Compassion Ministry

Ami has a large tumour on her face that has been growing for five years. She is waiting to have a surgery that will remove this tumour. But the hospital doesn’t have enough anesthetic to do the complicated non-emergency surgery that Ami needs. So she waits while the tumour continues to grow.

Yaya is eighteen years old and has been sick for the past several years. After finally getting a blood test, he was told by health workers that the bone infection that has been tormenting him for years is likely due to malnutrition. Yaya is finally getting treatment for his infection

Because of the lack of resources, many people in rural areas of Burkina Faso suffer from preventable health problems for long periods of time. Instead of receiving quick and effective treatment, their health often gets increasingly worse.

Phil and Carol Bergen serve as church planters with MB Mission in Burkina Faso. They are working among the Nanerige people to bring them the good news in their own language. While living in N’dorola, Phil and Carol have seen the health needs of their community and have been able to help out some of the people in this village.

As part of their compassion ministry, Phil and Carol pray and pay for medical treatments, arrange for appointments, and accompany the sick to the clinic or hospital. While some people criticize and accuse them of trying to buy converts, others understand that Phil and Carol do what they do because of their desire to follow the principles of Jesus. They are eager to share His love through caring for the sick and needy.

Sometimes the people that they help do end up joining them at the church that meets in their yard. Recently Phil and Carol have discovered that many of the children that have started attending their children’s program are from families of people that they have helped through their compassion ministry. Praise God!

As followers of Christ, we are called to care for those who are poor, marginalized, sick, and oppressed. Pray for wisdom and strength for Phil and Carol as they reach out to the people in their village. Pray that it will be clear to these people that the love of Christ is what motivates Phil and Carol and moves them to action. Pray also for the complete healing of Ami and Yaya.

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26