Up-date for Francophone Ministries for Christ

The February 2011 Mali Medical Team

2010-11-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

The tenative dates for the next medical team are February 12-26, 2011. We have 10 members for the team so far and are looking for more. Dr. Mike Balon and Dr. Denise Balon are leading the medical team this year. Even if you are not in the medical field this trip could be for you. There is a need for support people who can use perioxide, salve, and bandaids for small cuts as the Africans do not have that knowledge concerning these items. For more information, please call 810 982-9399 and talk to Franklin Spotts if you are interested in this trip. God will bless you for helping to give the gospel to those who have not heard.

The July/August 2010 Construction Team

2010-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

The next Mali construction team will be leaving July 28th through August 14th. There will be 7 team members (three men and four women)that will be traveling together for this trip. Their project will be continuing the building of the Mali Hope School with other Mali team members. Some of the jobs will be: making the blocks for the next three upstairs classrooms,stuccoing, and painting. They will also be participating in medical care and teaching.

The 20 Foot Container Has Arrived in Burkina Faso

2010-07-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

The container that was sent out the end of December has finally arrived in Burkina Faso. We received word around the first of June that the long awaited for container with the radio equipment to update the 8 radio stations had arrived. Not only was there radio equipment but also clothes, shoes,guitars,literature and other ministry tools that will be used to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Ward Presbyterian Medical Team

2010-06-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

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The medical team has been dubbed "The Mali True Love Team" where they delivered supplies and medical attention in Mali, West Africa. 1800 pounds of medication was packed in containers, taking only the bare minimum of personal possessions for the team themselves in a carry on bag on the plane.

The 18 member medical team of the Ward Presbyterian Evangelism Church and Franklin while in Mali roasted in the hottest season of the year. A lot of water was needed due to the HOT, HOT weather. At one point of the trip the group battled dehydration, and at least half of the team fell ill. Dr. Deighton was responsible not only for heading up the care of the 1300 village people, but also for his own team.

The purpose according to the leader, Dr. Kevin Deighton, is not to heal Africa, but to touch them with the love of Christ so that they may see Jesus. The whole team donned shirts bearing Galatians 5:13, "Serve one another in love."

This year Youth for Christ Leader, Jean Pierre Dabou, asked the team to focus on three particular villages. While winding up their day at the village of SonKonia, in the distance was the sound of drums, lively drums, and dancers who were in colorful attire and masks, delivering a lively message for the team members. The Chief had come and exchanged an offering, a live sheep symbolizing that indeed some connection, some covenant had been made between the medical team and this village.

March 27th-April 9 Medical Team

2010-03-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Mali Medical team with 18 members will be leaving on Saturday, the 27th. Dr. Kevin Deighton will be leading the team which includes his wife, Karen and four daughters: Grace, Jenny, Olivia, and Molly. There will be 12 other team members which consist of: Hollis and Mary Chandler, Carmen Denes, Nora Hankinson, Edie Lovell, Jeanne Miko, Dave and MaryRuth Satterthwaite, Barb Soyster, Doug and Linda Thompson, and Franklin Spotts.

Jean Pierre Dabou will be leading the national evangelism team to the different villages while the medical team treats the people. The goal is to be able to plant churches in the villages.

The team will provide medicine for malaria, worms, and such simple things like headaches, colds, stomach aches,etc. Things that we take every day for granted the Africans do not have at all. There will also be glasses to help restore the vision of different people who have not been able to see in a long time.

July 28-August 13, 2010 Mali, West Africa Trip

2010-02-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Franklin is in the process of getting a team of volunteers for his trip that begins on July 28 through August 13th. This will be a building team in order to finish the upstairs classrooms at the Mali Hope High School.

For more information, please call 810 982-9399 or email fmc104460@sbcglobal.net.

