May 2015May 2015May 2015May 2015

Sheltering WingsSheltering WingsSheltering WingsSheltering Wings

Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:

Educating WomenEducating WomenEducating WomenEducating Women 2222

Education in Yako Education in Yako Education in Yako Education in Yako

and Banforaand Banforaand Banforaand Banfora 3333

A Broadened Scope A Broadened Scope A Broadened Scope A Broadened Scope

of Educationof Educationof Educationof Education 4444

An Interview with the Directress of Public Primary School in KiminiAn Interview with the Directress of Public Primary School in KiminiAn Interview with the Directress of Public Primary School in KiminiAn Interview with the Directress of Public Primary School in Kimini Blessings and ChallengesBlessings and ChallengesBlessings and ChallengesBlessings and Challenges

As a child Fatoumata Dambile recognized the importance of education. She loved learning and helping classmates understand their lessons. Her love of children and her desire to share knowledge and improve lives only deepened as she matured. Being in the classroom seems quite natural, she shares. Her role as directress of the primary school in Kimini began as a classroom teacher where she felt the rewards of her vocation every time the twinkle of understanding shown in the eyes of her students. Her natural leadership abilities led her to her present position as directress after five years of gaining experience teaching various primary grades. The monetary benefits are meager, yet the rewards of working with children, building confidence in new teachers, and learning new methods to enhance teaching is in itself a priceless gift. She confesses that working in the village brings a new set of challenges. Often, parents do not comprehend the importance of education nor do they know how to help their children succeed in school. Absentees are frequent, interrupting the flow of instruction. Greater needs interfere with motivation and desire to learn. Fatoumata also feels that village children are often unaware of career opportunities such as law enforcement, medicine, commerce, and social work. These children often follow in the footsteps of their parents as subsistence farmers and homemakers. Yet hope exists that through education new doors will open to improve their lives. Her role of teacher/directress provides opportunity to introduce new pursuits and bring awareness of the broader world beyond the village. Through teaching the present generation of students Fatoumata hopes to "reap one hundred harvests". ~ Linda Wilk

In the small village of Kimini education

presents both blessings and challeng-

es. Currently first, third and fifth

grade are taught one year. The next

year second, fourth and sixth grade

will be taught. If a child does not pass

class during the current year, they will

have to wait another year before that

grade will be repeated. As this minis-

try grows, please pray for vision and

direction for the children, parents and

individuals who have the political

influence to improve the school. May

the Love of Christ continue to pour

into this area.

Fatoumata, Directress in Kimini

Education in the village of Kimini looks a lot different than education in the United States. When we think of education, we think of preparing our children for a bright future. We commonly ask our young people, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Answers may range from accountant to zoologist. Children here are encouraged by their parents and by society to dream big! Because food, clothing and medical is not considered a privilege but a right here in the U.S., not many children want for these things. Yet in this small village of Kimini, the focus of parents and society is not yet on the future but instead on day to day survival. Food, clothing and medical care are often considered rare and unexpected blessings. More common questions will be those posed by women and children to our missionary friends: Where is the closest water well? How will I feed my infant if I am not producing breast milk? Where can I find a piece of cloth or even a pair of shoes to cover the wounds on my feet? Where will I find food for the family? Is there a doctor within walking distance? How will I pay for treatments? With these pressing daily issues, how do you help them to consider what lies beyond today? During my short visit, God, in His graciousness, gave me a sneak preview of what He is doing about education in the village of Kimini. The first morning after my arrival, a small group of Christians gathered for prayer. We prayed in French, English and Jula, offering sweet incense to the Lord. Thereafter, we sat on the porch listening as Pastor Joel, a local minister shared his vision for the women and children of Kimini. He said, “I believe the Lord has called me to build a church and a women’s center here in Kimini. The church/center can be used for equipping and empowering women as we share the gospel message, offering eternal hope and daily encouragement”. Meanwhile, Ruth and Linda had arranged for Dawn Malcolm, a Sheltering Wings board member to put into action a plan that would begin training the women to work with resources available to them such as weaving baskets and making Shae butter products. With a heart and passion for women, Dawn began a work to equip and empower women to broaden their horizons, seek opportunities, and learn new skills, all of which ultimately can open doors for them as well as offer a potential solution to the more immediate need for income for their family. ~Shari Grueninger

