Episcopal Visit to Ivory Coast
and Burkina Faso
Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith
I
n August Gretchen and I had the pleasure of visiting the developing New
Church in the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. In the Ivory Coast it was
wonderful to see how things are advancing – now with 11 ministers and
eight congregations. And it was the first trip to Burkina Faso for a bishop,
visiting our founding minister in that country, the Rev. Samuel Lompo, for his
ordination into the second degree.
We arrived in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday, August 6. On Friday
morning we were whisked away to meet with the Gesco congregation. I had
seen this building in its early stages two years ago – very rough. But now it
is a finished building, beautifully decorated. The pastor, the Rev. Evariste
Dakouri, greeted us with more than 100 people of all ages. There followed
music and speeches. It was a grand celebration of our visit and the progress
this congregation has made.
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