..__..~/\^/\~..__.. Feed My Sheep ..__..~/\^/\~..__.. By Esther Schaeffer in Burkina Faso, May 1, 2014 Peter said to Jesus, Lord, you know everything. You know I love you. Jesus said, Then feed my sheep. (John 21:17) Dear friends, I think I can honestly say that most of my time is spent feeding “sheep.” Today, we will feed some church leaders and visitors who would like to discuss projects that might help to relieve some of the challenges people face here. I don’t know the visitors so I have to think through the meal, what would be appreciated by all who will be around our table at lunchtime. With more frequent visitors, I already know what they like, who likes lemonade or a cold coke and who drinks coffee or tea. For example, the church president likes mango juice. When he joins us for a meal, I make sure we have that on hand. The Bible School director doesn’t feel he’s eaten unless he has had chicken. So that is always on the menu when he is invited. If a family is passing through, I make sure bread and corn are a part of the meal. Children on the road can be very tired and hungry, so we keep the meal simple and easy so that both parents and children can be relaxed. We also have to be ready to feed people on a moment’s notice. Pastors stop by who have traveled a long way without eating. When widows visit, it may mean they are hungry. So I try to keep quantities of rice and spaghetti on hand so we can either give or prepare something. A huge part of meal prep here is prayer! You cannot always find what you are looking for in local stores. Vegetables are seasonal. Meat can sometimes be hard to come by. Don’t ask me for a recipe, because I probably won’t remember what has been added as I mix this and that. Improvising is the name of the game. I think I walk by faith when I am cooking as much as when I am preparing and giving a Bible lesson. In John 21, Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. I imagine he was especially referring to spiritual food. Last week, when I shared some verses at Bobo’s military camp, I felt like I was feeding starving people. They wanted to know the Bible references so that they could write them down and look them up later. Yesterday, the tiny Koumbia Church, a building that would comfortably seat 70, was crammed with 300! After I had spoken for an hour-and-a-half, the pastor jumped up and said, “You aren’t finished already, are you? Rest for a few minutes and then teach us some more!” Feed my sheep. What a huge responsibility Jesus has entrusted to us! If we love Him, we won’t want any of His sheep to go hungry. Thank you for supporting our ministry here in Burkina Faso so that we can feed His sheep, both physically and spiritually. Gratefully, Esther & Andrew Schaeffer Video clip: Leguma in Burkina Faso youtu.be/UU4wEbPiHtQ ..__..~/\^/\~..__.. PRAYER & PRAISE: ..__..~/\^/\~..__.. 1. This Saturday I will speak at the Gnamadougou Church. Later this month I will give a nutrition seminar for young mothers. May 23-25 Andrew will present a seminar for the Doumbala District pastors. Pray for us as we feed Burkina’s “sheep”. 2. Last Saturday 28 students graduated from Poundou Bible and Agricultural School, a near record. We praise the Lord for more workers who will be able to help feed Burkina’s “sheep”! Pray for them and for the 12 students who will graduate from Maranatha Bible Institute on May 10. 3. Rebekah and Esther Putman plan to visit and help with English classes later this month. Pray for safe travels, good health and fruitful ministry. 4. After more than 60 years of combined service in Burkina Faso, Peggy Drake and Jetty Stouten depart for retirement May 17. Nearly every Bobo Team member will be coming or going during the next few months. Pray for smooth transitions. ..__..~/\^/\~..__.. CONTACT INFORMATION: ..__..~/\^/\~..__.. Andrew & Esther Schaeffer Mission Protestante C&MA B.P. 3050; Bobo Dioulasso Burkina Faso, West Africa Email: aeschaeffer@gmail Website: boboteam.weebly Andrew’s cell: 226-7451-5266 Esther’s cell: 226-7451-5267 Donate: We are supported thanks to your giving to the Great Commission Fund at your local C&MA church. If you would like to help with ministry projects, mark your gift “Andrew Schaeffer work special.” These donations should be sent to: C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs CO 80935-3500. You can also donate online at cmalliance.org
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 22:39:20 +0000