The boys are doing well in school and that is good to see. Sometimes, in the past, they have not risen to the top like good fresh cream. I wrote about the daily chores and the Bible meorization that is on their daily schedule. They also have regular homework time scheduled each day after school. Undoubtedly, that scheuled time when they have to sit down and at least look like they are studying is bringing postitve results. There is someone there who can answer questions if they have them, and is also there to see that the study time is being observed. This year we have 1 that is first in his class, another that ranks 3rd and another 5th. That is a pretty good record for kids who have been on the street and not under a caring parent's protection for these formative years. We are proud of them! I think they are understanding the value of learning and are really working at it.
When Claudia came home after being gone for 10 days for her Christmas shopping trip and visit with family in Austria this week, they were eager to show her their good reports, as noted in their workbooks. Claudia asked a question about how they were doing, and I watched as Karim (who happened to be the quickest to return with his evidence) pointed out page after page with a teachers 'tres bien' or similar comment posted. Jeremie and Boubacar and Amadou and Flo were grouped up behind him with their books to show her.
We have wondered what a Malian Christmas celebration would be like, and have been told that churches celebrate with an all night worship service with dancing and singing on Christmas eve, then go home for a few hours before gathering again on Christmas day to continue the festivities til mid afternoon. No gift giving or fancy decorations. "It's all about Jesus!", I was told. I hope we get a chance to experience that kind of a Malian Christmas.
Our base celebration will be more western, it seems. Claudia brought back some Christmas candies in the guise of Advent Calendars which a few lucky boys get a chance to sample each evening. Lights have been strung in the familyroom, and a snow and Santa cloth adorns the table there. We will have to wait and see what other celebration there will be.
We have put up Christmas decorations in our apartment-- the few that we brought with us, and a few that we have bought since we are here. Our decorations are quite eclectic. While we are missing the smell of fresh pine greenery that we usually cut off our 'back 40', we do have an Advent Calendar that Mattias,our exchange student from Gernmany, brought us many years ago; a tabletop Christmas tree with a tiny string of lights and a few carefully selected ornaments from our stash at home; our new Malian Nativity set, watched over by the hand-crafted-Malian-angel-ornaments that I purchased from a ministry to girls who are being rescued from prostitution here in Bamako. We also brought some bright red and gold bows to add color to the strands of dainty pine garland we purchased in upstate PA several years ago, while celebrating our 35th anniversary with the Freys (Remember that, Wes and Lena?). We have succeeded in downloading a few carols from the innernet but mostly are playing our Chris Tomlin Christmas CD.
Not like at home but, it is where we are for this season. We are of course missing all of our families and some of the extra celebrations that we enjoyed so much when we lived in Pennsylvania--but Ray & I are having a chance to sing in an 'Anglo-phone' (read English speaking) choir of Handel's Messiah, and we will be attending Julie's school Christmas program at BCA.
We are Occupying CHristmas here in Bamako, tho in different ways than we have in the past.
Celebrate with us the birth of the one and only Son of God- Jesus, Saviour , Redeemer, and Lord.
Mim in Mali
