Healing 2 The Nations International ~ Mim Heisey ~ Blog May 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011

What is your name?

We had a splatter of rain in the early morning hours today, and while it was not enough to see any evidence on the ground after the sun came up, it was enough to cool the walls a little, and take some of that stored heat out of them. The electricity stayed on all night as well, so, with fans running, we had a more refreshing sleep.

Yesterday was Sunday and Ray & Juie and I decided to go as a family to the English speaking service that meets in Badalabougou, a section of Bamako. The adults meet in their Library, and I had a few minutes to peruse the books on the shelves before the meeting started. I found out that I can join the Library and have access to those books while we are here, so I will enjoy reading some of those.

We had a stimulating discussion around the statement that Jesus made: "whatever you do to the least of these, you have done it to me." In a city where beggars greet you on every street corner and traffic light, and where there are certainly physical and financial needs abounding on every side, this discussion amoung a group of people whose stated goal and purpose is to bring relief and healing to these "least ones", was honest & thought provoking.

There are 2 of those comments that I would especially like to share with you.

1) "In all the gospel accounts there is no record of Jesus giving money (to beggars) or giving handouts!" In the midst of all the crowds pressing in on him, he met physical needs, but also always adressed the spiritual need behind it! (interesting observation, but Jesus is also the one who gave us this challenge in Matt chapter 24.)

2) "Perhaps, when the same people that I see daily keep coming back to me, asking (for money), it is because I have not given them all that I have to give." Maybe it is not about MONEY. Might it be that they are sensing in their spirit that we have a treasure that they need? They are asking for that which they know-- money treasure-- because they sense we have riches to give to them.

We recognize that especially in this culture, provision is based on relationship. Exended famly relationships are very important to Malians and are nurtured by visits and conversations when there is no need being asked for. When there is a need, family is who you go to first, and that family is expected to help if they can.
A thing that we all struggle with is this sense of overwhelming-ness, the need is all around us, and knowing that when we give to those who come begging it may be supporting social structures that we do not want to support. For some begging is a business. Giving of alms is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, and so beggars ring the mosque to gain some of that largesse for themselves as the faithful leave. So where do we, who are seen as wealthy white foreigners, fit in?

Here are a few suggestions from the more experienced:

"I take a few mangoes with me in my bag, and give one of those to the child(ren)when I go out. That way I know that the child gets it--they can eat it immediately, and I am not supporting the one who has sent these children out begging to enrich themselves"

"When they come to the car at intersections I look at them and ask them their names. They love to be recognized and tell their name. It gives them honor and dignity. We have children who have come to know us, that we have given NO money to, and they come everytime to say hello and be acknowledged." (like Peter & John?--"Silver and gold- not, but what I have...")

Food for thought and action.
Be blessed and be a blessing today!

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Hangers, New Plants And A Bonus!

We have still been living out of our suitcases to some extent. We brought no hangers, so clothing has been folded and stacked, or hung over the arm of a chair. Our dishes have consisted of the 5 china soup bowls and 6 tupperware tumblers that we brought with us, 4 coffee cups, plus a few items that we have already purchased. Having guests for dinner has not been an option yet, as you can imagine.
We were advised early on to take our time about going out and purchasing things at the stores here, as many expat families are moving at this time of year, and they post sales thru the missions email network to clear out their household goods before leaving. So we have waited and watched, learning that things get snatched up quickly, and you truly have to respond immediately to not miss things. We have "spoken for" mosquito nets and 220v floor fans, a couple of book cases and a desk, some dishes and a miscellany of other things. Next week there is a Yard sale-- yes really!-- that we hope to be able to benefit from.

Today we went to get hangers and 2 floor fans from an American family that is moving soon. (When they are closer to move-out date we will purchase their set of dishware-- then we will be able to invite more than 1 person at a time in for a meal.: ) Seeing their lovely yard and gardens, I asked them about where we might find a knowledgeable person to help me select trees to plant here at the base, and they ended up giving us a tour of their yard and offering us some starts from their gardens. Bouganvilla, mango, banana, some unknown trees... They were generous with their information and their plants. They also gave me encouragement to just stop at one of the numerous gardens along the road that have plants to sell. I will do that soon, but meanwhile I have 2 small mango trees, a banana plant and some hedge plants that I hope to edge part of the property with.