March's Medical Team

2010-02-17T12:01:00.000-08:00

The medical team is projected to leave March 27 and return April 9th. 18 members will be traveling to Bamako, Mali to show the love of Christ through their serving our Lord. Dr. Kevin Deighton will lead the team which includes his wife, Karen,and his four daughters: Grace, Jenny, Olivia, and Molly Deighton. The veterans are Percy Andrews, Edie Lovell and Mary Ruth Satterthwaite. The new members will be Dave Satterthwaite, Carmen Denes, Jeanne Miko, and Barb Soyster.

The 20 foot container has finally left from Detroit and is on its way to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Due to security measures it has taken a long time to get the container out of Detroit and on its way.The delivery date for the container to Lome is around March 14th. So please be praying that it arrives safely and in one piece.

Container for Burkina Faso Is Being Loaded now.

2009-12-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

A 20 foot container is now being filled at Francophone Ministries for Christ. The container will be shipped to Burkina Faso with the radio equipment for the 8 radio stations that are being produced by Radio Evangel Developpment. We have had around six different men working on the container.

The container brings Christian literature, computers, mixer boards, cassette players, copiers, a manual paper cutter, clothes, guitars, and much more to the main station in Ouagadougou. We do not ship air so every tiny space is stuffed with clothing or shoes or whatever can fill the space.

August 2009 Team

2009-10-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

On July 31, 2009 the three member construction team left to go to Mali, West Africa in order to continue the building on Mali Hope School. The team members were Franklin Spotts, veteran, Bob Mattson and first time member, Charles McCue.

The goal of the team members was to finish the roof of the 2nd floor of Hope School. The Africans were there to help also as the team worked for three weeks on the school.

The Steps of the Construction:
1. The boards for pouring concrete were clamped into place.

2. The ceiling blocks that were made previously by the Malians were taken upstairs.

3. The posts and boards were positioned in place in order to stablize the ceiling.

4. All the re-rod that was put together was positioned between the ceiling blocks.

5. The electrical conduit and wires for the ceiling lights were then placed.

6. Then the cement, gravel, and sand were mixed together by hand to make concrete.

7. The concrete was thrown up to the second floor by shovels rhythmically and then it was thrown to the roof.

8. The roof of the second floor was then leveled off by the team and Franklin.

9. The doors and windows for the three new classrooms have been purchased and have now been placed.

August 2009 Building Team

2009-05-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Francophone Ministries for Christ is looking for team members to go to Mali, West Africa for the August 1st - August 17th Construction team. This team will be working on the Mali Hope School putting the ceiling up and the windows in the second floor classrooms. If you are looking for a blessing from God call Franklin at 810 982-9399.

January 2009 Mali Team

2009-05-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

January 17th - 31st, we had a 6 member medical team that went to Bamako, Mali. The team members were: Franklin Spotts, Hollis and Mary Chandler, Michael Kimmerly, Susan Sopha, and Diana Taylor. We did not have an American Dr. but we did have Dr. Jacques who is one of the nationals.

One of the projects that is near and dear to Susan Sopha's heart is the Rice/Millett Fund. Susan heads up that project in order to raise money for Rice/Millet for the pastors and other people that need it. This year Susan was able to buy 23 (120 lbs.) bags of rice and millet thanks to some generous people. Some of the team were able to deliver the rice to some of the pastors. One of the pastor's wife did not know where she was going to get food for her family.

The medical team plus some of the nationals were able to see around 1500 people in two different villages and a Christian school. The nationals translated for us and were a huge help. We treated for malaria, worms, eye infections, headaches, back pain, bad wounds, etc. We were also able to fit glasses to some of the Malians who were having eye problems. One man jumped up and praise the Lord that he could see.

Some of the team were able to work on the pit that has been continually being filled that is on the school property. The pit covered about one third of the property that the government gave in order to build the school. There is just a small part of it left. In the background is the high school that is still being worked on in Mali.

When the team travels to Mali they are equiped with lots of literature with the Good News that is in French and many other languages. The team passes out the literature to the students in the classrooms and the students in turn take it home to their parents.

There is still lots of work to be done on the highschool. The blocks for the ceiling on the second floor needs to be put in, the windows need to be bought and installed, and the stuccoing needs to be done. The goal right now is for the team this August to be able to finish the high school so they can hold classes on the second floor.

