Partnership in Burkina Faso yields future ministry

Slightly larger than Colorado, the land-locked nation of Burkina Faso sits north of Ghana.

The former French colony, considered one of the poorest countries in the world, has limited natural resources, resulting in poor economic prospects for the majority of its 14.5 million citizens. About 90 percent of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture which is vulnerable to periodic droughts.

Given the poverty, it seemed a perfect fit for a short-term team from HCJB Global to build into future ministry. They teamed up with a fast growing non-radio outreach that helps orphans and widows.

Joanna Ilboudo, who formerly directed a partner station in the capital city of Ouagadougou, felt led to start a ministry called Action Chretienne Tous pour la Solidarite (ACTS) as she watched the plight of so many widows and orphans who are affected by deep poverty and the nation's AIDS pandemic.

A large church called Journey of Faith in Manhattan Beach, Calif. provided the majority of the young and talented group who joined with the local workers to push along the expanding construction at the ACTS center for orphans and widows in the village of Saonre, outside of Ouagadougou.

The 17-member team, led by Andy and Linda Braio, jumped in with both feet to construct a concrete-block dormitory and classroom, provide entertainment and Bible story activities for the orphans at the center, and run a small carpentry workshop as job training for the older orphans.

HCJB Global President Dave Johnson noted that the carpentry training is already bearing fruit. "The tools that the group left behind were being used to build such things as doors for new buildings going up, as well as desks and furniture for the classrooms. The investment is being used in such practical ways to help the ministry go on."

Team members also shared their personal testimonies and showed the "JESUS" Film in the local Moore language to a great response.

The end result has been a growing partnership between ACTS and Journey of Faith. The church provided significant financial support to the construction efforts of the team and continues to fund the construction of more classrooms as well as the village's first medical clinic. Another team is slated for July 2008 with plans for a second center for widows and orphans in another village.

By MNN

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[01/03/2008]

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