A missionary’s first Impressions of Burkina Faso

Crowded vehicles...

..litter strewn streets, warm welcomes...

...beautiful countryside insect-invaded house...

... poverty...

demon-possessed people one bound in chains...

...bustling, colourful markets

...refreshing rains...

pot-bellied, smiling kids...

death...

funerals....

bumpy roads

...tough meat...

poor quality vegetables early mornings...

...early nights...

....siestas....

crowds staring at Katie...

... excited kids running up

African nights ...

noise

...drumming

...voices...

thunder storms

....dusty streets lively singing at church ...

... non-communication cold showers ...

brrrrrr!

dead snake ...pheww!

Baguettes...

...5a.m. mosque call....

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, with a population of over 14 million. The country gained political independence from France in 1960 and French is still the official language, although it is spoken by only 10% of the population. 

There are around 80 people groups, each with their own language. 

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world:

80% of the population depend on subsistence farming but drought, desertification, soil degradation and deforestation are persistent problems and often lead to famine!

Over population is a potential threat.

Only 14% of the population are literate.

Employment prospects are bleak, even for the educated.

 

The religious composition of the country is approximately:         

52%     Muslim

28%     Traditional

19%     Christian

1%       Other

New converts to Islam are rising in nearly every ethnic group in the country yet few groups are committed to ministering and serving Muslims.

There are 29 unreached people groups in the country,(i.e. those who do not have access to the gospel), 18 of them are Muslim. 

Only 2 groups have the whole Bible translated into their own indigenous language.

Mission Africa (QIF) first started work in Burkina Faso in 1930 when a missionary couple commenced church planting among the Lobi people. The Evangelical Protestant Church (EPE) of Burkina Faso traces its beginnings to this period.  After seven years Mission Africa handed over the fledgling work to WEC International.   

In 1994 Mission Africa resumed work in Burkina Faso, in partnership with the EPE and WEC, amongst a largely unreached people group in the South West of the country.

A Mission Africa missionary family came to minister to that unreached group in 1996.  Since then that same community have been open to the gospel and many have turned from idol worship to faith in Christ.

In a comparatively short time great progress has been made and we feel that God is encouraging us to develop our work amongst this unreached group and possibly expand into neighbouring people groups within Burkina Faso.