July 2008 Burkina Faso Team

2009-05-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Our team of 9 arrived in time to celebrate July 4th at the American Club in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa. At this time Etienne Kiemde, the Radio Evangel Developpment Director of the 8 Stations, and his wife, Clementine, met the team there. The team consisted of: Franklin Spotts, Dr. Bob Carpenter, Dr. Richard Averbeck, Paul Curtis, Jamal Frizzell, Jon Marc Chandler, Marilyn Thompson, Bob Mattson, and Paul Spotts.

Dr. Bob Carpenter,and Dr. Richard Averbeck remained in Ouagadougou. Dr. Bob and Dr. Richard taught the churches pastors.

The rest of the team went to Fada, Burkina Faso to construct the 8th radio station. At that time they were able to construct the tower to reach 40 feet in the air with the nationals and the team working together. The next 40 feet was finished by the nationals after our team had left.

Paul Spotts taught the churches Sunday School teachers while in Fada. The Malians enjoyed practicing on telling the Bible stories as part of the lesson.

While there in Ouadadougou the R.E.D. (Radio Evangel Developpment) stations celebrated their 15th Anniversary of being on air. They had a big celebration with a concert and street evangelism. We know that 50 people responded to receive Christ as the evangelism team traveled around Ouagadougou.

July 15th, 6 members of the team arrived in Bamako, Mali to work on the school. Paul Spotts continued to teach Sunday School teachers as the rest of the team worked on the Hope School. One of the projects was to continue to build the foundation for the property wall around the school in order to protect the children from cars that might take a short cut through the school property. Another project was to build the steps for the night watchman's house out of stone that has been given by the neighbors. The biggest challenge was to make 2000 ceiling blocks for the second floor high school roof.

July Teams for Burkina Faso and Mali

2008-06-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

The July (9 member) team is busily getting ready for their trip to Burkina Faso where they will help to build the new eighth radio station and put up the tower for the station. While there we will be working with Etienne Kiemde and many of his African workers. The team will be there for 10 days then they will ride by vehicle to Mali which is around a 12 hour drive.

In Mali, they will continue to work on the Mali Hope School. There they will be putting the roof on the second floor of the school. Another project will be for some of the team members to teach the Malians how to teach the Bible to their people.

The team members will be gone approximately 3 weeks so please remember them in your prayers as they do the work of the Master.

The Eighth Radio Station

2008-04-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

On April 11, 2008, Etienne Kiemde was at the definitive convention with the Superior Counsel of Communication. Here you see Etienne signing the contracts for the eighth radio frequency in Fada.

In July, the building team will be helping to raise the radio tower and build the station in Fada.

Tentative Medical Team Trip

2008-03-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Medical Team will be tentatively going to Mali, January 17, 2009 to January 31, 2009. The Drs. Mike and Denise Balon will be heading up the team at that time. Please call Franklin at (810) 982-9399 if you are interested in going on this team.

Mali February 2008 Trip

2008-02-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

On, Sunday, February 3rd, five members of Faith Christian Community Church and one member of the First Free Methodist Church embarked on a missionary trip to Bamako, Mali in West Africa. Their mission was to see where God was at work and join Him in it.

Hope School building is where they worked first. They assisted in many tasks at hand such as: the pouring of concrete for the last two classrooms on the lower level, the massive hole just in the school courtyard was continually filled with rocks and dirt, re-rods were laid in place for the lintel for the roof, trash pick-up in and around the school was hauled for burning and much more.

Pastor Link Howard provided leadership training to the pastors of the area for three consecutive days. The pastors identified the need for leadership training as one of the most important tools for equipping them to do the work of the Lord. The Pastor and Mrs. Howard facilated a session with the pastor's wives and women ministers also.

The Medical Team came a little later and they all went out to the villages to treat and possibly heal the sick and afflicted. When they arrived excitement filled the villagers' eyes as the team set up their stations for people to be treated. People came with a variety of illnesses from Malaria, to headaches, open sores, vision screenings, and much more. During the two weeks we treated over 2700 people in the 3 villages and Hope School.

