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Senior Advisor and Founder
Joanna ILBOUDO, tells about the beginning of ACTS. Read about ACTS formation...
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MESSAGE FROM ACTS MINISTRY USA

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 20:7

February, 2017

Dear friends and partners,

The Lord showed himself strong on behalf of orphans and widows during 2016. ACTS was able to continue ministering to the poor in Burkina Faso despite the difficult economic climate in the country. Many widows, orphans and poor village families came to know the love of Christ while we ministered to their physical needs.

The government elections were historical for Burkina Faso. This was the first truly democratic election ever! And the vote counting was televised on the local channels. The hand of the Lord is certainly over the people of Burkina Faso.

ACTS' staff and all Christians in Burkina Faso continue to pray for peace so that those who preace the Gospel will have freedom. This year has seen the lost come to Salvation in Jesus Christ in greater numbers. For this we praise the Lord and thank our faithful staff and ministry team.

Contributions and expenses during fiscal year
Our fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, has been audited and financial statements show total support and revenue to be $513,388. This is a 2.7 % increase over 2015. This includes $162,650 in the value of non-cash items donated to ACTS Ministry. The donated items are high this year because two containers of vitamin-enriched food and other items were sent to Burkina Faso during the fiscal year.

Expenses for the fiscal year were $523,182. The percentage of funds expended for ministry in Burkina Faso was 86.8%. The percentage of funds expended for management was 13%. The largest expenses for the year were the audit and travel for Israel and Joanna Ilboudo to visit partners in the USA and Europe and for Sieh's to travel to Burkina Faso.

The increase in revenue was a gift from the Lord. ACTS was able to purchase food for the orphans and school children when the supply of donated food ran out. Increased funding also helped ACTS in purchasing supplies, paying salaries for projects.

Net assets at the beginning of the fiscal year (October 1, 2015) were $12,015 and net assets on September 30, 2016, at the end of the fiscal year, were $2,221.

Evangelistic outreaches during the year
We thank the Lord for salvations during the year. Regularly scheduled evangelistic outreach from Temple Evangélique El Roï brought new believers into Salvation. Many students came to him for counsel and to find how to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The discipleship course continues to draw more young people to a concencrated life with Christ. Statistics show an increase in immorality and AIDS/HIV among youth in Burkina Faso. ACTS discipleship and Bible study courses through Temple Evangélique El Roï, the ACTS schools, vocational training and other projects transform the lives of those with whom we serve.

Early in the fiscal year, youth from Temple Evangélique El Roï went "door to door" through the village. Their efforts were greatly rewarded as 82 villagers found Salvation in Jesus. ACTS evangelistic outreach was one of the highlights for the month of May. During the day, young people went from house to house to share the goods news of our Lord Jesus. Their efforts were successful as 45 people prayed with them for salvation!

Those who gathered in the evening enjoyed music, a Christian film and the message given by a visiting evangelist. At the end of the evening, 37 more villagers came forward to accept Christ as Savior!

Meetings of concentrated prayer were organized during the year and were a source of strength for the believers during times when the peace of the country was threatened. Prayer meetings gathered believers from a number of different churches and denominations. Ongoing prayer and fasting is being lifted for the Lord's peace to settle upon the country and for the Lord to guide the new leaders.

Women are encouraged through projects
A group of women were selected for an evangelistic project in three locations of Burkina Faso and in other West African countries. The program incorporates storytelling, drama, music, verse repetition, memorization, dance and song to teach scriptures, stories and principles from the Bible. This is a unique way that an oral culture such as Burkina Faso's rural communities can learn the Gospel. Women who cannot read can become teachers. This has brought delight to women who felt outcast because they couldn't read or write.

Publishing equipment increased ACTS publishing capabilities
Equipment and supplies for printing projects for missions, churches as well as ACTS own publications has given local writers a way to publish their writing projects. We are thankful for ACTS partners who assisted us in acquiring the equipment and receiving training for staff. A number of book projects were completed and there are more waiting editing, layout and printing. A modest fee is charged to ministries wishing to have our staff take care of their publishing needs. It is hoped that ACTS will be able to finance our own writing projects in the future. We have had one printing job with a secular company and a second company is negotiating for a project.

Security Walls and repairs
Security walls around the two ACTS' compounds were completed during the year as well as repairs and improvements to several buildings. The Ellel Medical Center is adding a surgical wing that will be completed in 2017.

Thankful for peace
We thank the Lord for keeping our students and families safe during the year. The political and terriorist turmoil that countries surrounding Burkina Faso are facing tried to disrupt the peace in Burkina Faso. We are grateful that the Lord continues to have his hand on the country to keep the door for evangelism open. He is calling his people to salvation.

In conclusion
ACTS was established in 2005 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in the US and is a registered NGO in Burkina Faso.

The Ellel Medical Center is registered as a medical center and disaster relief center in Burkina Faso. Our primary school, Ecole Le Solidarity and College Ezra secondary school are registered with the Burkinabé government. Students have passed required national exams with excellent marks. ACTS Hope Orphanage is registered with the Ministry of Social Action.

If you would like a copy of our financial statement to be sent to you, please send your request to ACTS at actsministry05@sbcglobal.net.

We are grateful for the faithful prayers and generous support of caring friends like you who make this ministry possible. Thank you, and may God bless you according to his promise in Psalm 41.

Most sincerely,

Sharyl J. Sieh
President, ACTS Ministry in the USA

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....

We would be pleased to hear comments or receive questions from you. Click for contact information... Merci

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