Dear Family and Friends,
I planned on living in Mali, Africa for eleven months but in a surprising turn of events the Lord released me five months early.
What happened in Mali? The good, the bad, and the ugly. Mostly the good though. The Lord solidified my missionary calling in Mali. I know that my future holds full time mission's work. I also know that I will return to Mali, God reassured me of that. I absolutely fell in love with the people and the culture of Mali, Africa. God has given me a burden for the people there. Thank you my sponsors and prayer warriors for making that possible.
The bad, is in many ways I felt ill equipped for the challenges there. I know now that I would like to finish my education and get my degree before returning. I hope to study sign language, missions(cultural studies), and possibly a get secondary teaching degree in mathematics or foreign language. I also hope to continue learning guitar and now French. This would open many opportunities on the mission field.
The ugly, is because I would hate to disappoint people that I both respect and love. I also do not want to appear in anyway ungrateful for this wonderful opportunity I have been given. I wanted to please both my sponsors and the missionaries that I served under. However, I knew God was telling me that I was being released from my term in Mali. I want always to be a God pleaser first, so I came home knowing that many people may not understand or condone my decision.
Mostly, I am grateful for this life shaping opportunity to have been able to serve our Lord. Thank you again so much for your prayers and support. The deaf school, Caritas, Kalabankora School, the orphanage, the church and it's worship team, and the countless Malians who I met have touched my life forever. I feel truly blessed. I am not the same person.
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| The Caritas girls and I on my last day! |
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| The cook at Caritas, she has always been good to me... |
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| James, Gloria, and I at our church for a wedding... |
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| The deaf school principal, a deaf teacher, and I at my last time at the deaf school... |
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| A friend from church and I on my last Sunday... |
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| On my last Sunday at church I played a special with Chelsea... |
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| My deaf students and I... |
I returned to Arkansas, on Wednesday night, around 8 pm. I am trying to rest from jet lag, schedule changes, and some reverse culture shock. So I no longer need funding. I am also looking forward to seeing everyone again after I rest a little more. :)
Many thanks and blessings,
Cami Lynn
P.S. I hope to have a video posted about my whole trip next week.
