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

A Malian Wedding

We have been honored to be a part of a wonderful Wedding Ceremony here in Mali this week. Well actually, as you can imagine, the involvement didn't start just a few days ago, but many months ago. Africa, and especially the Malian culture, is one of honor and relationships. There have been discussions and questions, prayers and ongoing blessings given and received that have built a warm and trusting relationship resulting in this invitation.

We began to know Paul Traore when we came to Bamako last spring, as he is the capable right hand to Claudia here in Mali. Paul knows EVERYBODY!! (-well, maybe that is a small exaggeration.:)) He seems to be related to ½ of Bamako, and if he is not related, he knows this one or that, and is on first name basis with at least one of their 'brothers'. (You have to inderstand that 'brother' includes blood brothers, ½ or step brothers, cousins and maybe even more distant realtives who are of the same generation. The term 'Father' or 'Mother' similarly includes many more than the ones who gave you physical life, but extends to relatives of your parents' generation.) Paul has a Pastors heart, and a generous spirit that is a wonderful example of Christ-like-ness in this community. We are honored to be known as his friend.

Rokia Kone is his beautiful bride. She lived with her family here in Yirimadio, in one of the larger homes just a few blocks away from the base. I am not sure how many siblings she actually has, but I can name several 'sisters' and at least 2 'brothers' by name, and a strong family resemblence binds them together. She is warm and genuine, a great cook, and a skilled cosmetologist in this place where intricate adornments to face, hands and feet is considered an important part of any big celebration. We are looking forward to getting to know her better as they will be our near neighbors, having a shared entry way and party wall between our 2^nd floor living spaces.

Now to the wedding celebrations!

Food for the celebrations is an important part here, as I expect you would say that it is where you live. You are likely not as aware of where it all comes from as we are. The day before the wedding the small 'lion sheep' that had been living here since late fall (wreaking havoc on 'my' gardens, I might add) was butchered to be prepared for a special meal. Eva, Christian & Matthias also purchased a larger sheep that they gifted to Paul and Rokia for the fete. That gift involved going to the sheepmarket (with Paul's help to negotiate and bargain) and selecting a live animal, which was then brought back and tended for a few days before the fete. I saw a group clustered around it and Christian near the gate one day. Since it was so calm, fat and fluffy, Christian had spent time getting Jonathan to pet it-- not for the sheep's sake, but to help irradicate the fear of animals in that little 3 yr old. Bless you, Christian, for your awareness and thoughtfulness! Christian also said that he was glad it was not butchered here, as “that was the nicest sheep I ever met”.:))

Mr Sheep went out the gate in the morning, and returned to table as several elaborate sheep-salad plates that were served to us in the dininghall. Layers of leaf lettuce, slivered onions (of course) tomatoes and green peppers made an attractive bed for the hill of canned mixed vegetables and roast mutton that filled the center of the trays. Forks were thoughtfully provided for these honored guests, but I and those around our platter soon reverted to the traditional use of fingers.

I had prepared a small wedding cake for the couple, and had placed it in the refrigerator overnight. (The cake is another whole 'Africa' story of making do with what one has, or trying to plan around and make it work. Cake from scratch, borrowed pan, made cake on 2 days and froze it, experiments with icing and decorations.... Thanks Claudia for your pan and oven. It worked!)

When I asked about bringing it downstairs I was told 'kofe' (later), so we merely made a presentation table by using 2 school desks draped with squares of bright purple cloth- which I had at my sewing machine from making some clothes for the wedding. I also found a white sheet in my closet to drape the 2 chairs, which came from Claudia's livingroom, hiding their comfy softness under wedding throne covers for the bride and groom. We slipped out the east gate to scarf some pink and purple bouganvilla blooms from the outside wall to dress them up and be ready whenever it was time. (I've had a good bit of 'use what you have' training and experience over the years-- thanks to my Mother's example -- and it comes into good use here.) Thanks to the the many at Mt Rock who gave planting funds to us this summer. Some of that beauty goes back to you. :))

At 8:45 we were to be ready to go on the CAM bus to the 'Marrie'- at the official gov't office down at the Yirimadio market area where the civil wedding ceremonies are performed. At 8:30 I scurried upstairs to slip into my wedding clothes, a Malian dress we had made from fabric that was offered to us as members of the family and close friends circle. Ray had dressed earlier and left to drive the bus to Banakabougou to bring Paul's family members to the ceremony before coming to get our bus load. (As the only driver for the bus, he ended up having a full day of driving, couriering us from place to place.)

