With "Papa" On the Field

The August trip to Burkina with "Papa" Bob Dunphy was one of pure Christian adventure.  Oh, I know, it probably isn't the right way to describe it, but what do you say when your heart races, your emotions thrill, and your spirit leaps within you?

August 13-28, 2012 was "Papa's" return to Burkina for the first time in many years.  His visit was highly anticipated by the pastors, workers, widows, and orphans.  They pressed him at every stop to have him pray for them, lay his honored hands on them, and speak a word of encouragement or blessing over them.  And Br. Bob did not disappoint them.

At 82, Br. Bob will still run rings around most people going to the mission field.  Rising early to pray and fellowship with the Father, he hits the ground running, and while his pace may not be what it once was, he has no trouble keeping the youngsters hopping.  Most days found him ministering, traveling, visiting, and inspecting the many aspects of the work in Burkina.  Were it not for the extreme heat, you would not see any evidence of the wear and tear that accompanies missions work.  "Papa" is amazing.  It is no wonder the ministry here has been so successful.

In the two weeks just completed we had the honor of ministering to our staff, did a seminar for our widows in Ouagadougou, completed a Pastors Seminar for 308 ministry leaders, saw our evangelism teams minister in 8 villages, did a seminar for "Women in Ministry", and preached in three of our local churches.  Hundreds were saved, more were healed, demons were dispatched and the infilling of the Holy Ghost was imparted.  All we lacked to have the complete duplication of the Acts report was raising the dead.  What an amazing trip.

Carrying the responsibility of the ministry here is no small burden, but by leaning on Jesus and walking by faith, "the yoke is easy and the burden is light."  2,023 orphans have a good life, 1,250 widows don't have to beg on the street, 42 churches are growing, and a radio ministry is producing abundant fruit all because of the faithfulness of our partners in their support of this noble work.

What more can we say, but, thank you.  Without your faith-filled prayers and generous support, we could not do what we do.  May God's richest blessings bu on you as we continue onward together in pursuit of the vision God has laid before us.

RDM is:

• Reaching the lost
• Discipling believers
• Mobilizing the Church for action

A Report from the Field: Baby Lucas

     The little boy pictured above is one of our newest orphans that RDM & Child’s Hope supports with food, clothing and shelter. We are so thankful for little Lucas Yameogo and his life. Last fall, a man in the Fulani tribe (the Fulani are one of sixty different ethnic groups in Burkina Faso) was wandering in the countryside trying to find some grass for his cattle when he happened upon  a dead woman’s body and the little infant Lucas next to her. Lucas’ mother had been brutally murdered, with her arms and legs severed from her body. Lucas was lying next to his mother, alive, but very weak and sick. The man ran for help and social services and police were called to care for Lucas and investigate the murder. 

     The next day, the director of the police himself brought Lucas to our  administrator, Constantin, to ask us to care for the neglected baby. The police and social services often come to our offices asking for aid and help to care for orphans.  They know we will give them loving care and have resources of food, medicine and shelter for those who otherwise might be neglected. 

   
     Since Lucas arrived at our orphanage, he has been given some intensive care from our staff, including medicine, food, clothes and love. He is now a healthy and growing infant. Having a presence in Burkina Faso has yielded many such stories, such as Lucas’. Because of you, we are able to have a presence in Burkina, hopefully shining a light amidst the darkness in that country.
     Sometimes the sheer sadness of a story like Lucas’ or the fact that drought and poverty are plaguing West Africa’s third poorest country would give those who live there reason not to hope. Oh, if only you our partners could see the joy of those who receive Christ as their Savior in our churches, or the widows and orphans who receive bags of rice from us. How we wish you could see the joy  of the school-age children as they learn to read or train in a vocation and have a better start to life.
     Our reward is eternal dear partners, you are sowing into the kingdom, sowing into the precious souls of those who live in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Thank you!

Wells of Salvation- Part II

Isaiah 12:3 Amplified

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”

The very reason we have so much joy is because we know the one who gave us salvation and that is Jesus, we know this by faith.  In Isaiah 11:1-2 The prophesying of his coming, we can see that out of the wells of salvation, comes the healing for our minds and body.

Prov. 3:8 It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

Prov. 4:20-23 “My son, attend to my words , consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight, keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing and health to all their flesh. Keep guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."

When we are healthy we bring glory to our Lord, so put your faith in God (Mark 11:22) and He will bring all this to us.

If you have drawn from the wells of Salvation you are a new creature in Christ Jesus. Then you are entitled to all the blessings and promises God spoke over Abraham (Gal. 3:11-14) now you and I receive all of these wonderful promises spoken by God and sealed by the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus. Read 2 Cor. 1:19-22

Now here are some great promises from God. Joshua 1:8-9 (don’t forget Jesus said in Mark 11:22 ‘Have faith in God’) and all of these promises shall be yours. Ephesians 23:24-26 He is also saying avoid the world’s system, be not conformed to the world. Romans 12:1-3. Believe the Word of God, no doubting and you shall have all health in your body and prosper in every way. 3 John 2-3 This is all yours because you drew water with joy from the Wells of Salvation.  

