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WOW! Last week we had a team of 13 teens and their 4 leaders from Ouagadougou visit BFO in Yako. I'll be honest - I was prepared to give up my space and just hang with teens for 4 days; but never did I think they would make such an impact in Yako. 
They called themselves "Operation YAK-oh!" These teens clearly came
with a purpose - to serve the Lord by blessing hundreds of children
with their well-prepared games, songs, and theater. I was in awe the
first day as I saw their ability to manage a group of literally
hundreds of kids and involve each of them in their activities. It was
nothing fancy - a game of "duck, duck, goose", the "chicken dance", the
"hokey pokey"; but it was the way they did it with animation, passion
and incredible energy. Even all their songs involved lots of action
and hand motions that had all the mamas on the sidelines laughing and
enjoying it as much as their children. 
They
acted out the scene of David slewing Goliath with a special prop -
Goliath on a unicycle! Of course, that got everyone's attention.
There was silence as each child watched and listened to the whole
story; and then were called to participate in the 2nd reenactment. 
The
second day, they visited the village of Gobila to do the same for all
of our 1st grade and preschool students. Even the Dads couldn't resist
and stood on the sidelines watching, laughing, smiling. We
(BFO) had our new group of teacher candidates participating as well and
I'm thrilled they were able to learn so much by watching and joining
in. They were able to see how much fun you can have with children and
still share a message and the love of Christ. And, the
group was no trouble at all as they were content to sleep outdoors,
take bucket baths, and eat the local food prepared by a neighbor lady
and "the" local restaurant. I think they actually enjoyed sleeping on
the upper terrace of my home and the home the girls are renting just
across the street. It was the perfect set up. 
I
look forward to their return. I only wish they could have heard all
the comments I heard the following days by people who were so touched
by their visit. 
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