Adjustments of evacuees

An ex-pat friend we learned to know in Mali started a chain letter to 'girlfriends' who have been scattered abroad. My path is easier than many. I am one of the fortunate ones, perhaps.  I have my family with me, and we are back in our home country, wih our family unit complete in one place.  Others are in temporary quarters in a neighboring African state, or their families are split between here and there, mom and kids evacuated, while dad stays on as 'essential personnel', not knowing when they will be reunited.  That is hard!.

Here is a part of my post to these friends.  We are not alone!  Many are hurting more than we, and yet they are concerned about the others that they know in this newly torn country.  Won't you pray with us for the establishment of PEACE-- GOD's PEACE, in MALI.  

It is SOOO good to read all your updates and hear your news.  I have been crying with some of the notes, nodding agreement with others.
Ray & Julie and I evacuated at the request of our mission leader on the 4th of April also.  We flew out via Brussels air and had a smooth trip back to the US.  I was unprepared for the rush of emotion that i felt when we touched down on US soil--didn't think I was that stressed.  When we arrived in Harrisburg we were warmly greeted by all of our children and grandchildren,  plus a few other family members and had a chance to debrief that evening a bit with them. We are blessed to have all of our kids (and grandkids) close enough to visit regularly at this point.  We are now ensconced in a small guest house at Roxbury Camp, where Ray headed up the ministry for 26 years before our too brief time in Mali this past year.  He had been contacted by the new administrator before the coup, asking if he would be available to work part time this summer when we were scheduled to be home on home ministry, and is already being put to work on some projects with this earlier arrival. What a wonderful thing to be so welcomed.  I am constantly amazed at the provision God makes, tho sometimes we do not see it so quickly.  We feel of all men most blessed!

Julie is back in school, after a full week's delay for the inevitable paperwork that was frustrating to us.  But again, God so provided! We were given great classes for her to complete this school year, and she was also able to register for her senior year--Gods hand was so evident.  One quick story:  the guidance counselor was trying to get that 12th grade registration done before the computers got locked down to do the scheduling--but failed to get in... twice. It seems everyone else was done!  I softly breathed a a quick prayer, "Lord, we just need an open window." She tried once again--Got in immediately , and said "hmm, your prayer must have worked."  YES GOD!  

We still wish we were able to be in Yirimadio with 'our boys' there-- but God has said 'no' to that request for now.  He has been gracious to give us enough 'Yes' answers along the way, not only in our lives but in the testimonies of many of you over these last few weeks and months, that we can see that He is not sleeping, that He is fully aware of the situation, and that He cares for us.  We have to accept His 'No' answers as His provision as well.  (Tho I must admit that I asked some of those questions several-times-more-than-once, in case He might change His mind on this one.:))   We cannot be there just now but we can spread the word about the need in Mali, and we can pray!
We are doing pretty well. Trying to make sense of what to do next-- and what to NOT sign up to do just because it is asked of us! :)) While Ray is working at Roxbury Camp part time for the present, and we are enjoying seeing all the new things that have happened here at in this year we have been gone, there are still many unanswered questions.  Lois, I feel with you and the lack of interest that there seems to be in Mali now that we are home.  I am trying to remember that they have not experienced what we did, and do not know anyone else that is there now.  I am trying to get a picture presentation together to share what we have seen and experienced, wanting the people here who have supported us to share in that ministry more completely.... and hoping that God will open the door for us to return.
In a word, we are BUSY! :)) looking forward to the summer here in PA.  Our readjustment seems so much easier than many of you since our stay in Mali was so short, and we were able to leave together, but we do miss you all greatly.  It was an honor and  joy to be a part of your family while we were there, and we covenant to continue to pray with you in the months to come.
Please keep us in the loop.  We love to hear where you are all living and serving this miracle working, wonderful God we all serve. 
Mim Heisey 

Then there are the many news reports out of Mali.  There is so much that is not said!  So much that the west ignores or does not care to know.  Africa continues to hurt and be in turmoil in many places.  They see things differently than those of us who grew up  under democracies that were run by "our people', in times of prosperity (for us) and peace!  IT IS different!
 Here is a short clip from one of those news articles that I read that adresses the coup d'etat and its future effects:
There may be elections in Bamako, or there may not be. Tuareg raiders may control the desert interior, or a battalion of southern-led soldiers from the capital may do so. The real fundamental drama will play out gradually, outside the strictures of media accounts. This drama will be about how, and whether, Africa's recently impressive economic growth rates can lead to the creation of larger middle classes. It is larger middle classes that lead, in turn, to more efficient and vigorous government ministries, and to more professional militaries, so that hinterlands might be brought under control and artificially drawn borders made more workable.


Read more: Africa's Tuareg Dilemma by Robert D. Kaplan | Stratfor
I would add that the biggest change would be if they see the GOd of all eternity for who He is, a loving, caring, and yes, all powerful God; but a God who chooses to give people choice.  He is the one who loved so much that He paid the price to buy back what was initially his thru right of creation.  Wow!  THat is way out there LOVE.
Praying that Mali sees that thru those of His children who are radical enough in their Love to show it.

mim-Blessing Mali with prayer from PA.