Wells of Salvation

We are beginning a new year and we should start this new life by reading and studying the Bible. 

"Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12: 3. 

Since the day that I drew from the wells of salvation, I have been in awe thinking about the marvelous acts the Lord has done in and through my life. I've been thinking of the thousands of people I have seen draw living water with joy from the wells of salvation. I'd like to point out to you that the word "wells" is plural here, meaning more than one. In the the Greek, salvation (soteria) means  temporal deliverance and spiritual deliverance. This is to set free, to liberate from danger, from captivity, to save. It can also mean, healing, to make whole, to restore health, to make well, and be sound. And don't forget that it means to be safe, free from harm, preserved, and safe from all evil. 

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you have drawn from the wells of salvation, you must say this, "I am saved, I am set free, I am healed, delivered from all evil!" This is our confession for this year! Please read Hebrews 2: 1-4.

I hope to continue this study next time! With love,

Bob Dunphy

A Report from the Field: Over the Airwaves!

Many of our faithful supporters may not realize that the ministry of RDM-Child’s Hope supports a radio program where the Gospel is preached in the town of Zorgho in Burkina Faso, West Africa. We are so pleased to bring you testimonies of the many good things happening because of our radio program. In the pictures above, two of our RDM supported pastors are preaching in the tiny control room of this local radio station. Our administrator in Burkina, Constantin, reports that they have seen a huge response from local listeners calling in to the station, especially this summer. In June we received a call from a man who needed to find land in order to build a home. He heard the Scriptures proclaimed by the preachers on the radio program and was inspired to pray for his need. The man called in saying, “I had a huge need of a parcel of land. I listened to the Word on the radio. During prayer, I trusted the Lord and He answered me. I not only had the parcel given to me, but God raised up people to build it for me, Glory to God!” 

Many Muslims call into the station asking questions, and several this summer called in and were saved after hearing the preaching and testimonies on the radio. They are now also attending one of our local churches. One local man also called in to say that he received his healing while listening to the radio broadcast. Praise the Lord! Because of your support many Muslim listeners hear the name of Jesus and the Gospel proclaimed, and we pray many more will come to know the saving and healing power of our Lord Jesus.  In a country where Islam reigns in the natural, we know that Christ Jesus is Lord over all and is the Light in the dark place drawing many to Himself. The fact that this radio program is a small part of that gives us such hope and encouragement. Be encouraged too, that your prayers and support are making a difference in people’s lives. Imagine the many thousands of Muslims who may be hearing the name and Gospel of Jesus spoken because you decided to support this ministry and partner with us. Eternal rewards! We are eternally grateful to you dear partner! 

A Report from the Field

We have a story to share with you our partners this month about a beautiful little girl and her widowed mother living in the village of Tintilou in Burkina Faso. Many of the orphans and widows we support are in need of the most basic necessities of life: food, clothes, and water. It is also worth mentioning that in this country that is mostly Muslim, the orphans and widows are treated with little if any respect and left on their own by their culture and their government. We here at RDM-Child’s Hope have a heart to help those “outcasts” in Burkina and show them the love and light of our Lord Jesus!

     Irene and her mother, Justine, were one of many orphans and widows in their area. They heard about our work with the poor in Burkina, and came to us to share her story.  Irene’s father died of Malaria and since then she and her mother have struggled for just the basic necessities in life. After hearing her story, our administrator enrolled Irene in our local school there in Tintilou and arranged for her to come to school five days a week and receive clothes, school supplies, and a meal while there. He also sent her home with some much needed clothes, soap, and a bag of rice for her mother. We are so pleased that this precious little girl will now hear about Jesus everyday at her school and receive a head start to life through  an education. Because of your support and prayers Irene now has a new outlook on life, and we here pray that she will soon accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior!

The Father Revealed- The Way, Truth, and Life part 3

We established that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that no one comes to the Father except by (through) Jesus (John 14:6).
Remember that Jesus said in John 8:58, "before Abraham was, I Am." Now read Exodus 3:13 where Moses said to God, "Who shall I say you are?" and God said to him, "Tell them I Am Who I Am; say to the children of Israel, I Am has sent me."
We know that Jesus always did just what the Father said for Him to do.
Read John 14:7-11
V7: "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
V9: "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "show us the Father"?
V10: "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."
V11: "Believe Me that I am in the Father and Father is in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. "
Now read along with me John 14: 19-21
"A little while longer and world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has my Commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." The word manifest also means reveal.