This past Friday, we left the town in Burkina that has been our home for the past four years to come here to the capital city, where we will fly out from. The days preceeding that were filled with visits from our friends wishing us farewell and lamenting the fact that we will be gone for almost a year. This was a very difficult time for everyone. I think the most difficult thing we did though was when we went down to the village of Savannah, and said our goodbyes there. Africans due not usually show emotion during these times, but there were many, including Andrew's older sister that were just outright crying. I thank the Lord that somehow, we have made an impression on people here. That through our witness, we have been able to show them the love of Jesus Christ. I pray that He will break the hearts of these stiff necked people, and that they would turn from their ways and follow Him.
I know that this is not about me or my family, but about the One who sent us here. We can do nothing without His power, His mercy, and His grace. I am just humbled that He has chosen to use us to bring His message to the Jula here in Burkina. And some Jula are responding. In fact just htis week, I heard from a co-worker of mine that lives in another city in Burkina that his teenage son led a young Jula man to the Lord! God is working.
In less 30 hours, we will board a plane that will take us to a city in North Africa, and then on to the US. We will make it back to Atlanta on the same day that we leave here. In some ways we are ready, but in many ways we are not. As I type this, Elaine is trying to recover from her latest run in with Malaria. There are times when I think about those that came before us in the days prior to air travel; when it took weeks and sometimes months to come back from their field of service. How did they do it?Next week at this time, we will be back in he land of plenty. I don't know if I am ready for that.
Please pray that our transition will be smooth. More later.
Stephen
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2 comments:
Sorry Elaine is feeling bad. Give her a hug from me. We've been praying for you all as you leave - no matter how much time you have.... it's not easy. You are not only planting the seeds of the Gospel, but also pieces of your heart. Love grows where the heart is sown - hence the tears from those you have invested in and loved. God has perfect timing and He knows what He intends to accomplish in your absence! How exciting - knowing that you will come back to where the Father has been hard at work plowing the fields for you! We love you all!
I will be speaking to first and second grade AWANA kids tonight. We will talk about your work and your trip home. We will be your prayer partners.
Love,
the Rooke family
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