She chose just to look in

It was like most every Sunday.

Temperature sitting proudly at 105 degrees.

The drums were playing in rhythm.

People were dancing and singing praises.

She chose just to look inside.

I caught the sunlight as it danced across her face.

Innocence captured for a moment in time.

Was it the music that called her to the window?

The car that sat is an area that seldom saw cars?

News that a missionary had come that day?

Most assuredly it was the call of the Master.

A kind, loving and calling God.

He had called her to the window that morning.

She chose just to look in.

He chose just to love her.

Little Man on the Bench

He sat on the bench most of the service not moving an inch. I think he was trying not to be noticed. With my camera in hand I slowly approached him. He did not stir as I clicked away trying to capture his innocence. Quiet as a mouse he sat not speaking or giving any facial expressions. What a picture of the wonder of a child. Thank you Little Man

Siberi's Heart

Ouagadougou June 10,2010

Siberiʼs Heart

It was a day like most days in Burkina Faso, the temperature had reached itʼs peak.

Quite possibly 103 degrees. In our room I had just gotten cleaned up, that is washing the sweat from my brow, when a knock at the door.

“Pastor Siberi is here sir.” the man said. I walked outside to greet our Assistant

Superintendent. He is an elderly man for Africa, most likely in his late 50ʼs. Thin around the belt with specks of grey in his hair. He greeted me in typical African style, first a

hand shake and then an embrace.

It was not clear why he had come to visit. I believe it was just to see where we were

staying. We talked about my vision for Burkina Faso and how the North American

churches had prayed on a map of Burkina Faso as we deputized. We talked about

beginning Bible school classes and I showed him pictures of our children and grandson

in the states.

It was a time of connecting our hearts together for one purpose. To see Burkina Faso,

West Africa bring in a great harvest of souls.

He carried a worn leather sack with him. At the time the contents were unknown. Maybe

it was full of important documents, possibly official church papers. In my case my bag

contains my laptop, a calculator, money, pass ports and such.

His worn hands reached down for the bag as I awaited to see the secrets it contained.

Within the worn leather sack contained several stacks of paper. More important than a

laptop, more important than official church papers, more important than pictures of

family and friends. Contained within the sack were invitations and teaching on salvation.

Some written in French and some written in Moore (more-ray) language. The bag must

have contained over 60 or so tracks that he had been given out.

This great pastor had one objective that day; to evangelize his city.

After an hour or so of us communicating in my broken French, he exclaimed that it was

time to go.

We finished our drink and I began to walk him to the gate. “Where was his moto

(motor- cycle)? Did he take a taxi here? I know he lives at least 4 miles from here.” I

asked myself. He walked to a bicycle that was most likely 20 years old. This pastor had

spent his day traveling to greet me and evangelizing his city along the way.

Emotions filled my thoughts; “Would I be able to evangelize my city with just a few

tracks in hand riding a bicycle, or would I find yet another excuse to live another day not

making a difference?”

This day I found the heart of a man, a man who is serving Christ while living the Great

Commission. Matt 28:19 He rode off on a bicycle. I was changed.

Were going back

Friends and Family,

It is with great joy that we have received the "OK" to return to West Africa. After meeting the Foreign Missions Board they have appointed us to Burkina Faso as Full Time Missionaries. Niger and Mali are both under our care.

Please pray for us as we travel the USA raising support. We will begin Jan. 2nd 2009 and have a schedule through August. Hopefully we will return to West Africa in Spring of 2010.

You can view our page at http://www.upci.org/ under the Foreign Missions Section / Missionary Search.

Ken and Gin

The Wall in Kuma Adamé

Walls have never been something that I would give a good recommendation to. Walls seperate, they divide and they simply and silently scream, "KEEP OUT"! Walls do have some benefits like keeping intruders out and the family dog in.

I recently traveled to a remote village near the town of Kpalimé. It is nestled in the mountains where the air is cooler and the villagers are true villagers. There was something inside of me that was needing to get alone for some time with God. So with a supply of water, and my backpack I headed to the village for 5 days of mental shutdown.

Being an avid hiker the feel of the mountains gives me the John Denver "Sunshine on my shoulders" kind of happiness. You know the kind of feeling that you get while hiking the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Memories of my good friend Brad Gilliland made me long for home. Brad and I hiked all over Rocky Mountain Natl Park a few years back. He is a good mountain buddy!

I treked all over the village mountain range discovering all types of people and food. In the pictures you will see a couple of school kids that I met on the path.

