Smiles in Kimini

“ I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for you.” Phil.1: 3-4

There are many smiles in Kimini because of the generosity of numerous friends at home and abroad. We only wish you could be present to share in the happiness your gifts have brought in this small village.

It is commonplace to see shoeless children running over sandy rock-laden paths on their way to school each morning. However, thanks to your caring, youngsters now sport new flip-flops. Even children too young to attend school gaze down at their awesome new footwear. This gives a new meaning to “Happy Feet”!

What little girl does not love putting on a new dress? Giggles filled the air on a recent morning when pillowcase dresses were distributed. Immediately, they turned to each other delighting in the designs and hues of their new “digs”.  Little boys were not left out either. Colorful shorts made the eyes of even serious boys twinkle.  No one could refrain from laughter when a 3 -year boy was handed a pair of shorts and quickly disrobed on the spot.  Pulling on his new Sponge Bob Square Pants shorts he began dancing in perfect African form.

 Word travels quickly in a small village. In no time at all women with babies tied to their backs appeared at our door. We had the privilege of handing out baby clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, caps and pens.

All this is a result of your generosity. Never underestimate the joy your gifts bring!

Root Canal and French Lessons

A frequently asked question is, "What are you doing while in Burkina Faso?'  One answer that leaps to the top of the list is, "We wait!" Waiting seems like a very passive thing requiring no energy or personal  input. Yet, I have discovered that to be far from the truth. We are wired to do, to be active, to produce. We want to see results.We desire outcomes. Some things that have speedy results at home are far from quick here. The myriad of ways we wait only increases with the amount of time I spend here and become more aware of life in this culture.

So the question becomes, " What do I do while I wait?" Having a root canal seemed like a profitable use of my time since the need presented itself shortly after my first month in Burkina Faso. No dental care is available in Kimini so that had to be put on hold until our return to the city. Some friends at home displayed some reservation about having that procedure done in Africa. Is the doctor qualified? Does the practice provide a safe, sterile environment ? The answer to all of this is , yes. My consultation visit assured me that I was in good hands. Stepping through the doors of the dental clinic, it is easy to forget you are in Africa. The office is clean, inviting and professional. Two very long appointments later, the impression was ready to be mailed to France where the permanent crown would be made.
And what did Ruth do during those lengthy appointments? You guessed it. She waited!
 France! It made me smile to think that I would soon be the owner of a" French crown!" Now if only that could in some manner help in my pursuit to become a French speaker.



The time in Ouagadougou has also allowed me to engage a tutor to learn French. Three days a week the tutor comes to our house to put me through the paces. Speaking French exclusively for 90 minutes is taxing. I am exhausted at the end of class but am encouraged to struggle onward when I realize my comprehension has increased. Sitting on the other side of the desk gives me renewed appreciation for the role of student!





Waiting can be thought of as an unproductive time or it came become an opportunity. It is all a matter of attitude.

Christmas on Another Continent

   Distance can be measured in so many ways. We can think of the kilometers that separate us from home, family and friends and I have done that. It is 9,562.93 kilometers from the United States to Burkina Faso!

   It can be measured in the customs and traditions of Christmases past. Baking cookies wrapping presents,trimming a tree, setting up a nativity scene, sharing a festive meal, singing carols and worshipping all come to mind.

Rather than dwell on what separates me this year, I choose to focus on what binds us together. I hold my family and friends at home close to my heart as I draw together with my new family in Burkina Faso. Some customs can be recreated in a new ways, traditions can be born.

 Yet the one thing that  is constant is the reason for the celebration. Christ has come into the world.
No number of kilometers can separate us from that love.

Day of Thanks

This is the day Americans gather with family and friends to reflect on the blessings of the past year and to give thanks. Today I experienced a unique Thanksgiving.

Our celebration was held in Bobo where Andrew and Esther opened their home to more than fifty people of various backgrounds and cultures. Some from Finland, Switzerland, America and Africa, all ministering here in Africa. Different people, different works yet a single goal, serving the spiritual and physical needs of the People of God in Burkina Faso.





We sang.We prayed and we feasted on turkey , stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the traditional foods of the holiday.

The main reason for the day, however, was to give thanks. And I have so much to be grateful for this year....my family, my friends, my community of sisters , donors back home , new friends in Africa and my teammate Ruth who daily provides encouragement and support.

Every day is a day to give thanks!

Bon Appetite !

