Making Disciples of All Nations

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always; until the end of the age”

As a follower of Christ, this is my end all goal; to see the kingdom come. Without his grace and love, though, this would not have been my goal. Four and half years ago, October 17^th, 2009, I gave my life to Christ. Since that day, everything has changed.

My name is Jon Platt, and this is my story.

I am a strong believer in the idea that actions speak louder than words; therefore, I believe that pictures speak great volumes, too. In this blog, my main goal is not to bore you. I actually desire for you to come back to this page. I really enjoy pictures, and I’m guessing you probably do too. So, when you come to my blog, always expect lots of snapshots. I am by no means a photographer, but I will try my best to get that crystal Kodak moment. This is my steady commitment to you, the blog reader!

So, let the blogging begin. This is my personal invitation for you, the reader, to follow along in my journey of this life; it is of little extravegance, but I will tell you that with Jesus Christ by my side, there is never a dull moment.

For those who don’t know, I am currently living in Yako, Burkina Faso; a small land-locked country in West Africa, just underneath the Sahara Desert. While here, I have the amazing opportunity to work at “Les Ailes De Refuge,” a beautifully unique orphanage somewhat near the center of town. While working here, my main duty is simply to love on the children that call the orphanage their home. The little toddlers without a parent to call their own that just want to be held; a pre-teen who needs a role-model figure to play soccer with; a kid my age who speaks minimal English, but attempts conversations with me to improve his; this is my calling and my job here. It is so simple, yet immensely rewarding. I knew coming into this journey that the Lord had a purpose for me here, and it is so incredible to see His plans unfold before my eyes.

                                             Yanni, Marium, Grace, Barto, and Latif


In addition to the work God has for me at the orphanage, I’ve also had multiple opportunities to serve in different areas of the work He’s accomplishing here in Burkina. Recently, we drove around Yako in the back of an old pick-up truck to do what we call a “widow distribution.”Sponsers from the States send money to the orphanage so that we can find and provide for these husbandless women with nourishment each month. During the distribution, we bring a large sack of corn that will eventually be ground into a surplus of meals. In additon to this, each widow recieves two large bars of soap, and whatever little extras their sponser has paid for them to receive; this could be tea, sugar, or even a new mat. After a brief prayer with each lady, we are off to the next woman in need. I do not exaggerate when I say that these women have practically nothing. Most of them live in a mud-brick house the size of our living rooms. They don’t have health insurance, and medication for their pain is scarce. Out of the dozen widows I witnessed on this trip, one of them had a bed. One.

But don’t let their circumstances fool you. These women are beyond joyful. Most of them lifted their hands in praise to their Father as we brought in the food that He provided for them.They are a true examples that happiness is not materialsim. Don’t take my word for it, though; I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

 

 

Much more is to come on my mission here, but in this first post, let me take the time to tell you just how I ended up in this African desert land.


Salem Alliance, the church I have called my own for almost ten years, has had ties with Burkina Faso for quite some time. Though I did have knowledge of the country, no one had ever presented me with the opportunity of a trip; nor did I have any real desire to come.

 
It was a late night in August two summers ago that I felt a direct calling from God to pursue Burkina. Within the next year, I had considered a few other places and programs, but He continually brought me back to the place that He originally called. With this confirmation in my heart, I applied for an internship in Burkina Faso through Envision, a branch of the Christian Missionary Alliance, and within about three weeks, preparations began for the journey I am now experiencing.

 

In short, I am here in the beautiful country, filled with gorgeous people, because God told me to come. It's as simple as that, and I couldn't be happier.

 

I am so weak. I am nowhere near perfection. I screw up every single day.

 

But I'm learning that God likes me this way. In fact, I would go as far as saying that He deeply loves this way. Because of this love, I am nothing but willing. Nothing but willing to go where He leads me. Nothing but willing to love on these kids in my time here each and every day.

 

 

 

Lord, my life is for your glory. Use me souly for your plan on this earth. Use me to see the Kingdom come; to make disciples of all nations.

 

Much more to come.

 

HE>i (HE is GREATER than i)

 

Jon Platt