Grains of Sand

“Africa would not be on the top of my places to visit list.”   These words have crossed my lips.   I may even have said them to you.   My, how God has changed my heart!   The change has been gradually occurring over the last three years as I have had the opportunity to fall in love with Africa through children Patrick and I sponsor in Burkina Faso.   I now have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in October of this year.   There are so many reasons why I am embarking on this journey.   Building relationships with the Burkinabe people, ministering to young women and encouraging youth are the top three.   I am looking forward to the challenges that taking this step of faith will bring personally and the spiritual growth and refinement that are sure to come from this adventure.   It will hopefully allow me to make a difference not only on this mission trip but in my daily life. While in Burkina Fas...

While we're in Burkina Faso, we will be staying with the women at Dorcas House for a few days and putting together a little retreat for them.  We will have a devotion time as well as snacks, crafts, a small play, music and then a boutique for the women. The Dorcas House is for at women, ages 15–25.  The girls are selected based on their desire and their need.  Many of these women don't have families or their families are very poor, they may have been completely abandoned by their families or have been in a situation they need out of. They will live at Dorcas House for about two years and receive biblical, literacy, and vocational training. Residents will learn to sew, make soap, knit and crochet as well as learn skills in animal husbandry, gardening, hair-styling, and more. At our last mission meeting we were given our assignments for the retreat and my assignment is snacks!  I just want to say woot woot!  Of all the assignment...

 I don’t feel qualified, but I do feel called.  I don't feel ready, but I do feel expectant.  I don't feel able, but I am confident. When I considered going on a short term mission trip to Burkina Faso Africa, my desire to go came from my heart, not my head.  In my heart I have compassion, in my head I'm overwhelmed. Many have asked, Why?  Why Burkina?  The truth is, I don't really know.  I can not truly articulate my reasons for going.  When I try, I fail to communicate what is in my heart. My journey to Africa really began a few years ago when I began to sponsor a child who lived in Burkina Faso.  This child, who was just a picture on the computer, began writing to me and sharing bits and pieces of himself.  No longer just a picture, but a child living in a poverty stricken country, hoping.  A child with a family and friends.  A child with hopes and dreams that are not so different from my own children's.  A child ...