Rumblings

During our time with the children several of them were not feeling well. Each of us has been effected as well. Today we all woke up with rumblings in our stomachs. Please pr@y for us as we get in the trucks to travel the bumpy bush roads to the village of Kar. We thank you and we need your faithfulness to take us to the Father!

Vehicles Praises

Thank you for lifting our a/c concerns to the Father! He has answered and provided! We took it to the mechanic this morning and they were able to fix it! We are looking forward to a cooler trip to the village this afternoon!! Our driver has been so good to us! He washed and cleaned out the truck for us! When he washed the truck, he discovered a flat tire, so while he was at the mechanic, he got the tire fixed! Thank you Father for watching over us! We decided it best to check the tires of the other vehicle and discovered it too was low. We took it to the mechanic and he found a nail had puncured all the way through. He fixed it and we will be on the road soon! All of this is a reminder of the importance of your partnership and the role you play in the work Father does while we are here! Daily lift up our travel needs, vehicles, and road protection! Thank you!

Adjust to the unexpected

Fluid-- going with the flow--being on mission with God-- different ways to say the same thing! When father calls and you choose to follow Him-- whether in your home town or acrossthe ocean, you have to be ready for the unexpected! Your plans are rarely His plans and His ways rarely your ways!
The team made it to our destination today but only after making some major adjustments. Only minutes after getting in the two vehicles, we discovered that the rental car had no a/c. We were facing a 5 hour drive in 105 degree temps and half of the team was without any flier from the conditions. The team in the hot car began asking Father to give us the same attitude as J.s.s recognizing that He had been through so much more for us so that we could be made right with Father. The team in the other vehicle also began asking Father for His help. We saw Father answer by bringing cloud cover to reduce the intense heat of the sun. We saw our team members share the burden by switching vehicles. We saw Father keep the rain from falling and causing damage to some of our bags in the back of the trucks. Please pr@y for us to find a quick, inexpensive repair for the vehicle's a/c. Today was the first day of 20 days we will be using this vehicle. Pr@y for our protection as we travel, for Father to have an influence on our driver through the team, and for the team to continue to serve each other with the same attitude as J.s.s.

The Samogho Await

After a very busy weekend of pouring ourselves into children, Father opened the way for us to have a day of rest in Bamako before heading out to Sikasso. We spent yesterday, Monday, resting and renewing our minds as well as taking in all Father had done over the weekend. We got out and about a little bit--always taking longer than you think here. We regain our schedule today and head to Sikasso. We will stay tonight in Sikasso then leave for the village of Kar and the Samogho people after lunch tomorrow. Our driver joins the team today. Please lift us up and ask Father to demonstrate His Presence and Power in and through us. Ask Him especially to give Lori S the language she needs to communicate with him for the 5 hour drive to Sikasso. Ask Father to make Him a part of the team as well as to open his heart to the work Father wants to do in his life. We know Father has placed him with us for a reason-- His reason! More to come from Sikassso!

Power over all

Our time among the servants of our Father this weekend as we ourselves served them proved to be a demonstration of the very things we were teaching the children--J.s.s has power over the earth. We saw Father at work in the children as they memorized His Word, acted out His stories, and as they shared their hearts with us and our Father through the pr@yr times. Some of the most powerful moments came as Father gave each of us the opportunity to sit and get to know those who serve Him here in Mali day in and day out! Their lives pouring out into us to give us greater understanding of what it means serve--the joys, the difficulties, the faithfulness of Father. Each of our lives are radically being altered as we interact, seek after, and pursue Father's purpose for sending us! Continue to bend your knees on our behalf!

Buru Scavenger Hunt

Buru- ever been in a scavenger hunt for bread? Just before dinner we realized we needed bread. So Nanto coached the students on how to buy bread and where to to find it. Money in hand and the words to use fresh on their minds and tongues, the students ventured out to the street in search of the bread place. After a few minutes, 2 of the 4 came back and said there was no bread store where they were sent. Adjustments were discussed but they left without certainty, but confidence to continue the buru scavenger hunt. After calling for better directions, Nanto sent me out to find them and give them new directions. Walking down the road I asked the people along the way, "Toubabous fatini be mi?" (Where are the little white people?" Each time the people pointed me in the right direction. When I found the team, they had bread in hand and confidence in their step...no fear here. We stopped all along the way watching a little soccer with the men on the street,talking about our names, and building more relationships. Again...these students succeed and overcome! What a joy to serve beside them!

Takin' it to the streets

After a morning of orientation, getting to know one another, and practicing our greetings, we took it to the streets. We went out to greet the people as we walked to buy our lunch. With courage and confidence, each one began using their new language and building relationships. The people on the streets enjoyed the toubabous. One lady who was selling bananas asked, "What are you doing?" When we told her, she said,"That Is good!" after buying some bananas. We headed home to eat our nems and banana.