A bonus: Ray noticed the Messiah College T-shirt that Jason was wearing and discovered that they are both Messiah grads, as we are. In fact, he remembers playing soccer there with our son, Stuart, who also attended Messiah in the late 90's. SMALL, SMALL WORLD!!

Joseph, one of the young men here at H2TNI, will help me with planting and building the garden. I hope that he will enjoy it and learn with me what will work best here. This is a very different climate from what I have been used to in Central PA.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Spa!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for that is the Father's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess 5:18

As we think about the heat, there are several things that we are thankful for. One is that we have a spa that would be the envy of many of you. Which one of you has a state of the art bathroom with heated towel rods and warmed floors? Ehh? Not only that, but we have permanently heated towels and toothpaste, and commode seat. No more cold throne! Then there are the shower walls!! Late in the afternoon, we almost have our own sauna. The sun hits on two sides of the building in the afternoon --the corner where the shower is located-- and those walls get hot to the touch. If you lean against it you would be uncomfortably warm. :)) There is no need for a water heater, at least at this time of the year, as the water comes out of the spigot on that heated wall at very comfortable temperatures (sometimes you need to let the first, hottest water run off before stepping under the spray.) Oh, and I also use the nicely warmed olive oil that is provided to pamper my hair. :))

Another thing is that we DO appreciate the shade so much more. Do you know how much cooler it is in the section of town where there are mature shade trees along the streets and on the ground there is grass planted (and watered)?? I am working on finding out what trees are the best to plant here at the base to enrich the living in future years. The guard at the gate would be so much more comfortable if he was shaded by a lovely fica or mango tree. The walls and our roof would be 30* cooler at days end, and think of the fresh fruit we could have. Not only mangos, but lemons, oranges, banana and papaya. Those last 2 plants would not provide much shade, but still would cool some, and enrich our/their lives with food. (By the way, did you know that the banana is not a tree but is the world's largest herb? A single plant grows for a year or more, bears its fruit and then is cut down as it will produce no more.) When I have done my research about what trees to plant and how much they cost to buy at a local nursery, I will put out a plea for someone to fund this particular project. I will get to dig in the dirt and care for them-- getting them established, and someone there at home can have the satisfaction of having given another gift that will continue to live and grow and hopefully benefit the boys for years to come.
(Those of you in Franklin Co area can be glad for a nursery like our friends Elmer & Lydia Fisher have at Lurgan Greenhouse. Boy could I put their knowledge to good use here!)

There is no arguing that it is HOT! As I sit here at my computer at my table, the thermometer has topped the 100* mark again, 20 minutes after I experimented with it by wrapping it in a wet towel, and succeeded in getting it to drop below 80*. (I told you evaporative cooling works--try that experiment with your kids some hot summer day. Really amazing!) And while I was wet from a cooling shower a few minutes before that, the sweat is now running down my face and dripping off my chin, and my shirt is wet over about 1/2 of its surface, reminding me that I need to turn the fan on.

A-h-h-h-h! That is better!!

I also need to say a word of thanks to the many friends and supporters who have given of their time and their financial resources to enable us to come and be here in Mali for this 15 months. Know that you are an integral part of what you read here. While we may ask for your help from time to time with special projects that we see would benefit here, we also need the continued support for day to day living expenses. Thank you!

We are blessed.

Count YOUR blessings today and be amazed at the glory of God, and of His faithfulness.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Overdose On Mangoes

We have certainly been enjoying the fresh fruit (read mangoes), but now Julie and I have to back off. Having eaten mangoes everyday, I think, and some days more than one, we have developed some rash. That is not good and it itches like crazy between my fingers, but I immediately suspected the mangoes. I remember my mother getting a terrific reaction to mangoes soon after we moved to Florida in 1959. Someone gave us a large quantity and said you could just eat them like apples, skin and all. SO we did! Mom's face swelled up and her throat closed so much that she feared her breathing would be cut off. We soon discovered that the oils in the skins are intense and can be toxic in large quantities, so, thanks to that early history, we knew from the beginning here that we should not eat the skin. (There is another evidence of God's preparation in my life-- who would have thought that I would ever need that knowledge again!) At first I thought it might only be because Julie and I have been the ones peeling and preparing the fruit, so we gave that job to Ray, at least to peel them. It has gotten better, but we want to be wise and not have a re-occurrance.

