Situation #2- I have also been like Pig #2. I have prepared a little more by spending more time in the Word, being in a more regular time of prayer, and even going to Bible Study. I have built my house with wood. It was a little stronger and more resistant to the flames against the devil.

Situation #3- This is the pig I always want to be like. I want my foundation strong. I know to always be on the alert because the day I entered into a relationship with God, I entered a battlefield. I know that it took much longer for pig number three to build his house, but he knew the importance of a strong foundation that would provide great protection for him.

Our home here is definitely built African style. It is all cement walls and the construction is not nearly what we are accustom to in America; however, we are indeed wanting to make sure that we build our strong foundation on the Word of God. Over the past two days we have allowed the children to cover the walls with scripture, prayers, and praise and adoration to the Lord. Soon our paint will come and we will cover all the writing up, but it will in no way cover up the power in which we built the spiritual walls of our home.

A Big Day For Isabella

2010-02-07T18:46:00.001-05:00

I learned how to tie my shoes.

Isabella's Explanation: My friend Sarah with the long hair who is in my class and in my neighborhood taught me how to put one string under the other and then pull it tight. She then taught me how to make two loops. Well, today my mom showed me the rest and now I can tie my shoes. Mommy, Can you make sure that everyone knows that I can tie my own shoes now.

Every word was said with a HUGE smile on her face!

In the light of eternity, learning to tie your shoes is really not a huge deal; however, this is a huge accomplishment! God is so good and encouraged me to see each step we take here as a huge accomplishment no matter how small it may seem. Today, I sifted my flour to make sure that there were no bugs enjoying my flour before I used it. Another life-saver missionary here told me that you have to keep flour in your freezer and at times the flour contains bugs. You simply sift the flour and this will separate any bugs that may have made their way into the bag. GROSE! Can I ever use flour in Burkina? Well, in light of eternity, sifting flour for bugs is not a huge deal; however, this is a huge accomplishment for me!

Would you give up a rock?

2010-02-05T19:06:00.002-05:00

We picked up a daily routine from my sister and brother in law… Each evening, normally at dinner we go around the table and are able to share a high of our day and a low. Last night as we were eating, each child’s high was, “I have African friends now!”

After school today we allowed the children to go outside the wall of our home and play with all the children attending the boarding school that is across from our home. Our children had a minimum of 20-30 children around each one of them. They were all exchanging names and then the playing began. Samuel went and practiced the long jump. Noah played soccer. Silas went with some to see their classrooms and then off to soccer. Isabella and Gabriella played with a few girls right by our gate and danced and laughed. Despite the language barrier, they had an awesome time.

One thing that the children kept saying was, “Mom, they are just all so nice to us. I did not think they would be this nice.” Silas continues, “There was even this one boy that got up of his rock that he was sitting on and wanted me to have a seat. Mom that was so nice because he then did not have a place to sit.” I found myself inwardly rejoicing at these small yet really huge lessons my children are learning first hand. We were able to talk about how selfless these kids have been. They are doing it because most of their hearts are good and we are the white people; however, if we were to respond the same way, it is because we can show them the love of Jesus though our actions.

I have do unto others as you would have them do unto you a million times, but last night conviction hit my own heart. I can honestly tell you that my heart is to honor other and to show the love of Jesus, but conviction hit and I saw even in my own heart I am not always willing to give up my rock for the sake of someone else. I will at times rationalize, but I already did 4 times this week and me having a turn is o.k. And it is, but my conviction fell upon the times the Holy Spirit has nudged me to move and I have not.

A challenge I have to not only gave myself but my children: Show the love of Jesus by letting someone else have the seat on the rock when you may have no other place to sit….. In whatever situation this is! I challenge you as well!

Comments that have made us laugh

2010-02-05T09:02:00.002-05:00

Samuel and Silas decided that they wanted to go through the suitcase and pick out their own clothes. Noah does pretty well at picking things that match, but the other two have just not arrived yet. The conversation went something like this, “ Boys, those clothes do not match!” Samuel’s reply, “Mom no one and I mean no one in Africa matches their clothes.” Silas cuts him off, “I know and that means we are really like Africans now!” Needless to say, I did not make them change even though it killed me.