Women learning to weave baskets

Education in KiminiEducation in KiminiEducation in KiminiEducation in Kimini A Focus on WomenA Focus on WomenA Focus on WomenA Focus on Women

“If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for ten years, plant a tree. If for a hundred years, teach the people. When you sow a seed once you will reap a single harvest. When you teach the people, you reap a hundred harvests.” Kuan Chung

I invited Henzetta from Kimini and Valerie from Dano to join me at the 2015 Global Shea Conference held in Ouagadougou. We spent a week learning more about the shea butter business. We spent our days in sessions learning all aspects of the industry. We learned proper shea nut processing and sanitary processing procedures, how to make soap, lotion and cream and labelling requirements for products. We met representatives from many organizations, buyers, suppliers and learned of resources within the industry. One of our main goals was to find out how to organize a women’s group, form an association and register it with the government to create an official business. We are now all excited about what we learned and look forward to future projects together. We plan to follow the procedures to form an association in the village of Dano as well as educate the already formed women’s association in Kimini on how to make soap and other products with the shea butter they produce. I will treasure this memory forever! Three of us women, while we came together as strangers, we clearly shared a common passion and motivation for helping and inspiring other women. We fumbled through our language differences with patience and laughter. While we learned a great deal at the conference, my favorite part of the day was meal time. I had the opportunity to treat these

village women to foods they had never eaten. At a restaurant they had never heard of the dishes listed on the menu. Yet, they

trusted me enough to order for us all. What fun I had ordering a pizza, a cheese burger, fries, green beans and salad --dividing

everything so the ladies could taste them all. They loved it all! They explored the option of ketchup on fries and after the first bite,

when ketchup was squeezed all over the fries—the message was clear-- they liked it! I then ordered vanilla ice cream. I picked up

my spoon and took a bite, so they did the same. Henzetta’s eyes opened wide as she took a

bite and with the biggest smile, said “C’est Bon!” and dug in with her spoon. We all laughed as I

teased them about picking up their ice cream bowls and licking them clean. Not only are there

great opportunities to begin future projects to change many women’s lives as a result of what

was learned this week, but great love, blessings and friendship has already changed three

women’s lives forever. ~ Dawn Malcolm

Shea butter is an all-natural product. It is a creamy-colored fatty substance made from the nuts

of karite trees that grow wild in regions of West Africa, including Kimini. and Dano. After the

conference, Dawn traveled to Kimini with Henzetta where she and Henzetta met with other local

women to begin sharing ideas and learning new trades. The women shared concerns about the

current shea butter equipment and production issues. We wait expectantly to see how God will

use their education and insight gained this past month.

Shea Butter ConferenceShea Butter ConferenceShea Butter ConferenceShea Butter Conference Educating and Encouraging Women of the VillageEducating and Encouraging Women of the VillageEducating and Encouraging Women of the VillageEducating and Encouraging Women of the Village

The women’s center is in Yako is designed and equipped to empower women

in crisis to make a new start, building a new life for themselves and their

children. The ladies are learning a trade such as how to sew, weave, make

soap and more. Most importantly, they hear the Word of God and see His

love in action. The children of the women are blessed with time at the

orphanage, joining in activities of playing and learning with other children.

During a short visit to Yako, I had the opportunity to spend afternoons working

with the women and came away with many special friendships. They were

able to learn how to make a wooden frame loom and weave mats using

plastic bags from the market and how to make knotted bracelets. They are

very eager to learn and very appreciative of all they are being taught and

experiencing at the center.

