The Best Worship is in Mali

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.