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