Happy New Year

Happy New Year.

I think 2012 is the year that some people are claiming as the end of the world.  I also think that it’s the year that many Christians aren’t expecting the end of the world – and they poke fun at the false prophecies.  I think God is not constrained to the Mayan calendar, nonetheless, it is another year that we, as Christians, need to keep our wicks trimmed and our candles burning for Jesus’ return.

Thank you all for your support and prayers for me and my involvement here.  PLEASE STOP SENDING MONEY.  You have overwhelmed me with gifts, and I have more than enough funds for my time here in Mahadaga.  But please keep the people here in your prayers.

Speaking of which, please pray for Bouba.  Bouba is an integral part of the well drilling team, and a friend.  Tonight (31 Dec 2011), while he was milking the cows, a cow caught him in the eye with its horn.  We went to the CSPS (hospital across the street) tonight – and Mambagauli (the head nurse) left his News Years Eve party to take a look.  He says Bouba’s eye will heal just fine, and that he’s very lucky.  Praise God.  Please pray that he heals well.

Speaking of Bouba… he is from the Fulani tribe, which is the minority tribe here (compared to the Gourma).  Typically Fulani are Muslim.  I have heard that Christian Fulani’s are made fun of and ostracized from the rest.  Bouba’s mom is Christian, and Bouba is also.  However Bouba has avoided the Fulani church (I think to avoid getting ragged on).  However, he had been coming to the Gourma church that’s near the Missions Station (the church that I typically attend).  He understands some of what’s said, but not everything at these services.  This past month he invited me to the Fulani church.  Perhaps going along with me gave him the courage that he wanted to deal with the social implications – I’m not sure.  In any case, I am so pleased that he’s going to a Fulani church – a place where he can completely understand the preaching.  I may begin attending there more often because the man sitting next to me spoke French and translated the sermon to me in a very simple way.

Regarding the work…

Things are good.  We just finished digging Diada’s bore hole.  It doesn’t have the greatest reflow rate due to the clay ridden soil, but it’s 2.5 meters deeper than their ring well, which is nearly out of water now.  Over the past month and a half we’ve designed and fabricated more tooling:  a taller tripod (4.5m), a spiral auger bit (for clay), a new extension rod set (with the help of the Messiah College Collaboratory – thanks guys), and the well-drilling donkey cart of the millennium, among other smaller improvements.  I’m hoping to hit the ground running in January at a well in Logobou, however, the logistics will pose a new challenge; Logobou is probably about 15km away, and the team members don’t have bikes or motorbikes.

I still haven’t identified someone that is devoted to taking over the well drilling when I leave, but there certainly is a lot of hype.  For example, three people today asked for a well:  the guy who I hired to put the corrugated sheet metal on the roof of the new building here, and both (separately) of the nurses that I spoke to tonight while with Bouba.

May God bless you with the vision to see His blessings of this past year, and may He bless the world through you even more this year.

Oh, I’ll end on a weird thought – the people here have not been on a calendar like ours very long.  It’s only been in the last 10 years or so that they’ve begun celebrating the birth of Jesus on Dec 25, and the beginning of a new year on Jan 1.  It certainly hasn’t been much time to develop traditions.

Brendon

December - Praise God

Hi everyone.  Give Thanks!  Praise God! (same thing?).  I am so grateful for my time here.  Thank you for supporting and praying for me.

Matt Walsh (the long term missionary that I’ve been somewhat shadowing) has just left (Dec 4) for a 7 or 8 month “home assignment”.  Please pray for him and his family as they make the trek, and as they change pace in America again.  I think its been 3 or so years for them.

His leaving means my inauguration into a web of responsibilities.  Here’s the abbreviated list… I’ll be overseeing (as a consultant) the management of the “Survival Garden” project (mostly time management and managing finances).  Of course, I will continue to lead a team hand drilling wells and installing pumps (as well as designing the tooling and pump superstructures) – this will be my main focus, at least for now.  Besides general maintenance, the Missionary Station will be undergoing some repairs and additions that I’ll be heavily involved in (new buildings, electrical work, plumbing, etc.).  Soon we hope to implement (in full working order) a new water distribution system for the community.  In addition, there are other marginal projects to work on:  setting up a wind anemometer, organizing work on the rice fields, continuing composting work on the Station (our team makes it in bulk and we sell it), overseeing the model garden implementing “Foundations for Farming” (you can look it up on the internet), sourcing and selling solar panels, working on bio-diesel, organizing the ongoing construction of the new church building, etc.