From last June -Comings and Goings and 'Settlers'

(I decided to publish this draft that I wrote last summer.  It'll be here for me to remember, if no one else :))
Ray and Julie are playing a quiet game of "Settlers" with Eva Durst this afternoon-- the first that we have had that favorite game out here in Mali, after a full week of celebrations of hellos and goodbyes. This the season of comings and goings in the missionary community. School is finished for the year, so it is a good time for transitions. We are thankful to be well settled in at this point, rather than just arriving.
Eva Durst arrived at the Bamako Airport on Monday evening on Tunis Air--minus her main suitcase, unfortunately, which has not yet been found! She is returning to give us another summer of service just as Christian Spindler, who has served here for a year, prepared to leave to return home to Austria. Then Claudia arrived back at the base from the United States--also missing a suitcase,just in time to participate in the goodbye festivities for Christian.
All that and more.  Julie had a goodbye brunch with several new found friends who are leaving and not expecting to return to Mali anytime soon.  Several families of the missionary community we have met in the greater Bamako area have also left this week, some for summer committments and others who are not planning to return.
We have been into Bamako several times,  and also out the other side to the Village of Goro. We have also traveled, several times, the shorter distance to the Village of Dara-pronounced "d'ra", where we have received some of the best mangoes I have ever eaten!  Nothing is quite as good as fruit picked ripe from the tree.
This week the trip back was a bit different.  Christian needed to stop at the livestock market along the way to purchase a sheep.  He is planning to prepare a feast as a parting gift to the boys here. A small goat can be purchased for maybe 12,000-18,000 cfa, but a sheep large enought for this family's feast costs 35,000-50,000 cfa(about $70-100 USD). A large ram was selected and given a ride back to our base in the back of the bus, then tied up and fed some fresh pulled grasses and millet overnight, before the butchering that took place the next morning. Quite an event!

WOW! 'Home' in Pennsylvania

We have had so much change in the last month.  We are 'home' in Pennsylvania since we evacuated on April 4th.  WHat a whirlwind that was.  Sunday morning we thought that we were staying, by Monday morning we were buying tickets to fly out on Wed night.

We flew out of Bamako Wed evening, had a smooth flight to Brussels and then Washington before landing at the Harrisburg Airport early evening on the 5th. I was not realizing how much stress we were under til we experienced the rush of emotion on landing on US soil.  Brussels felt 'safe', but DC......  We were home! (and I splurged on a cup of Starbucks 'Coffee americain'.)
Warmly greeted by our 7 grandchildren, their parents (you see the order of preference there, don't you?  ;)) and several other family members at the Harrisburg Airport, we got hugs all around, cryed a few more tears, got out of the way when Julie spotted Megan Roper(her BFF) and there was a scream and mad rush into a hug, secured our luggage (PTL! It all arrived with us!) and headed to my sister's house nearby to eat and unwind.  Norma has a house that allows for several conversation groups to be going on at one time, all the while we 'grazed' around the kitchen counter of goodies everyone had brought. At 11pm EST, they pulled me away from a nonstop monologue (well a little bit of questioning from the listeners), our kids drove us 'home' to Roxbury Camp and we all dropped into bed. 

That was then!  This is now! 
3 weeks later we are pretty well settled into the 'Guest House' that we will occupy here at Roxbury Camp for the next month or so.  Following that, we expect to move to a slightly larger home next door that we will live in for the summer.  After that..... we will see what God has ordained! 

Julie is back in school at Chambersburg Area Senior High School, after seeing God's hand in opening up classes just where she needed them.  Ray has been getting some work to do here at the Camp where he was such a regular fixture for the past 26 years, and we will have housing thruout the summer, as well as that part time job.  God is good!  All the time!
A quick 'God story':  The guidance counselor tried to get into the computer system to register Julie for the fall- for her senior year, but was locked out.  I just quietly breathed a prayer to my God, "God, we just need is a little window here."  She decided to try one more time, and Voila!  She was in!  "H-m-m-m!" she says.  "Your prayer must have worked."  Thanks God!

We have been assessing our finances and job prospects, keeping apace of Reuters' and BBC's  Africa news, asking God, "What is our next assignment?", "When can we go back to Mali?", and "What do we do in the meantime?'  As a result, we are trying to plan for the summer and the next school year for Julie here in PA.  Ray is looking at using his years of plumbing and construction experience to do some plumbing/construction work, partnered with his Roxbury Camp parttime job. (Anyone have a project that needs done? I know a very experienced plumber who is available.  ; ))
Me??  I am seeing a ripe field of work that is laid out before me.  Interacting with some beautiful young ladies and pre-teens who are in need of a listening ear, and maybe even some 'mom' advice.  Well, maybe that will be 'gramma' advice. Godly advice that will hopefully reinforce what their own moms are trying to say to them.  In a word: Mentoring!

Isn't it fun (yes, it is also stressful sometimes, because I am impatient)  to see what God has planned?
GOD IS GOOD!  ALL THE TIME!!       ALL THE TIME!!!     GOD IS GOOD!!!!

Go, intentionally, with God today and prepare to bless and be a blessing.  You WILL be blessed in the process!
Mim, in PA at the moment but with a heart divided between here and Mali.

 
 



Our boys sleeping under the stars


<><><>

Sahara dust!



A tempestuous dust storm moved in this evening, lending its physical presence to the unsettled feeling of the last few days here in Mali.   Our reident boys, who eagerly looked forward to sleeping out under the stars this last week (they are on school holiday for spring break) took their foam mattresses outside after family meeting, placing them on the bare ground that slopes away from the cooking area between 2 main buildings. They soon picked them up and moved back inside again, apparently deciding to deal with the heat inside rather than the dust and wind outside.  Even the street boys, who have been sleeping out on the other side of the dinginhall these last weeks, all moved inside again as the wind howled down out of the north, bringing stinging sand and dust.  They are scattered willy-nilly on the dininghall floor, more than 20 of them tonight. The older ones have commandeered the few remaining mattresses and the blankets we recently bought for them, and both they and the yougest ones, who are laying on the bare tile floor, lay spread eagled or curled on their sides as best suits them, sound asleep.

