Siaka Traoré issued a call on March 31, requesting North American Mennonites to join hands with their brothers and sisters in Burkina Faso to build understanding with their Muslim neighbors in times of grief. Here, Traoré gives thanks for your response.

Seeing your support for our ministry in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, our hearts overflow with joy, and we are reminded of the words of King David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 [translated from French]: "Blessed are you, O Lord … forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name."

Thank you for hearing our call. On May 25, Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) made a transfer of $8,504 USD to the Burkina Faso Partnership Council account, for the purchase of the hearse at Bobo-Dioulasso. The following Saturday, we, Mennonites, gathered with our Muslim brethren. They pronounced many blessings upon you. For our local contribution, the Muslims will provide $600 and the Mennonite congregations will provide $400.

On Sunday, May 30, Alice Tou, the intermediary who delivered the Muslims' request to their Mennonite neighbors, told me that one of the Muslim leaders remarked that Christians are extraordinary people. He said that if a Christian was to ask for assistance from Muslims, the first condition would be to convert to Islam, otherwise the Christian would not receive anything.

Thank you for sharing real love.