November 25


We were able to sleep in today, and we each spent the morning doing various tasks. Braeden, Terry and I went to the restaurant by the ISO pool for lunch and had a burger, fries and a coke - a taste of home. When we got back we were greeted by Malcolm and Jenny, two missionaries from Australia that work on the compound. The team was presented with gifts, on behalf of all the parents and kids at the Spiritual Life Conference the previous weekend, to say thanks and in appreciation for the kids program for the three days. Their two daughters, Erinn and Alicia, were delighted to be able to present the gifts to the team. The gifts were beautifully woven wire hearts and stars. The gifts and the gesture was greatly appreciated by the team.
 

The team with Malcolm, Alicia and Erinn

Braeden, Deb, Terry and I went for one final visit to the artisan market to pick up a few more gifts. We were quite tired by the time we were done.

We went to David and Marianne's for supper where we had BBQ pizza - very good and fun to make. Then we had a team debriefing meeting to discuss all aspects of our trip and the work that had been accomplished. Each of the team members spoke of their different perspectives and highlighted experiences from the last three weeks.

November 24


We drove about an hour out of town to visit Clark Lundgren's farm. He is originally from Vancouver and has been living here since 1954. He is a very intelligent man and talked about how Burkina has doubled its population every 20 years and shared some of the challenges about how Burkina will support itself in times of famine as a result of drought, especially as the population continues to grow. He has participated in many great ideas on wildlife farming and conservation and how to help the local people to develop farming businesses to support their families. We toured his farm and saw assorted wildlife including snakes, wart hogs, monkeys, antelope and an ostrich.

Clark Lundgren

Wart hog

Reg wearing a snake

Deborah joined us for the trip to Mahadaga and the tour at Clark's farm. She is on a short term mission from Switzerland. We really enjoyed getting to know her.

Deborah wearing a snake

The team with David, Marianne and Deborah

Baobob tree near the farm

Huge trunk

When we came back we were blessed with a lunch from Daniel and his wife. Daniels works with David at the SIM office, is a pastor and also a personal friend to David. It was very kind of them to take the time to provide us lunch.

Daniel, his wife and David

Later I did a couple more haircuts for some of the ladies at the compound. Then we went back to the outdoor market to pick up the African drums that members of the team ordered the week before. We practiced our bartering skills and purchased a couple more items. Braeden has become our bartering expert and has got some amazing deals.

Braeden bartering

For supper this evening the Beogo family brought us a meal for the second time. This time 24 of them attended and wanted to take the opportunity to say goodbye and to give thanks for the contribution made by the Ruten family to the Beogo Foundation. They also honoured us by giving each one of us a scarf. The fabric has been recognized as a trademark of Burkina Faso for many years. It was a very special gift. We finished the evening celebrating by singing songs together.

Burkina scarf

November 23


We got up at 5 am again so we could be on the road back to Ouagadougou by 7. We travelled to Diapaga where Mary lived as a child (35 km from Mahadaga). We walked through her house that is now empty. We also visited the neighbouring house which is where David was born. Then we visited the elder Beogo grave site. He and Mary's father worked closely together for many years to support the surrounding Christian community.

Rough road just outside of Mahadaga

Snake head - sacred rock just outside of Mahadaga

House where Mary lived as a child

House where David lived as a child 

Grave monument

 

School currently being used in Diapaga

 

Baobob tree along the way

We continued on our way back to Fada at the SIM compound and conference site. We needed to drop off a few items. Marcus and Jen, who live in one of the homes on the compound, invited us to stay for lunch. Marcus works with the Hope for Aids program to assist those with Aids and also to educate for awareness and preventative measures. Jen has their two-year old son, Silas, to care for and also works with young teenage moms to assist and educate them on Christianity and family values.

Marcus, Jen and Silas (another Fada missionary)

We continued on our way. I asked David why some of the trees were so flat and straight across the bottom. The trees that the animals like, especially mango trees, are chewed off as high as the animals can reach.

Flat-bottomed trees

Truck loaded with people

You'll see anything travelling down the highway

I wanted to get a picture of the cows on the way home as they look different than our cows. Some have horns and humps at the top of their backs. The hump holds a reserve of water in case of drought.

Hump-backed cow

We got back around 6 and had time to unload our suitcases (same room as before). Alan and Alison invited the team to their home for supper. We sure are being treated and fed very well! We enjoyed a great meal and good conversation.

Alan and Alison

November 22


We got up at 5 am so we could be hiking by 6 before it got too hot. We left our vehicle on the road and walked for 15 minutes through the millet stalks and open fields to reach the rocky area where there was a small lake and a waterfall. It was very peaceful and beautiful.

We walked along the rock and cliff and saw baboons again. This time we captured them on video as we could zoom right in. We came upon a somewhat cave-like area in the rock and another waterfall. Braeden and Terry let the water shower over them.