Julie and Ray listen with our boys and the street boys to a Bible Story

 The coup that took place just a week ago today, continues. (How long do you say a coup d'etat exists before it is something else?)  We are hearing that world governments have unanimously condemned this military takeover.  ECOWAS (the West African Economic Union) has been joined by national gov'ts the world over in condemning this military coup by troops that are characterized as 'mutineers'. Most countries have unilaterally cut off their foreign aid to Mali as well, except for some ongoing humanitarian aid, perhaps.

There are new developments today that we pray will led to a peaceful solution.  ECOWAS is reportedly sending a delegation of 5 West African Presidents to meet with the coup leader, Captain Sanogo, and urge that he step down voluntarily and restore civilian rule. If that does not happen, they say that troops are at Mali's borders ready to move in to force that transition. We hope that it does not come to that.

We are thankful that we serve the GOD on whom no one can pull a coup!  He is the one on whom we rely and in whom we place our hope.



Shopping for coconut snack



We did go to the market nearby to get  a supply of fruits & veggies and some peanuts. Ray & Julie joined me and we took one of the younger boys with us.



Ray Julie and Bakary on the way to market(I am behind the camera)

  I have also done some different kind of planting recently:  we planted 'mud-pots' which will serve as reservoirs for the water to leach out below grade and thus more effectively water the roots of our fledgling trees.  As the

wind howls aound us,  it reminds me of some of the blizzards we've experienced  in colder climes, except that the sweat is running down my face and dripping off my chin as I write this, and instead of snow we have the grit of Sahara sand on our floors.  I think I could make mud pies on my kitchen counters this evening, even tho I washed them down at 7pm.

Nonetheless, we rest in that truth: GOD Almighty is in control.  He loves us and He calls us by name!  What better place could we be than to be where he has called us.

That being said, prayers gratefully accepted on our behalf, and on behalf of the people of this land tht we are coming to love.

miminmali

The RIver Niger from Below



Ray waits by the moto while I explored along this old, one-lane

 causeway which served for many years as a passage across 

the River Niger below Bamako, but only in dry season. 

Now a sweeping new bridge looms over it and provides

 4 lanes of crossing,year round . 



Ray suggested this shot of the setting sun beaming thru a tower. We were exploring along the old casuseway on a Sunday afternoon.



A view of the Niger

By the River Niger

Here are a few pictures that I thought would help you see this part of Mali and where we have been. we have enjoyed getting to know some of its people and its places- both beautiful!

Independence Monument in downtown Bamako

Mim in Mali

"Bless and be a blessing to someone today."

Coup D' etat in Mali

There has been a coup here in Mali, and understandably,  things are unsettled.  The post that I had started earlier this week, "Christmas Child and Campaign Unrest", I finished & posted on Wed night, when we knew there was some unrest, but defore the coup became known.
Now, 3 days later, the information that we have is mostly the same as you can hear on BBC.  There were gunshots heard in many parts of the city over the first 2 days and nights, and some reported looting. We also heard it reported that some of the soldiers had confiscated cars at the bridges crossing the Niger River, ("keep your 4 x 4 at home", emails suggested) and demanded goods and fuel at boutiques or gas stations that were open. There has been a curfew announced that is to last til Tues am at 7:30, at which time Malians are supposed to be free to return to work. Some reports say that the curfew has been lifted during the day from 6am-6pm. It helps to know that there was a scheduled holiday on both Friday and Monday, so Tuesday morning makes sense.
YOU might even have acess to some things on U-tube and fb that is more than we know here, where we are confined to our base.  Following US Embassy reccommendation, we are 'sheltering in place', staying put but watching and listening.
BBC broadcast an interview today that they were granted with Captain Sanogare, the reputed leader of this 'military coup', which has also been referred to as 'action of renegade soldiers' or 'a mutiny'.

The Presidential Palace stands high on a bluff overlooking the Niger River and the City of Bamako from the North. There was a protest march announced to be taking place on Wednesday March 21, 2012, proceeding from Kati, a military base area N of the City and of the Presidenial Palace, and ending at the Presidential Palace. 
There was also 'a remembrance for the martyrs of 1991'  scheduled to take place in downtown Bamako on Thursday.  Our school decided to cancel classes for Thursday, since many parents had had difficulty getting across town to pick their kids up from the school in a timely fashion when this kind of thing happensed earlier. It really was more about convenience than about danger to students at that point. hence my joke about substituting 'Political unrest days'  for  'snow days'. ( Not so great , in retrospect.)
When the announcement of the coup came thru on Thursday, it all seemed surreal! This kind of thing does not happen in Mali, or not for the last 20 years at any rate.  Mali has been held up as a model of democracy at work in Africa, and the attendant stability is at least one of the reasons that it has been the fastest growing city in Africa for the last while.  Elections were scheduled to take place in just over a month, and there were probably 12 or 14 candidates vying for the position of President. so a coup to get to the will of the people rings hollow .

Sleep overtakes me, more tomorrow.
Stay with God, so that you can continue to Bless and be blessed!
miminMali

Building a pigpen!

Being forced to stay put due to the coup here, I used some of my 'extra discretionary time' as one friend put it.  Here are some glimpses of life that we have experienced in these past few weeks.

