We arrived safely in Niena on Thursday and for the rest of the day met the people surrounding the Barnwell's house. There is a new Malian pastor who has recently come to work in the church here, and he is currently living in the Sunday school house. Thursday night I had the chance to walk through the bush and experience a very calm and peaceful look at Africa, much different than my experience in Bamako.
Thursday night was very eventful. I had woken up in the middle of the night to an odd noise that sounded like a fluttering. I was trying to figure out if it was a bird or lizard and thought that I should just go back to sleep. The noises really kept bothering me, so I asked Meghan if she heard them too. She sleepily replied yes and I told her that I was going to turn on the flashlight and see what it was. As quickly as I turned on the flashlight, a HUGE bat swooped down over the bed. 2 seconds later I had jumped into the bed with Meghan. We decided to wait until the next day to get it and then went to sleep.
The next night we were watching The Cosby Show with Randy and Marsha Barnwell (via power from a generator), when our little buddy (who by then I had appropriately nick-named RJ, short for Randy Jr.) came out to join us. He had us ducking all over the place, when Randy finally ended RJ's short life with a cookie sheet. Ever since then, the night's have been awful lonesome. :)
On Friday, the town's Moslem leader came to talk to Randy about praying for rain. The people here have been in a nasty drought and have not been able to even plant their crops yet. At the time of his request, we were all painting the new pastor's house which was in a horrible state. We then prayed immediately as a group for rain. God answered our prayers that night and sent a rain that allowed the farmers to plant their crops. Praise God for that! Please pray that He will send more rain and bring glory to His name through this blessing.
The end of last week was spent finishing up the Pastor's house and now Meghan and I are starting an informal English class for the students here who are entering grades 7-9. If no one shows up then we will teach the adults. Please pray that we will be able to help these people with their English.
Life here is amazing. The people are beautiful, and on Sunday I was able to attend my first African church service. It was so inspiring to worship with the people in Bambara. The testimonies here are amazing. The Barnwell's houseguy has a deep history of Christianity in his family, with his dad being imprisoned for his faith. The children and I click very well. In the market the children yell "Tubabu" which is Bambara for white person, and it is funny to see their reactions to silly faces as well as Godzilla like chasing.
My internet will probably cut out soon, but thank you all for your support and prayers. Please pray for rain! God will use that in amazing ways for his Kingdom!
K'an Ben Sooni! (That is Bambara for talk to you soon!)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Bamako
I have officially been in the beautiful city of Bamako, Mali for 2 days now, and have already had quite the experience.
My team-mate Meghan and I stepped off of the plane and were loaded onto a bus into a very crowded airport. Luggage was strewn all over the floor and it felt like chaos. We thankfully found all of our luggage and made it outside to meet our missionaries, the Barnwells and Gordon Reodding (his wife Cheryl is currently in lieu to Mali after a knee surgery). We drove back to their home, while witnessing groups of motorcyclists and people wandering all over the streets. We arrived to their home which is in the "old money" section of Bamako.
The next morning (Tuesday) we began orientation, which joyfully started with fresh French pastries from a bakery down the street. After a morning of studying the Malian culture, we had a very Malian lunch of peanut butter sauce and rice, which was suprisingly delicious (it tasted like a beef stew with more tomato in it).
After lunch, our missionaries decided to take us to the Bamako National Museum. I have never seen so many people in a city before. Gordon drove, which was equal to a fantastic maneuvering operation. The Museum was impressive. We went inside to find many old artifacts resembling old weapons, as well as ritual masks and model buildings around Mali (such as a mosque made completely out of mud, as well as some buildings from Timbuktu). A beautiful treasure of Mali is the dyed cloth, which is so artistically designed and perfectly crafted.
When we were finished with the museum, we drove up to one of the big hills in Bamako, nicknamed the Hill of Power. This is where the President's house resides, as well as several monuments and the military base. We then drove across the hill behind the medical center and hospital to find the most beautiful view in the city overlooking Bamako. The river Niger flowed quietly through Bamako, whereas the noises from the nearby market and the streets permeated the atmosphere. I don't think I have ever seen a sight so beautiful.
Today (Wednesday) was also a day of adventure. This morning we had more orientation, and then some visitors came to discuss what our English workshops would be like and how they would be structured. I decided that I would like to present the topic of music to the Malians and give them lyrics to the songs that we would play. My team mate is discussing holidays, and then another teacher is tackling the ever so easy topics of Obama and the economy. After some great discussion, and another great meal ( a more American style of sandwiches), our guests left, and Meghan, Gordon, Randy, and I went to experience a Malian market.
We walked down a road that was nicknamed two mosque street because of the mosques located at each end of the street. This is typical of Mali culture, which is predominantly Islam. We arrived at the market and bought some beautiful cloth to make a teffe (or a wraparound skirt) as well as a Malian outfit. We then walked through the market, which was a very neat experience, but far from U.S. culture. The market was flooded with flies, especially on the food and meat. The food was still of great quality, but I could only imagine what a reaction would it would get from Americans. The poverty level was so great, and almost hard to witness. I felt very guilty for how I have spent my resources in the past. After going through the market, we then walked home and went swimming at another missionaries house, and came home to more orientation.
I really love Bamako since I have been here. It is so different from what I have ever experienced, but I would really like to return eventually. There is such a great need here for ministry and help for the local people.
