Memories of Mamou

I knew better, but I did it anyway.

We were living in Mamou, Guinea. That's in West Africa, for the geographically challenged. Wikipedia says it has a population of abut 76,000 people. It was our first post in Africa in 1998.

Life is fairly simple, but very hard. Poverty is rampant and Islam has stifled  practically every aspect of the Fulani culture. The people were oppressed from nearly every side, but because we were in the rain forest, famine wasn't as bad as in other parts of Africa.

We were living in a house that had been home to missionaries for years.  It was a comfortable 5 room house with 2 bathrooms. It had running water (with a 2000 liter storage tank) and electricity. Well, sort of.

Mamou, Guinea - 1998

City electricity was interesting, to say the least. On the standard 220v 50hz system, sometimes it only provided 20-30 volts. Other times, so much current came through that it burst the lightbulbs in our ceiling fans.

Most of the time, we simply didn't have city electricity. The story was that some official had embezzled the money earmarked for a city-sized diesel generator and had fled to France. Since our "regular" electricity came from a hydro-electric generator at the nearby reservoir, we had "good" electricity during the rainy season, which lasted from July to August. After August, we were rationed until all the water ran out of the reservoir until they simply shut off the city supply. The rest of the time, we used a portable gasoline powered generator.

Things would have been better had we owned a diesel power generator, which brings me to my story.

Our helper, Amadou, told us that our trash pit was full and needed to be burned. I should have just let him to it. (mistake number 1)  The pit was about 6x6x12 and was where be put everything from household trash to cut limbs and other debris from the yard.

Our night guard, Ibrahim, used a little kerosene lantern to shine (usually while he slept) during his night duty. I wish I remembered that I bought a gallon or two of kerosene for his lantern (mistake number 2)

I went out to look at the pit. It was indeed full. I looked around for something to light to catch the pit on fire. I found some rags, but they wouldn't  burn.

In my search, I spied my cans of gasoline that we use to run the generator. I figured that I could pour a little bitty teeny tiny amount in the pit and get the fire going. (mistake number 3)

I found a small little cup and poured perhaps a half a cup of gasoline into the pit. I stood back and threw in a lit match. Nothing.

I found a piece of paper or something and lit it and tossed it into the pit. Nothing.

Reasoning that I simply didn't have enough propellent, I poured in two or three more cups of gasoline. (mistake number 4)

I stood back, lit a match, threw it in and was knocked backwards by the explosion that sent burning banana leaves 20 feet into the air.

The explosion was so loud, that it made the pedestrian traffic stop on the national highway below the mountain to stop, look up, and wonder what those crazy white people were up to again.

Amadou told me to let him burn the trash pit the next time. I told him that I thought that was a good idea.

West African Friends

OK, maybe they're not from West Africa, but that is where we met. Carl and Cheryl Compton were the directors of the guesthouse in Dakar and we were the directors of the guesthouse in Abidjan.

In any case, the Comptons were traveling through Wagoner yesterday and stopped in on us for a little while.  I hope, that if you are traveling through Wagoner, you'd stop in on us, too.

5 Year Anniversary

Five years ago today we boarded the plane to leave Hong Kong. Five years ago today we said, what we thought, were short good-byes to our friends. Five years ago today we arrived back in Oklahoma into the open arms of our family.

So much has happened in the past five years.  We've done a WHOLE LOT LESS traveling, that's for sure!

We still get frustrated with certain things. We still long for the excitement of international living. 

In many ways, it's hard to believe it's already been five years. It seems like yesterday that we left for West Africa! We haven't been back to West Africa since 2002.

I'm about to take my first trip back to Asia in five years. I'm heading to Hong Kong (among other places) with a group of men for a few days. I'm NOT looking forward to the 15 hour flight from Chicago to HK. I am looking forward to seeing my beloved Victoria Harbour again and having a plate of gong chau gnau haw.  My time won't be long enough there to actually enjoy anything, but I'm going to pack as much in as I possible can!

At least, I'm not waiting as long to see HK as I did the first time I was gone. I lived there from 1989-91 and didn't return until 2004.

This time, it's only five years.