Silas has been welcomed with open arms in his class… Almost too open. I was going through his back pack and found all these little pieces of paper. He loves to make tickets so I was going to throw them away. I noticed a heart on one and of course had to check it out. When I began to read these notes, I was amused. I asked Silas what they were and he said, “Mom, they are love notes. Really and I am not lying- all the kids in my class love me and want me to be their boyfriend.” He proceeded, “Even the boys want me to be their best friend.” My favorite said…

Classmate, “Do you like me?” Silas, “Why?” Classmate, “Because I like you.” “And because I can give you many. (money)” “ I can give you this much 1000.” Silas did not write her back. I was pleased with this because Chris and I are not big on the children having girlfriends and boyfriends this young. My thankfulness came to a screeching halt when he asked, “How much is 1000 in American money?” When I told him about $2.00… He proceeded as he runs off to play, “That is a rip off!” My immediate thought…Come one Silas, at what price would you have said yes? Chris and I obviously have a lot of work to do!

I SAT ON A CAMEL TODAY!

2010-02-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

How often do you hear, “There are Camels coming down the road?” In a couple minutes Chris, the girls, and all the pastors in the house with cameras in hand headed to the road for a view of the Camels. Another missionary stopped the Tauregs (Guys you see in the picture) and asked if they would give rides. They inclined for a charge and the rides began!

We have gone from Pump It Up and Chuck E Cheese to camel rides… Who would have ever imagined!!

Lemonade

2010-02-01T08:02:00.000-05:00

Today the boys are off to school and the girls and I have done a little home schooling. This went better than expected, but still something I am not in love with. I was working with Isabella and Gabriella was just doodling on a separate page waiting for me. When I finished with Isabella, Gab gave me her paper and said what does this spell. I replied really nothing. She said, Yes it does. It says Uncle Tod I love you.

One thing that we did do this morning that was very fun is make homemade lemonade. I have never done this with the kids in the States. For one, it is a mess, two they normally would fight, three it takes so much time, and lastly... I am just too busy!

I am glad we had the time to do this together. It was not only fun, but I enjoyed the girls. It also did not take much time at all. I pray that I will take full advantage of this extra time with the children. Tonight we will sit down to set our monthly goals.....

How high can you pack a truck??

2010-01-31T16:31:00.000-05:00

We were on our way to go swimming with the children today and could not believe how high this truck had stuff stacked! Just wanted to know if you can stack your truck with things this high?

I feel like I am learning to walk...

2010-01-31T08:05:00.000-05:00

So for as far back as I can remember, I have never bleached fruits and vegetables, boiled water to wash dishes, or hung clothes on a wire to dry. We will hire someone very soon who will help me in these things, but for today... I did them all by myself. I came in and really was waiting for Chris to start clapping, praising me, etc... much like I did my children as they learned to walk. I wanted him to notice my accomplishments!

As much as this sounds like such a pain, I have actually found myself slowing down and enjoying the time I have spent doing these things. I cannot say that enjoying these chores will last, but for now, I am grateful. I hate that I have not mentioned sooner the team that was here to greet us. West Ridge has partnered with the CMA and they have been tremendous. For the first three days all my meals were cooked, I have received welcome gifts, people have dropped in to check on me, and one night I returned home to a Diet Coke in my fridge that said, "For Connie!" If you know me at all, you know this was like winning the lotto!

We also had the privilege of flying over with a group of pastors. The help with carrying bags was amazing. Dave Cole is a hero in our book with his continuous and constant serving heart. My children already love these men and have already asked when they are coming back. Gabriella has been smitten with Pastor Brian and Pastor Dave. She has told us several times just how much they love HER and she is serious! The boys have enjoyed the rough housing and boy talk with Mr. Kevin and Mr. John as well. They have been a blessing!

Right now the pastors have been away in the Bush and to several other cities as well. They have had the tremendous opportunity to see what God is doing here and then continue to pray about how they and their churches are to be involved. We will move to our home on Tuesday and hope to start settling in to begin some crash language study that will better facilitate the ministry we are to do.

Please keep praying for us as our home and the team center are finished. Please pray that we will stay healthy. Please pray that our crate with all of our belongings will arrive here asap and make it through customs without even the slightest glitch. Please pray that God will continue to stir the hearts of the Burkina Bay people and that they come to know Him!

A Fresh Hope

2010-01-30T04:47:00.003-05:00

Last night we had dinner with a family that has been serving as missionaries in Africa for 20 years. They have 3 beautiful children. Kari who is 17 and Peter who is 12 are here and their oldest is in college in NY. My kids had the best time visiting and playing with them. The food was so good that Noah even asked if he could lick the plate. I was embarrassed, but at the same time thankful that my children ate and enjoyed their meal so much!