This plethora of possibilities makes it an exciting place to work (if you want to come help – let me know!).  I’m overwhelmed, but I’m not stressed – and I can Praise God for that.  I can also Praise God for the work that this produces for others in the area who are happy to have it (those we employ directly, the subsequent masons, welders, painters, etc.).

As I get involved in this other work, I find myself engaging more with different community members and I have been learning and using more French – yay (Praise God).

Of all the things I could Praise God for, I Praise God for including me in His Kingdom, now and the promise for the perfect solution to our brokenness.  Hmm… I think it’s helpful to break down that word:  “brokenness”.  Maybe that’s the feeling we have when we’re lonely and depressed.  Maybe that’s the sense that the world isn’t right when a loved one is incapacitated by illness or even dies.  Maybe that’s the guilt of inadequacy that we feel when we consider what God really wants/expects of us.  Praise God… why?  He doesn’t destroy this once perfect creation because he loves us, because even though we’re broken, he still wants to fix us, and he still gives us a chance through Christ’s death and resurrection.  That’s a great thing to Praise God for, and in the mean time, I suppose we can empathize and help one another, and of course encourage one another with God’s good promises.

Here’s what I did today (for those who like details)…

I woke up at 5:45 AM.  I prepared breakfast (pancakes, but I didn’t have enough baking powder which resulted in some gooey pancakes, I also had a banana and a guava).  I read Scripture (II Sam 20 where Sheba rebels against David… I never before realized that David sinned time and time again by failing to bring justice/punishment where it was due – at first glance it just seemed to me like he was merciful, but my Bible notes say it was disobedience to God.  It says David gave mercy before repentance which was the problem.)  I checked some e-mails and headed out the door for work.  I met the team and we went to work at Diada’s garden.  Work has been slow there due to clay.  We tried a new technique today (pumping water from the base), but it didn’t prove terribly useful.  The team returned to “bailing” while I went to Diada’s shop to work on a new tool – a helix auger for the stubborn clay.  We made the tool that you see in one of the pictures below (the guy welding).  For lunch I heated up some leftovers that the Kombari family gave me (rice and beans), as well as some yogurt that I made simply by setting out whole milk all night (it was pasteurized first).  I helped Djibo (the head guard) repair a door, and changed the oil for the Station generator (which we use when there’s a problem with the water distribution).  I made dinner (pasta, canned brussel sprouts, and a can of tuna).  Soon after Diamuadi came to visit – we talked mostly about the upcoming work.  I love that Diamuadi always asks to pray after a meeting and before work.  I was walking outside when I happened upon a guard from across the street, who wanted to talk about whatever.  We chatted for about 30 minutes about whatever – which was great because we were able to communicate about whatever – in French!  Praise God.  I came back and sent a few more e-mails to my cohorts (Joseph and Tony) in the States who help me with some of the well/pump design considerations.  And now I’m writing this to you.

God bless!

Brendon

November - Hot and Sunny

Welcome to November.  If you’re wondering what the forecast is:  “hot and sunny”.  It will be like until toward the end of May when the rainy season begins again.  It gets up to about 105 these days, but in March it can get up to 115 (so I hear).

One of the values that I intend to work toward is “empowerment”.  I hope to leave here with more than just a pile of crossed-off check lists.  I hope to leave behind a team people who are each encouraged.  To break it down further:  I hope that they will have gained a sense of pride in their work and in the product, a sense of ownership in their responsibilities, and an understanding of the organic (inter-dependent and growing) relationship between their work and their vocation (God’s calling) – or more simply, purpose.

