The Shumaker Family's Blog

A few weeks back was spring break for our students. Pastor Justin, my co-pastor at Living Water Baptist Church, planned a very special week for them, and they finished their week by having a special service Sunday morning.

On Monday: They were encouraged to fast and pray from the morning until we met at 5 pm for prayer. There were a total of 18 of us who showed up for prayer, most of them being the youth.

On Tuesday: They spent much of the afternoon making visits to church members. They divided up into different groups and walked to the different houses.

On Wednesday: They went around a certain part of our neighborhood and invited people to an evangelism campaign. I was thrilled to hear one of our young men, Olivier, explain their need of salvation to the crowd. We showed a Gospel film, and then I preached to them. There were more than 300 present. 30 or more came forward and our youth dealt with them about salvation. Praise the Lord for those who made professions of faith.

On Thursday: We played a game of soccer against another church. Nothing spiritual about it, but it was fun.

On Friday: We went to a place called Ziga. It is a man-made lake that provides our city, Ouagadougou, with 80% of its water. We saw the water plant and then had a spiritual retreat next to the lake. We had singing, preaching and of course we played. A total of 36 people were present.

On Sunday: The youth lead most of the service. They sang many specials. I made a short video of the different groups. A young man named David preached a tremendous message from the Word of God.

As I sat back and watched most of the service, I thought about how blessed I am to be here. What if I would have never obeyed the will of God and come here? There have been trying times in our lives and ministry. What if I would have given up or left when the times got difficult? I haven’t done a whole lot. God has done it all. Seven years ago this church was started and God has done great things.

Back in 2006, my mother began helping kids go to school here in Burkina Faso. She talked with her friends and family and many of them began to give. Each year, we were able to do more and more to help. We currently help with 44 children. They come to the church on Thursdays, and we teach them the Bible and principles of life and feed them. We pay all of their school tuition. Many have lost one of their parents; some have lost both.

God touched the heart of one man to give an offering towards building a school. Since then, we have saved a little more each year for the construction of the school. There were many setbacks, but a few months ago, we began building with the hopes of starting a school this fall. Here are the pictures of the construction so far:

In January, we had a pastor’s fellowship meeting. It was the first time since we came back from furlough that we were all able to meet together. It was a sweet time of fellowship, and I was also blessed to be able to challenge them from the Word of God. It is amazing to watch what God is doing with these young pastors. It is a great honor to be able to train them and watch God use them. I can think of nothing better in the world than that.

I have started back in language studies. Rebecca and I are attempting to learn a tribal language. The first day, I had flashbacks of 2001 when we were in France. They weren’t pleasant flashbacks either. I really struggled to learn French. Rebecca was able to speak and converse in 4 months, and I couldn’t even understand what she was saying. Some people have a gift for languages. I obviously don’t have this gift, but with hard work and God’s help, I will get it. God has called some young men from our village work to preach the Word of God and I really want to talk with them and train them without an interpreter. I told the church that in 2015, I will preach in Mooré (the tribal language).

The picture below was taken in Roungou. I was able to preach to them on the bad news and then on the Good News.

We were in the states for about 5 and half months and I kind of took a break from updating. God greatly blessed our time there but we are excited about arriving back in Burkina Faso 10 days ago. While in the states we were extremely touched by how churches and individuals have been so faithful in loving and supporting our family. We have been able to report back to some churches that we haven’t been to for 13-14 years. I have heard many times, “I have prayed for you every day/week since you were with us”. What an honor it is to be so loved. I truly feel like I am the most blessed man in the world.

The work continues in Burkina Faso. From the reports that I have been receiving the churches are advancing. It is always and encouragement to see how God uses these churches and the pastors in such a mighty way. Please pray for us as we transition back. One of the most difficult things is trying to fit back into the ministry that God used us to start. I will need take time to access where we are at physically and spiritually. I hope to be connected to internet next week sometime and soon thereafter begin to lay out some of our plans and goals for the next few years. I have been privileged to see God work in so many mighty ways but I don’t want Him to stop. I want to see God do more.

In life one may experience highs and lows, but there are a few days that top them all.  The day I was born again into the family of God, the day I got married, and the day my children were born are some of those special days.  A few weeks ago I also had one of those days.

Pastor Salif had invited my wife to come and teach the women for a ladies day.  Then, he also decided my children and I could teach the village children and I could preach and baptize all on this same day.

When we arrived everybody was buzzing with excitement.  There were many women and a good number of men.  The children were like a sea of faces.  To sit back and watch Salif as he lead, directed, and loved on the people was absolutely amazing.  He is a great servant of God.  It is amazing where God has brought him in the last 10 years.  A man who had studied to be an Imam is now a preacher of the Gospel.

This was the start of the service.

My wife taught the women on being a good example in front of their lost husbands.  Many of the men in the village have no problem allowing their wives to go to church, but they are still attached to their traditions.  Her translator was Mamata.  Mamata is married to Pastor Salif and she was our house worker for 6 years.  She is like a daughter to Rebecca.  They had read the Bible and memorized scriptures together for many years.

