Yesterday I had the privilege to worship at the Rahab Center in Bamako. It is run by a C&MA missionary who specifically works with prostitutes and female prisoners. Meghan and I were able to go for their weekly worship time on Friday. I sat down in the small room (which is all that the center is, but is soon to be expanded) and we started to sing. The Holy Spirit blessed us by being there. You do not know worship until you can worship with others who have experienced God's grace as much as you have, and that God is all. After a message was given, we transitioned into a prayer time, that was filled with passion and honesty. These women were so broken, but healing through the grace of God and through his provision for them. Once the service was over, we went out to the front where the women worked on their crafts for a while, making dolls and crocheting rugs. They were so kind and we had many laughs and smiles. Rahab Center is an amazing ministry reaching out to people society does not care about.
This week we have been doing an English workshop for university students, averaging about 30-50 a night. The majority of them are men and speak very good English. The way the workshop is set up, there is a 20 minute presentation of an American cultural item, and then an hour and a half discussion times. I have been fortunate to have different people each time and I have learned so much about life. Here are our topics:
Obama: The majority of people only like him because he is African American. Malians believe that it is American law that a man must be Christian to be president (the majority of this workshop are Muslim).
Music: I presented a song by the Malian group Mariam and Amadou but it also had K'Naan in it singing in English. The song was "Africa" and spoke about Solidarity. They believed that there was more solidarity in Africa than there was in the U.S. I would agree that there is more of an aspect of brotherhood here, but it is very different. Africans in general believe that friendship should be a material thing. If you give me food, you are my brother. We also had an interesting conversation concerning changes in culture and why there is so much American music played on the radio. They said that they are losing the cultural aspect and that the children do not want to listen to the songs that are cultural.
Holidays: Meghan presented Christmas and Independence Day to show the difference between religious and secular holidays. Suprisingly, a lot of Malians celebrate Christmas and their Muslim holidays. Holidays are coming very commercial here as well, which really suprised me.
Economy: Last night, our other teacher Matt presented the American economy to the group. The discussion afterward revolved around corruption in Mali and solutions to how the Malian economy could become independent. Less focus on receiving aid and more focus on factories. It made me very sad to hear the poverty in Mali, and I have a hard time thinking about the opportunities that have been given to me, that these people who are my age do not have. Even when students graduate, many of them do not have a job. The statistic for unemployment is about 70%, which is HUGE! There is so much corruption that must be stopped before Mali can function, but it will take a lot of time.
Tonight we are watching "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and then discussing. Please pray that we can share the gospel after watching this film. I am very sad to think that this could be the last time for me to see these people, so please pray for them so that I can see them again one day!
Last night after class, the students asked Meghan and I for our addresses, which made me think that I will truly miss these relationships that have been formed. I can honestly say that Malians are some of the nicest people in the world.
On our last week here, we are going to teach a little English at the university, and do a lot of sightseeing, such as taking a boat ride down the Niger, and visiting the Artisan. Please pray for a good week. It will be very difficult to leave the people here, and I have had one of the best experiences of my life.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Culture Shock strikes you like a lightening bolt
Nothing creates culture shock more than being dropped in the middle of a Malian family not knowing more than a few greetings. Well, I survived the immense jolt.
Last Saturday we drove up from Niena to Bamako and Sunday Meghan and I parted ways to go to our different Malian families. I was staying with the Fane family. The head of the household, Tiedo Fane, works for Campus Crusade for Christ specifically working with business professionals and the wife, Bintou, was the housegirl for the Fetherlins when they were serving in Mali. They had 2 sons, Obed and Assael, and 2 daughters, Jacqelin and Priscilla. They also had a lot of other relatives staying with them, and the head of Bethel Bible School here in Mali, Daniel Diallo was also staying.
Monday was spent acclimating myself with the family. The family spent most of the day out in the courtyard, but also spent a lot of time indoors watching television and kung fu movies. Everyday at 2 o'clock we had to tune in to the saga of Ana, the heroin of some Spanish soap opera. The night was spent talking with the family members and watching a film.
Tuesday I went to visit the headquarters of the Jesus film and Campus Crusade for Christ. They have materials in French and the Malian language of Bambara. I happened to snag a Bambara 4 spiritual laws booklet. Tuesday afternoon I introduced the family to one of the most beloved games of all time, Uno. Everyday after that we played Uno, and it was hilarious how difficult it was for the family to pronounce. They would say "weeno" or "ono."
Every day I had to listen to the calls to prayer from the mosque nearby, which got very old very quickly, but was a blatant cry for the Malian need for pastors and missionaries here. 1.7 % of Mali is Christian, but the President is a very good ruler and shows no favoritism to religion.
