Burkina Faso, World Factbook, 2005

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) began work in Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in the early 1970s. The main relief efforts and water projects were located near Djibasso and Tougan in the northwest part of the country. Through MCC contacts with Christian and Missionary Alliance congregations and missionaries, Mennonite missionaries were invited to plant churches in the southwest part of the country. Two couples were sent there by Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) in 1978. They settled in the town of Orodara in the province of Kenedougou. Because of the diversity of language groups in that area, linguists were needed, and the first such team arrived in 1982 and settled in Kotoura, ca. 50 km. (30 mi.) west and south of Orodara. Since 1982 three more couples joined the first linguistic team. Each has entered a new language group.

During the 1980s the AIMM mission had expanded to six villages, of which four had church groups meeting regularly with a total of more than 40 members. Several national members gave leadership to their respective congregations.

Volunteers for MCC and AIMM workers have strong fraternal ties. MCC has expanded its program into the southern and eastern regions of the country and in 1987 had 20 workers.

In 2006 the Ëglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso had 8 congregations with 500 members.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 112. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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