Bouba is a young man (probably 20ish) of the Fulani tribe, who works with me.  Bouba is a Christian.  We attend the same church – he doesn’t attend the Fulani church because the Fulani tribe is mostly Islamic and they frequently give grief to the Christian Fulani’s.  By attending the French/Gourma church that I go to, he avoids some of the grief – at least on Sunday afternoon.  Before this job, he was working as a shepherd for Djibo – who is our head guard at the Mission’s station.  In fact he still continues to shepherd in the evenings – he often sleeps up on the cliffs with the cattle.  Bouba hasn’t attended too much schooling and so he only knows French from picking it up here and there, so our conversations are limited, although I am amazed at how well he can understand my hand motions and my broken French.  He is prompt, reliable, works hard, recognizes problems before they arise, is careful with the equipment, is humble and yet has the ability delegate.  During the two to three years, we (the Mission) will be undertaking the installation of scores of “survival gardens”.  Drilling boreholes is just one task required for developing these gardens.  As you might imagine, there is a market for boreholes here – and the team is developing the skill set (and the tools) to meet the need.  This is potentially an excellent opportunity for empowerment beyond a simple checklist of to-do’s.  I don’t claim to know Bouba’s desires or God’s intentions, but I pray that God will guide us both.  This next week, I will be attending an SIM conference in Fada (Thursday – Sunday).  This will give Bouba an opportunity to work without me.  Please pray for Bouba during this time.  (Yes, there are others, but you wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed with specific stories and prayer requests – would you?

But how is the work going?  I will give a few highlights...

-          Hand-drilling bore holes:  We have dug only two boreholes since I’ve been here.  However, we have improved our tools set and our efficiency.  The last borehole took 4 days to reach our depth (10m).

-          Pumping:  The pumps that we are using are relatively expensive, but robust.  We purchase them from the capital, and I think there is room for improvement.  Most of the progress has been made on the pump superstructure (the support structure above ground).  We’ve designed and fabricated a test pump superstructure which works great:  it’s smooth, seemingly robust and simple.  A 5 year old child can operate it without difficulty.  Diada (a local welder who is closely connected with the mission) is learning to fabricate these pump superstructures.

-          Biogas:  This is a technology where animal dung and water is mixed to make a gaseous fuel – like propane, for cooking and other uses.  I am about to setup a trial run for a two barrel biogas system.  If proven effective here at the station, I would like to work closely with a willing nearby family to implement another – perhaps the Combari’s (with whom I lived for a month).

-          The survival gardens themselves:  We’ve worked with 6 families to setup a garden for each.  They have varying levels of commitment and ownership in the gardens.  The installation team frequently visits the families to provide encouragement, and helping them to understand the techniques and the benefits, as well as physically assisting with the work.  In December we will begin 18 more gardens.  This is a lot to manage for our team who is used to 6.  Please pray for this transition.

-          Rhino:  No this is not an animal.  This is a vehicle – it’s an offroad golf cart of sorts.  It’s been broken down.  I’ve tried, but I haven’t fixed it.  I’ve changed the gas (it had old gas), changed the fuel pump, cleaned the carburetors (about 6 times), adjusted the carb settings, bypassed the fuel filters, elevated the fuel tank (without the fuel pump), removed the exhaust, checked the tappet clearances, cleaned the spark plug and checked the spark plug gap.  But still, it isn’t working right.  It’ll idle forever, but it’ll only run at speed for about 4 minutes until it stalls.  It won’t start unless it sits for awhile – the longer it sits, the longer it’ll drive without stalling again.  If you’ve got any ideas – I’m all ears (my e-mail is b_earl_85@yahoo.com).

I have been reading from I Samuel – and I think it’s about remembering that God is King.  God gives us a lot of power in this world.  God also gives us a guide (Scripture, the Holy Spirit, the Church) for how to use that power for His purposes.  We need to remember to die daily to ourselves and to give God glory by following his lead (by prayer and obedience).  Man alive – if that’s not something that I’ve heard all of my life…  Much encouragement in your walk.

Movin' Out (Oct 4)

I just moved out of the Combari houehold this past Saturday and onto the missions station.  I already miss the outside bucket baths (not sarcasm).  My last night there, the family and I read scripture, sang hymns, prayed for each other, and thanked each other for the time together.  The scripture verse that I shared was from Mat. 25 - (sorry this is my translation off the top of my head - feel free to correct me if I make a mistake) the one where Jesus calls everyone together and says to some people - I know you because when I was hungry you fed me, and when I was thirsty you gave me something to drink, and when I was naked you clothed me, and when I was sick you comforted me, and you visited me in prison too, and you did a number of other kind things for me in my time of need.  Well, if I came to Burkina Faso to "be Jesus" to people here, I think I've "been Jesus" to the Combari family - but as you see - it was because of MY need, not theirs - which turns the table quite a bit.  I hope that thought isn't bad theology - if it is, please correct me.  In any case, I am very grateful to the Combari family (for a month, they fed me every meal, they carried the water from the well, Daniel gave up his bed for me and stayed on a cot, they bought me flip flops - apparently mine from Zimbabwe aren't kosher here, and showed me the ropes so to speak.

