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Stories of transformation and empowerment...
Executive Director
Joanna ILBOUDO, tells about the beginning of ACTS. Read about ACTS formation...
Then, read Joanna's vision for the poor...
Gauthier
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This frightened young orphan was miraculously found on the streets of Ouagadougou. Gauthier now lives at the ACTS Center orphanage. |
Executive Director Joanna Ilboudo relates how she was able to rescue a lost boy from the streets.
Since it was difficult to travel outside Burkina, I went to a Catholic convent to find rest and to pray for restoration.
There were no phones and I had plenty of time for studying the Bible and prayer. One morning the Lord allowed me to meet one nun and we began a conversation. I soon learned about the troubles faced by the nun’s widowed sister.
The widowed sister and her three children were suffering after a dreadful time in their lives. After finding profitable work in Côte d’Ivoire, the woman’s husband came back to Burkina with a considerable amount of money.
Other villagers, including his relatives, insisted that he should share his money with them. He refused and one night they killed him, took all his belongings and tortured his widow to keep her quiet.
She escaped to Ouagadougou with one child, leaving two others still in the village in the clutches of the so-called uncle.
One of her boys, by the name of Gauthier, ran away from the uncle and hitched a ride to the capital city, hoping to find his mother.
When the nun at the convent heard me talk about Hope Center, she pleaded that I help her nephew, Gauthier. I promised to hunt for the boy upon my return to my home in Ouagadougou. I was able to locate him. Today Gauthier is at the Hope Center taking training in carpentry.
Recently when I was at the Center, I called Gauthier’s Aunt at the convent and let him talk with her.
She asked, “Are you happy at the Hope Center?”
He answered with a big laugh, “I am happy”.
“Have you found a good friend?” she asked.
“Yes, Jacques is my friend and I am very happy.”
Not only did the Lord restore me to strength, but in the process he also led me to a child who needed to be restored to wholeness. Jesus is so good!
We are grateful to the Lord for the growth of the ministry. Partners like you have joined others to provide for villagers.
[Read more about ACTS program for children.]
ACTS Center in Saonré is dedicated to giving a hand up and not a handout to the forgotten ones of Burkina Faso...widows and orphans.
"Seeking a Way Out" and other videos can be viewed. Click to see a list of films about ACTS and the people we serve....
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