We hurried up—and waited, as Ray was delayed coming back from Banakabougou. We shepherded everyone (including a few street boys) into the bus and went down to the market---and waited inside the hall. Elizabeth, Pauls mother had not yet arrived. Children were chased from prime seats to give our ladies a seat. Ray and Christian, both tall and both servant-hearted men, opted to stand rather than take precious front row seats in the crowded hall. “I can see over others heads, let them sit,” Ray said. Eva and Matthias stood at the front corner with cameras and took lots of pictures—thanks, guys. Friends & family members sat where they could, street boys and other interested onlookers thronged outside window openings to watch the event. Paul & Rokia sat in front of the table where the official and clerk would soon spread out their documents and the marriage book to be signed by the couple and their witnesses, and we waited some more. Sometime near 9:30 the officials arrived, sat at the table and began to read the pledges (I think) that are required for the bride to give agreement to. Someone told us that the bride must say yes 3 times to be sure there is no co-ercion, but I did not hear we “awo's”.

When the ceremony was finished there was a short time for greeting and a few pictures with officials and a few special people then we adjourned back to the CAM base where the Christian Wedding ceremony was held.

I'll sign this one off, add some pictures and write a 2^nd blog for the rest of the day's events.

Continue to bless and be a blessing to all you see.

Mim for the Heiseys in Mali.

New Year 2012

January 1, 2012.  The day has dawned cool and glorious here in Mali.  Last night there was noise and celebration,with  firecrackers and rockets shot into the night sky as midnight approached.  Here at the H2tNi base we celebrated with games and prayer, goals setting for the new year after  review of goals set last New Year's eve.  There were about 2 dozen boys and young men. a few of us ladies and one little girl gathered together in our large multi-purpose hall. Christian Spindler, Eva Durst and Mattias deMink, 3 young Austrians who served here in the past year and have traveled back for Paul's wedding were also with us.



The evening started with  our customary 'family meeting' at 8pm. Then began a slide show of pictures from the last year.  Claudia has done a good job of getting pictures of everybody included in that selection: resident kids and some street kids, staff , Paul and Rokia, Anthony Turner, who was our guest speaker for the 7th Anniversary (you would have been gratified, Pastor Anthony, to hear the murmer of warm remembrance that your pictures brought from our residents and the street boys alike), Austrian and American helpers.  It is always fun to sit in a group and see pictures of good shared memories.

Games were 'youth group' types, circle competitions of dexterity and attention, which needed no props. Arms crossed and hands palm down on the floor complicate the required slap slap of left-right or the reverse right-left, and little ones were elimnated quickly.  They didn't seem to mind as a cookie from the leftover Christmas cookie stash was given to each one that lost out..I manned the camera this evening and even finagled one for myself. Yummy! :))

As the midnight hour approached, Claudia got out the letters that our boys had written to themselves last New Years Eve, listing goals and desires to be accomplished in 2011.  After they looked them over, she asked who had goals that they had achieved, and got some varied responses.  Slips of paper were given out and they wrote goals to strive for in 2012.  Rather a neat variation on the resolutions we often plan and then forget about. Thanksgivings and prayer followed as we stood for the countdown--then the noise!

Some of the street boys were ready for bed before the midnight hour struck, and some had already dozed on benches. Except for a few of the older ones who had gone off base to celebrate, things were well settled before long into the new year.

Ray and I took the opportunity to make our first skype-call of the new year to my sister in Harrisburg and wish her a Happy New Year 5 hours before they got to it. Then we saw that friends at Roxbury were on-line and skyped with them for awhile as well. 

Amazing the wonders of comunications technology-- and then I was reminded again this morning ('wouldn't you like to link your cell phone to your google-facebook-skype accounts so you can have another way to recoup if you are hacked or forget your password?") of Gods prophesies to us about the end of time, when knowledge would increase explosively, and mens hearts would faint for fear.  I often ponder on the networking that we are subscribing to -for our convenience, NOW, and wondering what it will lead to or be used for in the future. I am so glad that HE, gracious God, our loving Father, is in charge and ever will be, else MY heart might freeze in fear of the prospects. 

We are looking for Jesus' return to earth in power & glory-perhaps in 2012- and desiring that all who we know will look forward to that event in joyful expectation as well.  If you do not know God's great gift to all the world - JESUS- as your saviour and Lord, find someone who can introduce you to Him.  You will never be sorry that you did. 