I also spent time with Pauline who teaches the sewing classes and makes

goods for the store. We have added a number of new items to the products being sold including a newly designed purse, a

passport pouch and colorful headbands made of African fabric! Because of many needs which the women have, but do not have

the means or funds to take care of, a Women’s Aid Fund has been started to help address the needs which will truly make a

difference in these women’s lives. Our first mission is to pay for a new prosthetic arm for Elizabeth. Hopefully this will move

forward and happen for her because it will truly make a difference in her life! ~ Dawn Malcolm

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Women’s Center in YakoWomen’s Center in YakoWomen’s Center in YakoWomen’s Center in Yako Opportunities and GrowthOpportunities and GrowthOpportunities and GrowthOpportunities and Growth

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

A mat from plastic bags Dawn and the Yako team

Struggles with Shea butter

Valerie and Henzetta

Education in and outside of the classroomEducation in and outside of the classroomEducation in and outside of the classroomEducation in and outside of the classroom A Work in ProgressA Work in ProgressA Work in ProgressA Work in Progress

Education in Yako takes on many different looks and is not limited to the children in the class-room. Four days on the Yako project and I find myself immersed with learning opportunities. At the women’s center you will find weaving, sewing, gardening and most recently bread mak-ing lessons! On a Thursday afternoon what I thought was simply an opportunity to rock ba-bies to sleep, allowed me to listen to the “tanties” (caregivers), and their instructor engage in a weekly meeting discussing everything from infant and toddler safety to the most recent ideas for stimulating the minds and exercising the bodies of these little ones. Once the babies wake up they are engaged in singing, dancing and special exercises for those with physical disabili-ties. Walk from the baby center to the family center and you will find young adults working on homework, eagerly waiting for opportunities to practice both French and English on visitors such as myself. Those who tend the gardens and feed the chickens engage in friendly com-petition to find ways to yield the greatest crop. Sponsored children enjoy responding to letters received from their sponsors. There is no rushing through the process. Instead there is a meticulous and careful focus on writing and decorating the cards to be sent.

A visit to the school property reveals well kept grounds and a chapel with the beginning of a new library building under construction. While observing many positive things, Mike and Amy Rid-dering share that there is still much to be done. They are asking for continued prayer as the school year winds down in the next month. Many students will be required to take examinations to determine whether or not they will advance to the next grade. Mike and Amy have also no-ticed a direct correlation between success in school and active sponsors who write and encour-age their students. With this in mind they would like to find ways to increase communication between sponsors and their children. In an effort to speed up the process of translating letters we are looking to develop relationships with French students here in the States. We are pleased to announce that a relationship has begun with Mehlville High School French students in St. Louis County Missouri. Please pray for these relationships to grow as we seek to en-hance educational opportunities and help our students reach their greatest potential.

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You don’t have to look far to discover the high value placed on education in the Matheny household. A walk through their front door in Banfora leads directly into a classroom. Walls are covered with scripture, maps and other educational tools. The message from the heart of a homeschool family: Life is an educational experience. Sara and I had a sweet talk about their ministry to their chil-dren and to their neighbors in Banfora. While she finds herself at times struggling to learn Jula, a challenging language to learn, she and Philip persevere as they desire to learn the language spoken by many of their neighbors. In the midst of language learning challenges, God is faithful to remind Sara that there is great power in simply modeling the love of Christ in her everyday activities. By watching this family, others can clearly discover a biblical model of education. This model of education is one in which parents actively participate in the education of their children. Education is not something simply left to the school system. In the short time spent with this family, it is clear that God has blessed them with opportunities to train up their chil-dren in the way they should go. Talking with their host friend Joy and spending time with the Matheny children, gave me the privi-lege of experiencing first hand, the love, compassion, wisdom and insight poured into this family by their parents on a daily basis. These children have clearly learned at a young age the importance of family unity and the joy of serving others. God has given to each of them precious gifts of hospitality, flexibility and availability as they enthusiastically wait and walk with the One who directs their steps.

Train up a child in the way he will go and even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

Writing to sponsors

Returning letters

Emily Daniel Titus Sara and Paul, their Jula teacher

Philip assisting in clinic in Kimini

Education and MinistryEducation and MinistryEducation and MinistryEducation and Ministry Life Long “Action Words” PersonifiedLife Long “Action Words” PersonifiedLife Long “Action Words” PersonifiedLife Long “Action Words” Personified

Demonstrating the love of JesusDemonstrating the love of JesusDemonstrating the love of JesusDemonstrating the love of Jesus

to a hurting worldto a hurting worldto a hurting worldto a hurting world

Sheltering Wings

P O Box 29565

St. Louis, MO 63126

Phone: (314) 635-6316

Email: info@sheltering-wings.org

Ruth’s Blog: http://burkinaorphanage.blogspot.com

Mike & Amy’s Blog: http://reachburkina.blogspot.com

Linda’s Blog: http://burkinababies17.blogspot.com

Philip & Sara’s Blog: http://frontrowburkina.blogspot.com

ShelteringShelteringShelteringSheltering----Wings.orgWings.orgWings.orgWings.org

Child Sponsorship Changes Lives!

