An Expanding Ministry?
DAK Ministry Update, May 9, 2017
Dear Friends,
Wow! A whole year has passed without sending you news! Those of you who read my WordShare Prayer Page on Facebook, are regularly updated, but that does not excuse me from communicating with my non Facebook friends! Yes, I have been very busy, some may say too much, my brain seems quite stretched at times — teaching a variety of courses in Bible schools, checking a variety of translated books, occasionally working on developing resources, and getting involved in the new ministry of consultant training and mentoring.
The geography of my ministry is in the process of being redefined — uncertain future for working with the Ngas in Nigeria, but new possible opportunities for both Congo's (Kinshasa and Brazzaville), more work right here at home in Burkina, and solicitation from as far away as the Asian continent! The biggest surprise was receiving an invitation to teach Biblical geography at a youth camp in a village north of Ouagadougou! But solicitations for my resources continue to come from anywhere, most lately from various parts of Africa. We are thankful for the opportunities to serve.
Below you will see a summary of what I and Daniel have been up to in the past year (the details are on WordShare Prayer Page), as well as our financial needs, and prayer concerns.
- Moore Gospel Hymnal: The hymnal that Daniel has been updating over a number of years has finally been published, with over 250 hymns in his own language. Thanks for those who contributed a little bit extra to help offset the expenses for the publication of 1000 copies.
- Jos, Nigeria: We completed the checking of Isaiah in the Ngas language last November. Rotshak Golmut is now completing a six month Hebrew study in Israel, at the Home for Bible Translators, where I taught in 2015. However, there is a question about me working with them in the future, as the partner that financed my travel to Jos has recently severed their relationship with NBTT-Nigeria Bible Translation Trust. A lot of uncertainty and sadness about the turn of events, which also affects salaries.
- ANTBA: My involvement in ANTBA, the National Bible Translation Organization here in Burkina has significantly increased in the last year. I am now providing leadership in translation consultant development and consultant management. I also look for ways for translators to develop their skills. Am thankful for this new opportunity. ANTBA has 19 translation projects, 4 certified consultants and 4 consultants in training. I will also be more involved in checking scripture, and providing training.
- Sicite: The Sicite New Testament is completed, and has been sent to the printers!!!! I had the privilege to check the final introductions and glossary and give last minute help. Another special event was the dedication of the Mennonite church building in Kotoura, in July. It was a special moment of praising God for bringing us thus far, from no believers in 1982 to the largest church building of the Mennonite Church in Burkina (at least at this point!) in 2017, with support from various people including my home church, Listowel Mennonite.
- Siamou language in Orodara: My Mennonite colleague, Paul Thiessen invited me to provide basic translation training for some Siamou people who are taking the initiative to work in parallel with the Mennonite translation team, under a program called MAST. With this potentially divisive situation, we are so thankful for great participation and a good week of training (in April), and evidence that they were using their new skills in the MAST workshop the following week. This program does not provide translation training, so the quality of the work they are producing is a true matter of concern. We have been praying for the future of the Siamou translation work. Perhaps the Lord is working in a way that we had not expected. I have been occasionally helping out with the Siamou linguistics and translation work for about 20 years now.
- Bible School teaching: This year I suddenly had a series of 4 classes to teach Jan — March here in Burkina: Biblical Geography, History of the Church, the Pentateuch at the Apostolic Mission night school, and Hebrew Poetry at Logos University! The latter is a Masters' level class. Thankful for the opportunities to share my knowledge with others. Daniel was also invited to teach a course on the history of the Apostolic Mission Church.
- Consultant Mentoring in Congo: In March, I went to Kinshasa, DRC to help teach in a workshop for training consultants with Seed Company (under Wycliffe Bible Translators), an organization that promotes national involvement in Bible translation programs. While there, I met with the person who first introduced me to Bible translation and his language way back in 1975-76, Ghymalu Kianza. Yes, the Congo was where the seed for Bible translation was planted. Ghymalu is now seeking to revise his Bible in Gipende. Providentially, he met the people he was looking for when he came to visit me.
- Daniel's ministry and activities: We are thankful for Daniel's (and my) health. Daniel continues to be active as pastor in his church and overseeing his schools and personal projects, such as installing a solar powered water pump for our bore hole well. As finances provide, we continue putting on finishing touches to the church.
Continue to pray for us and for Burkina Faso. The government has been working at preventing more terrorist attacks and threats on schools in the northern part of the country. There is enforced security everywhere, police checks on road trips, armed forces on the streets, airport type security when entering large churches, businesses, restaurants and hotels. But life goes on. We are thankful to continue our ministry here.
We thank you all for your prayer and financial support this past year. We would appreciate your continuation of support, and also new supporters. In addition to helping us out, we provide for education funds for pastoral students and for ANTBA translators, as our funds allow. This includes subsidizing training in workshops and Bible schools, and studies at university level. If you would like to help out, please contact us for more information.
A note for American Mennonite donors: Mennonite Mission Network will now receive donations on our behalf and forward them to us. You can find our names on their website, and give either by mail or on-line. They offer 5% or less administrative fee for this service. Write me for more information.
Thank you for your prayers and we pray for you also as you meet challenges where you are.
Anne and Daniel Kompaoré
P.S. The WordShare Prayer Page is a closed Facebook page where we share current private news and prayer requests as they happen. All prayer warriors are welcome! Please write us!
Sharing God's Word through teaching, pastoring, and Bible translation
Commission to Every Nation and Mennonite Mission Network
Email: agkompaore@gmail.com, danielkompaore@gmail.com;
Skype: annegk1, d.kompaore
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Financial Details available upon request.