We would love to make the introduction if you have no one closer.  raymimheisey@gmail.com

Wishing you a New Year of blessing, spiritually first and foremost, but also physically, financially and in all of your living.

Til Christ returns or we see you again, Be Blessed and be a Blessing.

miminmali

Market Strike and Christmas Vespers

Market on Strike 
What do you do when the market goes on strike?  Not just the supermarket but the convenience stores and the minimarkets, too! No Weis or Saylors or Turkey Hill or Sheetz are open. How long can you go without buying milk and eggs and bread and fresh produce?  Longer than many folks here, no doubt, because you likely have some food in the refrgerator or the freezer, and Mac'n Cheese on the pantry shelf.
Folks here go to the market every morning to purchase the items they will cook for their families that day. Everything they need is at the local market- from soap and 'scrubbies' to produce & spices, oil & vinegar. Some of these things are coming from local gardens, and ladies go to their neighbors stalls when they can, but many items are purchased at larger markets and brought in daily. 

Every morning, our cooks wend their way thru the rows of stalls to find the items that will be needed to make dinner and supper for 25-30 people. Maybe a kilo of meat(which the butcher has brought in that morning as a hanging quarter of beef or side of mutton),then hot peppers, onions, okra, assorted vegetables, a little tomato paste (spooned into a small piece of plastic bag from the vendor's large can), sugar, oil and vinegar(poured into ½ K plastic bags, and knotted shut)are purchased and placed in the bucket they will balance on the head to carry back to the base.  Elizabeth, who lives in another neighbohood,  carries her load to our old Toyota pick-up truck which has come to pick her up after dropping the school children off at their respective schools.  

NOT today! Fanta says “sugu te!”--there is no market!  It seems the vendors are on strike.  We are not sure exactly who the strikers are or whom they are trying to cause change in, but the bottom line is that there is no market open today.  So Elizabeth will not come to cook and Fanta will cook with what she can secure from the small boutique nearby.  That also means that Fanta will not be doing her regular cleaning routine for Hawa or us.  We do have bags of rice stocked, so there will be that to eat, tho probably not the usual tasty sauce that goaes with it.  We will see! 

When I wrote my last blog about experiencing Christmas here in Mali, I was not aware that we would be having a lovely Christmas vespers service at the Avant Center last night. It was planned by the English speaking fellowship we have been a part of here, and there was a larger than usual representation of the English speaking population of Bamako there. On the front lawn, under creative Christmas lights and decorations strung from tree to pillar and post, we sang Christmas carols together. We sang Silent Night (all 4 verses)in English, and then the first verse in each of 5 other languages, representing the home lands of our gathering. We were also treated to several special Christmas numbers, readings and a devotional by members of our missionary community.  I think my favorite was the Vanderaa family singing a ballad-y piece with at least 5 part harmony.  Lovely!
  
No Christmas gathering would be complete without food, would it? After the vespers we chowed down on the excellent selection of 'sweet or savory' snacks spread out on the buffet, with a beautifully plum-colored mulled cider drink (bi-sap??).  Just like at our potlucks at home, we were each asked to contribute to the buffet, and so we had treats from our many cultures.  It was so nice to chat in our native tongue among these new friends with whom we share a common purpose! 

This week I hope to make a (mock-apple) papaya pie, finish my Christmas baking so that I have some goodies to give to neighbors in celebration of Christ's coming (thanks to Ruth and Charles Lehman for their example of this) and find a tailor who will be able to make us each a good Malian outfit for Paul & Rokia's wedding. Also on the agenda is to schedule a few dates when we can invite friends in to our apt for a meal, or at least an evening of games, tea & cookiesor chocolate fondue.

We are hoping that you are also preparing to celebrate this season of God's great gift to us by telling your neighbors and friends the good news.
Be blessed and be a blessing this Christmas.