Fun with the Johnson Family

Emily, Audrey & Karis

Julie, Kyle, & Kristen

Sally & Julie

Talking About Africa

It was such a delight to have Bill & Julie Johnson and their family come for a visit this evening!  I went to college with Bill at OU and we were all neighbors when we lived in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.  Bill drove us to the hospital the night Emily was born.  Audrey and Karis were best friends when they were young.

Boynes and Johnsons

It was so fun to reminisce about old times in Abidjan.  To remember friends, events, and a time before civil war tore it all apart.  We all agreed that we REALLY miss Chez Abou's!

MK's now PK's

What was really neat was to watch the kids reconnect after so much time.  It was as if it had only been since last week that they have seen each other. There is something about a connection that MK's have with each other that they can't share with others.  It is an experience shared that others simply can never understand.

While we only had an evening to share, it was a treasured one.  In fact, for the girls, it's still going on, as Karis and Kristen are spending the night. (a really big deal since, it means a night that they won't spend at grandma's house)

We shared so many meals together overseas; it was so nice to do so again. (see picture of grill, below)  Good friends are few and far between, but friends like this are just incredibly rare.  But, like the children, we can take up in the relationship as if it was only last week.

We left Abidjan in 2002.  We saw them in 2007 and 2009.  WAY too long between visits.

I thank God for the blessing of friends.

Burger Time

A feast for friends!

al-Qa'ida in West Africa

From HotSpots:

Senegal (Security threat level - 3): On 24 May 2011 the U.S. Embassy in Dakar released a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "As of May 2011, it was reported that terrorist organizations in West Africa affiliated with al-Qa’ida, will seek to capture or kill U.S. citizens in the region, possibly from locations frequented by Westerners, including markets, shops, hotels and restaurants, in revenge for the death of Usama bin Laden. We advise U.S. citizens traveling in the region to exercise caution, to maintain a low profile, and to avoid areas frequented by foreigners or tourists."

Now isn't that just "peachy?"

Pray for our missionaries scattered all over West Africa.

Crisis in Côte d'Ivoire

From Hotspots:

Côte d’Ivoire (Security threat level - 4): On 2 March 2011 the U.S Department of State issued an updated Travel Warning for Cote d'Ivoire, which reads in part as follows: "The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against traveling to Cote d'Ivoire. In addition to the unstable political situation following the contested November 28, 2010 presidential elections, a rapidly declining economy and a banking crisis may result in a scarcity of fuel, food and other vital commodities. We urge U.S. citizens living in Cote d'Ivoire to consider their own personal security and contingency plans, including temporary departure from Cote d'Ivoire. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan remains in evacuation status following the ordered departure of all non-emergency personnel on December 20, 2010. This replaces the Travel Warning of December 19, 2010 to update U.S. citizens on the deteriorating political and economic situation and to remind citizens of the Department of State's recommendation to avoid travel to Cote d'Ivoire until further notice.

"Following the contested results of presidential elections in November 2010, many demonstrations turned violent, resulting in death and injury. As pressure on the Gbagbo regime by the international community continues, hostility against westerners, including U.S. citizens, appears to be increasing.

"Clashes between military and militia continue to escalate, as do increased and spontaneous road blocks, many by youth extremists loyal to Gbagbo, who have in recent days perpetrated violence and aggression against vehicles and drivers, with some indication that they may be targeting Westerners. Curfews have been imposed by the Gbagbo regime sporadically and then lifted. These may happen at any time. The U.S. Embassy has imposed a curfew on its U.S. employees and may do so from time to time without notice when deemed necessary. For safety and security reasons it is best for U.S. citizens to comply and adhere to curfews and to consider carefully limiting unnecessary movement during periods of heightened tension.

"All non-governmental financial institutions, representing approximately 93 percent of the country's bank accounts, have suspended operations as of February 18, 2011. The banking system and money-wire services in Cote d'Ivoire are no longer operational. U.S. citizens in Cote d'Ivoire may be unable to receive funds. Additionally, European Union sanctions against the Port of Abidjan have had a severe impact on the arrival of imported goods. The State Department anticipates a general economic downturn, serious shortages of fuel, food, and other commodities as well as price increases, which could result in severe hardship and a simultaneous upswing in civil disturbances and crime.