For just $35 a month…

Contact Info@Sheltering-Wings.org

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News travels quickly in the village of Kimini

and apparently into surrounding villages as

well. While the medical clinic in Kimini had

not officially opened word had gone out: if

you can’t find the doctor, you will find two

women there who have hearts of compassion,

and the hands and feet of Jesus.

A life lesson reinforced in Africa: man plans

but God clearly determines our steps.

Advice from Ruth and Linda—”when you

wake up acknowledge that there is only one

thing you know for sure—today is today. So,

simply wake up and be prepared to walk

wherever the Lord leads”.

From the moment of my arrival in Burkina, their

had been a flurry of excitement and activity. The

well drilling team with the doctor on board, had

left Kimini for a break on Saturday night and

Sunday. In my mind, Sunday was going to be a

day of rest. That morning just after our devotion,

a family arrived from Folonzo, a village about 25

kilometers from Kimini. They were seeking help for their malnourished daughter

who weighed only 5 pounds, 2 ounces at 5/1/2 months old. Ruth and Linda jumped

into action. They examined a medical booklet from the mom and discovered that

the child had not gained more than a couple of ounces since birth. A few phone

calls, permission from the father and five of us were off on a four hour drive to the

malnourishment clinic in Bobo. After an evaluation at the malnutrition clinic Ruth,

Linda and I left the clinic to purchase formula, medicines for the baby and some

food to leave with mother before heading back to Kimini. Over the next four weeks

the clinic helped educated and equip momma to feed and care for her child. Five

weeks later I received an email from my friend Joy. She had accompanied the

Matheny family to pick up mom and child and return them safely to Kimini. Praise

God from whom all blessings flow! ~ Shari Grueninger

Jesus Loves the Little ChildrenJesus Loves the Little ChildrenJesus Loves the Little ChildrenJesus Loves the Little Children Malnutrition provides Education for a LifetimeMalnutrition provides Education for a LifetimeMalnutrition provides Education for a LifetimeMalnutrition provides Education for a Lifetime

Many years ago the village of Kabo was considered a cursed village. The Chief had fought strongly

against offers of help from the church. In the last few years, a relationship began with the village

through with our mobile medical clinic and evangelisms. Today the relationship continues with the

Riddering family and the church. The Lord has clearly paved a way for ministry and the gospel,

especially among the widows and children. The word of God is no longer denied access. The Chief

himself has acknowledged that while he is Chief in name, the real Chief is the pastor who is free to

share the Gospel message with the people.

With the blessing of the Chief, land has been given to Sheltering Wings and now provides

opportunity for education and large scale learning in an effort to help alleviate poverty in West Africa.

Plans includes the building of a large scale agricultural project . The vision is for this to be a place where universities can send their

brightest minds to find solutions to aid in growing food in the difficult environment. The hope is that these experiments continue

year around, and other universities build their experiments upon others, leading to progress in the fight against starvation and

hunger. Ideally, teams bring their ideas, yet rely solely on natural resources and materials available at little or no cost to the people

of this area. Often well intentioned people come in with machines and infrastructure that cannot be maintained by the local people.

Consequently, these well intentioned projects do not survive the test of time. The dream is to have the local people walk along side

the teams and learn from each other ways to become more self sufficient. And so the process begins….

Your unfailing love, O lord, is as vast as the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your

justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your unfailing love oh God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36: 5-7

5 weeks later

This sweet baby is 5-1/2 months old

Mom & child

The process begins

Educational AdvancementsEducational AdvancementsEducational AdvancementsEducational Advancements Vision, Planning and TeamworkVision, Planning and TeamworkVision, Planning and TeamworkVision, Planning and Teamwork