So here's a transition...
I have been learning to ride that little 125cc Sanli Motorcycle.  Its a bit scary sometimes trying to navigate through the village when the roads aren't paved and have sections of very loose fine sand (like the beach).  Sometimes herds of cattle (with horns) and goats are being shepherded down the street.  In addition, I find myself frequently carrying large loads and another passenger.  I've carried 5.5m PVC meter tubes on my head while a friend drove my bike - that was interesting driving through the bush.  I still feel like a little bit of a fool on the bike, but I'm getting there.  I feel like a fool with most things that I do here, but that's okay.

Good night.
Thanks for your prayers.

Brendon

A challenging thought (challenging for me anyway) - why is pity my foremost emotion when I see naked children with enlarged stomachs. I don't feel the need to care for the child like a mother or father would (perhaps the word is compassion).  I don't feel anger.  I don't cry with overwhelming sadness.  However, in my mind I think God would do these things.  Moreover, I think my second emotion is embarrassment... I'm not sure why, but perhaps its because I feel like God sees an injustice and... I feel shame.
(My dad sent me a recent sermon about God's judgment - His judgment is hard, but it is good for us to learn from it.)

Nearly a month... (Sept 18)

Hi everyone!  Sorry for the delay in my first blog from Burkina.  Matt Walsh (one of the long term missionaries here) just received a working modem and was able to install it today.

I arrived in the capital city of Ouagadougou and was met by Dale Johnson (another long term missionary here).  After spending a couple of days there, we (the Johnson's and I) drove to Mahadaga (a rural village about 7 or so hours away).  We had the benefit of also seeing a good friend, Lindsay Reilly, who took some time out of her schedule to spend some time with us both in Ouaga and in Mahadaga.

For the most part, I have been living with a local family here, I forget their last name right now.  I stay in a small house with Daniel (21) and David (18) (brothers).  Malata (28 maybe?), their sister, also comes over frequently.  She cooks most of the meals for us - which is great.  Tonight we had "toh" with some sauce, a veggie mix, and some corn. I don't know how to spell "toh", but it's a gelatinous goop of different grains, usually including millet (I think).  The portions are so big that I usually have a hard time finishing them, and they want me to eat more.  The food isn't terribly energy rich, so you've got to eat a lot to make up for it.

For now, I typically spend my mornings doing some kind of work, and my afternoons doing language training and reading.

"Work" has included:

...cutting and gathering weeds for compost material (which appears to be a new idea in this area)

...organizing a workshop (and a supply house) - which is about 60-70% completed (I think my brother, Josh, might give me a thumbs up for the shadow board that I setup)

...assisting in planting and setting up a few "survival gardens" - which consists of a 25m x 25m plot of land with fruit trees and veggies, these gardens also include a well, a pump, a latrine, and other non-gardening stuff like mosquito nets for the family, a more efficient stove, training on composting, training on micro-enterprise with small animals, and the list goes on.  The family is involved in paying for much of it - though the family can take a no-interest loan for much of it.

Just recently I think Matt Walsh and I have come to a better understanding of my responsibilities here.  As I understand it, I will be overseeing the management of the "survival gardens".  I'm not planning to manage them myself, but we intend to identify a local person to manage them, but I will help assist where necessary (budgets, schedules, reports, driving, etc.).  I expect to soon be focusing much of my time on developing a method to dig wells and install pumps (thanks, Tony, for the book!  Matt read it and it was just the right thing at the right time).  I have some other marginal responsibilities, but if I have time, I would love to consider some other things - like bio-gas.  I think it would be great here as wood is in short supply, and it has the added bi-product of excellent fertilizer (let alone the fact that it can work in concert with a latrine).