Bananas are also readily available, but 3 times as expensive as mangoes. Apples are here in Mali too, but 2 to 3 times more expensive than bananas-- you didn't know that when you are enjoying your apples you were eating "exotic fruits", did you? A "manguru" costs about 10cfa for a samll one, and 40-50 cfa for one that would more than fill a 2 cup measure. Bananas are 400cfa kg (8-10 small bananas), and 3 apples ocst us 400 cfa. The exchange rate is currently about 450 cfa/US dollar. NOW-- you do the math! :))

We slept out on the roof one night last week, but have decided not to repeat that experience until we get some mosquito nets. We have not SEEN mosquitos but Julie and I both had what appeared to be bug bites-- that are itchy-- so something got to us. It was considerably cooler out on the roof, under the stars, than inside the oven that the apt becomes after the sun has been shining on its masonry walls all day. When I got up and went inside at daybreak (6:00ish), it was still like walking back into an oven-- well at least an oven that has been turned off for a little while. Ah-h-h well! Until mosquito nets we will stay inside at night.

We have screens on the windows and the fans have been able to be running MOST all night, many nights now. We are also hoping to soon get some floor fans that we can place at the windows to blow the cool night air in on us. The ceiling fans move the air, but when you first turn them on (say in the afternoon) you can feel the heat being drawn down from the ceiling. It would be nice to let the heat rise and replace it with the cooler outside air. We will see! Maybe all that reading and studying that we have done with alternate energy and self sustaining lifestyles will pay off here as well.

I have actually been doing a lot of thinking about the things that we have learned in that "conserve energy" search over the years. Does anybody have the Mother Earth News complete dvd archives, by any chance? :)) Maybe I should write to them and ask if they would be willing to donate a set to us to teach the principles here in Mali. THey had some marvelous articles in the early days-- 1970's, when Ray & I were charter members of the magazine. One of those was an evaporative cooler/refrigerator. I am putting that principle to work here by wrapping a wet cloth around my water filter to pre-cool the water we draw to drink. It will cool the water to about 80*, but I need to refresh the water several times a day. My next project is to build a small box as a cooler, putting that evaporative cooling to work for more items. Our electric refrigerator is a very small countertop model, and without consistant electricity....!! IF bananas, bread, tomatoes, butter... could be kept at 80 dgrees F, instead of 95- 100 degrees, it would be a great help. Wouldn't do much for the meat, but the fruit would last an extra day or two or three, and the butter would not run off your knife. It would also help to keep our ointments and even toothpaste a bit cool so that they are not so runny. Neosporin is difficult to use if it runs off of the wound like water. We are keeping that in the fridge. LOL

We continue to be amazed at our adjustment to the heat. Many westerners seem to mind it more than we. Thank you for your continued prayers and thanks to God for His provision.
Be blessed and be a blessing today!

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sunday School In English

We were thankful for the cool evening an night time temperatures last night that the rain brought. Following the rain and overcast sky most of the day, our solar batteries were not well charged and electricty went off before midnight, taking fans and refrigerator cooling with it. Nonetheless, for the 1st night since we are here, we were glad to have a sheet to cover our shoulders, and the thermometer read below 80 this morning!! Thanks for the refreshment, Father!

Here on the base, breakfast on Sundays is a special treat: bread and jam. Someone goes to the boutique and buys enough "baguettes" (a loaf of french bread) for each one to have 1/2 a loaf. (the little ones get a 1/2 portion) There is hot drink for dunking and 2 jampacks for each. Usually there is cocoa, but this morning it was a solution of hot water with some sweetened condensed milk added, a "cambridge tea" like the little ones got in our homes while adults are drinking coffee. In fact, Ray and I did bring our coffee down from our apartment with us,, and Julie too. :))

Christian Spindler, the young Austrian team member here, joined Ray & Julie & I to go into town to the English speaking Sunday School and Youth Meeting that is held at the SIL Headquarters. That was a refreshing thing for all 4 of us. We three Americans really enjoyed the discussion and the freedom that being able to speak in our native tongue brought, and Christian enjoyed being with some western young people as well.. (Another thanks-- we have so much to be thankful for, and so much that we have taken for granted at home.)