"Communication blockage and imposition of curfews are common. Bulk SMS messaging, frequently used for emergency messages to citizens about demonstrations or security developments, is generally blocked, and communication through individual SMS messaging is disrupted with little notice. Regular cell phone communications also have experienced difficulties from time to time due to infrastructure problems and network call saturation. Road blocks and the searching of vehicles continue throughout the country.

"U.S. citizens in Cote d'Ivoire should remain extremely vigilant and monitor their personal situation as the security environment worsens. Embassy personnel may be asked on a moment's notice to limit non-emergency movement, especially after dark, and to avoid congested areas, including demonstrations and traffic choke points. U.S. citizens should consider similar security practices.

"The U.S. Embassy's Consular Section in Abidjan may need to curtail non-emergency services without notice. Please check the Embassy web site for the latest information. Due to drawdown of consular staff, the Embassy has diminishing ability to assist U.S. citizens wishing to depart the country. The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens who are concerned about their safety take advantage of commercial means of transportation while they are available and while borders remain open."

Trouble in the Ivory Coast

Golf Hotel, Abidjan

From HOTSPOTS:

Côte d’Ivoire (Country threat level - 4): On 30 December 2010 the leader of the radical pro-Laurent Gbagbo group Young Patriots urged fellow supporters to storm the hotel headquarters of opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara on 1 January 2011. The opposition candidate has been running a shadow government from the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, protected by an 800-strong U.N. task force, since the 28 November run-off election.

Meanwhile, on 29 December the U.S. State Department announced that a team of eight military officials had arrived in Abidjan to plan for the possible evacuation of the Cote d’Ivoire Embassy staff. Pentagon officials are concerned that the post-election violence could escalate into a full-blown conflict and are preparing for every contingency.

(We lived in Abidjan from 2000-2002 and Emily was born there.  We have been to the Golf Hotel on numerous occasions.)

Christmas in West Africa

Here are a few Christmas pictures from our time in West Africa:

Audrey in Mamou Guinea in 1998 (hoping we'd get our crate with our tree)

Boyne Family, Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire 2001

Emily as Mary - Abidjan, 2001

Staff Christmas Party - Abidjan, 2001

Pretending to be precious in Abidjan - 2001

Mission Christmas Party - Abidjan 2001

Julie, Karis, Kristen, and Bill Johnson - Abidjan 2000

Stephanie, Jenny & Chad - Abidjan 2000

Pray for the Ivory Coast

From HotSpots:

Côte d’Ivoire (Country threat level - 4): On 6 December 2010 the United Nations temporarily ordered all of its non-essential staff out of Cote d'Ivoire amid rising social and political tensions. Crisis mediator and former South African President Thabo Mbeki failed to settle the ongoing election dispute after two days of negotiations. Security and stability concerns have increased in the country amid fears of a return to widespread unrest as post-election tensions increase.

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo opened the nation's borders earlier on 6 December. Land, air and maritime borders had been closed since 2 December following election-related unrest. A nighttime curfew -- previously observed from 1900-0600 local time -- has been changed to 2200-0600 local time and has been extended until 13 December. In the meantime, opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara has established his headquarters at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan with the help of U.N. peacekeepers who have fortified this location with razor wire and military equipment. Rebel fighters, who support Ouattara, have also taken up posts at the hotel.

Analyst Comment: The likelihood of a peaceful outcome to the current situation is becoming more distant as each candidate insists that he won the election. Recent statements by rebel group representatives indicate that rebels are prepared for war. Reports in the last few years have indicated that both sides have been quietly rearming and stockpiling weapons despite an arms embargo on the country. There is a high potential for a further deterioration in overall conditions in Cote d'Ivoire in the near future. Conditions are such that a return to violence, including to levels seen during the 2002-2003 civil war, is becoming increasingly probable.

***

We lived in Cote d'Ivoire from 2000 to 2002.

Letters from Africa

This is an email newsletter I received this morning from a former colleague in West Africa.

