December 2007

It feels like three weeks, but it is only just over a week in Burkina Faso. So much has happened and is packed in the days, that it is hard to keep up with journaling it all. The team of Living Word had arrived just hours before my arrival at 4.10 AM Thursday. My travel had begun Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis but got stranded at JFK New York for two days, then 14 hour layover in Casablanca. Evangelism and soul winning was our aim and went on continually. Even a delay like a flat tire turned out to be another opportunity for some to come into the Kingdom of God. With five evangelists on the team it was wonderful to see God move even before the evening meetings when the team split up with the local believers to go out inviting the people to come to the meetings. Many were saved even at the invitations, a Muslim was called out to while praying on his prayer mat and came to the Lord. Just before leaving home; received information about a film that was just translated in French called L'Espoir or in English "The Hope". What a wonderful tool for crusades since it starts at the Old Testament of the Bible and takes you right to the book of Acts. In 80 minutes it does a tremendous job giving the background to the coming of Jesus both in necessity because of sin and in typology. They will always have a living reference of the Word of God which the Spirit of God can bring recall to. We had great responses and participation from the viewers of the film. In five days 1212 came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and hundreds were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Many were healed; one with a broken leg, which was set while hands were laid on him. Another lady by the name of Elisabeth had given birth to a baby boy 6 years ago, she contracted an infection and became deaf and could not walk anymore, we prayed with her, her hearing began to improve and we walked with her as she gained more and more strength. She was a picture to behold as she raised her hand repeatedly saying. Hallelujah with the biggest smile on her face. She was married to a Muslim husband who did not come to the meetings, however we did get to pray for her six year old boy. It became obvious that sexual abuse was part of her life and we can only trust the Father to heal her there with His overwhelming love. As mentioned many came to the Lord before the meetings among them many children, who were so hungry for the Presence of God they would just line up around us to have hands laid on them to soak in the Presence of God and the anointing. At one stop to buy some things at the store, one young man came to me and started to talk to me in French, begging for some money, another man came over to tell me not to bother with him for he was not right in his mind. Since Jesus did not make such distinction, I could not either, he repeated the salvation prayer after me and when I laid hands on him for prayer, the anointing came on him so he was staggering.

Something changed in that young man, the people around him in the market place thanked us for praying for him, when we were ready to take of he tried to push himself in our vehicle to come along. There was also a deaf mute boy who was begging, he could not read or hear, but when we prayed for him the sweetest expression came on his face, we can only trust that Jesus completes the work that He so obviously began in that boy. In ministering with Nick Kinn on the street it was so interesting to see the change in people; as he began to talk to them they were critical and apprehensive, but in seconds the anointing would come on them and draw them in to salvation, even Muslims. Some Muslims beat their kids to keep them away from the movie, but the joy in some of the area was contageous and the children would return. In other area there was clear intimidation by the Muslims. One Pastor came to tell that since the meeting in his village the wives of Muslim husbands are sneaking off secretly to get prayer just because they heard the Word of God, his village is alive in joy. The team left last night, tonight I minister at a crusade, tomorrow I have a pastors conference and crusade at night. Sunday morning a service with Pastor Pegd Wendy and baptism following. Monday afternoon luggage goes to the airport to fly out Tuesday morning 4am. Thanks for all the your prayers, please keep it up!

The time at Pegd Wendy began with the crusade Saturday night which brought 60 people to the Lord, even though they did not come running up for fear of the Muslim community's retaliation. Pegd Wendy assured them that he would visit them and pray for them. Sunday morning began with pastor Moses coming over, he wanted prayer for more anointing, he brought a deaf man whose hearing the Lord greatly increased. After that it was baptism at the dam, 16 people were baptised and when we came back we started right away with the service. It was a packed house with christians, catholics and muslims, the Lord touched each one as we were ministering as under an open heaven with great freedom. Many came to visit the pastor even at night to ask questions. Monday we were able to connect with Ram Zongo who is working on the translation in mooreof the follow up material for after the crusades.

Blessings,
Jan