(from an update to Claudia 2 days ago)
There surely must be elastic available here, and zippers for the boys pants. But Paul has not yet been able to get the elastic at wherever he went to get it. That is something that I will ask you to get to bring back when you do your shopping in Calif at the end of your trip. I now have had several items that are needing elastic, but have given them back to the boys to keep til we are able to find some. I will try today or tomorrow to get some used clothing that have good zippers to replace on 3 pr of boys' school pants from last year. I have found the cost for an item of clothing to be 200-500cfa(US $.50-1.00) and if it has 2 or even 3 zippers that we can use, that is a good buy.
Both Bakary and Sarata did get money (for doing chores and learning memory verse each day) this week as Boubacar has done a great job helping them learn their verses. I hope that Flo does as well this next week. He helped (3 yr old) Jonathan learn a very short verse yesterday :)) I thought that we were going to be able to celebrate all the children learning their verse, AND doing their jobs yesterday (even if some needed remnders so did not get money for their job)- then, at the end, (18yr old)Joseph did not even try a verse. Disappointing!
We will have corn from the patch of American sweet corn today-- I hope to have enough for each one here on our base to have an ear. (I had given Eliz the few ears we picked earlier, to take to her family, since there were only the few ready. That way all will get some- just not on the same day.)
The #1 truck is NOT running. Truck #2 is back from the garage, with a not-good report, and cost 170,000cfa. We are still driving it, but it is sounding worse and worse. A new vehicle, or vehicles are certainly needed soon, it appears. Perhaps someone else will also be inspired to help with that project.
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(From a note to one of our missions team at Mt Rock) We are sending (in a box with Claudia, who is traveling to the US this week) some early Christmas presents, as well as some of the small vehicles, like you've probably seen, that African boys make out of trash. Our daughter Virginia is going to be conducting a fund raising for a newer vehicle for us to use here at the base.
Ray has purchased a "moto" for transportation for himself and potentially for Julie to get to school. (not a Harley!-- a little 110cc Power K) and already we are facing an unforseen issue with it. "Do we allow others to use our scooter?" It is a hard issue and we will need to give it careful thought. Paul asked to use it, but, when Ray hesitated and said that he had not decided about that, immediately backed away from the question and said he didn't need it that day after all. If one, who? If one, who else?.......Our experience is that they are not careful with the machinery that they have-- but that is not surprising as they have no investment in it, or direct consequences when it does not work. We HAVE seen careful driving and care in local individuals with their own "bought and paid for by themselves' scooters! ) This, as so many things, is not an issue of 'culture' but of training and learning by experience. When you get handouts, and just wait for the next handout when something is broken....! Part of the mentoring that we hope to do here.)
Claudia will be there at Mt Rock on Tues for a service and reporting at 7pm. I hope that there is a good turnout in the evening for the service. Be ready to ask questions about what we are doing here and the things she sees that are helping.
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An example of communication- not perfect English, but understandable, and very encouraging. From anothere missions organization here in Kati, MaliHi all,
Thanks to everyone who is praying for the ministry at Kati's hospital God is answering our prayers. Doctors,nurses and patients are acceptig joyfull the sciptures and some gifts we are giving them.Some of them witness the effecient of prayers also testimonies did for them, praise Lord!
so, we need prayers for; Our team's unity,love,faith,courage,etc. The ministry's need,because as we all know it's another door that God opened for the gospel here in Kati even around the world.
For Kama Dembélé,an muslmans' prêher(ulemas) from Kita who gave his life to Jesus last sunday.
Solo Diarra 10years old with one leg and Sidibé both two legs cuted off after road's accident,and for an musulman family from Mauritus who accepted prayers and the sciptures we gave them.
These and other events occupy our time. Yesterday, I was sent for to join Paul who was talking to a lady. She had come seeking prayer for a marriage crisis, after a friend had told her they received a positive answer to a problem, the same day after we had prayed for them. She wondered if ther was a price to be paid for our prayer, and Paul was able to say "No. We have received a free gift from Jesus, and it is because of Him and by His power that we ask to the Father, God, for an answer." We prayed and she went on her way. It will be good to hear the results of that situation.
I have been sewing things for the boys, both our residents and the street boys who come to our base in the evenings to spend the night. They listen to a Bible Story and get something to eat then sleep on mats on the floor. Ray continues to fix things, and Julie has now started her 11th grade school year at Bamako Christian Acadamy, which is about a 20 minute/12 km drive away, so her day is full as well.
Continue to pray for us as we are brought to your mind. Your prayers are the lifeblood of continuing ministry.
As always, be blessed and be a blessing to all with whom you are in contact.
Mim in Mali
