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.