I often made my Malian family laugh. They complained I did not eat enough, but when you are served a fish head sauce, suddenly your appetite goes away from you. I had to practically run away from the bowl when I was finished so that they would not feed me again and again. I also named all of the pigeons that the youngest son Assael raised. They were good names, of course, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and who could forget Barack Obama. Oh and speaking of which, Obama received a lot of press last week when he was visiting Ghana. Malians love Obama.
Thursday, I got my feet henna'd, Malian style. It took 2 hours to put medical tape on my foot for designs and 3 hours for it to stick. Then they rubbed ash on them to turn them black. Wait until you see the pictures I took. That night, my family suprised me by giving me a beautiful Malian outfit made by their tailor.
I love the Fane family, and their work in Mali is so crucial and important. Campus Crusade and the Fane's really need your prayers for their work here.
This weekend I am in Koutiala. We came for a wedding, and spent the night in Segu on Friday on our way down from Bamako. The wedding had to have been the most embarassing experience in my life. We arrived Malian style...late. And we followed the ushers. Where did they place Meghan and I? Well right in front FACING the congregation behind the bride and groom. They placed the chairs down and I just cringed that I had to be in the eye of the hundreds of people here for the wedding. God is funny like that.
Tomorrow we are going to visit the hospital and then travel to Bamako. Tuesday we start our English classes with the University students. My topic is music, and I can't wait to get to talk with the students about different styles of music and present them a song with lyrics.
Please pray for continued strength and that these last 2 weeks will finish well!
Last Saturday we drove up from Niena to Bamako and Sunday Meghan and I parted ways to go to our different Malian families. I was staying with the Fane family. The head of the household, Tiedo Fane, works for Campus Crusade for Christ specifically working with business professionals and the wife, Bintou, was the housegirl for the Fetherlins when they were serving in Mali. They had 2 sons, Obed and Assael, and 2 daughters, Jacqelin and Priscilla. They also had a lot of other relatives staying with them, and the head of Bethel Bible School here in Mali, Daniel Diallo was also staying.
Monday was spent acclimating myself with the family. The family spent most of the day out in the courtyard, but also spent a lot of time indoors watching television and kung fu movies. Everyday at 2 o'clock we had to tune in to the saga of Ana, the heroin of some Spanish soap opera. The night was spent talking with the family members and watching a film.
Tuesday I went to visit the headquarters of the Jesus film and Campus Crusade for Christ. They have materials in French and the Malian language of Bambara. I happened to snag a Bambara 4 spiritual laws booklet. Tuesday afternoon I introduced the family to one of the most beloved games of all time, Uno. Everyday after that we played Uno, and it was hilarious how difficult it was for the family to pronounce. They would say "weeno" or "ono."
Every day I had to listen to the calls to prayer from the mosque nearby, which got very old very quickly, but was a blatant cry for the Malian need for pastors and missionaries here. 1.7 % of Mali is Christian, but the President is a very good ruler and shows no favoritism to religion.
I often made my Malian family laugh. They complained I did not eat enough, but when you are served a fish head sauce, suddenly your appetite goes away from you. I had to practically run away from the bowl when I was finished so that they would not feed me again and again. I also named all of the pigeons that the youngest son Assael raised. They were good names, of course, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and who could forget Barack Obama. Oh and speaking of which, Obama received a lot of press last week when he was visiting Ghana. Malians love Obama.
Thursday, I got my feet henna'd, Malian style. It took 2 hours to put medical tape on my foot for designs and 3 hours for it to stick. Then they rubbed ash on them to turn them black. Wait until you see the pictures I took. That night, my family suprised me by giving me a beautiful Malian outfit made by their tailor.
I love the Fane family, and their work in Mali is so crucial and important. Campus Crusade and the Fane's really need your prayers for their work here.
This weekend I am in Koutiala. We came for a wedding, and spent the night in Segu on Friday on our way down from Bamako. The wedding had to have been the most embarassing experience in my life. We arrived Malian style...late. And we followed the ushers. Where did they place Meghan and I? Well right in front FACING the congregation behind the bride and groom. They placed the chairs down and I just cringed that I had to be in the eye of the hundreds of people here for the wedding. God is funny like that.
Tomorrow we are going to visit the hospital and then travel to Bamako. Tuesday we start our English classes with the University students. My topic is music, and I can't wait to get to talk with the students about different styles of music and present them a song with lyrics.
Please pray for continued strength and that these last 2 weeks will finish well!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Life in the bush is not easy
We finished up the kids camp in Niena yesterday, which went extremely well. Monday we talked about Daniel and the Lion's Den, Tuesday Joshua and Jericho, and Wednesday David and Goliath. Some of my favorite little kiddos had a bad case of malaria, and I was holding one while she was shaking through her chills. It is so rampant out here, and it breaks my heart to see all these little kids sick. Other than that, the camp ran well. We had another team come here to help so there are a lot of people here!