Ray & Adama marking off fence



Heather/Kadi and Ray w 'Fancy & Beau'

 Earlier this week I looked out of my kitchen window to see Ray marking off the upper end of our base  with  Adama.  Turns out  they were preparing to build a fence to enclose 2 friendly little pigs (whom Heather Riddle named "Fancy" & "Beau" during her tenure here in Mali) .and restrict them from rooting thru the gardens at the lower end.  Another reason may  have been to move their shelter and its attendent fragrance a little further from Claudia's front door. :))



The following morning Ray & Adama set to work early, and soon had the able assistance of half a dozen schoolboys who had an unexpected holiday.  (Near as I can figure, there were exams for one or 2 upper grades and extra classroom space was needed to spread the exam-takers out to only 1 student per desk.)  Eager hands (and backs) were set to work carrying stones from the stonepile to the assigned fence area.  Next thing I know, Ray is walking away with his shovel over his shoulder, looking for another job.  Seems that these guys knew just what they were doing, and with Paul (whose pigs these are) overseeing the job they set to with a will to complete the task. --with time for a little horsing around, too. :))

Now Fancy & Beau have a solid new enclosure along the inside of the west wall, where they can slop and grunt to their hearts content, as long as long as someone remembers to carry water to support their bad habits.

Julie has been spending all the time with the boys that she can.  They make Malian tea, an endeavor  which is very time intensive, and results in what you might call tea expresso, a very potent, sweet elixir that is poured from teapot to glass so as to make a foamy head, them slurped loudly. Best enjoyed at any time of day that you have friends to share it.  They also play a game very similar to the Parcheesi that I learned as a child. LIDO is best translated  "Dont get Angry" --which can happen when your friendly opponent sends you back home to start over, yet again .: ))



This palm tree & canal view reminds me of the canals out near Myakka Fla in days gone by.



Ray & I have taken a few rides on the moto to explore along the River, or up on the 'kulu' (hill) behind us, where building plots have been laid out with stone markers identifying owners and boundaries delineated with pebble lines.  I have also been fascinated to watch the gardens prosper along the waterways  in this season of no rain and hot dry air that seems to have 0% humidity.  The neatly laid out plots are watered by flooding the ditches between them at least once a day- works where there is easy access to water source, but that is not for the average person who only has acess to a handdug well for their household water needs.  While the bucket kits I ordered (to do more water efficient drip irrigation system for a home garden) never did arrive,  I have learned a few more things about gardening in this arrid place.  Perhaps some day we will be able to come back and I will make good use of that knowledge.

Stay true to your blessing.  Proclaim the goodness of God to the world in times of trouble as well as in the good times.  Then mayhap they will believe you and ask to know your Jesus.

(We are) Blessing the name that is above every name, and at whose feet all will one day bow.

Miminmali

Christmas Child and Campaign unrest.

There has been ongoing political and military unrest stirring in the north of Mai for some time now. Some say that it caused by the return of Tamesh soldiers that were Kadhafi mercenaries until recently. (Supplies of arms and men reportedly flooded across the desert when the Libyan leader lost power.) Others think that it is the recurring battle in the class war that has gone on for centuries, interrupted by colonialism for a period of time, and then by the 'independence' of a Malian state. (One people group were the vassals of the other 'noble' class before Malian independence gave everybody the same standing. Now the noble class wants their position back, and their vassals to work for them again in the old way. The 'vassals' are not so anxious to return to the 'good ole days'!

Whatever the cause, there now are large numbers of displaced peoples in Northern Mali (some say 200,000), who have fled their homes and villages and are either internal refugees, or are now in neighboring countries. That displacement complicates the upcoming elections:  If you go ahead and hold the elections as scheduled, a foul is called on the basis of the displaced peoples not having a chance to vote & be represented.   If you delay the elections, a foul is called by opposition candidates (there are over a dozen running for the office of Preident, I am told) for the current President holding onto power. Not a win/win situation seems to me! More like a 'can't win' for the party currently in power.

Pray for us here in Mali, and for others here in Western and Northern Africa.  God is certainly still in control, and we trust HIM.  We are also aware that that doesn't mean that all is 'hunky-dorry' or that there will be no trouble in our lives.  But we know that we serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, whom no one can serve a coup on.

On a different note! Some of our children received Operation Christmas Child boxes this week. Yes, I know it is a litte late for Christmas, but a gift is a gift anytime it is received. 3 littles who attend the one school were the lucky recipients, but I saw several others with the goods by the next day. That is the way it is here. The older ones can demand, and expect to get, from the younger ones. T I A! Everyone enjoyed seeing the electric tooth brushes vibrate, and each one got a special something that they will enjoy.  Thanks to all who have helped in this process in the states. 

When Ray comes back into the base on his moto, the kids sometimes catch him and he gives them a little ride around in a circle.  They love it, and he is smiling so I guess he doesn't mind it either.  THis is the most that I have seen on him at one time--usually ony 2 or 3.:))

Julie has been working with one of our boys on his daily Bible memory work.  It is such a delight to see him loving to learn, and especially to see him loving to learn God's word.   Each day he is trying to learn more than just the required one verse, and recently said to Julie, "When you are gone I won't have anyone to help me with this."   It gave her an opportunity to tell him that if it was up to her, she would be coming back, but sometimes those decisions are not ours.  She was also able to tell him that, just like she is missing her friends in the U.S. and has not forgotten them while she is here,  we will be really missing our boys here in Mali, and will not forget them when we return to America.  We will be looking for ways that we can continue to stay in touch with them personally and individually, not just with the ministry.

Well, I am falling asleep on the sofa, so I guess going to bed is the next order of business. I made an attempt to cool our beds by laying a wet towel over the sheet to evaporate while I have been on here. It really works pretty well and is dry again in 1'2 an hour!

