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 HeiseyThen 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.
