Missions:  Kevin & Bonnie Oberg

 

Kevin & Bonnie Oberg in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Kevin & Bonnie Oberg
Children, Daniel, Jacob, Abby and Emma

APRIL 2009 EMAIL FROM OBERGS IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA

 

SO BLESSED BY THE SALEM TEAM

            Wow, what a great group!  We were so encouraged by our visit with the Salem team and their flexibility, positive attitudes, hearty appetites (made us proud for how well they ate the food in the bush!), and for their good testimony to those they interacted with.  They were an encouragement to Pastor Samuel and Elizabeth and the believers in and around Ndorola, and Kevin says that they did a great job painting the youth foyers and Ndorola church (see picture of church “Jesus Christ-Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King” in French, which was part of their painting project).  They also saw people come to Christ at an evening’s evangelism campaign and worshiped in church the next morning in Ndorola.  They did a great job with the kids for a VBS held here in Bobo, plus had some fun seeing some sights here in Burkina.  I could go on and on.  Thanks team—we were blessed and encouraged!!   And thanks to all of you who covered their trip in prayer!  (see pic—some of team/our family/some of our MKs)

           

A BLENDING OF TWO WORLDS

            Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend an event here in Bobo that has made a permanent mark on me.  Four men from Europe were traveling through different countries in Africa, playing symphony music (Beethoven, Bach, etc.) on their various instruments (violins, cellos, etc.).  Not having heard anything “live” like this for many years, I was greatly anticipating “losing myself” in a bit of Western culture.  After having lived in a foreign culture for a few years and trying to adapt to a life that was so different to me, I felt, just for a moment, like I was “back home”.  The music was absolutely beautiful and I was content just to sit and “soak it all in”.

            Towards the end of the concert, one of the men explained that there was a talented Burkinabè drummer in the audience.  The men invited him to come join them on the stage and play a jimbay (a drum carved out of wood with an animal skin head that stands about 3 feet off the ground).  “This will be interesting,” I thought, as the man came forward and took a seat in front of the drum.  I really do enjoy listening to the drums of Africa, but I just wasn’t sure how these two different styles were going to merge together.

            What happened next, I will never forget.  The traveling group started playing the same type of music that they had been playing all night, and then the drummer started in, not changing his style to necessarily “match” the others, but keeping true to the African rhythms that one hears out here.  Sometimes playing quietly, sometimes building to a loud and dynamic rhythm, only to back down again, the drummer blended perfectly with the melody being played.  I sat mesmerized, so moved emotionally that I had to blink back tears.  I had never heard anything quite like this and I found myself questioning, “Why is this so incredibly moving to me?”

            I’ve thought about that concert many times since.  It represented to me the blending of two worlds that although being incredibly different, by taking the best out of both of those worlds, something better was created, something even more beautiful than those two “bests” would have been left by themselves.

            One could find many different applications from this analogy, but just recently, I was struck by a new thought.  We are less than a month away from returning to the US for our year of home assignment.  As a parent, I have thought much about the transition that this will be for my children, who are technically defined as “Third Culture Kids”.  Not truly a part of their home culture (the US) and as much as Africa feels like home to them, not truly a part of their foreign culture either.  They’re kind of stuck in the middle.  They are different from American kids, different from Burkinabè kids, and will most likely relate best to kids who are growing up as third culture kids.  As I was thinking about this one day, the concert popped into my mind.  By God’s grace, He can use the best things from American culture and the best things from African culture to make something beautiful out of my kids’ lives.  His plan for them includes growing up in these two cultures, and our prayer is that each of our kids would love Him and desire to serve Him, their lives being a unique and beautiful symphony that brings glory to God.

 

WHICH LEADS US TO—ANNUAL RECAP OF THE OBERG KIDS!

            Yes, it’s birthday times again here at the Oberg house for all of our kids, and I try to focus one letter a year on what they are doing, as your prayers for our family and ministry here definitely include them.  So, in a nutshell . . . . (and see picture)

DANIEL—11 years old and in the 5th grade.  His favorite subject is history and least favorite is spelling.  He loves anything that has to do with video games and computers.  He likes baseball, Star Wars, and building with Legos.  He also enjoys drawing, doing puzzles, reading, and playing basketball.  He is a kind-hearted and helpful older brother, and enjoys spending time with a group of boys close to his age that they call the “Bobo Buddies”.  Most looked forward to American experience this year:  “Disneyland!”

JACOB—9 years old and in the 3rd grade.  His favorite subject is history and least favorite is math.  He loves to play outside and ride his scooter around.  He is also one of the “leaders” of a little club called the “Stripey Team” (made up of many of our MKs).   He enjoys tearing apart anything that is broken and has a suitcase full of computer/electronic/etc. parts that he makes things out of.  He likes running (calls himself “Super Speedy!”).  Most looked forward to American experience this year:  “Building a big tree house/fort with cousin, Zac, and Disneyland!”

ABBY—7 years old and in the 1st grade.  Her favorite subject is reading and she likes it all (no least favorite subject!).  She tries to read everything these days, including looking over my shoulder when I write emails!  She loves playing outside with Jacob and Emma, and takes very good care of her little sister when she is having “problems”.  She enjoys playing with her doll house, Polly Pockets, stuffed animals, and making cards for people.  She has a very sweet and sensitive nature, but can also be quite silly and giggly.  Most looked forward to American experience this year:  “To see my Nana and my Grandma and Grandpa again.”

EMMA—5 years old and can’t wait for Kindergarten!  She says her favorite subject is running and her least favorite is jumping jacks.  :o)  She enjoys drawing pictures and practicing writing her letters, giving me all sorts of notes which say, “I LOVE YOU” (aka:  FMDKSOTKSOWKEHFOSKEMMA)  She also enjoys playing with Abby and her doll house, Polly Pockets, stuffed animals, and doing whatever Abby and Jacob are involved with outside.  She is our “goofball”—doing all sorts of silly things to make us laugh and jumping up and down in pure glee when excited!  Most looked forward to American experience this year:  “To do home school!”

 

PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK

*Kevin goes to Temetemeso this Tues/Wed to roof the church there.  Please PRAY for safety and protection and that the project will go smoothly.

*We will spend Easter Sunday in Samorogouan (where Pastor Fidele and his wife, Joy, minister).  This will be our last time with this group before our departure, so please pray for a special time with them.

 

Thanks for your prayers!  May you have a wonderful Easter week, reflecting on all He has done for you.

 

Kevin, Bonnie, Daniel, Jacob, Abby, and Emma Oberg

 

Check out our field website!!  http://burkinaalliance.org  You’ll see new pictures, read new stories, and find all the facts you need about Burkina Faso.

 

Financial info - How You Can Give . . .  And we are SO grateful!

 

To give to the Great Commission Fund (helps keep us on the field) –or-

To give to the Oberg Work Special Fund (for our ministry needs in Burkina):

 

1)         Mail a check payable to The C&MA to the following address, with the appropriate information in the memo line of the check (include our name and the fund desired:  i.e. “Oberg GCF/Support” or “Oberg Work Special”):  The C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO  80935

2)         Go to www.cmalliance.org to give online with a credit card.