Prayer in a Burkinabe Village

Yesterday morning, I woke up to a knock at my door. I quickly crawled out of bed in a half daze and stumbled to the door. At the door was Mike, the father of the family that I live with.

"Hey!" He said. "Pastor Valentin (the local pastor where I live) is going to a prayer meeting in a village today, and he wants to know if you want to come with him."

I'm sure my facial expression answered his question. Of course I wanted to go! With a quick yes, I hopped in the shower, and got ready for the day. Within an hour, he was at the house picking me up on his motor bike.

After a 40 minute moto ride, we arrived at this village. I don't remember the name, and even if I did, I would totally butcher the spelling. As we arrive we are greeted by many people, including multiple pastors who are attending and running the prayer meeting. Pastor Rakistaba Valentin has been asked to help with the tech for the day, so he quickly begins working on this. "Tech" for these kind of events is actually more advanced than you would think for an African village in one of the poorest countries in the world. Two wirless microphones were used to help run the meeting, and quite necessary, really. There must have been over 200 people in that crammed space!

After a morning of prayer, worship, and learning, the meeting (very similar to what we would call a conference) took a brake or lunch. I met with the pastors and dug into my rice with mystery sauce and mystery meat, something I have grown acustom to. It was delicious. After a while of sitting and listening to 20 men speak in a language that I couldn't even begin to understand, one of the pastors asked me a question (through Valentin, who speaks fluent english) about America. This simple question turned into an hour-and-a-half conversation where many of the pastors were engaged and asking questions, and I was glad to answer them. We began to compare the differences in family dynamics, in politics, and much more. It was a real treat to sit around a table sipping hot tea with sugar cane cubes, talking to these men.

In the afternoon, the meeting began again. After the routine worship, prayer, and lesson, we finished of the session by singing together. It was truly an incredible time. Imagine over 200 Burkinabe crammed under a convered area, and many more outside the walls due to lack of space(some even sat in trees), hands raised and praising their saviour. I along with them worshiped, and I truly felt the presence of the Lord. That time was a highlight of my journey here, and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Four people came to Christ there yesterday. They had just been walking down the road and noticed that there was an event happening, so they stopped to listen. Little did they know that their life was about to change drastically.

God is beyond good, and He truly is working here in Burkina Faso. I am so blessed to be a small part in his plan.

 

HE>i