Nonge

last week our group crossed the border to Burkina for a morning...

If you’d asked me a month ago if I could be in Ghana, just a border away from Burkina, and not make my way up to Yako, I would have told you absolutely not. Part of me still wants to give this response. And I’ve been fighting the response that I am now going to give. “Not this time”.

As my program draws to a close (finished today!) and I consider the extra week I’ve given myself in West Africa before flying home, I have continued to pray for direction with regards to where to be. Originally I'd assumed I would be spending this time in Burkina but, I have been trusting God to show me what he has planned. The more I prayed, and trusted, the more I realized God was saying “not now” to my requests for him to send me back to Burkina. I thought about it doing it my way. But, I’m fairly confident he has it a bit more figured out than I do. So despite the fact that I am so close to Burkina I won’t be spending my last weeks in Africa there this year.

I still love those kids with a huge chunk of my heart. So much so it’s inexplicable. Mam nonge fo ( I love you).

One the one hand I have a heavy heart: I am disappointed I won’t be in Burkina. However, as I look back, I can see how God has been preparing me (and my heart) for this shift. Most of all I can see little ways he’s been showing me what else he has planned. So I am at peace.

And I’m pretty excited about what the week after my program holds. It’s a God thing... It’s not what I expected at all, but that’s the best kind of God thing. It’s something he’s placed on my heart in a way I couldn’t ignore, and so I am confident he is asking me to pursue this week, and that he has it figured out.

I’m super excited to share more with you about this coming week. Maybe I’ll share it with you over a cup of coffee in Calgary sometime this summer. Or in whatever, other random way, we tend to share our stories. I can’t wait for it.





futbols 1 & 2

I may not be in Burkina right now like I'd expected to be, and I may not know when the next time I will be there is, but the one thing that is certain is that I still consider the children of Sheltering Wings a part of my family. They've taken a little piece of my heart hostage. 
So yesterday I got together and sent off a package for them. In it I included ball 1 and ball 2 of my one world futbol project. The kids were the inspiration for getting my hands on the one world balls and I knew I wanted them to have some. Maybe I wanted this because the kids are often without soccer balls when all of them are destroyed by the rocks and dirt, and maybe because I just wanted them to have something from me to continue inspiring the love of the game. Whatever the reason, I'm so grateful my family joined forces with me and provided one world balls to send to Burkina. I'm grateful to Ruth and co. for offering to pack them along with them in June and I look forward to hearing about & seeing the balls in use. 
In the package I also included photos for the children and staff and a letter for the kids. Here's a little excerpt: 

"I talk about you so much, and tell so many stories of our times together, that my family feels like they know you. This is only evidence of how much I think of you. Even though we were born on two extremities of the globe we are the same; we have the same blood running through our veins and the same (and wonderful) Lord. Never forget this fact. But each of us is also different. We each have out own dreams, desires, thoughts. Know that each of you (yes, each of you!) has impacted me in your own, unique way - this is because you are each unique and special. Never forget then, that you are special, and loved. "

Win

A few months ago I started hearing about Nigerian letter scams that used the country name Burkina Faso. Most people found them hilarious because it was the first time they'd heard of Burkina Faso. I found them hilarious because it just added to the game. And then my Dad came across this gem: (see bottom paragraph for the reference to Burkina Faso). 

Developments

The highly anticipated protest in Ouagadougou took place today. It was the result of demands by 34 opposition parties to end Compaoré's rule as President. It's been reported hundreds of civilians turned up for the protest, lower numbers than originally expected. Despite this opposition parties are calling the demonstration a success. Interestingly enough protestors continued to compare Burkina's unrest to that of Tunisia through chants such as "Compaoré = Ben Ali" (Ben Ali is the former President of Tunisia). 

Earlier this week newly-appointed Prime Minister M. Tiao announced measures, which included subsidies and tax breaks, to control the rising cost of living in Burkina Faso. Despite this protests continued to arise across the country. On friday protests in Manga (southern Burkina) left at least four protestors injured. 

Wednesday's protest in Ouagadougou is reported to have left many injured. Most devastating was today's announcement that an eleven year old boy, hit by a stray bullet fired by police in the same protest, passed away this morning. This following an announcement that police, after negotiations with the Compaoré government, have agreed to put an end to their protest. (Source [English])

Burkina, Burkina

After a week of relative calm, protests were noted in different parts of the country on Wednesday. In Koudougou the mayor's house, and police headquarters, were torched by merchants in protest of new policies (article [french] here). Gunshots were also reported across Ouagadougou and Bobo Dialasso and 5 other cities. It's been reported these events were driven by the police force. 

Burkina's opposition parties have been calling for a country-wide protest April 30th in protest of the Compaoré government. This protest is expected to be large, and should be a point of continued prayer. 

The Scoop

THE SHORT: I will not be travelling to Burkina Faso tomorrow. 

THE LONG: With the recent developments in Burkina I decided I couldn’t travel without taking time to re-evaluate my travel. I desperately wanted to travel and spent most of last week convincing myself it would still be possible. Eventually I broke down when it became obvious my plans weren’t in line with God’s. And, although my decision was impacted by the recent developments, and travel advisories issued for Burkina, it was also made independent in that I spent time in prayer seeking God’s will. I made my decision recognizing full well that total peace may return to Burkina this week, and that he may not give the same answer to other people wanting to travel to Burkina.

This was by far the most difficult decision I’ve made. The children of Sheltering Wings, and people of Yako, remain in my heart and thoughts constantly. I’m confident that although this may is not the time to spend time with my brothers and sisters in Burkina this was also not my last opportunity to see them. (See here) 

Despite the fact that deciding to not travel to Burkina has torn my heart up (yes, I’ve cried more than a few tears!) I feel at peace about the decision. 

And I am encouraged and excited about travelling to Ghana. I will now be leaving Calgary on May 12th. 

Official

flag of Burkina Faso

I've hinted at it, but now that I'm holding tickets it's official.

I'll be spending 2 weeks in Burkina Faso, then 6 weeks in Ghana, then another week (and a bit) in Burkina. 

I'll be leaving Calgary April 28th and returning July 3rd. 

It's been a crazy road getting to this point, but it's exciting. I'll tell you more about what's got me to this point some other day. 

flag of Ghana