We met several people that we have communicated with by email in these last 2 or 3 months. John & Julie Clark, both teachers at Bamako Christian Acadamy where Julie will attend in the fall, greeted us warmly. We spoke again with Tim Herrick, introduced to us by Dr Dave Byer of Macha Hospital connections. Other members of the English speaking community were wonderful resources as well, sharing favorite eating spots for these newbies to try out. We chose to go to one of the newest of those-- a Restaurant called 'le Nid' that Rob Baker spoke of. This new eatery was recommended for good salads, among other things, and we found it clean, airconditioned, and with good food.

Following our lunch, we stopped in at the smal supermarket that is in that same neighborhood. It has many of the things that we, as Westerners, were looking for. We can get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables here at the local Yirimadio open air market, what ever is in season is there in plenty, but we were glad to be able to get some canned goods (fruits and vegetables that willkeep a while) tomato paste and peanut butter, flour and butter. (I don't think that I ever paid over $2 for a small can of green beans tho :())

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Preaching In 3 Languages

Saturday was a full day. After market in the morning,(see Soggy Sougula) there is need for washing and putting away the produce. THat is more of a chore here than at home, because of the need to sanitize things before they are eaten, either by using bleach water wash or by thorough cooking. Add to that the reality that our electricity is not constant, so refrigeration cannot be counted on, and many foods must be shopped for daily and then cooked and consumed the same day. (Thank you God for the abundance that we have so taken for granted.)

Then, while Ray and Julie played Skippo, I sat down to finish preparing for the afternoon service, where I was bringing the message. It is not the first time that I have "preached", but it is the first time that I have been translated into 2 other languages. I saw that in India with Pastor Samson, but I was only speaking a few words of greeting there.
Service started only a few people there, with Paul Traoré enthusiastically leading the congregation in worship songs. It gets quite energetic! (I'll try to download a short video.) Drums pounded out a rythym and more came in thru the gates that were opened on both sides of our base. Soon 25 or 30 children gathered at the doorways, in addition to the couple of dozen people inside. Some of the children moved in and sat on benches, others stayed just outside. At one point the guard had to shoe a curious donkey from the yard. Perhaps he was curious about all the ladies in their lovely colors. They do look beautiful!

I spoke to the people about the God that we know-- Totally Trustworthy and Reliable. Claudia first translated into French, then Paul took it into Bambara, which is the language of most of the people here. I was told afterward that the message wasn't very long, but it was good. Many of the children left when the music stopped, and about a 1/3 of the adults had fallen asleep by the time we finished. I figured it was long enough! I also learned that the pastor is to greet each one who comes up with a "God Bless you". So I got it in Bambara and was able to repeat it a number of times, but I am afraid that the phrase did not stay in my brain by days end.

-- Please pray that memory will be supernaturally recharged and "sticky". I need new language phrases to stick better than they have been.

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Soggy "Sougula"

Today we had salad for dinner! Hooray! This morning when Fanta and I “ambata sougula”(otherwise known as walked to market) she bought a large quantity of lovely, green looseleaf lettuce, along with the usual fresh meat from the butcher, the soup cubes, the “tomati”, "concon" (cucumber) and onions. (That is about as much Bambara as I have learned, except for the days’ greetings, and don't count on my spelling being correct. There are 3 or 4 extra vowels and an extra consonant or two that we don't have in English.) At first I thought that Fanta was buying it for Claudia, as she bought some tomatoes and cucumbers for her last week. But 4 bags of greens makes a LOT of salad, so I asked and she pointed to herself and spoke something that I did not recognize.. .You know, it is absolutely amazing how much communication 2 people can have when neither understands more than a few words of the other’s language. Fanta speaks only Bambara (HER second language behind another Malian language, I found out today) and I speak only English with a little bit of French (with way too many Spanish and Pennsylvania Dutch phrases mixed in.) … Anyway, she was getting all that lovely salad to make African Salad for all of us.

