BUNTU YAKAAR: THE STORY

In September, we felt a strong leading from the Lord to begin ministering to the women and children living on the streets in our city. There are many in our neighborhood alone who survive by begging, largely supported through alms given by Muslims. Some of these women are from this country, but most come from Mali with their children. They are completely uneducated and do not speak French—some do not even speak the primary tribal language here. The number of languages represented, combined with their lack of education and extreme poverty, makes this a particularly difficult population to reach.

We began simply by walking the streets, meeting basic needs where we could, and letting them know where we lived if they needed help. In October, we started inviting the women to our home for lunch and to learn about the Word of God. They also love having dance parties together! We have begun learning the local language so we can minister more effectively, and God has been so faithful to provide local believers and a fellow missionary who speak the various tribal languages represented.

Every Tuesday, between 15 and 24 women attend, along with about the same number of children. We prepare a nutritious meal and share a Bible lesson, dividing into groups according to language. During the week, Danielle often walks the streets to visit the women and children, meeting needs as we able—mostly through prayer ministry and assistance with school supplies and medical needs.

We cannot fully express in an email the incredible ways God has grown this ministry in such a short time. Over the past few months, we have seen these women become increasingly open as they experience consistent love and service. Their lives are extremely difficult, but we believe this trust is opening doors not only for physical help, but also for spiritual transformation. While we live in a Muslim context, most of these women’s day-to-day beliefs are rooted in animism. Some have maybe heard of Jesus before in the muslim context, but almost all have never had the gospel clearly presented to them.

We have named this ministry Buntu Yakaar, which means “Door of Hope” in the local language (https://emberglobalvision.org/buntu-yakaar) . Our prayer is that every woman and child who passes through our door experiences the hope and love found in Jesus—hope for survival, hope for salvation, and hope for joy.

BUNTU YAKAAR: THE NEED

We are incredibly grateful for everyone who has so faithfully supported us financially and prayerfully throughout our ministry journey. We would love to continue and grow this partnership here in West Africa through Buntu Yakaar. By God’s grace, our family is fully funded. We are now beginning to raise support—ideally monthly—for Buntu Yakaar through our nonprofit, Ember Global Vision.

God continues to bring more people to serve alongside us, for which I am deeply thankful. However, as our team grows and our home begins to feel too small, we are prayerfully seeking the Lord for next steps. A dedicated ministry center seems to be the most practical next move—a place where we could serve women and children throughout the week, teach reading and writing, and provide vocational and trade skills training. We have begun praying for God to open the door to a nearby location. Rent here ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 per month, so we are trusting the Lord to lead us to an affordable space. We will also have the added cost of employee salaries in addition to the normal monthly ministry budget (such as meals, medical supplies, school supplies).

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We would love to share more, and we have many stories of how God is at work here day by day.

Our Biggest FINANCIAL Need!

We are raising monthly support for Buntu Yakaar through our U.S. based family non-profit, Ember Global Vision. This is separate and distinct from our Jackson family monthly support through our mission’s organization, CTEN. We have updated the website with information about the ministry and how you can partner with us financially. Click the button below to go directly to the page!

You can give online at the link here or you can mail a check to 347 SW Kyle Way, Lake City, FL 32025 and make it out to Ember Global Vision.

All donations are tax deductible.

Pictures from Buntu Yakaar in our courtyard!

WE VISITING THE STATES NEXT SUMMER!

Our family is planning on coming home for a visit next July and August. Although some of that time will be intentionally used for rest, we will also be spending time visiting our partners and churches! Because of our limited time, we will need to plan this trip in advance (hence us announcing it now). We would love to be able to spend time with as many people as we can and share more of all that the Lord is doing here in West Africa. If you or your church would like to see us, please reach out!

Left: Outdoor market. Center: Largest and oldest market in our city. Right: Inside the largest mosque in West Africa

Left: Sacred Baobab tree Center: Women’s laundry business. Right: Car-Rapide!

outside West Africa’s largest mosque

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Emmitt as he continues his school year, that he makes friends, enjoys it, and picks up french quickly!

• Pray that God sustains us in the daunting work of learning two languages over the next few years. Pray that we remain steadfast and do the work.

• Please pray for our marriage.

• Pray for the women of Buntu D’Yakaar and against all spiritual strongholds so that they can receive the good news of the Kingdom!

• That God would prepare the way and soften the hearts of the locals we are there to minister to.

• Pray for Carter as he pursues his Master of Divinity in Missiology online at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

• Please pray for Danielle as she tackles the day-to-day grind of mothering two young children in a foreign country.