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JESUS T'AIME
By Andrew Schaeffer, Missionary to Burkina Faso
Je t'aime was one of the first French phrases I learned. I learned it long before I ever went to French language school. I used to say it often to Esther . . . until someone corrected my pronunciation. (The French are so particular about the pronunciation!) But I will say it again to Esther on Valentine's Day because Je t'aime means "I love you."
While I have learned to pronounce Je t'aime correctly, I find that it is much harder to practice than it is to pronounce. Love does not come naturally to fallen creatures like me. But God is love and He so loved the world that He sent His Son. Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us. That is the good news we have come to proclaim. Jesus t'aime!
Here in Burkina Faso, we announce Jesus' love in many different ways. Allow me to share a few of them with you.
Alliance Christian Radio (RAC) announces Jesus t'aime
Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday morning, January 25, to dedicate the new RAC studio, right next door to our house. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the RAC doors were officially opened for a public tour. Everyone was impressed with the wonderful facility and equipment. Afterward hand-held solar radios were sold for a nominal fee to anyone interested in listening to RAC . . . the only station these radios capture!
Many church and mission leaders are convinced that radio is the best tool for sewing the seed and communicating the Gospel here in Africa. We praise the Lord for RAC's witness: Jesus t'aime. (See attached picture.)
Esther and I continue to teach English and share the love of Jesus with our twice weekly radio broadcast, English Alive. While we have not had time for new programming of late, RAC continues to play English Alive re-runs.
ACCEDES demonstrates Jesus t'aime
On Saturday morning, Jan. 11, the Bobo Dioulasso mayor and other dignitaries gathered at ACCEDES (the Burkina Faso Alliance Church's relief and development arm) to observe the weekly distribution of food and clothing to hundreds of refugees from the Ivory Coast. ACCEDES is committed to helping these refugees for at least three months. Their desire is to show them the love of Jesus. If you would like more information about this ministry or would like to receive Espoir (Hope), the monthly ACCEDES newsletter, please write to accedes@fasonet.bf.
Visitors radiate Jesus t'aime
Colleague Pete Brokopp, Pastor Nathan Seckinger and a team from Cherry Hill Alliance Church, N.J., arrived in Bobo Dioulasso on Sunday, Jan. 5 to help renovate the Alliance Book Store in downtown Bobo Dioulasso. What an encouragement they were to the other workers, the Book Store staff and us! Then, on Jan. 21, Jim and Gail Krauss, friends from Northview Alliance Church in Wooster, Ohio, came to visit us with their missionary daughter, Emily Dueck and her family. Both teams radiated the love of Jesus to everyone here.
We want to remind you too that Jesus t'aime! We love Him because He first loved us.
Delighted with His love,
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Esther and Andrew Schaeffer (Paul, David, Stephen, Mark and Rebekah)
Our Address:
Andrew & Esther Schaeffer
Mission Protestante CMA
B.P. 3050
Bobo Dioulasso
Burkina Faso, West Africa
Email us: aeschaeffer@fasonet.bf
Web site: www.TheChristian.com/missions/schaeffer
Send donations to: The Christian and Missionary Alliance (“Andrew Schaeffer work special”), PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs CO 50935-3500.