“What is that” you ask? Africa Salad is greens topped with a mixture of tomatoes, onions and cucumbers and dressed with a rather salty vinaigrette. Quite tasty actually, especially if you have had no salad for 2+ weeks, and didn’t think it was a possibility. We thoroughly enjoyed it, eating it with our hands right along with the boys. (I hoped that we looked a bit more dainty than we probably did. LOL)

Oh, and another thing about market this week: It was WET! Or at least I was before I got home.

Saturday dawned overcast and with the very threatening promise of rain, but Fanta sent word that she was ready so off we went. There were few stands open and even fewer shoppers when we arrived. The open soccer field, usually dotted with the bright colors of villagers clothing as they are coming and going from all directions, was virtually deserted.

We went directly to the stand of Fanta's favorite butcher where she was first in line as he and a helper were unwrapping and hanging their meat for the day. He cut her 2 nice looking loin chops that I was admiring—until he proceeded to whack them into niblets, deftly chopping thru meat and bone with the wicked looking scimitar he wielded. He added a few bits of meat and fat from another portion, wrapped it all in a piece of brown paper that his assistant tore off an empty sack, tucked it into the infamous little black bag used everywhere, and handed it to Fanta. I decided to speak for a portion of meat off the fresh hind corner (I had seen it freshly hung and hadn’t seen many flies on it yet.) My 500 cfa coin bought me a couple quick swipes with that same scimitar, yielding about a ½ lb package of fresh beef for me.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, white yams, and Irish potatoes for me; a quantity of onions, okra, (greener) tomatoes, and seasonings for Fanta, and the market began to bustle as people apparently decided that the rain was going to hold off after all. A few more stops for those lovely mangoes (1 of them yields 3 generous servings), some bananas, celery and carrots, that lettuce I mentioned, and a bottle of vinegar and we were ready to head home. Just in time, because the rain began. Fanta wanted to offer me her wrap, fearing that I would be cold (as she was) but I was enjoying the refreshment of the rain. And then it turned into a downpour that would have done credit to a small Niagara. We bent into the rain, sloshing thru several new formed streams that coursed down the roadway.

At least the walk home was a whole lot cooler than last week. Then I was dripping with sweat by the time we got home in the 100 degree heat. By the time we got to the gate today my only dry spot was an inch or so under the Hale shopping bag that I held clutched tight to my chest. Drenched again!
I certainly am thankful that I come with ‘wash and wear’ hair. Thank you God for that!

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Sunday, May 15, 2011

We went to Goro today, a village that is about 23 km NE of Bamako. It takes almost 2 hours to travel that distance, first thru the city itself, past the Africa Tower that marks a center on the south side of the river Niger, then over the New Bridge, past downtown with its tall Hotels and new govt buildings, N along the main road, and finally 3 km off into the bush on a dirt track that seems almost impassable. Last night there was a heavy rain, and few people were assembled when we got to the village. The coming of the rain takes primary attention, which you can certainly understand when your livelihood depends on it. We greeted the family that lives at this cluster of mud buildings, together with its chief who says that he is very old, and his eyesight is not well. (Paul later came over and told us that he is "more than 100". )

Paul loves to pastor these people, and he loves to preach. If I hadn't known that because he had told me so earlier, I could see it in the excitement that builds in him. He is singing praises and worshipping as we drive along the bumpy roads. He welcomes the people so warmly and genuinely as they come in. They arrive in groups of twos and threes and fives, and assemble in a semi circle across from us.

Since it is heavily overcast this morning I hope that we will not get too sunburned, sitting out here in the open at midday. My dress has an overskirt, so I flip the back part of that up like a shawl to shade my arms and neck.

Eventually we started, with singing and prayer. Paul sang a line or 2 and then our boys would respond with an echo or other response. The villagers clapped and nodded, but few joined in the singing as they had at Dara village. Following the message, Paul asked all of us to come & lay hands on each villager, and pray for each one for healing. He had Ray start, and we followed in turn, walking around the circle, placing a hand on a head or outstretched hand of each man woman and child and praying aloud, asking for God's intervention in their lives. Then we left, making our way to the truck thru a cluster who flowed around us, asking for additional prayer for (it seemed) specific healing needs--a leg, a chin, eyes.
On the way back to the main road, we "discovered" several of our boys who had gone on ahead-- to get the mangos that another village cluster were gifting to us. We also stopped to pick some "gifts from God", several wild fruits that are beginning to grow and ripen (see pictures). I ventured into the bush to observe and learn, and stumbled against a nasty thorn bush, pricking my skin on arm and leg. OUCH! I must be more careful! They are long and sharp!