I could not help to think of the thousands of children in Uganda who ran on paths such as I walked hiding from the rebels who hunted them down during the bloody war a few years back.

Back to the wall, every afternoon and evening a knock would come to my door. It was the neighbors bringing me some lunch or dinner. The first night it came at 8 pm. There is no electricity in the village; so with a candle I was trying to make out what lurked in the pot. It appeared to be a corn mush and some ground nut sauce. To this day I do not know what meat dwelt in that dish. Possibly goat or bush rat.

Day 2 came and again another meal. This time some rice with red sauce, again undescribable meat.

Walls are desgined to keep thing out or to keep things in. My wall was different. Every night when the villagers would go to sleep I would sneak to the wall and shuck the food over into the African darkness.

You ask, "Did you eat any of it?" my answer, "Yes, I did."

Did I get sick? Well lets say I have spent the last 5 days drinking lots of water, and eating light. The bathroom has replaced the security of the wall.

So if you are ever in a village, do not drink the water, keep away from meat that is unrecongnizable and live within the confines of a wall.

Village verses City

A few months ago, I was able to visit a village school. WOW! I really did step back in time of what felt like 100 years. I do thank God for what they do have, but how my heart wanted to scream out for the children to have more. One thing I did notice was how happy the children were. There was lots of laughter and singing of songs pouring out of the cement blocks that had high ventilation holes towards the ceiling and a few windows. I would have to guess that there were at least 60 children pressed in together in a very hot room.



A few days ago, I found out that in our neighborhood, a very nice christian lady has opened a school in her home. It started out as just a daycare/preschool, but in the past four years it has grown from 9 students her first year to over 60 children. She I believe to be 5 teachers and a cook on staff.


She asked that I would pray for the Lord to give her a new establishment because she has out grown her home. She said her vision for this ministry was not as big as what God is making it out to be. Madam Seli is taking it one step at a time and trying to go slow to let the Lord lead.

She has secret she told me, that I want to pass onto you. She said that her secret is to teach these children all about Jesus. It is a private school and some parents pay a small amount and some don't.

If anybody who is reading this blog feels anything to help Seli and her endeavors, she gave me a small list of things she is in need of. I have a friend, Venita that is coming here June 14 to visit, and it maybe possible for her to bring some things. Email for further info, if interested. Most of all Madame Seli has asked for prayer.

Let me say this, from what I saw, I believe in what she is doing. Madame Seli is very educated and actually lived in Manhattan, KS for 3 years and worked in our American schools. She is trying to implement all that she learned but is so limited due to lack of resources and funds.





(first 2 photos of the village school, llast photo of Madame Seli and one of her classrooms)

Je suis très contente!

Je suis très contente! (I am very happy!)


Hello to all our great friends and family. May has proved to be full of lots of fun activities. Or maybe it is just that I am getting use to things here and I am much braver to venture out. Of course our French studies continue to take precedence over any activities we do. Everyday, French! Ken and I have finally come to the realization that this language absolutely has no absolutes. It’s as fluid as water and is just as hard to contain.


Today was girls shopping day. We were so excited when we saw a Macey’s and even a Banana Republic. I can’t really say that is was up to American standards, but hey, one can not be picky. Honestly, I have come to love the open-air markets rather than the stores. Jennifer has gotten very good and bartering. As for me, I’m still working on it.

Beach time is always a favorite. When I am missing home, I especially like to go to the beach and sit on the rocks with the waves crashing below might feet. I stare straight out only seeing the ocean-blue (Atlantic) with Africa behind me. It’s my time, just me and God, and He talks to me. I never leave there not feeling strengthened and comforted. Don’t take this wrong, I love Africa, I just equally miss my family and friends.


New friends are always a blessing. Danielle is a beautiful young lady from the Netherlands God has brought into our lives. She is such a delight to be around and is very anxious to learn more about Jesus. And she speaks English! Being able to communicate and teach her has been very timely a breath of fresh air.

There are days that are not all fun, but requires a bit of work. Jennifer and Erica (Erica is Jennifer’s friend that is visiting us from the states) helped Emma this day to separate the bad palm oil nuts from the good. Emma has become another family member. We all love her dearly.



I am sad to say that it is near the time for Jennifer to leave us. I am cherishing every moment I have with her. I am thankful that God has allowed her to be with us this year. My prayer is that it has forever changed her and has birthed the spirit of missions into her soul.