Terry

Braeden

On our walk back we came upon a long narrow straw hut, and I took pictures of it because it was an unusual shape. I could hear voices coming from within. Then a group of children came out, and I learned it was a school. Everywhere we went, especially in Mahadaga, the people were very friendly, waving and shouting Bon Jour with huge smiles on their faces, even when we were just driving by. The children were especially fascinated by us and our cameras as well.

Straw school

After the hike we changed our clothes and visited the Handicapped Centre. Here is an introduction from their website:
"The Centre for the Advancement of the Handicapped is a ministry of SIM (Serving in Mission) in Burkina Faso. The team is made up of 34 Burkinabe and 4 missionaries working to help the disabled of southeast Burkina Faso. We seek a holistic development of each disabled person: physically, socially and spiritually. In a part of the world where the disabled are pushed aside, ignored or even despised, we want to show the love of Jesus Christ for all people."

Student reading braile

I really wanted to see Dieudonne again since this was our last day in Mahadaga. I knew that his school hours were from 7 to 12 and then from 3 to 5 and that he would walk right past our road to and from school. So I put a lawn chair next to the road at noon and completed the questionnaire from CCF on the sponsored visit. Many children gathered to say hello and some lingered with me. Dieudonne and a friend came along, and he had his beautiful smile to greet me. At the same time the CCF rep came by to pick up the questionnaire. Apparently Dieudonne had the same feelings as me and wanted to visit again. He had made the request to CCF, and it was agreed to allow another visit at 5:30. Since we were all together, it was decided to have the visit now. Dieudonne, his friend and the CCF rep joined us for lunch at our guest house. This was great as the rest of the team was able to meet him too. We shared lunch and looked at pictures on my computer. We also had a chance to ask him more questions about his school and his family. When the visit was done, I walked him back to the edge of the compound.

Terry and I waited for him again by the road at 5. I just wanted to see him one more time, so I walked with him and his friends down the road for a short time. Then I asked his friend to take one final picture of us, I hugged him and we said goodbye.

Francoise is one of the SIM missionaries that works at the Handicapped Centre and lives on the compound. She graciously invited the team to her home for supper along with some of the other missionaries staying at the compound. It was a lovely meal and we enjoyed the fellowship.

Francoise and me

Later Terry and I spent some time outside looking at the stars. There is something different about them here. They are so sparkly and bright - you couldn't help but notice. We also listened to the night sounds of squeaking fruit bats, doves cooing and many dogs barking. The mornings are also filled with unfamiliar sounds such as the doves cooing, roosters crowing, donkeys braying loudly and Muslim call to prayer at 5 am (they sing and chant over loud speakers on the streets).

November 21

Today is the day to meet my sponsored child, Dieudonne. We were meeting him at the school right next door to the SIM compound, and the Christian Children's Fund (CCF) sent their car to pick us up at 9 am (Andrew, David, Terry and I). We asked Andrew and David to join us to help with the interpretation, to take pictures and to video tape so that Terry and I could focus on the visit. Dieudonne attends a school further up the road and would arrive shortly after 9. When we arrived some of the school children were lined up in two rows and singing a welcome song. Terry and I walked between the two rows and greeted the children. Right after that Dieudonne arrived by moto. I was thrilled to see him - he had grown to be such a fine and handsome young man. He had a huge smile as we greeted each other. 

The CCF representatives set up chairs outside and talked about the sponsorship program. They told us there are about 6,000 people in Mahadaga with 871 sponsored children. This allowed them the funding to provide proper water, health care and education to the children and also to benefit the whole community.

We toured the pre-school and kindergarten classes. Both groups of children sang for us, and we gave them candy afterward. 

We travelled to Dieudonne's home about a mile down the road. We turned down a little dirt road and followed a mud wall for a short way until there was an opening. Inside was a little community. The village ladies showed their excitement and approval by making their African chant sound at our arrival. Dieudonne led us to the three huts where his family lived. We met his Dad, Mom, two brothers and one baby sister. His Dad expressed deep gratitude for how the sponsorship had helped his family. There were many pictures taken throughout the visit, especially by the CCF crew.

Meeting his Dad

Dieudonne and his family

Village ladies

We visited and exchanged gifts. Dieudonne also showed me the two sheep he had purchased with the sponsorship money.

His Dad loved the Canada t-shirt!

Dieudonne's gift to me

We went back to the CCF area by the school and toured the hospital across the street. Dieudonne and I pumped out some water from the well for the hospital that was made possible by CCF funding.

We went back to the CCF office and shared lunch. Dieudonne's two younger brothers joined us as well. We took a few more pictures and then it was time to say goodbye. Dieudonne walked home with his brothers. It was an amazing visit and an awesome experience to meet my sponsored child!

Later that afternoon, the team went for a hike in the cliffs where there was a pond in the rocks. Some of us climbed to the top of the cliff, and we were fortunate to see baboons at the top.

We had a late supper and went to bed early so we could go on another early morning hike tomorrow.