I have learned a lot the past couple of days.
1.) Malians are very relational people.
2.) Many Malians practice folk Islam, which includes animal sacrifices and fettishes.
3.) Mali witnesses a lot of demonic spiritual warfare in developing the church.
Tomorrow we are headed into the "bush" of Mali, so I will be unable to respond for a while. We are going to be doing some physical labor and then some kids camps, before we return to Bamako.
Please pray that we have protection from spiritual warfare while we are here, and that the Holy Spirit will overflow into the lives of the Malians.
I will surely update later, and I thank you for all of your prayers and support.
My team-mate Meghan and I stepped off of the plane and were loaded onto a bus into a very crowded airport. Luggage was strewn all over the floor and it felt like chaos. We thankfully found all of our luggage and made it outside to meet our missionaries, the Barnwells and Gordon Reodding (his wife Cheryl is currently in lieu to Mali after a knee surgery). We drove back to their home, while witnessing groups of motorcyclists and people wandering all over the streets. We arrived to their home which is in the "old money" section of Bamako.
The next morning (Tuesday) we began orientation, which joyfully started with fresh French pastries from a bakery down the street. After a morning of studying the Malian culture, we had a very Malian lunch of peanut butter sauce and rice, which was suprisingly delicious (it tasted like a beef stew with more tomato in it).
After lunch, our missionaries decided to take us to the Bamako National Museum. I have never seen so many people in a city before. Gordon drove, which was equal to a fantastic maneuvering operation. The Museum was impressive. We went inside to find many old artifacts resembling old weapons, as well as ritual masks and model buildings around Mali (such as a mosque made completely out of mud, as well as some buildings from Timbuktu). A beautiful treasure of Mali is the dyed cloth, which is so artistically designed and perfectly crafted.
When we were finished with the museum, we drove up to one of the big hills in Bamako, nicknamed the Hill of Power. This is where the President's house resides, as well as several monuments and the military base. We then drove across the hill behind the medical center and hospital to find the most beautiful view in the city overlooking Bamako. The river Niger flowed quietly through Bamako, whereas the noises from the nearby market and the streets permeated the atmosphere. I don't think I have ever seen a sight so beautiful.
Today (Wednesday) was also a day of adventure. This morning we had more orientation, and then some visitors came to discuss what our English workshops would be like and how they would be structured. I decided that I would like to present the topic of music to the Malians and give them lyrics to the songs that we would play. My team mate is discussing holidays, and then another teacher is tackling the ever so easy topics of Obama and the economy. After some great discussion, and another great meal ( a more American style of sandwiches), our guests left, and Meghan, Gordon, Randy, and I went to experience a Malian market.
We walked down a road that was nicknamed two mosque street because of the mosques located at each end of the street. This is typical of Mali culture, which is predominantly Islam. We arrived at the market and bought some beautiful cloth to make a teffe (or a wraparound skirt) as well as a Malian outfit. We then walked through the market, which was a very neat experience, but far from U.S. culture. The market was flooded with flies, especially on the food and meat. The food was still of great quality, but I could only imagine what a reaction would it would get from Americans. The poverty level was so great, and almost hard to witness. I felt very guilty for how I have spent my resources in the past. After going through the market, we then walked home and went swimming at another missionaries house, and came home to more orientation.
I really love Bamako since I have been here. It is so different from what I have ever experienced, but I would really like to return eventually. There is such a great need here for ministry and help for the local people.
I have learned a lot the past couple of days.
1.) Malians are very relational people.
2.) Many Malians practice folk Islam, which includes animal sacrifices and fettishes.
3.) Mali witnesses a lot of demonic spiritual warfare in developing the church.
Tomorrow we are headed into the "bush" of Mali, so I will be unable to respond for a while. We are going to be doing some physical labor and then some kids camps, before we return to Bamako.
Please pray that we have protection from spiritual warfare while we are here, and that the Holy Spirit will overflow into the lives of the Malians.
I will surely update later, and I thank you for all of your prayers and support.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
One Week: A New Adventure
A week from today I am leaving to go to Mali. I am flying out of Denver to New York and then traveling to Paris and the capital city of Mali: Bamako. I am going to be there until July 31st, and staying with several different families. From what I have been told, I am going to be doing intensive tribal language study, as well as kids camps and English camps.
Mali, much like the rest of the world, is a Muslim nation, where the name of Jesus is scarce. God will glorify his name and will reveal himself to the hearts of the Malian people. My desire for this summer is that He will use me to bring people to Him.
My prayer requests for this trip are:
1. That language would not be a barrier in sharing the gospel
2. That my team member and I will complement each other in teaching and leadership styles
3. That through this experience people will follow Christ
I will try and update as much as I can while I am there, with many pictures and how God is working. Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers!
Mali, much like the rest of the world, is a Muslim nation, where the name of Jesus is scarce. God will glorify his name and will reveal himself to the hearts of the Malian people. My desire for this summer is that He will use me to bring people to Him.
My prayer requests for this trip are:
1. That language would not be a barrier in sharing the gospel
2. That my team member and I will complement each other in teaching and leadership styles
3. That through this experience people will follow Christ
I will try and update as much as I can while I am there, with many pictures and how God is working. Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
