Back in Fada

Hi Everyone,

When we arrived back in Fada on Wednesday, we all went to our host homes. Luke and Pastor Rufus had a heated discussions about money and our ministry. Pastor Rufus said he would meet with us all tomorrow to share his frustrations with us. Luke called us all and told us, which made us sad and devalued our ministry. Thankfully, Pastor Elisha was there for the talk between Luke and Pastor Rufus; he was able to calm them down some--and would later be very helpful.

Thursday was our day off, but it didn't seem like it, as usual. We took a team picture to advertise for an upcoming concert we have. We discussed as a team how we would handle ourselves during the meeting with Pastor Rufus. In the evening, we were all happy to see Pastor Rufus in the happy mood that he was in. Pastor Elisha had talked to him and encouraged him to focus on the things that unite us. Pastor Rufus apologized for all of the misunderstandings that had happened between him and the team. He said that the Devil had caused a lot of separation between us, but that God was strunger than that. He asked for our forgiveness. It was a really easy going meeting, thanks to Pastor Elisha explaining what our ministry is about. Side note, Pastor Elisha is applying to be on a Youth Encounter team!!

Friday morning, I woke up feeling very sick. I had an upset stomach and diarrhoea. Since Friday, I have been sick. My body doesn't want me to eat anything!! Friday, my skin was really hot. Also, part of the day, there wasn't electricity, so I had to suffer without fans (there's no air conditioning here in homes). The high temp is usually around 110, but it cools down to 95 at night. I think my sickness started because of stress. We all got ourselves really worked up about what Pastor Rufus said--thankfully, we didn't have to hear it from him at the meeting. I think my body has been unable heal because of the heat. I have no energy the sun is extremely draining and my body just won't let me eat. Hopefully soon I will discover something that my body actually wants me to eat. From Friday to Sunday, I rested at my host home. The rest of the team practiced with another group for an upcoming concert and went to a church service. Otherwise, I haven't missed a whole lot. Luke and Sonja have all been sick with similar stuff, but it isn't lasting as long. Please pray for my health and for the health of the Cross Fire team!!

When I have been able to eat food, it has been very good! I really like Burkina Faso food! We have had rice, toe (pounded corn or yams), boiled potatoes, boiled yams, french fries, chicken, millet, beans, gumbo, wild cat (we found out afterwards), fish, rice porridge, bread, tea, and hot chocolate. Our hosts and people in the village have fed us amazing meals.

Prosper left us on Sunday. He had to go to Cameroon a week early so that he can get his visa to the States renewed. We already miss him, and especially miss his translating. Please pray that his visa stuff works out.

As far as our upcoming schedule, Monday, we will go to a hospital. Tuesday, we will go to a Muslim Junior High and we will visit a group of prostitutes. Thursday, we will go back to the village of Tanwalbougou to do a workshop with women and children there. Friday, we will have a concert with several other groups, and kids will compete to see who can sound most like the bands-- we are all very excited about this! Saturday, we leave for Ouaga. Monday, we will take the long bus ride to Cotonou. On Wednesday, we will fly to Douala, Cameroon, where we will be for several days before our week long break.


Peace,

Tiffany