Mim in Mali

Trying to continue to be a blessing.

Reminiscing over the past few months

 

Shot on Goal Practice

 We heard that many of you on the east coast(US) had snow and temps in the 30's at the end of October-- Julie even got to see it snowing via skype. And since then you have had only mild temperatures.  At the same time you were having 37* there, and a load of wet snow, we were having 37* and 38* temps here in Mali, too. The difference is that here that translates “HOT!!”, because we are talking 37* Celsius, not Farenfeit! Our weather has been hot and dry for a while now, with the prospect of more of the same until the rains come in May.  That is a LOT of hot and dry, and our heels and lips are needing extra attention. Experienced persons have warned us that we will need to work to keep ourselves hydrated and moisturized thru this next few months. (Our Malian friends already knew that, by the way.  We have seen them regularly applying shea butter cream to the face and arms of their little ones after baths. I expect they apply the cream to adults too, we just don't see that.)

Just now one of the boys called up to my window, “Mimi!”...” Mimi!”...“Ji suma?”(Cold water? -literally 'shaded water':))  One of the things that we have been able to do is to give the boys cold water,and even ice from time to time.  We wash and refill coke bottles half full of water, then freeze them in our apt refrigerator, before handing them out to be filled and filled again, til the ice is all gone. I've been training them to take care of and return the bottles so that they can have ice again.  (Most of them are getting it.) Cold water is a treat for them — and us!  Depending on the time of day, the water comes out of the faucet at 80-110*F/27-37*C, a nice temperature for washing dishes.  Its good clean water, and we are all thankful to have it so available, but having it chilled is also nice. YEAH for SOLAR POWER! Another thing for which to be thankful.

I could write a whole blog on what is in my fridge or freezer. Our refrigerator freezer has a kilo bag of 'farine ble''(wheat flour) in it right now, some cubes of 'lembuurukumunin'juice(little-sour-lemon),as well as some whole limes,  some 'misi-sogo'(beef)patties, a baggie of chopped 'foronto'(super hot chili pepper)and the ice bottles. The flour needs to be kept in the freezer to keep it from getting buggy (not at all nice to discover when you are beginning to make pancakes in the morning). I have sifted out the bugs and used the flour anyway. (I have NOT yet reached the veteran missionary stage of just using it bugs and all--”extra protein”. :)) The limes are an experiment to see if they freeze well, since I have discovered that what is in plenteous supply at the market this week may disappear and no longer be available next week.  We love to put a little fresh lime juice in a bottle of water as a refresher, so I'll stockpile some if they freeze well. 

The beef was purchased off the freshly butchered hind quarter hanging in the market Friday morning, and then ground into hamburger at my kitchen table.  That way we know what goes in it, and that it is fresh. The ground meat I purchased at the supermarket tasted too much of liver- and maybe other unsavories to my way of thinking!  I purchased the foronto this summer for a lovely red sweet pepper.  I had only seen tiny little foronto, and rather small green sweet peppers at the market, so was excited to see some red sweet peppers(I thought).  I had already learned the 'if you see it today, buy it, because it may not be there tomorrow' rule, so I bought 2 nice big ones. When I got home I proceeded to clean my purchases, wash everything in clorox that we might pop into our mouths uncooked, and sliced up the peppers for a snack. Imagine my surprise to bite into a sliver of 'sweet pepper' only to get bitten back by the heat.  My hands were a little slower to respond, but then burned for 2 days.  Hence, frozen, chopped foronto that we use a snippet at a time.  Thanks be to God for good water to drink- we had no refrigerator yet at that point, so it was not chilled but still appreciated.

Sometimes there is a Tupperware container of cookies there, or a second loaf of banana bread.  When you are heating the oven you want to maximize what you get out of adding all that heat to the kitchen and living areas, and bananas are always available. We have had them as a regular part of diet to supplement rice and rice!

 Unrelated:  here are 2 short tidbits that I thought you might like, copied from a friend's post to me some time back.
For all you single guys and gals: 
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
For us all:
“When I say 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting 'I am clean living!'. I'm whispering, 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'”
Be Blessed and be a blessing to those around you today.

MiminMali

Julie & Heather Riddle do Bible Story



 Heather Riddle & Julie Heisey











'Our' Boys are doing great!!

