Week 1

When I wake up in my bed in Mali, Africa that is covered in mosquito netting I hear lots of noises. I hear the sound of a chicken that has been sounding off since 5 am, babies crying, people talking(but it sounds like gibberish to me), and the clanging of pots and pans as people are getting ready to cook. Although I have only been here a week it feels a lot longer. The people here don’t rush like Americans do, it is busy but slower paced. Anyone along the road will say “bonjour” or try to communicate with us Americans. It is rather interesting; they are so friendly to us and gracious. I try to respond in Bambara but I am most likely butchering their language.

Our first Sunday here we went to the African church that we will be helping with! I was so excited they sang most of their songs in Bambara and one or two with a few verses in English. It was so worshipful. I just wanted to soak in God’s presence longer. They would almost dance while they were singing, they were so joyful. I wish that we saw more joy in the states. Here you can tell a distinct difference between the Africans who know Christ and those who don’t. It’s just in the demeanor alone. Although I came here to tell others about Christ, I see their passion and zeal for God and my heart’s cry is I want more of that. Lord, create in me a heart passionate for You. When they speak they tell everything like a story (like word pictures) because they don’t have the same vocabulary, so their sermons are awesome!

Their culture is rather sad because the women and children are treated badly. The women are treated like an object. These women are not valued, many times the men they have multiple wives. The children are let to run loose, some of them run around butt naked with snot running all down their faces. They are mostly left to their own devices. There are also Talibaye boys, boys who are given by their parents to the Maribu(the Muslim religious leader), to get points with “Allah” and so they can be taught the Koran. Well, the boys aren’t normally taught anything about the Quran but a few verses and are then sent out to go begging in the streets. If they come back without a certain quota they might be beaten or not given food. When you walk the streets you see these boys running around covered in dirt asking for money.

Everything here is dust and dirt because it is dry season so all your buggers are like brown and your feet are always dark. It is hot but breezy mostly in the 90’s right now. But the hot season is coming up soon so pray for us, we have fans but no air conditioner. We have to stay really hydrated or we can get sick very quickly. One of the girls on her second day here was vomiting because of dehydration.

It is hard to communicate with the language barrier but God is helping me along with a few phrases in Bambara. We are starting language studies this next week besides cultural and book studies. When I see what God has done and is doing it is amazing how gracious He is. That is will use us even in our weaknesses like not knowing the language. This week we have mostly been settling into our apartment, buying groceries, getting to know the layout of the area, getting on their time zone, and orientation into what we will be doing. There are so many opportunities to work with children, music, teaching English and possibly in the schools, sign language, and so much more.

 I am excited to see what God is going to do with this country. There are things in my life that He is changing. He wakes me up with a song on my heart and praise on my lips. He is my joy and my rock! Although I miss my family and friends I know that we are never truly apart in Christ. He is here with us always and I feel your prayers.

Thank you for all your support, prayers, and encouragement. You guys have been such a blessing to me. You guys have just as much a part in this as I am.
“For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.”                   1 Samuel 30:24
 You all are going to be sharing in the fruit and the blessings that are happening here in Mali.

In some cases it has been a hard week, our refrigerator broke, our washer flooded the living room and kitchen of our apartment, the power keeps going out, and a few of us were sick the first week including me and our missionary. God has helped us through it all! He is so good and those times when it was really rough, God has used those to bring our team closer together. God is growing us and changing us to help us adapt to the culture. The most comforting thing about doing this is I know I am in the center of God’s will and He is driving. Even when hard happen He is always there. I see Him changing me into the woman that He has called me to be. He promises that he will be with us.

“..and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Amen.”
 Matthew 28:20b