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