Tuesday, I found myself in the “sitting room” of a common home/dwelling here in West Africa.  It is called a chambre/salon which translates into a sitting room and a bedroom.  Most everyone cooks outside, bathes outside, and the outhouse is of course also found outside.  These two room homes are usually adjoining and one right after the other in a long building. Each 2 room house can support from one person to a family of 6 or more. The sitting room might be 8 by 10, and each of these homes share a common courtyard. 

Three men came from Ouaga, and I and another pastor came from the south.
We had driven about 9 hours to arrive and the folks from Ouaga had driven 4.  This particular home is the home of a man that has been working in the “border town,” and is the pastor of a small Baptist church start.  I listened as the men became acquainted, and I heard the names of missionaries that had come before me and had been a part of forming these particular men.  I acknowledged before God all the ground that had been broken before I ever arrived on the scene and the many, many seeds that had been planted. Not to mention the discipleship time that had been invested to bring us to this moment
in time.    

We all recognized that this meeting was not by chance and was ordained by God.  I then listened as they each broke into spontaneous song and prayer just to thank God that we had all converged on this town, at this time, and with the vision to reach the lost.  It was an amazing spirit filled moment.

As we continued in conversation, the discouragement on the part of the pastor was clear.  He has been working in the town for 3 years and fast approaching the end of his support. His head was hanging down, and he appeared to be close to broken.  I think our visit, purposefully searching him out, and the vision that was cast were the jump start that his heart so desperately desired.  He expressed how he was ready to throw in the towel, and one of the pastors among the group came along side to say, “You can’t give up.  These baby Christians need to be nourished.” 

We then shared with him our vision for the truck drivers and modeled the method of sharing the stories.  He was enthralled.  The next step was to take to the streets to the real classroom.  The first driver that they came across, politely listened, but he really had no interest.  The second driver accepted Christ. 

You can perceive a fear by many to approach a Muslim.  What was modeled that day was obedience no matter the setting.  Stop the Press!  As I am typing at this moment, I have just received a text message from the Pastor in the border town.  He message says, “2 young women just accepted Christ while he was sharing the stories.”  Looks like his boldness has been spurred on. :-)

I’m still not sure what the Lord has in the works for this location.
This pastor is encouraged and committed to lead us to the people that can be trained to reach the truck drivers.  We wait with anticipation on how the Lord will provide the support for this man and his family.  It would be easy for me to step up and support him for this work, but one of the critical elements to reaching the lost in a way that can be sustained and reproduced is for our African brothers and sisters to take ownership in vision, the method, and how it is financially accomplished.
Waiting is not my strong suit.

Pray with me;

*    If this is where the Lord would have Pastor M*** stay, hissupport will be revealed.
*    Pray that the Lord will reveal to M***  and to us the men tobe trained to reach the truck drivers.

Your prayers have been monumental.  Please continue to pray for the “border town.”  There are great things in store.

Happy Birthday, Sally!

.

John, Sally's Mom, Juanita, and Sally Photo by big sister Mary circa 1968

Sally playing in the snow on furlough in 2002

Birthday Surprise in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 2001.

Sally driving her 1975 Toyota in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Fixing Thanksgiving turkey in Thailand 2005

Sally at OBU in Shawnee, 2010

Happy Birthday, Sally!  I love you!

Muslim Activity

Here are some recent news bits from around the world involving the "religion of peace"....


Pakistan (Country threat level - 5): On 18 July 2010 a suicide bomber blew himself up near a Shiite mosque in Sargodha city in eastern Pakistan, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The bomber was able to evade security officers who were positioned in front of the mosque to guard against such attacks. Authorities allege that the attack is the latest in a string of bombings orchestrated by Sunni extremists against other non-Sunni Muslims.


Kenya (Country threat level - 4): Kenya is set to vote in a constitutional referendum on 4 August. The draft constitution contains several highly controversial clauses that have bitterly divided the proponents and the opposition. In particular, many Christians in Kenya are highly opposed to a clause that would allow abortions to save the life of the mother, and a clause that would allow Muslim courts a limited jurisdiction. The 13 June grenade attack targeted a group of Christians who had gathered to protest against the new constitution, and it is likely that two men most recently arrested may have been planning a reprisal attack against  proponents of the constitution. Early opinion polls indicate that a majority of Kenyans plan to vote in favor of the draft constitution..


Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): Early on 17 July 2010 suspected Fulani Muslims attacked the village of Mazzah, which is located approximately 9 mi/14 km from Jos, Plateau state, in northern Nigeria. Reports indicate that the heavily armed  attackers targeted the home of a Christian pastor and killed eight people, including the pastor’s wife, children and grandson. The perpetrators entered Mazzah between 0130 and 0500 local time and shot their weapons into the air to lure residents from their homes in order to kill them. Authorities have deployed soldiers to the area in an effort to prevent any additional violence. Violence between Christian and Muslim populations is common in northern Nigeria, and local rights groups report that as many as 1,500 people have been killed in such unrest so far in 2010.

Missions Presentation at KBA

I was honored to serve as camp missionary this year again, at KBA.  Tuesday was about Thailand, Wednesday was about West Africa, Thursday was about China, and Friday was about Disaster Relief.

Dressed up in my Guinean Bu-bu

In my Disaster Relief Chaplain's Uniform

Fulani in the News

When Sally and I were in West Africa, we were assigned to a team that worked with a sub-group of the Fulani.  The Fulani are the largest people group/tribe in West Africa, coming in at over 20,000,000 people.  Our sub-group had about 2 million.

I subscribe to a news alert email system that lets me know different trouble spots in the world.  It is very handy if you have an affinity to a certain country or part of the world, as much of the news that they send, you won't find on CNN or Fox.

Today's email included a bit about the Fulani in Nigeria:

Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): On 4 July 2010 approximately 200 suspected Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacked Gana Wuri, a Christian village in the Riyom area of Nigeria’s northern Plateau state. Riyom is located approximately 19 mi/30 km south of Jos, the state capital. The attackers were heavily armed, and at least one person was killed and two others were injured in the incident. Authorities believe that the perpetrators were cattle rustlers from neighboring Kaduna state. At least seven people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

ASI Comment: The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks against the minority Christian population in the region. Similar incidents also took place in the Riyom area in March and April 2010, during which at least 14 people were killed. The attacks also come soon after Boko Haram, a local militant Islamist sect, threatened renewed violence on the one-year anniversary of its attacks that killed at least 300 people in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Yobe states in July 2009.

You can subscribe to HotSpots by clicking this link: www.asigroup.com

Pray for the Nigerian Christians.  Pray for the Muslims in West Africa.  Pray for the missionaries who engage the Fulani.

Blown Tires and Blessings

One of the ladies in our church is teaching Audrey how to crochet.  I drove Audrey over there this morning and her husband, Fred, wanted to show me something.

The left front tire on his motor home exploded!  It exploded with so much force, it blew a piece of the fiberglass body off the coach.

He told me that they usually go to bluegrass festival this week in Missouri or Arkansas, but neither felt good and they decided not to go.  He said he thought it was a blessing that it didn't happen while they were driving 65 mph down the highway.

It reminded me of another time I saw a tire blow while just sitting there.  It was when I lived in the Ivory Coast.  Larry Rowell and I drove from Abidjan to Ouagadugou, Burkina Faso.  While we were in Ouaga, the spare tire on the Jeep exploded.

We, too, were happy we weren't tooling down the road (at the speeds that Larry drove).

Testimony of God's Power

I was appointed by the International Mission Board to serve in Guinea back in 1998.  While things didn't quite work out there like we expected, I do have a remarkable testimony provided by a young woman who taught school to the children of other missionaries.  Her name is Brandy Keith Mason.  While she was single then, she is married with children now and lives in Missouri.

I was walking through our neighborhood one afternoon when I was approached by a neighbor. She stated that her daughter had a sore on her foot, and she wanted me to come look at it. There was another missionary lady with me, so we both went to their porch where the little girl was sitting. They removed the haphazard bandage and what was below the bandage made my heart drop. I have never seen anything so grotesque. A sore the size of a small lemon covered the entire back part of this little girl's foot. It was covered in something black and looked crusted over. I asked, in my limited Pular, what had happened. The mother explained that the little girl had gotten a scratch/scrape and then it began to hurt more. The sore "grew" so they tried "local" remedies like motor oil (Yes, motor oil!! Thus, the blackness!). When those did not work, they took her to a witch doctor.