The National Evangelism Team was also at the villages and were able to speak the truth to the people while they were in the villages. The National Brothers will follow-up on the villages that were visited.

Continue to pray for the people of Mali as the Word is preached, that the Malian people may be open to receive God and begin to live a life more abundantly according to God's will.

Next Short Term Mission Trip

2008-02-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Franklin Spotts is going to be taking another team in July to Burkina Faso and Mali, West Africa. The tenative dates will be July 3 thru July 25th. The team will be in Burkina Faso for around 10 days and also in Mali for 10 days. For more information, please contact Franklin at 810 982-9399 in March as he is in Africa right now.

Building Teams in Bamako, Mali, West Africa

2008-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Franklin Spotts is the Executive Director of Francophone Ministries for Christ. His heart has always been for the lost tribes and nations of this world. Thus, it has been over 40 years that Franklin has served the Lord as a missionary to the French speaking people.

Mali's Hope High School is in the process of being built in Bamako, Mali. Building teams are taken every year to continue the work on the school.

The land was given by the government there but had a huge dump pit. Through the years it has been slowly filled in by the workers.

The Americans and the Malians work together and friendships are established.

Musical Teams

2008-02-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

The Musical Teams that travel to Mali go there to teach the Malians how to play the different instruments that have been provided through the American people. Then the students in return go out to the villages to help with the evangelism team and provide the beautiful music that the Africans love.

Evangelism Teams

2008-02-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

Jean Pierre Dabou has lead the Evangelism Team out to the villages and souls have been won and discipled in Africa. As the Evangelism teams go out to the different villages and souls are won for Christ; churches are planted.

Medical Teams

2008-02-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Each year a Medical Team is sent to Mali to see thousands of people in the different villages in Mali. Doctors, Nurses and helpers show the Africans the love of Christ.

Eye glasses are also provided through the American people so that the Malians can have retored sight.

2008-01-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

R.E.D. Executive Director - Etienne

2008-01-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

Etienne Kiemde is the Executive Director of Radio Evangile Developement(R.E.D) in Burkina Faso. Under his direction, there are 7 radio stations that broadcast the "Good News" and development issues for the people of Burkina Faso. Here he is shown speaking and teaching.

Landing the Container

2008-01-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

Francophone Ministries for Christ through the special gifts that people from North America have given, sent a 40 foot container in order to set up an 8th radio station and to help the other seven radio stations maintain.

Landing the Container from Port Huron, Michigan

Unloading Begins

2008-01-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

Etienne Begins the Process of Unloading

Unloading begins as national custom agent inspects the inside

Unloading

2008-01-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

Unloading the Container from Port Huron, Michigan

The container was packed completely full with donations of computers, radio station equipment, office supplies, clothing, and more. Every nook was packed. No space for air!

Unloading the Container

2008-01-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

A Four Wheeled Motor Bike among the donations.

Radio Stations

2008-01-30T07:15:00.001-08:00

There are now 7 stations broadcasting the "Good News" around Burkina Faso with the 8th radio station in the near future. Here are photos of two of the antenna towers - Leo and Ouagadougou.

The Government has presented a Certificate of Recognition.

Come Listen

2008-01-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

The Radio Is Here! Come Listen!!!

A man rides on a bike calling people to listen to the radio.

A dance to celebrate the arrival of the radio.

People gather to listen.

Solar powered radios

2008-01-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

Solar powered Fix Tuned radios given out! These enable anyone to listen to the radio station.

One man showing his old radio receiver.

Muslims listening to the radio.

People listen while they man their stands during the day.

Training

2008-01-30T06:51:00.000-08:00

The photos below show local people in training to be speakers on the radio. The training teaches them how to speak on the radio, use equipment, prepare their messages for broadcast, and more. Here is a photo of a graduating class. They men are now ready to be on the radio.

2008-01-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome

2008-01-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Francophone Ministries Blog. We're excited to be able to use this means for current updates in the on going ministry in Africa. We will post photos soon!