Ivory

Côte d’Ivoire has headlined African news for the better part of a month. Consequently it has been on my mind frequently. 

It is a situation that is complicated but I’ll explain to the best of my understanding... 


Elections, hoped to reunite the country, were held in November. Since the results were posted they have been widely disputed. The incumbent (Gbagbo), with support in the South, insists he remains the democratically elected leader. The challenger (Ouattera), supported by the North, is recognized by the United Nations and many world powers as being the leader. Both have been sworn in as President, and have appointed cabinets. The challenger has been under UN protection since the election. 

I have never been to the Ivory Coast but it is a country that has deeply affected many people that have had a profound impact on me. It is estimated roughly three million Burkinabe live in the Ivory Coast. (3 million of a country of 15 million!) 

I spoke with a friend in Burkina today. His concerns mirror those portrayed by the media.  

He told me it was a major concern. And then said, “I hope there won’t be a civil war.” 

This is what the world is hoping. 

We read about what is happening, hear about the rising tensions in Cote, anticipate news from the different nations and organizations that have taken an interest in the outcome....

And we wait. And we pray. 

                                                                      

I have been following several journalist's blogs (in addition to keeping up with the BBC) to attempt to keep updated on what is happening in Côte. If you're interested here are some links I have found informative: 

Hotel Ivory

West Africa Wins Always

The Most Wonderful Time

Nee Taabo, Wenna wiligd viinre. Joyeux Noel. Merry Christmas. 

I Spoke to some of my Burkina family today. It made my heart glad. 

Ruth says everyone is well. Therese and Emma have returned home with their adoptive families. The orphanage has received many wonderful visitors and volunteers the past months. 

Some of the kids have returned home to visit their families over christmas. Others will celebrate christmas with the Ghounghin church. 

Wherever you are celebrating... 

Blessings as we celebrate Christ. 

I hope this Christmas you recognize the immense love God has for us. 

(And I hope you get some turkey too!)

____

Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure.

Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness.

Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts.

And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.

[Frank Boreman, Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 Space Mission]

Wordless Wednesday: World Aids Day

thinking about...

Yako has some really epic trees. Beautiful, old, majestic trees.
And I adore them.
Seeing these trees put a giant smile on my face. And maybe, sometimes, a little jig in my step.


Before leaving for Burkina a friend of mine said to me:
 "Every time you see a beautiful flower or epic tree remember God's love for his children."

I'd be lying if I said I didn't think this was part of the reason I love the trees in Yako.

Crimson

This little bug appears for just a few special weeks in Burkina. 

When I asked about it the kids told me this bug is in the bible. After searching on my own I finally asked Pastor Valentin where it could be found. He, of course, knew right away. "Isaiah chapter one" he said. When I looked I found it in verse 18. 

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." 

And there it is... The english transition uses the word crimson and in the moore translation it uses the name of this little bug. It was some cool insight into the world of bible translation. And a cool visual aide for every time I read Isaiah 1:18.