Rebecca teaching the ladies at Roungou (village church)

Rebecca and Mamata

The teenagers had filled up the baptistery the night before, but by morning the water was gone.  When we arrived the teenagers had gone about a mile to get more water.  What a blessing to see the fruit that Pastor Salif is having by baptizing 15 people.  There was a time where I had done most of the baptizing, but now I watch as the men that God allowed me to train do the work.

Pastor Salif baptizing

Emily, Meredith, Isaac and Caleb all had a part in teaching the children a Bible Story.  Much to my surprise they taught most of it in French.  What a beautiful day it was and it honored Christ.  What a thrill to be a part of what God is doing here in Burkina Faso.

Emily, Meredith, Isaac, and Caleb teaching the children.

Emily and I teaching the kids together.

I was shocked when I heard the news.  Pastor Justin told me that two of the orphans that we help have been living on their own.  Their mother had left them, and we didn’t know why.  We immediately went to where they were living to find out more.  The 13 year old boy was cooking for himself and his 10 year old sister.  They both had lost weight in the last few weeks.  They were dirty.  Their clothes were dirty.  The little girl’s hair was a mess.  The mother had left some money with a neighbor, but it had all been used up.  They were supposed to be sleeping at another neighbor’s house, but for many days they never showed up at night.

We asked one of the pastors if he could let them live with him until their mother showed back up.  Last week she came back.  I sat her down and talked with her.  She told me how her husband had gotten sick.  She had to totally take care of him.  It was a slow process.  She had to do everything for him (bath him etc.)  They sold their only transportation, an old moped for $200.  Soon that money was gone.  After selling off about everything they had, her husband died.  She was left with a few belongings and only about $6.  While telling us all of this she began to cry.  The Africans don’t cry much.  She told me that there were days they didn’t eat or didn’t eat much.  She couldn’t pay for school.  Because of all of these struggles many times she just wanted to die.  We are in the process of trying to help her establish some type of commerce so that she can support her family.

God allowed us to start a program to help orphans and kids in need to go to school.  We call it Give A Child A Chance.  There are children here that would not be able to go to school or have a chance at a better life if nobody helped them.  We currently help over 40 kids with school costs.  Most of them come to church for a Thursday program where we teach them about life and the Bible and feed them.  Many of these kids have been saved and are faithful to church on Sunday.  Some of their parents (or those who keep them) have been saved as a result of this program.

Thanks for all those who have given to this program.  It really has made a difference over the last few years in many children’s lives.  Only time will tell of the long term effect of what has been done and also the eternal effect of the compassion that has been shown.

Giving school supplies a few years ago.

I first met my friend Edvidge when I went to buy lettuce on the side of the road.  In the evenings, she sets up a little stand with fruits and vegetables just a block or so from my house.  One night, as I was returning from church visitation, I stopped to grab something I needed for the night’s meal and asked her to come to a special church service the next day. She said, “I’ll be there.” I took her statement with a grain of salt, knowing that often people say they’ll come just to make us happy. Then they don’t show. To my surprise, Edvidge was at my door to walk to church with me the next morning long before I was even ready to go. She came faithfully for a month or so before one day raising her hand at the end of the service signaling that she wanted to be saved.  I was thrilled. Little did I know, God was going to do great things with her!

Over the next few months Edvidge began to invite friends and neighbors to church.  She didn’t really know yet how to lead someone to the Lord, but she knew how to lead them to her church. Within a short amount of time, four people came to church and got saved as a result of her efforts.  One was a young lady who shared a courtyard with Edvidge.  She raised her hand when my husband asked who wanted to be saved that morning. I took her to a separate room and began to talk to her, asking her why was there and why she raised her hand. She told me that her life was a mess. She didn’t know what to do. Edvidge told her to come to church, and she would get the help she needed. I was able to tell the young lady that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, had died for her sins and would forgive her if she would repent and ask. This young lady prayed and received the Lord as her Savior that day and was baptized into our church not much longer. I had the joy of telling her the Good News, but only because my friend Edvidge had paved the way.  She knew where to take this young lady so that she could find the answers she needed.

Edvidge is not rich by the world’s standards. She goes to a village and buys produce to bring back to town and sell weekly. She doesn’t make much off each sale, and she struggles to get by. (Even so, she is often giving us fresh mangoes, refusing to let me pay. I have seen her do this for other church members as well.) She doesn’t read or write. She is proficient in her tribal language, but she struggles with the French that is spoken by the more educated people of this society.  Edvidge, however, is a success in God’s eyes. Often, as she sits at her little roadside stand, you will see some other lady or young girl sitting there beside her just chatting. One by one she makes friends with people that pass by. In doing so, she is reaching people, that you or I may never reach.