We are so proud of our boys!  They have been working extra hard on their chores and many are memorizing extra verses.
A tradition that Claudia established long ago is daily Bible memorization and a chores schedule. Each boy is to memorize a verse of their choice from the daily Bible reading portion. When they recite it (well) at the evening family meeting, they are awarded 25 credits Completing their chore also earns them 25points. (If they fail to do those 2 tasks, there is not only lost opportunity, but a 25 point penalty.)  If they choose to learn extra verses and do extra chores around the base, they can earn additional points, up to the maximum of 400 cfa/week pocket money.  .It is s a great tradition!
Some weeks they are rather desultory with their tasks, but at other times there is a noticable fervor and competition. With Claudia being in the staes this month, we have not had her restaurant-&-grocery-shopping reward on Saturdays. I decided to add a unique challenge to them this month-- a special Sat morning breakfast at 'Mimi's Cafe' for the 3 top achievers.  The competition has been fierce most of the month, and one week we had 5 young strivers to achieve the 400 cfa maximum. 
In addition to this excellent effort, we have been delighted to see their school reports, which show their class rank for the period:  Out of our 10 young resident scholars, we have  3- 1st place scholars, 1 second (bumped by his 'brother' from his usuaal 1st place rank) and 2 -3rd place rankings.  WOW!  That is a great achievement in an average class size of 30-35.  All of our residents are in the top 1/2 of their classes !! Claudia had been doing some additional one-on-one tutoring with the youngest ones and it obviousy paid off.
Unfortunately, we have some non resident students who are not doing so well.  They have also been invited to attend the homework sessions, but have not been participating, and it shows.  They have regularly been at the bottom of their class rankings.  That is sad, because the help is available, and they could do so much better.  Pray that their parents would see the benefit to them and would encourage their studies.
We have also had some fun with them!-- well, Julie and Kadi have especially!  One Sunday afternoon we had a royal water battle--guys against the girls.  Besides the fact that there were 12 or so guys and only 2 girls, do you have any idea who won? They all got wet, the girls got drenched more than once, and a good time was had by allL They even washed up the floors for us when they were done.
Ray & I have taken a couple of exploratory excursions, which is one of our favorite forms of entertainment.  Get in a car, or in this case, on a motorcycle, and go exploring undiscovered territory.  In the process we found some wonderful mangoes at a roadside stand (5 large ones for 500cfa-YUMMM! We brought  more than a dozen back and shared some of this luscious fruit with the boys), market gardens along the canal, beautiful sunsets, and a few more prayer requests. 
We crossed the Niger River on the old, lower causeway, a low slung ribbon of crumbling concrete which provided crossing here only in the dry seasons of the year . This single lane piece of roadway lies under the shadow of the newest bridge in Bamako, a sweeping modern construction in sharp contrast to the rugged  faces of the black, almost volcanic, riverbed rock, and the broken concrete of the old causeway.  There, in the middle of the river, we found a worship structure- NOT dedicated to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords that we know.  
 Pray for the coming of the glory of God in this place.  Pray for us, that we might boldly be carriers of Jesus' light to places where it has not been known, and His hope where despair has reigned.
Pray for 'our' boys, that they might see The light, and so be aware of His shining brightness,  that they too will want to carry Jesus whereever they go.
Blessings to you from us here in Bamako.  Bless and be a blessing!
miminmali
 

DUSTY HARMITAN & REMEMBERING

The harmitan blew in stealthily, sliding in over the dry land during the night. It came as a smoggy haze, not unlike a thick grey fog—except that it isn't water droplets suspended in the air that hide the sun and drop visibility to a few hundred feet- it is dust, fine, powdery brown dust!. We woke to the smell of dust in our nostrils and a thicker than usual film of dust on everything, the chocolate brown couch cushions dusted to a coffee-with-cream shade. The sun continued to hide its face day after day as the wind blew steadily from the N-NEast, not fierce or blustery, just a steady, cold, tree bending stream of thick dusty air. We kept the windows and doors shut as much as possible, but there is a film of brown on everything inside and a thick writing surface on outside tables and chairs.

Airtravel was interupted at the Bamako airport as it still operates on visual rather than electronic visibilities. A friend was stranded in Paris for a day and a ½ as a consequence of this meteorological anomaly-no flights in til the visibilty above reached 1000 m.

Down here, we are doing well. The cool weather is not unwelcome, a pleasant surprise to this American family who expected to have 15 months of unadulterated H O T when we arrived in Mali last May. The muggy 85 degree heat that hit us on that early May midnight arrival certainly spoke to us of that reality, but God has been surprising us month after month with the differences of climate that Mali can deliver. There is the hot and humid summer, with almost daily downpours causing ditches and canals to run full and overflowing for a few minutes or an hour under their assault. That is a time of green growth and, surprising to us, the season of hunger, and expensive produce. Last year's harvest is depleted and gardens have not yet had time to produce crops for their owners-- hence the 'season of hunger' runs from May to late June or early July. (At least most years. This year it is expected to start in March, as poor rains resulted in smaller, or almost non existant grain crops and so people and animals will starve in many areas of Mali-unless someone intervenes.)

A soggy July and August was followed by a mosquito laden, but cooler, September-October- November. The flies that we dealt with in the summer disappeared, but the mosquitos more than made up for their peskiness. (Stay inside after dusk!) Some mosquitoes STILL are evident here in Jan &Feb at dusk and early evening (A bit unusual we are told), and we try to keep our skin covered if we are out late. The flies have also returned and we turn the fan on to keep them from settling as we eat out of the common bowl each day. Thank God that the solar panels are working well and there has been electricity almost 24/7, since their upgrade in July.

Watermelon season! Thats what I remember the fall months for. Tractor trailer loads of watermelon find their way in to Bamako and we see huge piles and stacks of them everywhere. At the height of the season a HUGE 40 lb one can be bought for 1000-1500, 2000 if you are a 'toubabou' and do not negotiate. Smaller round ones are 500-750 (500cfa/$1- several hours to a days wage for a working classs Malian-- a day laborer.) Then there are the papayas, oranges, limes (like key limes, in the states) and a few Malian fruit that I can't even describe to you. 'Salati' (leaf lettuce) begins to make its showing as well as green beans, small cabbages, tomatoes and carrrots. And every kind of greens from mint to onion tops, to spinach & sweet potato leaves.   Lovely season of plenty!

As winter rolls on the cabbages and carrots get larger ( and cheaper), the tomatoes more plentiful, celery that actually begins to look like you could fill a stick with peanut butter showed up in February. Squash and pumpkins are sold by the piece- literally! A whole one is cut into 10-15 or 20 pieces that are offered on the tray for 100 or 250 cfa each. Mangoes showed up again in January-- a lighter second season, I am told, but wonderful for us. I just bought 5 large mangoes for 500cfa-- about $1.00.

