Sponsorship Gift Distribution

Whew! Everyone is tired this evening but it is such a ‘good’ feeling of tired. Today we held one of 2 distributions for sponsored children who were the recipients of ‘special gifts’ sent by their sponsors.

The children all came with a parent or care-taker. Some of them even arrived as much as an hour and a half early! We were ready so we took advantage of the extra time and started working with the children as soon as they arrived.

Each child colored a ‘thank you’ picture for his sponsor, got his or her picture taken to send to the sponsor, and then left with their little pile of gifts which sometimes included a new bicycle, a sac of grain, and/or a goat or two.

Lots of smiles and lots of happy families. . . and for me, a heart full of thankfulness for the wonderful sponsors who pour their love out on our children in these tangible ways.

Grandmothers and Care-takers

Getting ready for pictures.

Getting measured for new uniforms

Do you remember Lisa?

Lisa Otterpohl spent one year here with us at the orphanage in 2009-2010. She left in July, 2010 and started her university work that Fall with a major in Social Work.

This past month, Lisa has returned to Yako for a visit. She slipped right back into African life and it has been a great joy to have this time with her.

Among many other things, Lisa spent her time caring for the babies, playing with the older children, and holding art classes for our primary school children.

Thanks for remembering us, Lisa, and thanks for returning to visit.

This is Lisa interacting with some village children.

All Glory to God!

Recently, during a random visit to a village, a pastor asked whether we could look at a young boy who had injured his leg. I expected to see one of the huge ulcers which occur when a wound has not been properly cared for and infection has set in.

But, this time was much more serious. The 16 year old boy had been in a moto accident. His leg was broken and the family used only traditional medicine to treat the break and the wounds.

Now a year and a half later, there was serious infection in the leg, his foot was swollen 2 or 3 times its normal size, the bones were still broken and he was walking with crutches.

We called Dr Zala in Ouayaghuia and made arrangements to take Moise and his father to see the doctor on the following Friday.

Upon arriving at the hospital and having x-rays made, we learned that the leg was broken in two places and that his body was actually generating new bone to replace the now dead bone.

But, the most amazing part of our day was that we learned that there was a team of surgeons and bone specialists arriving that very week-end and we were able to put Moise’s name on the list to see the specialists.

This past week, Moise had surgery and we learned this evening that he is doing well. We do not know many details about the procedure but we do know that the surgeons were able to save his leg.

God’s ways are mysterious and His timing is perfect!!! We thank God for playing this small part in getting Moise where he needed to be in order to see the specialists that God brought all the way to Burkina.

Toys for Tots--

This past week we received a wonderful gift from the Toys for Tots Program sponsored by the US Marines. Four Marines from the US Embassy here in Burkina came to Yako with a huge box of toys for our children.















The toys were for children of all ages from the babies to the primary school age children. There were also several soccer balls for our older boys who love to play ‘football’ as it is called here.















Because there were not enough toys for each child in our primary school, our director chose 5 or 6 of the neediest children from each class and we invited them to stay after school for something special. It was heart-warming to see the smiles of some of our children who possibly had never received a gift of a toy before.










It was also great fun for us to meet our new Marine friends and to introduce them to the project.















Thank you so much to the Marines inside of Burkina and outside who promote this wonderful program throughout the world.

Visit from Messiah College

We were blessed by a visit from students and professors from Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania this week. The whole Burkina team was 14 people who divided into smaller groups and visited various places of ministry in Burkina. Three education majors and 2 professors came to visit Yako.

The students earned credit in cultural studies and also towards their ‘student teaching’ hours as they taught prepared lessons in each of our primary classrooms. The team leader, Angela Hare, also taught lessons in our 5^th and 6^th grade classes.

In addition to teaching, the students melted into daily life with us and participated in caring for the babies and a myriad of other orphanage activities.

Thanks so much for the visit, Messiah College, and we look forward to more times together in the future.

Goodby USA Family - Hello Burkina Family

Saying goodbye is always difficult for me and this trip was no exception. But, I am so thankful that this trip was truly a ‘rest trip’. I worked only a little and now as I return to Burkina most of the things filling my head and heart are sweet memories of times with family and friends.

Of course, ‘home for the holidays’ is always very special and therapeutic. We had memorable times together to remember the birth of our Savior and to celebrate His love.

This is 4-year old Claire

Great Grandma and 4 of the grandchildren.

The magic of Christmas

Family celebrations

And more family celebrations

I enjoyed lots and lots of face-to-face ‘coffee time’ with friends from near and far.

Lunch with friends from California, MO and Columbia, MO.

Coffee with Kate Horrigan

The Mathenys from Kentucky

And, just some everyday family time.

Claire is a ‘bat’ as she hangs upside down

Lillian getting her ears pierced. She isn't so happy in this picture but she was very happy and proud to show her new earrings afterwards.

Family fun with a new WII game

Christmas Blessings

Must take a few minutes to thank the Lord for all of his blessings this year. While my heart resides on two continents, I am happy and thankful to have been able to pass the holidays here at my US home with family and friends.

First snow in Illinois and Hayden, Noah, and Claire made a great snowman.

Reading the Christmas story together on Christmas morning.


Gifts given, gifts received. . . . but, the greatest gift of all is the gift of God's Son, Jesus!


Mom with four great-grand children!

Looking forward to two more weeks of building memories and then returning to my African home in Burkina!

An Average day at the Orphanage

Wendemie goes to Italy!

We are rejoicing because another one of our little ones has been placed in a ‘forever family’. Little Wendemie has been with us for almost three years but this week we have said ‘goodby’ to her and placed her in the loving arms of her mother and father.

We will miss you, Wendemie, but we know that the Lord has great plans for you and many blessings in store for you and your new family.