Then back on the main roads and homeward, across the river and thru the city. Incidentally, the "New Bridge" is not to be confused with the newest one- - bridge # 3 that is currently under construction, and which is referred to as the Chinese Bridge.

Dinner, rice and onion sauce, was ready for us at the base when we got back about 2:30, and then the rest of the afternoon was spent in games and relaxation. Julie went out and played soccer with the guys--getting a good workout and coming in 3 shades darker on her front side, where soccer balls and dirty legs more often collided. :,) Claudia had taken the birthday ones for their swimming and dinner treat and arrived back at the base late in the afternoon. A good but exhausting day.

Thanks for the day: I am thankful for family and friends whom I know love me.

What are you thankful for?

Til next time, Be blessed and Count your blessings

Mim

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Saturday is a bit different-- well all the days are different, and we are still trying to remember when to be where for what. It is complicated by the fact that sometimes an event is cancelled or delayed because we are waiting on someone to return with a vehicle or supplies or whatnot. But on Saturday the boys are all home from school, after having only 1/2 a day on Friday, which is a Muslim holy day. Worchip services are scheduled for Sat afternoon here at the base, to allow Sundays to be clear for evangelism at the villages. After breakfast teams go out to "evangelize"- inviting the neighbors to come to the afternoon service. The main room--the "dininghall"- is swept out and the floor washed (chores for two of the boys). THere is no noon meal planned for today, fasting and prayer for the service instead. At 2:30 the faithful gather for intercession and then at 3:00 (or thereabouts) praise and worship marks the start of the main service.
Some of the worship songs are familiar to us-- the English translation, that is-- so we try to sing along. Claudia has the words to each song in French projected onto the wall and that helps us. Other songs are new to us, and there are a few Bambara choruses that Paul has written. The cadence of those is very different than the choruses we have known, very African. But the message is fervent and worshipful, proclaiming praise to the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Jeremie has been learning to do the projection, and is doing very well. IT is quite an art to stay with the leader when they do not follow a preset pattern but repeat a verse or chorus as they feel led. I have often wondered how a projectionist can stay on track.

Paul preached today, and interpreted for himself from French into Bambarra and back again. If we could have understood either Bambara or French we could have gotten a good message, I am sure. As it is, we catch a few words, and Paul is gracious to tell us in advance what scripture he is preacing from so that we can read that in our English Bible, at least. We have also been given a Bambara Bible, and we use that for evening family meetings. More on that later.

After the service today there was a Birthday Celebration-- 3 lovely ladies were celebrating Birthdays here this week. Claudia Wintoch, whom you already know, little Sarata (age 6) and Elizabeth, one of our cooks who is a mother at age 34.

First there is the bringing in of The Cake. While the birthday gals are turned away so they do not see them, the candles are lit and then the cakes are presented and candles are blown out while the assembled throng sings Happy Birthday. Well, actually this week there were 2 cakes. Claudia knew that with Elizabeth's birthday being celebrated, there would be several extra members of her household added to the usual number of celebrants. One cake would just not be enough, so I baked a banana bread cake (ask me about that sometime)as well as the chocolate cake that Claudia made.

THe cake is cut and consumed, the birthday gals were seated at the head of the table and family members brought their gifts and were rewarded with a bottle of Fanta or Cola. Smaller children bring birthday gifts of a piece of candy that they can buy at the local "boutique", or a mango, or picture they have drawn. Some offered apples, an exotic fruit in this climate. LOL. Adults gave fruit or a specially chosen bottle of nail polish, or a CD or perhaps a piece of money. Claudia received a set of dumbells that she has been wanting for some time. A well thought out gift.

And that is it! THanks are given and then the group scatters. Dinner will be in about 1 hour, rice and a sauce of some type of vegetables cooked into a stew. Sometimes I know what is in it. Sometimes I do not ask!