Of course all this largesse is great if you have the money to purchase it, or can grow it in your own garden with a good water supply. But there is not the preservation possibilities here that I had in Pa. No freezer available to most. No canning jars to preserve the extra for the months ahead.. For many Malian families there IS no season of plenty, only barely enough and hunger. When the rains do not come, their fields do not produce the grain crops, rice and millet and corn, that they count on as staples for the months of dry weather, aand into the next wet season. Life in Mali is HARD!

I try to remember that when I am getting overly involved in the bargaining over some vegetables, or an item of used cothing that I see in one of the piles.

“Mimi! Chill!! Remember that here is a place you can give, gently, without it being a hand-out.  You can pay a little more for that pile of 5 tomatoes, or that little bag of onions. That is a way that you can put into the economy at a grassroots level, and spread the wealth. Because you are wealthy!”

And then maybe life in Mali won't be quite os hard for someone in this neighborhood.” It is hard to remember.

Continue to remember us a s we live and work here, trying to make a differences that will be a blessing and not a curse. Pray for us to remember God's way.

Camels and Soccer games and JESUS!

I'm preaching this morning! To me first—but you can listen in if you want.



<>

Soccer-- they pooled resources to buy  a ball



I am learning (re-learning, remembering, expanding my knowledge of) the reality of the war that is going on in the spiritual world and certainly shows thru in the physical. The trouble is that we cannot see it in the physical, and the input that we are taking into our psyche and into our spirit are too often not faith building.



<>

Gardens along the Niger River

Consider for example, how much time I (or you) spend reading and studying God's Word and listening to Jesus, compared to reading & studying (Yes! Studying!!) the computer, TV, video, wii, newspapers,........ Except, many of those things, I do not have access to here. We do not have or even see a tv.(except when we are in the little supermarket or a restaurant that caters to Westerners, and they ight have an English station on their above aisle TV. “GO BRONCOs”—or whatever.) We might drive past a small mud brick or concrete home that has a TV out front where friends and neighbors are gathered to watch a soccer game We don't have a wii or video games to play. Nor do I understand (most of) the billboards along the road (not too good with the french yet). We don't spend as much time on the innernet as we did in America, because it is so slow and irregular, so we are not so tempted to waste time studying the latest ondits on fb or Hollywood's headlines and the gossip of the rich and famous that CNN or Google flashes on the top of our screen.

Heather on a "REALLY TALL Horse!"

Did you think that because we don't have this technology so readily available, or because we are 'missionaries' that we do not succumb to the temptations of circumstances and surroundings? We DO have a computer that we can watch video's on, or play Solitaire or Freecell. We do have each other and our neighbors to encourage or discourage with our words and attitudes. We do have sickness and disease, extreme climatic dryness, fatigue and all the other circumstances of life in this place and this time on this planet Earth.

I'm afraid that we are all too subject to the human frailities of discouragement, sickness and the like.

AND THEN,, AND THEN!! I am reminded that when evilcomes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard against it! WHOOOEEEEE!!

Just about the time that it seems we are going to be overwhelmed, GOD opens the portals of heaven just a little bit further and shows us another glimpse into His glory.

This past week I have been feeling rather discouraged by circumstances-- and I 'found' a couple of cds--my cousin Galen Blossers Acclaim quartet music CD that has this song : “When the facts say that you are defeated, remember that God is on your side......you have already won!”

The other CDs were a series by Katie Suza that proclaim the reality of carrying Jesus. When we carry the King of Kings into any situation---our hands being occupied with the carrying, not the doing-- ALL the other kings must submit to HIM! Wow! What a reminder.... again.



Baobab trees in the distance across the Niger



                                                         IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS!!



Oh yes, and we did watch the boys play a good soccer game and had a camel ride!  Julie got her hair braided again, Ray and I took amoto ride on Sat afternoon down aalong the Niger River, bought some lovely fresh picked mangoes,and even went to Tin Buctu!  Pictures attached.



Miminmali



Yep! That's me!  Keep your feet on the neck--out of reach of teeth I'm told



Blankets that we bought for our street boys to use on thses chilly nights.  Thanks Marc!





Julie & little Hawa in braids



A Malian Wedding -Part 2

When we returned to the base after Paul & Rokia's marriage civil ceremony --with all the cars, trucks, and the bus loaded full and overflowing, the next part of the wedding festivities began. 

There was a procession of sorts into the dining hall where many more pictures were taken.  Seems that everybody wanted to have their picture taken with the bridal couple.  Ladies are dressed in their finest, and Fanta in her shimmering golden gown is a good illustration of the flamboyant costumes that are worn , with no worry to moderate so as to not out-dress the bride  I was also surprised to see Fanta in this beautiful gown and elaborate matching headdress when I knew (because she brought it to me for some alteration) that she had a new 'family wedding cloth' outfit, more elaborate than mine, ready for the day. Same with other members of the bridal couple's family. ...HMMM?  What we discovered was that the family wedding cloth would come out later, used for a second set of clothes for the afternoon and evening celebration. "Tooro te"  (No problem) we were assured.  We were fine in our newly made outfits-- (what else could you say!) We felt seriously under-dressed by comparison.  Ah well!  Live and learn.! Our lack of understanding spared us the expense of buying 2 sets of clothing for the event, not an uncommon occurrence, it turns out, in this culture where there is a prime importance put on dressing well, and having new clothes for special occasions

The church service was in both Bambarakan and French, and a Pastor sitting near us graciously translated bits into English for us so we did not feel too lost.  We have been used to sitting in our services week after week here at the base without understanding much, so it was an unexpected treat to have someone interpret for us.