For me, it was a re-assurance of God’s unexplainable love for me. Amy, their mother who is an amazing woman was sharing this story about a man who came to her home several years back and wanted to do some gardening for her. She agreed and found herself to soon be devastated. This little guy cut her plants back to nubs. She knew that they were destroyed. He promised her that they would come back even better… just wait. As she is telling us this story I immediately reflected to the Word and the story of pruning that takes place in times of growth. Instantly, I saw this very vivid picture of myself…. I knew that she had told this story for me. I have been so cut back to a nub that I am not even recognizable. At that moment, I had such a tremendous fresh hope. Just wait Connie, you as well are going to grow back more beautiful than ever. I then began to pray, please tell me that she is going to say that they grew back, please say they grew back!!! My whole intimate moment with the Lord would have been ruined if she said that they died. She continued to say that one morning she was out on her porch and looked over to notice that not only had they grown back, but they did not even look like the same plant. Everything about them was better. The color, form, and shape were a fresh more healthy, beautiful plant.

I know I have heard this story in the Bible many times, but as she talked about her personal experience I felt like God recalled that to her memory to paint a very clear picture of what He was doing in my own life. I know there are many growing pains to come, but I know I can trust Him and I went to bed with a FRESH HOPE!

Culture Shock Hit Me Today!!

2010-01-29T12:26:00.001-05:00

Today the children had a great day and loved school. We rated their day with 10 being amazing and 1 being terrible. Sam and Noah both gave a huge 10 and Silas said 6. He was just mad that he did not ride a moto to school.

I on the other hand went shopping for the first time. In the middle of the market, I honestly thought I could fall to the floor, curl up like a baby, and cry my eyeballs out. I love to cook, but do not make much from scratch. There are many choices here but the cost of groceries is unbelievable. I did find Diet Coke but could not bring myself to pay $8.00 for a 2 liter. The toilet paper is almost see through and is like paying for toilet paper that you would find in the White House. Needless to say, I can be confident in knowing that this will get easier but the culture shock has hit me like a ton of bricks.

Chris has been amazing and loves being here. He has begun driving and is doing a great job. We have both hesitated to post pictures, because we really want you all to come!

Please keep praying for us!

Hello Day Number 2 in Africa

2010-01-27T17:06:00.000-05:00

This morning it took quite some time to wake the children up. Silas opened his eyes and with a voice of a talk show host said, "Hello day #2 in Africa!"

It has been a good day. The children got to see where they will live and all were excited about their rooms. They have done much better than we expected and know that prayer continues to make a difference... please don't stop! They have all been so tired today and now that it is time to lie down and sleep, they are wound up.

Today, the children have asked many questions about the poverty. It has been something that has been good for them to see. They have seen kids with torn cloths, people using the bathroom outside, and they do not like that air condition is not a common use.

Chris and I will have to start driving soon. As much as I love to drive, I am not ready to get on the roads here. The kids will go tomorrow around 10:00 to meet their teachers and then start school Friday. They are all very excited!

Oh, Grammy… Gabriella would like to know if you are packing your stuff to move here? She said that she will put your bed in her room!

We Made It!

2010-01-26T16:47:00.001-05:00

Thank you for praying! The children have done amazing and are very excited to be here. A few first responses...

Samuel- This is not what I expected. The people ride their motorcycles in between the cars and people are just going to die.

Noah- The streets are crazy here since they do not really have regular streets. I can not believe that school starts at 7:00 in the morning.

Silas- I cannot wait to catch some animals and maybe I could put them on untamed and uncut.

Isabella- I like it here good. When do we get to go swimming?

Gabriella- I am ready to take a bath because I already am dirty.

Connie- I already terribly miss my family and dear friends. We were blessed to have such a great group of pastors to travel over with.... I am so tired and need to sleep.

Chris- I am super excited and extremely honored to be here!

One Last Sleep

2010-01-24T23:56:00.000-05:00

Our children count down by sleeps. We have been counting down sleeps for the last month and my gut sunk when this morning I heard the words, "One more sleep, Mommy!"

My sister asked our 4 year old what she was going to see when she got to Africa.... Her first response with a smile on her face was a swimming pool. In following God's will, we want to look at things the way our children have... An adventure! We are all very excited; yet, today held some very hard goodbyes and tomorrow will be beyond difficult to say the least. Please pray for not only us but for our families as we say our goodbyes!