Sometimes baking a cake Kimini-style takes a little tweaking of a recipe and a lot of creativity. Ruth had all it took to put the two together and satisfy our sweet tooth.

The steps go something like this :

First, eat a large can of sardines and save the can. This is very important. It becomes the cake pan.

Next, substitute missing ingredients for your banana cake and cross your fingers.

Fill the bottom of a small roasting pan with sand from outside your door.  Place an empty tomato paste can in the center of the sand.

After that, you are ready to add the cake to your Dutch oven. Cover and cook on low heat on your little camping-type gas stove. Don't leave the room ! Your cake will be done in no time ! Slice and enjoy!

Voila !

Kimini Clips

The morning of November 7th was not like any other day for me. At last, the time had come to pack the van and begin our journey to Kimini. Frequently, on our four hour trip to Bobo, the first leg of the seven  hour trip from Ouagadougou to Kimini, Ruth and I would take turns saying, "I can't believe this is finally happening."Psalm 118:24 sang within my heart,"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."And every day since then, I continue to be thankful for the wonders and new experiences that are mine each day. Although daily challenges exist , they are far outweighed by the blessings we are granted.

Our first stop after arriving in Kimini was to greet the chief who warmly welcomed us to his village. Soon we were surrounded by curious children who stood at a distance but soon sat at our feet sharing a song.

As daylight faded away,we unpacked and settled into our new home, which for now is an unused classroom, where we sleep on cots and cook on a small gas stove.We have gotten very creative in our cooking. I never knew Slim Jims could be used in SO many ways! Bedtime comes early when there is no electricity. It took me a few nights to get used to the sounds of critters sharing our abode. The flutter of bats flying overhead was a bit unnerving at first and I would pull the covers over my head. I guess you can get used to almost anything. 

Babou, a delegate of the chief and president of  the village development commission, has been instrumental in our transition to village life. His daily visits and concern for our well being are very reassuring.

Awa, a young woman from the village, stops by each day to check on us and brings us water from the nearby well.There are two wells in the village. To meet the water needs of a village you need one well for every five hundred people. The population of Kimini is about 4, 000.We are praying that in the future more wells can be drilled to meet these basic needs.

Awa has also taken on the role of language tutor. Jula, the language spoken in Kimini, is 

not for the faint of heart. A recent"field trip"to the local Shoppette provided a long list of new vocabulary words for us to learn. I am impatient to learn to communicate but realize this is no small task.

As Thanksgiving approaches this year, I do not want for things for which I am grateful. 

Amazing Day of Celebration

What an amazing day this was in Yako! Today October 31, was the day of transfer of directorship of the Sheltering Wings Yako Project from Ruth Cox to Mike Riddering. Preparations began early this morning  with women readied food for this special "fete" .  Cucumbers , tomatoes and peppers were peeled and cut by women sitting in circles enjoying commoradory.Our house was filled with the wonderful aroma of beef and vegetable brochettes (shish kabobs ) cooking in our oven. Young men and the older boys undertook the task of killing , plucking and preparing the chickens for the feast. It was obvious that this was not their first time doing this. 

Around  two thirty , dignitaries, local officials and other invited guests  dressed in their African finery began to arrive .  Festive music played over loud speakers welcoming all to this important gathering.

 Babies were bathed and dressed in their best outfits. Even these little ones sensed that this was no ordinary day. Tantes ( baby care takers ) , teachers , staff and children took their places under the tent erected to shield everyone from the African sun. While under an adjacent tent , guests  greeted each other with the usual African hospitality and warmth.

 

Soon the master of ceremonies commenced the program by stating the significance of this ceremony. Ruth Cox shared a heartfelt speech , delivered in French , in which she outlined the growth that has taken place here at SW since its inception in 2000. Orphans were given a loving home, education was provided  with the addition of both a primary and secondary school  which continue to expand to meet the growing need. A medical clinic was constructed to serve the orphans living at SW as well as sponsored  children and adults living in the local community.Ruth assured everyone that while she would be leaving Yako to pursue her dream of constructing a new project in Kimini, a remote village in the south , she will not be leaving Burkina Faso.

Mike Riddering , Ruth's successor, then spoke of the projects undertaken since he and his wife, Amy arrived in Yako two years ago. The Lord continues to work through them to bring new projects forward to enrich the lives of the children of Yako.

Presentations were made, prayers of blessing were shared , and children sang in celebration. The festivities concluded in the newly constructed dining hall where food and fellowship were shared.

It was a privilege to be present at this amazing day of celebration!