Today we started the kids camp in Finkola, we were expecting about 15 kids and 160 showed up! There is only one Christian family in this village so please pray that there will be a great revival in this town. I know God will do great things! We are expecting more kids to show up tomorrow, so we are looking at about 200 kids meeting in a small courtyard.
Last Sunday we went to a party for a baby dedication within the church. It was AMAZING! I danced with the Africans for about an hour and I think that they were suprised that a tubabou (white person) had rythym. I had so much fun and it was so uplifting and encouraging.
We head back up to Bamako on Saturday to stay with the Roeddings before we stay with a Malian family. Please pray for me, because I am feeling very discouraged. There is a lot of competition out here, which I don't want to be prevalent. And I also feel discouraged because apparently missionaries must vote Republican. I'm normally pretty easy going when it comes to this, but for some reason it's really making me feel ostracized. Please pray that God will take away the competition and these oppressive feelings.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! They are GREATLY appreciated!
Today we started the kids camp in Finkola, we were expecting about 15 kids and 160 showed up! There is only one Christian family in this village so please pray that there will be a great revival in this town. I know God will do great things! We are expecting more kids to show up tomorrow, so we are looking at about 200 kids meeting in a small courtyard.
Last Sunday we went to a party for a baby dedication within the church. It was AMAZING! I danced with the Africans for about an hour and I think that they were suprised that a tubabou (white person) had rythym. I had so much fun and it was so uplifting and encouraging.
We head back up to Bamako on Saturday to stay with the Roeddings before we stay with a Malian family. Please pray for me, because I am feeling very discouraged. There is a lot of competition out here, which I don't want to be prevalent. And I also feel discouraged because apparently missionaries must vote Republican. I'm normally pretty easy going when it comes to this, but for some reason it's really making me feel ostracized. Please pray that God will take away the competition and these oppressive feelings.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! They are GREATLY appreciated!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A Short Update
Thank you all so much for your prayers for rain. That evening after I had posted it was as if the heavens had opened and the rain poured for several hours. It was definitely a testament to God’s glory.
The first week of English camps went really well. I’m really enjoying getting to know all of the students. I also really enjoy playing with all of the little kids as well. We went to a village the other day and by the time we had walked around it we had a whole group of children following us, mainly because I would try and chase them. It’s funny how scared they are of us, but the love to be chased and having faces made at them. One girl got her little brother and when I turned around he was so shocked by me that he peed right on her. All of the Malians had a great laugh over that. We were also all walking as a group when two girls were walking down toward us on a trail. One of the Malians yelled out “Be careful of the tubabu (white person). They are going to get you.” And the kind of looked at him with a “Yeah right” face, when I suddenly stood up on my tippy toes and raised my arms to chase after them. I have never seen anyone run so fast, and the Malians got a GREAT laugh out of that.
On Thursday we took a break and went to the neighboring village of Sikasso to swim and go to market. I was very depressed after seeing all of the poverty, beggars, and disabled beggars at the market. Being here has put a great pain in my heart for the people of the world. I am so blessed for everything that I have, but I have taken it for granted in the past. I will never complain about plumbing, traffic, or food ever again.
This week we will be doing kids camps in Niena and also in the neighboring town of Finkolo. Please pray that we will be given strength to communicate the message of the gospel and please pray that many children will impact their families into knowing Christ.
I will hopefully update again soon, but this week will be pretty busy, and then next week we go back into Bamako to stay with a Malian family. Please pray that that will go well too.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
The first week of English camps went really well. I’m really enjoying getting to know all of the students. I also really enjoy playing with all of the little kids as well. We went to a village the other day and by the time we had walked around it we had a whole group of children following us, mainly because I would try and chase them. It’s funny how scared they are of us, but the love to be chased and having faces made at them. One girl got her little brother and when I turned around he was so shocked by me that he peed right on her. All of the Malians had a great laugh over that. We were also all walking as a group when two girls were walking down toward us on a trail. One of the Malians yelled out “Be careful of the tubabu (white person). They are going to get you.” And the kind of looked at him with a “Yeah right” face, when I suddenly stood up on my tippy toes and raised my arms to chase after them. I have never seen anyone run so fast, and the Malians got a GREAT laugh out of that.
On Thursday we took a break and went to the neighboring village of Sikasso to swim and go to market. I was very depressed after seeing all of the poverty, beggars, and disabled beggars at the market. Being here has put a great pain in my heart for the people of the world. I am so blessed for everything that I have, but I have taken it for granted in the past. I will never complain about plumbing, traffic, or food ever again.
This week we will be doing kids camps in Niena and also in the neighboring town of Finkolo. Please pray that we will be given strength to communicate the message of the gospel and please pray that many children will impact their families into knowing Christ.
I will hopefully update again soon, but this week will be pretty busy, and then next week we go back into Bamako to stay with a Malian family. Please pray that that will go well too.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
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