Looking Like Christmas!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christ-mas……! Except that the particles in the air are red dust and black plastic bags instead of crisp white snowflakes.  We have hung a few red and gold ribbons in the livingroom, set up a tabletop Christmas tree on a wooden box,  and placed the new African nativity set on the small cupboard that holds our dishes. We listen to our one Christmas CD - a Chris Tomlin CD of Christmas carols (why didn’t I think to bring more? ...next year!) and have even baked some Christmas cookies.  It doesn’t quite look and FEEL like Christmas to us yet!  But then, what does “Christmas” look like?    In reality, that first Christmas must have looked a lot more like where we are in Mali this year, than any place we have been for Christmas in our lives!!   When I look out my window, I can see small houses with flat roofs and unscreened windows, and courtyards where small fires are built to cook simple meals.  The streets are rough and dusty—one NEEDS a feet-washing after walking any distance on them.  I can hear (CLEARLY, at 4 am) the braying of a donkey that might be the descendent of the one we like to think Mary traveled on to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem in answer to Caesar’s command for a census count. There might be a few cattle wandering down the street, tended by a Fulani herdsman, like as not;  probably a few sheep are in view, and a couple of hens with a flurry of chicks scratching in the dust. There may be a neighbors’ dog, or a couple of goats in the picture as well.  [No need to seek out a live nativity scene.: )]          

Children of all sizes are out and about from daylight til well after the sun goes down.   Infants are carried on the hips or slung on the backs of sisters just slightly older themselves. (Well, maybe a little older. – But we have seen tiny babies on the back of children that look to be no older than 3 or 4, and I watch in amazement as a mother places her newborn on the lap of her 2 year old (Yes, her 2 year old!) sitting on the bench beside her, then calmly picks the baby up again in a few minutes when the toddler gets restless.)  ‘Big’ brothers  stop in at the church services and listen for a bit, then shepherd their toddler siblings back out the door and down the street to wherever it is they have decided to go that day.  [I can visualize Mary telling Jesus to take young John or James out to play, and a similar scene ensues.] 

Toys are what you make them



Toys are made of whatever is at hand:  a bicycle tire or a plastic bag on a string make dandy toys to chase down the street with a stick or watch fly aloft on the breeze.  An empty plastic coke bottle works to play kick-the-can, by your-self or with a friend. ( A recent picture captured 3such tires lined up in parking-lot fashion against the church wall, with rolling sticks balanced on top, while their young owners ventured inside to hear the Bible story, or listen to the singing and the drums. [No, I don’t think that Jesus had coke bottles to play with, or plastic bags either, for that matter.  But maybe his kite was made from a scrap of material from a worn and discarded garment, or he had a whistle made from a length of sweet grass, or bamboo.  And I imagine that his feet got as rough and calloused as these boys’ feet get as he ran and played with the other boys in Nazareth.]  In Yirimadio, donkey carts and small pushcarts raise trailing clouds of dust (and flies) as they wend their way over the rugged streets and roads.  Piles of rubbish seem to be everywhere.

Small boutiques open their doors for customers and tailors hang up their samples on pegs on their shop walls. Carpenters set their beds and cupboards outside tiny workshops  to be seen by passersby, maybe choosing this quiet morning to varnish a new piece. The crippled beggar makes his way to his spot where traffic has to slow to cross a dry waterway and then turn a corner, hoping to make enough to sustain himself another day.  Children head off to school and enterprising women sit at food booths near that busy corner.  Fruits and vegetables, eggs to be fried and served on fresh bread for breakfast sandwiches, maybe a few soaps and household items are for sale.

Mary and Joseph may have looked out on a similar scene, don’t you think?  If the angels did not visit you and give you a heads up—Christmas looked like any other day in Bethlehem.  Mary probably planned to go down to the market to buy provisions for the day, and draw water for the day’s work from the community well. She may have had a scarf to wear draped over her head to shield her from unwelcome stares, as well as the heat of the mid-day sun. That scarf could also be coiled to make a more comfortable resting place for the pot that she carried back to her house on her head, pregnant or no. [Plastic buckets and light metal basins substitute for clay pots around us here in Yirimadio, but I still stand amazed at the loads they can carry on their heads.]  Joseph was most assuredly dressed more like the men of Mali, with their long flowing kaftans and loose trousers, than in the Docker’s and polo shirts that you guys might see in your closet.

Living in Mali has given us a new perspective on what Christmas looks like.  It is a different, and sometimes uncomfortable picture. We still enjoy some of our traditions,and the Christmas carols we listen to.  But my material trappings of ‘Christmas’ seem much less worthwhile, and I am forced to look at this gift of God in new ways.  What about you?  How does your ‘Christmas’ look this year?
Make it a meaningful one, no matter how and where you celebrate it.  It is still a celebration of the greatest gift ever given—Jesus, incarnate/come in the weak form of a man-child- to bring new life to us all.

Have a blessed Christmas!



We get watermelon for Thanksgiving AND Christmas!



Black plastic bag transformed into fish kite

 


At market with Fanta last summer.