More Hudson Taylor

The sweetest part, if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this, for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me, for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient.

It little matters to my servant whether I send him to buy a few pennies worth of things, or the most expensive articles, In either case the servant looks to me for the money and brings me his purchases. So, if God place me in great perplexity, must He not give me much guidance; in positions of great difficulty, much grace; In circumstances of great pressure and trial much strength? No fear that His resources will be unequal to the emergency! And His resources are mine for He is mine, and is with me and dwells in me.

All this springs from the believer’s oneness with Christ. And since Christ has thus dwelt in my heart by faith, how happy I have been! I wish I could tell you, instead of writing about it.

When it gets rough

Hudson Taylor’s prayer letter to home.

I have often asked you to remember me in prayer, and when i have done so there has been much need of it. That need has never been greater than at the present time. Envied by some, despised by many, hated perhaps by others, often blamed for things I never heard of, or had nothing to do with; an innovator on what have become established rules of missionary practice; an opponent of mighty systems of heathen error and superstition; working without precedent in many respects, and with few experienced helpers; often sick in body, as well as perplexed in mind and embarrassed by circumstances; had not the Lord been specially gracious to me, had not my mind been sustained by the conviction that the work is His and that He is with me in what it is not empty figure to call “the thick of the conflict,” I must have fainted and broken down. But the battle is the Lord’s, and He will conquer. We may fail, do fail continually, but He never fails. Still I need your prayers more than ever before.

Its not green….Its Serengeti

The Bridge Builders had their first official work day today to paint the Sunday School room. Many thanks to Mike Shane for picking up the paint, David Allison and Joe Gibby for helping to administer the paint. We had a good time. Many comments were made about the color. My daughter Kathryn says its way cool and gives it two thumbs up. Sandy was speechless.

If you have never had Sunday School on the Serengeti, here is your chance. We will be talking about “right thinking” tomorrow.

Moving

You can now keep up with the BCWE Business review at http://www.bcwe.org/bcweblogs/bcwebusinessreview

Click here to join us in the new location.

Happens Every Time

If you know me very well, you know I get called to every mission field I visit. Sandy asked me if I was feeling the call yet. I told her that I was but that since it is unusually mild and cool weather for Burkina Faso I was going to wait and see if I was getting a false reading. I imagine you have already read Austin’s blog and seen the numbers for the meeting yesterday. It was one of those special services that will stick in my mind for years. I wished that all of you could have been there.

My pastor preached his heart out all week but last night was the capstone. The men in the room had a real vision placed in front of them. It was the vision of them doing something great for God. Building a team and literally a new society in Burkina Faso that would shake the city and turn it on its head. The service was followed at brother Kieth’s house with a room full of men. Salif, Simon, Bado, Tali, Cofey, Gilbert, Mamadou, Pastor Zachary, Keith, Austin and I. Austin spoke about becoming a team. Keith translated and showed his heart for the men. Bado honored Austin and I on behalf of the church with a couple of beautiful globes made in Africa.

The baptism service was one of the most exciting I have been involved in. The water was extra cold. You would have to understand how hot it gets here to know how cold these people get this time of year. Austin and I are comfortable in short sleeves and most of them are bundled up in parkas or heavy jackets. They would sing and clap as Keith took each of them down. When Keith Shumaker baptizes you, resisting is not an option. You are going down and under. I have been so thoroughly impressed with their love for the people and the people for them. Reality is, these Burkinabaes are beautiful people and endear you very quickly.

We will be working hard today and packing up tonight to leave around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. By Tuesday night I should be back home to my lovely wife and daughters. Here are some baptism pictures.

African Adventure

Today we left early for the work in Roungou about 2 hours north of Ouagadougou. We didnt get too far out of town and experienced engine trouble. Praise God that the weather was nice and we didnt have to walk too far before finding a great place to sit and discuss a plan to grow the work in Burkina Faso.

I could not help but think about the people that I saw today and wonder why I get to go home to a soft bed and comfortable house and most of them will go home to a dirt floor and small provisions. Some will sleep in the cold with an empty stomach and worst of all, without Jesus Christ. I would have to have a great responsability that goes along with the blessing of living in America with all the abundance, and opportunity that I have been given.

Keep up with Keith and Rebekah Shumaker and the Work in Burkina Faso:

Showing off the motor to those passing by on donkeys.

Are You Mad Yet?

Those of you that know my pastor Austin Gardner know that statement. It was one of those challenging messages to do something for God. Austin and Keith (translating) preached the message in English and French tonight to 71 people attending the services at the “Eglise Baptiste De L’eau Vive” in Burkina Faso. It was an exciting service that asked for real men to step up and be counted in the service of the great God of Heaven.

Austin challenged all those attending to come early, stay late, and realize that the will of God is the single most important thing in our lives. The building we are in is about one year into construction and has most of the roof and walls finished. Please continue to pray for the Shumakers in Burkina Faso.

Nothing Lost In the Translation

We just got back from our first service at Eglise Baptiste De L’eau Vive in Burkina Faso. Brother Keith Shumaker started this church a year ago. I will be updating the pictures of the construction progress during the week on the bcwe website. The Shumakers are being greatly used of God here in Burkina Faso. You can keep up with them on their blog.

I had the privilege of challenging them for a few minutes to use what they have for God. Austin preached on turning the world upside down for Christ from Acts chapter 4. It was fun to watch him preach with an interpreter (Brother Keith). There were 65 in the service and the response appeared to be very good to the message. I was challenged again to consider all that God wants to do in my life to reach the world.

Sister Shumaker is a tireless worker and has been a great hostess to us. Someone evidently told her that I survive on coffee. It is a pleasure staying in their home. I know that my wife would love to be here and get her hands on their three adorable children. Emily, Meredith and Isaac.

Pray that God does great things this week in Burkina Faso.

God Answers Prayer

Its no secret that the economy and the housing market are suffering financially. Since I have made my living in the real estate and housing industry, the last year and a half have proven difficult if not impossible at times. Still, God has a way of showing that He is in control and that we need to trust Him.

This week one of my field leaders called me to say that some of the guys thought it would be good to get together and pray that God would work in the business and help us survive this market and economy. I was expecting a handful of men and thought we would have prayer then talk then leave. This morning, the man organizing the meeting called and told me he thought about 20 men were coming. I called Austin and asked him to come preach a message on dealing with problem times. When we got there, i was greeted by 28 of our people. I was amazed. Austin preached, some of the men gave a short testimony of how God had been faithful, we prayed then went home. I was encouraged beyond words at their desire to seek God’s will for our business and life.

I beleive when men get together and pray with sincerity and a contrite heart, God hears and answers prayer. I want to encourage anyone who has not read the blog on Father Knows Best to check that out. I can tell you that my pastor is a man who can talk about trials and trusting God. I do not want to be rescued from a trial to be the man I was before the trial, but to come forth as gold and as a better servant for Him.

Hospital Rounds

We just got back from Scottish Rite Hospital rounds.

Samuel Intidam is in the Emergency room awaiting surgery for his apendix. I quized him about how many chili dogs he had eaten the night before and he promised me it was not more than 3. Seriously, he was headed to surgery to have his apendix either worked on or removed. That was unclear. He was hoping to be asleep by the time they came for him. Pray for Khalid and Amy and Samuel.

On the third floor we visited Tyler Cleveland. Tyler is the son of Jennifer and Dana Cleveland. Jennifer has been my assistant at work for about 7 years. Tyler is in the pediatric intensive care unit. Tyler is 6′ 2” and not much in the way of a pediatric but is laid out with double pnuemonia. He is going to be there for several days. Please be in prayer for Tyler and for Jennifer and Dana.