Life Threatening Decisions in Burkina Faso

Have you ever endured a sleepless night because of a decision you have made? This happened to Eileen Sommerville, an advisor to the national church and church planter amongst least-reached people groups in Burkina Faso for over 30 years.

This incredible story begins late last year.  A young Christian Kaan girl was expelled from her tribe because, as a member of the royal family she refused to marry the non-Christian the King had chosen for her. She moved to Gaoua where she died of malaria. Her Christian parents brought her home for burial, but the King exhumed the body and buried her in the royal cemetery with heathen rites. Both parents objected and were injured with a machete by the king. 

Later, an elderly Christian father of a local pastor died. He too had royal blood.  In spite of much tension the Christians agreed to let his body be buried by the king, in order to prevent a civil war. He arrived to take the body with a large group of well armed men. 

This encouraged the king, who decided to close all Kaan churches. He threatened that if anyone attended church they would be killed. Eileen explains the difficult decisions that followed, “We approached the highest civil authority we could, the governor, who gave us permission to meet. However, we were told late on Saturday night that the governor had changed his mind.  This is where I had my sleepless night.  Despite the death threat, I felt God move me to advise the Church President to tell the Christians to meet, and we called the national church to prayer.” 

The King of Kings intervened on their behalf.  The governor, angry for being misrepresented, sent riot police to protect the Christians. The national church continued to fast and pray, and until now peace has prevailed. To God be the glory!