A Day of Contrasts

Our Parisian journey began with a yummy gyro as we sat on the street eating in Paris. It was one of many firsts for this group on this 30 day adventure. It was a delicious new experience as was all of the food experiences--crepes, gelato, and anything else we could find. We walked from there to Notre Dam and stood amazed by the architecture. We decided to go in and continue the amazement. We did a little shopping then came back to the hotel. We all fell on our beds and woke up a couple of hours later. It was a much needed time of rest. We got up and headed out again to enjoy the journey in Paris. We went to see the Eiffel Tower and saw the city by bus. We took pictures then sat to enjoy some of the street dancers. Then we heard a song that spoke of our Father's Son. We went over to see and it was a team of dancers presenting songs and dances to interpret the news of J.s.s. It was refreshing and brought great encouragement to my day! I truly saw His Presence in the faces of those dancing! We enjoyed the lights of the tower at night then headed back to the hotel! A good nights rest awaits us!!! Continue to pr@y as we say "see you later" to each team member tomorrow! It is going to be tough to see the final separations! Father has been soooo good to this team! We give Him praise and thanks!!!

Parisian journey begins

We made it to Paris after a great flight! The plane was very empty so we were able to spread out and rest better! That was a gift from Father! We found our way out of the airport and to the hotel with not too many struggles! Our room was ready way early so we were able to move into our room very quickly which is another gift from Father!! We are about to begin our Parisian journey! Stark contrasts in the cultures of Mali and France! Still looking for Him!!

Our Final Journey

Wow! What a great adventure!! We have had an incredible time as a team here in Mali. We continue to think of Monica who should be back home by now. We prepare right now to say, "see you later" to Lori P. Not an easy task to step by step say those words to each team member. Sali, Kadia, Abi, Yaya, and I begin our final adventure together as we leave in a couple of hours for Paris. We will stay one night exploring as many sights as possible. We will say our "see you laters" on the 21st as we leave Paris. More adventures await each of us as we come home to share our stories. Keep checking this blog for more details now that life will slow down a little...a little...smile! Thanks for taking this journey with us!

I can hardly believe that we are leaving Africa tonight. We have seen our Father in so many new ways throughout the last month. I leaving with so much more than I came with. I am sad to leave but also excited. There is so much that my Father has told meto share with His followers in the States. I am leaving with a vision of coming back. I'm waiting and trusting that He will show me what that looks like and work all the details out. As I go back the task is daunting, to help people understand what my father has shown me this month. I look forward to seeing how He is going to involve His followers in the work here in Afica. My heart is full and overflowing. Thank you all for your pr@. Abi

Songs for the heart

The team learned two songs in Bambara to be able to sing and w0rship with those to whom we told stories. We wanted to leave them with songs in their hearts so they could find strength, encouragement, and joy when they needed it. We wanted them to have a song to sing praise to the Father. Everywhere we went we sang these songs and taught the people to sing them. It was great to hear the voices of the chief of Shen, the young followers who gathered with us for a retreat, and two older women who have chosen to follow join in and sing with us. One of the greatest moments was when we as a team had gone into the schoolhouse for dinner and devotion because of the huge rain storm. After dinner, we began singing hymns to our Father and praising Him for all He had done. In just a few minutes, two women who have clearly hears about J.s.s and have chosen not to follow peeked their heads in the door and then joined us in singing. Please pr@y for Father to soften their hearts and empower them to say yes to Him! Ask Him to fill their hearts with songs of praise to Him!

Father and daughter

After introducing each team member to the chief of Shen, he claimed the two Coulibali members as his daughters. This opened the way for his new older daughter to share a story from Father's Word with her Father. One of the other old men of the village joined us and heard the story as well. His daughter shared about Phillip and the African man who was studying Father's Word. After discussing the Truths of the story, her Father said, "After harvest, I will call everyone together and share Father's Word with them. If they do not want to follow they can go away." In the heart of this father and chief is the desire for all in his village to know and follow J.s.s. As we pr@yed together, both the chief and the other man were verbally agreeing with the praises of our Father and receiving what was being asked for by Jak. Continue to pr@y for this father and chief to lead his people to know and follow the J.s.s road. Ask Father to continue to give him health, wisdom, understanding, and passion to share the stories he is hearing daily through the megavoice.

Listening and Remembering

During our time among the Samogho, we went to visit the village of Shen. The chief of this village has confessed that he wants to follow the road of J.s.s. A couple of weeks before he had been given a megavpice that has stories from Father's Word. When we arrived, he was so fill of joy! He told us how he had been listening to Father's Word all the time. We asked him to tell us one of the stories he had heard. He began..."In the beginning there was only God" he contined to tell us all he could remember. It was great to sit with this old man, to experience his passion for Father's Word. His joy and love for Father was evident as he gave thanks for the gift of being able to listen to Father's Word all day and all night.