I have also been spending some time in the evenings connecting with Daniel, David, and Malata.  They have asked me to teach them how to develop business models and they'd like to learn about economics.  Specifically, Malata asked me about setting up a bread making business, and currently Daniel is interested in a welding business.  I know I'm not the best person for teaching these things, so I pray for God's wisdom here too.  In addition we've had the opportunity to study the Bible together.  We began last Thursday studying from a cloth that shows scenes of the Chronological Story of the Bible (I received this while in Charlotte, NC at SIM USA).  We studied about the spirit world and places in scripture that offer insight into God, angles, Satan, and his demons.  After a 3 hour discussion, Daniel asked if we could do this every Thursday.  Great!

Oh, as far as my "readings" - I have read "The Hole in Our Gospel", and "The Great Omission".  These are two excellent books that provide a well balanced health check and prescription for the Church's purpose.
I am reading another book now called "Small is Beautiful".  I don't recommend this book as strongly, in fact, I think I disagree with a lot of it's arguments so far, but we'll see.

Thanks again for all of your e-mails, and prayers, and help.  May God bless you!
Brendon

Oh, perhaps one challenging question... Christ commanded his disciples to go make disciples.  Does that apply to the Church as a whole, or does it apply to each member of the Church?  Consider the verse "If you love me, you will obey my commands".

"Are you ready?"

As the time for my departure date draws near, many have been asking "Are you ready?"

In short, no.
I am mostly packed.  But I still have a list of "to-do's" before I leave.  I am sure that many of them will not be completed, but it's not from lack of help from my friends and family.
Many of you have helped me pack, offered a place to store my belongings, cleaned my house, fed me, engaged in discussion about life in Burkina, taught me skills & techniques that I may need, prayed for me and with me, supported me financially, etc. etc.
My friends & family have been so good to me.  Thank you all so much!
Yet, there is more to study (French, appropriate technologies, agriculture, and the list goes on); there is more to organize; there is more to pray for; there are more skills to develop; and the list goes on.  Here's a question (it's not rhetorical - feel free to respond):  Does the Lord our God want us to serve Him with willing hands - whether we're ready or not?

Many have asked about my finances.  I have been overwhelmed with the support that you all have given.  I plan to give an update in about a month when I get another report, but I think about 3/4ths of the total cost has been given or promised.  May I give you a big "e-hug" to thank you for your sacrifices!


In about a year, I will be preparing to come back to the States.  I anticipate that I will have a similar answer to the question "are you ready?" - that is, "no".  I anticipate that there will be much "undone".  But I do appreciate your prayers, and ask for your trust that the Lord's purposes would be fulfilled.

FYI - here's my schedule:
now - Aug 17:  NJ with family
Aug 17-20:  in NC for SIM orientation
Aug 20-23:  in NJ with family
Aug 23:  I leave for Burkina Faso - Au revoir.

A Letter to my Friends & Family, further details...

Hello Friends & Family,

Through prayer, I have decided to resign from my job at Manitowoc Cranes in Shady Grove, PA, to spend a year working with a community in Mahadaga, Burkina Faso (a small rural village in West Africa).

God seems to give special attention to the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)

In Mahadaga there are two main tribes:  the Fulani and the Gourma.  Although God has always been involved in their lives, the message of the gospel first came to them decades ago through missionaries who cared for their health by establishing a clinic and a handicap center.  Today the clinic and handicap center have grown to supply aid to thousands in the surrounding area.  Moreover, the news of Jesus Christ’s kingship continues to spread.

SIM (http://www.sim.org/) is sponsoring me to go to Mahadaga.  I plan to work alongside the local community on agricultural improvements as well as further establish the infrastructure of the area (i.e. install a water distribution system, drill wells, install pumps & filters, etc).  “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Pr. 16:9)  I mention this verse because, although these are my plans, the Lord may choose to use me in other ways.

I am planning to leave for Burkina Faso in just a short while – toward the end of August (2011).  SIM has requested that I raise roughly $18,000 to pay for travel costs, housing costs, and other living expenses.  They have asked that I raise $10,000 by the end of July.

Please pray for the people of Burkina Faso, and for me.  I will commit to praying for you.  May our motivations and our thoughts be directed by His Holy Spirit in all we do.

I will aim to keep this blog updated with comments and pictures. 

Thank you & God bless,

Brendon Earl

Initial Comment

I'm planning to go to Mahadaga, Burkina Faso for a year starting toward the end of August!