Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Light Defeats Darkness in Benin

Voodoo Idol

 

 

In the West African Country of Benin the darkness of Voodoo is being defeated by the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Historically, Benin has taken pride in claiming to be the birthplace and the center of the Voodoo religion. But this is a new day in Benin with a national President who is a follower of Jesus Christ and it is a country where Bible believing and Laté, Mensah, Alexander Bible preaching churches are being planted across the country. My colleague Laté Lawson and I went to Dassa-Zoume, Benin for the dedication of an Africa Oasis Project well at the Bible School there. Many gracious thanks and much celebration was given to the Lord for the fresh, plentiful water that now flows on the campus. GradsThis was also a time of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Bible School and the graduation festivities.

 

After the big events at the Bible school it was my honor Pastor Mensahto spend three days with Pastor David Mensah, the national President of the Assemblies of God Church in Benin.  Laté and I traveled with Pastor Mensah to see three villages that are each in desperate need of a fresh water well.

 

Even though the story is repetitive across Africa, the need is just as great in the villages of Warya, Tchamhoum, and Kissamey, Benin. Walking great distances to a watering hole that they share with the cattle. Or buying water that costs one Water pansforth of a day’s wages for just one 20 liter (about 5 gallons) pan of unclean water. Because of the long lines the people are only allowed to come once a day. Believers and non-believers alike need clean, plentiful water and the Africa Oasis Project well is there to service the entire village as a demonstration of the Love of God. Clean and healthy water is a wonderful tool used to fight the darkness and the sickness that is prevalent across Benin.

Time for a haircutYou can help us fight the darkness of Voodoo and disease in three Benin villages by giving financially to help the Africa Oasis Project put in wells near our churches that will meet the need of thousands of people in Benin. Check this blog site to see how you can give.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” Luke 12:48

Will you give to help those in need?

Your “Water Bearers”,      

Mark and Vickie

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Wells for Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso villageBurkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Dédouton; exotic places with exotic names that are ravaged by heat and lack of rain most of the year. In the West African country of Burkina Faso the people scratch out an existence by subsistence farming.  Donkeys are used to pull a single blade Plowing in Burkina Fasoplow and the rest is done by back breaking work. Burkina Faso is a land in desperate need of clean, plentiful water. Pastor Michel OUEDRAOGO, the President of the Assemblies of God church in Burkina Faso, indicated that the people and the land are thirsty for the water that will give physical life and they are BF boy who needs waterthirsty for the Living Water that will give eternal life. Small children carry containers of water on their heads and walk great distances. It is our desire to put fresh water wells in as many villages in Burkina Faso as possible. Recently the national Assemblies of God leadership of Burkina Faso gave us the names of nine priority villages that are in desperate need of clean water.

You can make a real difference in the lives of real people who  Mark with BF childrenhave real needs for the basic necessity of clean water. The average well in this remote and very special country will cost approximately $11,200. Though the cost is great, the desperate need for clean water is greater. May we give more than a cup of water in the name of Jesus.

If you want to help the Africa Oasis Project, and Mark and Vickie Alexander, put the much needed wells in Burkina Faso please send your contribution to:

Africa Oasis Project, AGWM
1445 Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802

Acct. #2258432 (class 88) Burkina Faso

May we partner together as we are…
“Reaching all people by all means”.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Celebrating Five New Wells In Ghana and Togo

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.” Isaiah 44:3

image We have just returned from an exciting trip where we celebrated five new fresh water wells in Ghana and Togo. The trip was long but the rejoicing was great.

In Upper East Ghana we went to the villages of Dabia and Kpalsako. Our friends and missionary colleagues Garret and Kelly Nichols oversaw the two well projects that were paid for by the  Africa Oasis Project. In Dabia they had already dedicated the well but the pastor and congregation expressed their gratitude for the fresh water well. Pastor Moses Delma told of the skin rashes that were afflicting many people in the village. With the clean water the rashes are all gone and they now have fresh, imagehealthy water all the time. In Kpalsako we had the opportunity to be there for the dedication of the well. People from all around the area  came to celebrate the fresh water well. The women sang and danced, the men sang and danced, and the children sang and danced. Many of the women were dressed in their finest celebration attire with bustles of leaves and half gourd hats on their heads. The village elder gave the  Nichols a sheep, four guinea fowl and a bowl of eggs to say thank you. It was 108 degrees and no shade to be found, but no one seemed to mind. It was a great event.

imageWe next went to the villages of Kadjale, Bonagana-Sada and Mazada in the interior of Togo. We installed a pump on a borehole in each of the three villages. This was also an exciting time. You may remember from a previous blog entry that Bonagana-Sada was our first “dry hole”. But not anymore. Another hole was drilled and we hit massive amounts of fresh clean water and now they will have an unending supply of good, healthy water. It was in Bonagana-Sada that the Pastor said “We walk a long way to drink with the cows.” Now they are not walking nearly as far and they are not drinking with the cows. It was in Kadjale that we told you that the women would have to walk a great imagedistance and climb down  into a 20 foot hole and dip filthy, diseased water. But now there is no climbing and they are not walking  great distances. With the new fresh water well they were shouting “akpe-kaka”, which is “thank you very, very much” in the Ewe language. In Mazada they were equally as happy as the new well was finished just behind the church. The chief of the village expressed his thanks that we were able to put in a well that can be used by the entire village and by the school which is just across the street. The school has no imagewater at all, so the well will be a blessing to many people.

What makes these wells so special is the people; the wonderful people in the United States who give so graciously and sacrificially. What a blessing to receive such loving financial gifts. Also the people we work with to make these wells a reality. People like our friends and missionary colleagues Berry and Tracey Brown who worked very hard on each of these well projects. People like Laté and Minen Lawson, our Togolese partners and friends who help us imagewith everything from language and culture issues to installing pumps and more. And also the people who receive these wells, who are always so appreciative and excited to see the first water flow. Vickie and I are truly blessed to be a part of the Africa Oasis Project.

If you want to help “pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground” just contact us at mark.alexander@agmd.org or go to www.africaoasisproject.com.

God Bless You All.

Mark and Vickie