Til next time, Be blessed and count your many blessings

Mim

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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Hot & Sunny

Another hot and sunny day on the outskirts of Bamako. THe view out my kitchen window is a hill comprised of a tumbled pile of large red rocks interspersed with a few green shrubs growing from the soil at their base. From time to time you can see someone making their way up a winding path to its top, or doing some sort of work at the brim. A few stuctures are beginning to be built on its side-- where they said that no one was allowed to build-- apparently that has changed.

esterday there was a loud blast that came from the direction of one of those precarious building sites. A large blue truck backed out from the edge of the plateau at the top and made its way down the path to another high building site, partially hidden behind one of the larger outcrops. White grafiitti scrawls across its surface, bold against its red-brown face.
The day started with a haze and some considerable wind, which throws the sand and grit against the hard surfaces of the house walls and roof with a scratching sound. We attempt to quickly shut the windows so as to keep out most of the dirt, but a fine reddish powder still finds it's way thru the cracks under the door or between the window and its sill where there is a gap. The floor, which I washed one afternoon is gritty again by the next day and everywhere the surfaces need to be wiped clean before any food preparatiosn are done.

Tha might sound like a problem, but when I look down from that same kitchen window into the walled yard of my neighbor, I see a multitude of things for which to be thankful.
My spacious apartment is up on the second floor and has a smooth tile floor and walls that WILL wipe clean. I have ample water that flows from a tap in the wall-- not one place but THREE. THere is clean running water at my kitchen sink, bathroom sink and wall hung shower bath. There is an additional faucet that is mounted beside the kitchen sink that dispenses filtered water that I can safely drink. It is often warmer than I would like, but it is clean and potable and always available without my having to go some distance and bring it back to my home in a container on my head or the back of a donkey cart.

What else can I be thankful for? I will share a few now, and will doubtless see many more that I can add to the list as time goes by. I have screens on my window to keep out pesky flies-- in fact, I HAVE windows--AND a door-- that close securely, inside a walled compound with a guard on duty 24/7. I have all the water that I want to use, so I can (and do) shower more than once a day if I like. THAT is refreshing, I can tell you!

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

First Impressions

The Healing 2 the Nations base here in Yirmadio is a 3/4 acres plot that is rugged and rocky, a skinny right trianle of ground sloping down from the base of a hill to it's north. A stuccoed concrete block wall surrounds it giving a measure of security and privacy. THe neighborhood is rapidly fillingn in around us and homes are even being built on the side of that rocky hill, in places that you would not think of building.

There is a dirt road, rough and potholed, that leads off of NR6, a paved main road into Bamako from here. Pot-holed dirt streets lead off of that path as well, and one has to wind left and right between houses and partially constructed walls, around corners and between people to get here. Once we are in sight of the base the driver toots the horn so that the guard knows to swing wide the gate for our entry. Where we leave the main road to head up toward our base there is a busy market. A plethora of produce stands, general merchandise booths, sellers of pots and pans, hair decorations,and spices vie for space with fish vendors and open air butchers. Early morning shoppers get the best selection of course, and by mid afternoon many stands have closed for the day. Twice now I have "ambulated" with Fanta (one of our cooks)down to that market before 8am, carrying our goods home--hers in a bucket balanced on her head, mine in my red Hale Real Estate shopping bag slung over my shoulder.

I must go now and work with Joseph-- he is helping me to learnBambara and French as I help him improve his math and learn English. A good exchange!

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Getting Started

Thanks to Patty Bunn at Jalex Real Estate Services in SHippensburg, I now have a blog!
Thanks Patty!

We have arrived in Mali and are getting settled. The 2nd floor apartment we have here at Healing2theNations is a lovely 3 rooms and bath space, with clean almost white walls and tile countertops. The second floor location gives us a little more privacy and that is nice too. One thing that we did not have are many shelves, cabinets, etc to store our belongings, so that is taking a bit of time to get organized. Hopefully we will be getting the shelving that we ordered from a Malian Cabinetmaker sometime today.

We arrived at the Bamako Airport to a warm 80+ degrees at just after midnight on Wed MAy 5.
While the temps have stayed consistantly hot, we have adjusted much better than we could even imagine-- thanks for al your prayers. THis past sunday was probably our coolest day thus far, following an early morning rain storm, and the low temp dipped into the 70's in the predawn hours (I think-- we need to get a more reliable thermometer than the one candy thermometer that I brought along).