I explained that I would need to go back and get some of my medical supplies and would be back. I asked one of our lady workers that spoke English to go back with me to help with the translating. Upon arriving back at the porch, we removed the dirty, torn bandage and began cleansing the infected area. The little girl grimaced but was quickly "hushed" by her mother...a sermon in itself :). After cleansing as much as we could, I applied neosporin and cotton and wrapped the foot with a clean bandage. As I finished wrapping the foot, I knew it was time to discuss the little string bracelet with shells hung ever so clumsily. I gently placed the bracelet between my two fingers and asked what it was. I will never be able to put into words the "darkness" that fell over that place at that point. The mother solemnly stared at me, and in her eyes I saw a battle. "Should I be honest and tell her what that is? Does she already know?" She explained to me (with the help of the translator) that it was really nothing...just a bracelet. The Spirit of God became VERY CLEAR, and I was compelled to express these words, "I WILL NOT SHARE MY GLORY...I WILL NOT SHARE MY GLORY". I explained to the mother that God would not share His glory with ANYONE or ANYTHING. The bracelet HAD to be cut off.

It seemed like hours passed as the battle raged in the eyes of that mother. She finally agreed to remove the bracelet. We gently cut the fragile bracelet off the little girl's ankle, and their was intense anticipation on all parts!!! I asked if I could pray before I left. The mother agreed. I asked the translator to translate the words of my prayer so that everyone there could understand my words. I ended the prayer very strongly in Pular with "In Jesus' name".

As I walked home that afternoon, I felt my own battle. I found my self praying, "Please, Lord, do not test my own faith in this situation." I prayed frequently throughout the evening and night for that little girl. I prayed for a miracle!! I prayed that God would receive GLORY through his situation.

When I returned the next morning, I was met by the mother running frantically to me yelling something that I could not understand. I finally realized that she was saying the little girl was up most of the night crying with pain. I found my self saying..."Oh, Jesus, help me here!" When I reached the porch, the little girl sat in quiet anguish; tiny tears streaming down her little face. I slowly removed the bandage, and as I began to pull the cotton off, the little girl jerked her foot away. Once again disciplined by her mother, she slowly placed gher foto back in my hand. At that moment, I realized that the cotton had "grown into" the sore. "What in the world, Lord?" That is all that I can think! I gently began to "cut" the cotton/scab off. And what was eventually revealed, was a clean, open wound that was immensely smaller than it had been and practically COMPLETELY HEALED. Immediately the Spirit said to me, "Brandy, this is EXACTLY what I wanted. This is EXACTLY what I want for everyone. I , yes I, will remove the 'hard outer coverings'. The coverings that man strives for...wealth, pride, material possessions, etc...that he tries to fill his life with in order to feel complete. I, yes I, will remove those. It may hurt, just like it did for this little girl, but now look what I have to work with...a clean, vulnerable, open area that I can heal." Tears filled my eyes as I knew the Lord was working in this place and in my very own life!!!

As others on the porch realized what had happened, gasps could be heard all around. And softly I could hear the words, "Iisaa, Iissa" (Jesus, Jesus) beginning to be muttered. The voices grew louder and stronger until there was clapping and dancing, and the name of Jesus was being shouted from this front porch where the battle had RAGED the day before. People were PRAISING THE NAME OF JESUS AND THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!!! God was being glorified in a manner beyond what I had ever seen! Tears rolled down my face as I simply thanked God for working a MIRACLE that I was allowed to see with my very own eyes..for being the AMAZING God that He is...for being the I AM!!!

I left that home that day having learned numerous lessons of my own. And when I returned to check on the little girl the next morning, I was greeted with the most amazing smile..a smile that could have brightened the darkest of nights. The little girl, who previously had to be carried around due to the sore on her foot, hobbled out (on her own) to meet me. I will never forget that hug...or that miracle!