Tents to provide shade had been set up the day before on the open ground just outside of our main dining hall building, and the guests were seated as a congregation under them.  When all was ready, the couple entered in procession, led by the choir and followed by the Pastors who would have a part in the service. Some wonderful African praise music started things off,  as Paul and Rokia were seated on the platform, facing the congregation. (The same chairs that I mentioned having been transformed from living room armchairs to wedding thrones by a white sheet and bougainvillaea flower sprays.) There were several speakers, a sermon, some special music, and finally the vows, ring exchange and pronouncement by Claudia, who had been given that honor. There was also a special song sung to Paul & Rokia by Christian Spindler- in English, and  a blessing prayed over them by the ring of Pastors as the couple knelt before them.



Ray & Mim Pronounce a Blessing

We were delighted to also have a part.  Paul and Rokia had asked us, as grandparents, and from the vantage of nearly 40 years of marriage ourselves, to pray a special blessing over their marriage as it began.  When the introduction made mention of our 40 years together, there was more of a flutter of surprise and of congratulations than I would have expected, and the Pastors near us (we were seated in the Amen corner, I think) commented wonderingly to us several times.  I wanted to say that to start with, you had to marry young and both live long, something that happens less here in Mali where the average life expectancy is only 46 years of age!  In any case, we felt very honored to be asked!

Wedding gifting in Mali is different from the traditions we are familiar with stateside. When you are presented with a wedding invitation here, it is accepted custom for family and friends to place some money in the envelope and return it to the bride or groom, so many close friends and family have already given gifts of money to the couple before the wedding. These funds are much appreciated and help the bride and groom meet the large obligations of preparing for not only the expenses of the ceremony, but also the food that is needed for the wedding feasts. It is part of the community approach to all events here. In this case, there were parties going on in at least 4 locations that afternoon, and the newly-weds were obligated/honored to visit at each of them.  (His home, her home, and other extended family homes where the elders waited to be greeted.)   There had also been a big fete at Paul's home the afternoon and evening preceding the marriage. At the end of the church ceremony there was dancing and celebration.  The newly married pair are seated on their thrones and guests queued up to greet them and present them with gifts.  Mats have been placed on the platform on either side of them and tubs placed to hold small gifts and gifts of money. At first it was orderly, but soon the crowd thronged them and melee reigned.  It surely is a time of celebration!



People were instructed to go (to his and her homes) for the afternoon festivities, except for some specially honored guests who would have a meal served to them here at the base. We were part of that group, which included all the westerners, the Pastors ( and there were many since Paul is himself a Pastor and well connected) and a few special friends who have high government connections. Tables had been set up in the dining hall and platters of food brought to us.  Sodas, the customary drink of these celebrations it seems, had been overlooked and came out after most of us had finished our meal.  No matter!  They were still enjoyed.

 Ray did not get to relax and eat his meal with me, as he was called upon to drive the bus transporting people to the groom's home in Banakabougou, 7 or 8km away.  But again, not to worry! Once there, Elizabeth and crew made sure he was taken care of.  They gave him a seat and presented him with a 'serving bowl-size' plate of food,  beef, potatoes and other vegetables in a tasty sauce, that was more than he could eat.  That was good, because before the afternoon was over, he made that trip back and forth several times, with more than 30 people in the van that we would say was crowded with 15 passengers in the states.

 Paul and Rokia had not stayed to eat with us at the base (the bride's family is in charge of their schedule yet on the day of the wedding, and had decreed that they would go elsewhere immediately after the ceremony). We were not sure whether or where we would connect with them for the cake cutting, but decided to cut and serve the smaller of the 2 cakes that I had made, and take the fancier, 3 layer cake to Elizabeth's home.  Paul and Rokia did arrive and cut the cake later in the afternoon, then fed a piece to each other, much to their audience's delight.  The elders, (including Ray) took charge of guarding the well cut cake ( they had cut it from all 4 sides) til one of the ladies took it inside, protecting it from swarming flies and street boys who would have gladly feasted on it.



The family wedding cloth showed up on many of the guests that afternoon, and we felt well included at the street party held in front of Elizabeth's (Paul’s family home).  I even responded to the urging of Paul’s younger 1/2 sister and joined the dance circle for a short time. Christian hugely enjoyed himself and gave others joy as well, when he took center stage on the dance floor several times during the day, including dancing with Paul when the bridal pair showed up. I saw that Julie got in a few turns stepping out with one of the younger girls to the loud and lively African band music.

When Paul and Rokia arrived, Ray & I were introduced to Paul’s 'father' and his 'father's brother'-- 2 uncles who are the senior elders of the family, and much reverenced as such. They had many kind things to say to us and gave their blessing to the work we are doing here-- a nice addition to the afternoon for us.  We enjoyed sitting and talking to them for a few minutes, but I am realizing that our 'few minutes' was probably all too brief in this culture that values relationship and visiting so much more than we are used to.  We must learn to STOP  and just sit with people.

As the afternoon rolled on toward 5 o’clock, we loaded up the boys and headed back to the base.  We still had time to see Paul and Rokia off on their honeymoon trip that evening, then Eva and Matthias delivered to the airport for their late night flight out.  Christian's flight back to Austria was not scheduled til the next day, after which things seemed quiet indeed.  What a day! What a week!  What an adventure!

We are looking forward to great times ahead as we get to interact with this precious young couple who will be our next door neighbors-- literally.  We share a common staircase and entry way- tho their simple home is certainly more Malian than ours.

 Come visit with us again as we experience this adventure, blessing and being blessed.

mim in mali