Surrounded By Gifts

Sharing the road with camels

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." Ruth Ann Schabacker.

 Our return to the village of Kimini after our extended stay in the States reminds me why we call this little village our African "home".  

After driving several hours  to arrive at this remote location, we were weary from travel but energized by the friendly smiles and warm greetings.

 Here are just a few of the many blessings that fill our days in Kimini.

The directress of the school mobilized the bigger girls to clean our little house as a welcome home gesture.

cleaning our house

Sweeping our porch

unwelcome visitor

Now if only they could sweep away those pesky scorpions! 

Morning flag ceremony at Kimini school.

Thanks to the generosity of the children and staff at Saint Thomas School in West Springfield, MA, our students proudly assemble each morning to raise the flag and sing their national anthem. In addition to this gift, each first grade now has a new reading book!

New first grade readers

Enjoying the new microscope donated by a dear friend !

Each of you is a blessing to us. Each of you is a gift!

LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED !

Ruth reading Amy's words at the funeral

It is with a heavy heart that we return to Burkina Faso, our beloved African home. Our scheduled return date was January 27.Then the horrific terrorist attack took the life of our friend and colleague, Mike Riddering on January 15 in Ouagadougou. We were able to change our flights and arrive in time to be with Amy and his family in Yako.

Laid to rest in Yako

Mike was passionate about everything he did. He lived his life to the fullest and was greatly loved. His funeral and burial was a real testament to the lives he touched for Christ and the impact he had on so many people. 

" I have fought the good fight,I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,which the Lord will award to me on that day-and not only to me,but also to all who have long for his appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7-8 

Crowds gather to say farewel

 Well done, Mike !

Woman to Woman

Many of us would like to make a difference in our world. One woman has stepped forward and made her dream a reality by committing herself to improve the lives of woman in Burkina Faso,West Africa.

Meet Dawn Malcolm, an amazing, compassionate self-giving woman who tirelessly shares her time, talent and treasure with our ladies in Kimini.

Dawn teaching the ladies

Recently she spent time teaching the woman how to use the shea butter they produce to make both bar and liquid soap which they can sell in the market to earn money to help support themselves and their families.

Adding oils

I have not witnessed such pure joy and enthusiasm among the woman in a very long time!

Finished product

Ruth makes a purchase

Curious shoppers

Dawn, thanks for the hope you continue to bring to these sweet ladies.

" Whatever you did to least of my people, you did for me." Mt. 25:40

Karité Nuts to Shea Butter

         

I am always in awe of the hard working Burkinabé women. Karité nuts used to make shea butter are abundant in our village of Kimini.Young children can be seen very early in the morning gathering the nuts during harvest season. 

That is just the beginning of the long, arduous process of producing the shea butter used in numerous beauty products worldwide. 

Boiling karité nuts

Roasting nuts in outdoor ovens

Grinding roasted nuts to extract the butter.

 

Butter is beaten by hand.

Testing  the consistency.

Women selling balls of shea butter for 5 francs which is about a penny a ball.

I never fail to be humbled by the strength and tenacity of these gentle women.