My sweet friend has taught me so much. She doesn’t have a Bible degree or anything like that, but she does her best to reach those God brings into her pathway.  Am I doing the same? We all have someone in our little circle of influence that we can reach, no matter what our job situation, educational status, or income level may be.  I have also learned the importance of simply being  a friend to others that pass by my way.  I am certain that the reason many people have followed Edvidge to our church is because she simply took the time to be their friend first. Who doesn’t want to follow a friend somewhere?  I have also observed that Edvidge gives NO excuses as to why she can’t do this or that. Her life is not an easy one. I have seen her struggle with some major health issues and work hard just to make enough to eat each day; yet, she doesn’t let these thing steal her joy and keep her from serving the Lord. I am certain that when we reach Heaven, my sweet friend will be richly rewarded.

Here is our latest prayer letter:

Dear Pastor and Praying Friends,

As stated in our last prayer letter, we will be returning to the States at the end of May for a six month furlough. We have already begun to book some different meetings.  If you would like to have us in, please call me at 706-534-8965 or e-mail me at keith@theharvest.net  God has given us some of the greatest and most faithful supporters that a missionary family can have and we are very grateful.

I want to share with you the testimony of Pastor Konaté:

Konaté grew up in a Muslim family.  His family was very religious and always faithful to the mosque and their prayers.  Konaté completed his education and became a school teacher.  While living on his own, he was still faithful with many of his friends to go to the Mosque every day to pray.  He met a Christian who began to share Jesus with him and invited him to church.  Konaté, out of curiosity, went to church and was touched by the preaching of the Word of God.  He repented of his sins and believed on Jesus.

In spite of going to church on Sunday morning, he was afraid of what his family and friends would think.  He would still go to the mosque and pray.  After about 6 months of this, he decided he couldn’t be a hypocrite any longer.  He went to his family and said that he became a Christian. His family wasn’t as hard on him as his friends were.  His friends came by ready to go to the mosque one day.  Konaté said, “I am not going to pray today.”  One friend asked, “Why not? Are you sick?”  He said, “No, I have become a Christian.”  They laughed (thinking he was joking) and said, “Come on!”  Again he said, “I am not going to pray to Allah anymore because I pray to Jesus.”  His friends gave him a hard time but didn’t give up on him.  For many weeks they came by and tried to persuade Konaté to leave his new faith, but he couldn’t be shaken.

Shortly after this, in 2007, he came to our church, Living Water Baptist Church.  He was like a sponge and began to grow greatly in his faith.  I began to disciple him personally.  In 2008, I announced that we were beginning our Bible College.  He told me he wanted to come.  I asked him, “Why?”  He said, “God has called me into the ministry and there is no other thing that I want to do.”  While working two jobs, he faithfully began to prepare for the ministry.  He later became the assistant pastor at Living Water Baptist church.  I was ready to leave the church in his hands because of the great job he was doing, when he came to me and said that God had called him to go and start a new church.  He was comfortable in the church.  The church paid him well.  The church is our biggest and most stable church, but he desired to follow God’s leading.  I asked him, “Why do you want to leave?”  He said, “We have talked about having hundreds or thousands of Baptist Churches around the country so I need to go and start one.”

In June 2012,  Pastor Konaté and his family went to Kaya (the fifth largest town in Burkina Faso).  He has been doing a great job.  Many have been saved.  He is discipling many weekly.  On Easter Sunday he baptized 6 people.  Your faithful support has allowed men like Pastor Konaté to be in the ministry.  Thanks for all you do.  Pastor Konaté and all the people he has been able to reach are your fruit. I have attached two pictures:  the church pastor Konaté planted and him with two of his disciples.

His Servants,

Keith, Rebecca, Emily, Meredith, Isaac and Caleb

Pastor Konate with his faithful members

Pastor Konate with his disciples

We try to have a special day each month at Living Water Baptist Church.  Last Sunday we decided to have traditional day.  Many of our people wore some of the traditional clothes.  I preached on the topic “Are traditions good or bad?”  Everyone had a lot of fun.  Here are a few pictures:

Some of the men and the young men of the church.

Dallas with some of the young men from church.

Pastor Justin and Keith Shumaker

The woman of the church.

March 8th is Woman’s Day.  It is celebrated in over 100 countries in the world.  I am not sure how it is celebrated in other countries of the world, but here in Burkina Faso this day is a time to honor, respect and love our wives and mothers.

Even though things in Burkina have changed and are changing the man still dominates.  The woman might not be considered a slave but many times she isn’t much more than that.  We have seen a great change in many of our church people over the years.  We have tried our best to teach the man to love his wife.  God has done a great work.

Today, many of the men will go to the market, buy the goods, come home and cook for his wife.  The last few years we have cooked for the woman of the church, at our house and then delivered the meal to them.  This year the women decided to have a ladies meeting at the church and the men decided to cook for them.  We made them beef nuggets (chicken isn’t easy to get) and macaroni (African style).  I think the woman were impressed that the food was actually edible.

Woman playing four square

The men cooking for the woman.

The gourmet meal is served

The woman thanked the men