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Thursday, December 29, 2005

My Grandmother
Dorothea Stierhof, 1922-2005

Tonight I was online with my Mom, talking on Messenger, when she sent me a picture of my grandmother (her Mom), who meant very much to me and who died on the 14th of this month. This is the first time since then that I looked at her picture, and it hurts. I last talked to her on the 12th of Nov, her birthday, and wished I'd had another chance, but her death was very sudden and unexpected.

I'm grieving, but I want to honor her with this space here. Having grown up without a Dad, I was very close to my grandparents. My grandfather died in 1998, and with him my grandmother lost all desire to live.

I witnessed more to those grandparents than anyone else in my family, and I can only hope that my words reached them to a degree sufficient for them to now be with Jesus.

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Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Sekouba

For a couple of days now I've noticed Sekouba's sunken spirit (with exceptions, like when we celebrated Sat). He always says it's nothing, but I think it's two things - the spirit of rejection, that was also acting up in Simeon and Paul, as well as his discouragement concerning his difficulty learning to read and write.

Tonight we had literacy class, and after a few days' break, Sekouba once again knew nothing. He was so douncast! He really needs to sit down daily, and one-on-one with me. Tonight there were several students, and after that I taught English class, so I wasn't able to take any time with him.

Please pray that God would help him with his learning difficulties.

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Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Service

Our big event was the Christmas Party for street kids last Wednesday (see LATEST UPDATE), and then the team celebration on Saturday that was really special. By Sunday, I was pretty tired and ready for some rest. I hadn't even taken time to make invitations, and so there were only a few more people than usual at the service. However, I put on some new clothes everyone liked, and Seybou also put on special clothes. I presented the Christmas story again and invited people to give their lives to the Lord. Then I prayed for a few people, and we all had a meal together.

During ministry time I learned that the mother of a few kids dedicated her life to Jesus at the Street Kids Party on Wednesday. Praise God! She's a neighbor of Elisabeth's and I asked the two to sit down together every day to pray and read the Bible. I gave Elisabeth a Bible as a Christmas gift as she now knows most of the letters of the alphabet and can read pretty decently. She's one of three students in our advanced literacy class.

A few pictures:

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Saturday, December 24, 2005

Christmas among Family

Since my childhood I haven't looked forward to Christmas like I did this year. I'm so thankful, and so amazed, at the family the Lord has given me here. I see most of them every day, and love them dearly. Truly, the Lord puts the lonely in families!

I was so looking forward to Christmas because as a proud Mom, I couldn't wait watching my kids open their gifts!!! I already had so much fun wrapping them and imagining the moment, as well as decorating the living room, the table where we'd eat and the corner where I put all the gifts. I was also looking forward to serving them by cooking a three-course meal (and I'm not all someone who cooks!).

But I first I wanted to do something special with them, and so I invited them all to go swimming. When Cliff was here in Nov, we had a one-day seminar for the missionary community in a hotel, where you can also go just to go swimming (for a fee). Some of my team were with me, and they just loved the swimming pool. That's how I thought of it.

We were quite a lot of people: Simeon, Paul, Sekouba, Hassim, Seybou & Fanta and both kids and Fanta's sister. Emma was unfortunately sick, and Elisabeth didn't want to go swimming. We all had so much fun! We were there for about 3 hours. Some of them know how to swim, some don't. Sekouba (from the Bozo tribe who are fishers) knows very well how to swim, and he greatly enjoyed himself. I was happy to see him have such a good time! As well as the others - I have rarely seen them smile and laugh so much. Inkluding little Hama - he just LOVED the water! I was the one going into the kid pool with him and having fun.

Once, the Lord directed me, so that Hama's life would literally be spared. I was at the other end of the pool, and turned around, slowly swimming towards the deep end, where everyone was sitting outside. Hama had also been sitting on the ground, and Seybou was sitting on the ground a couple of meters away. As I was swimming towards them, I saw Hama crawling towards the pool. Just to be sure, I shouted to Seybou to look at his son. At that very moment Hama simply let himself fall into the pool!!!! I started swimming like crazy, while Seybou jumped up and quickly got him out of the water. Had I not shouted to him already, he would not have been there that quickly. Praise God!

We finally got two taxis again and drove back home, where Emma (in spite of his illness) and Elisabeth were supposed to join us. Full of anticipation and excitement, I told everyone to wait outside while I got everything ready. I had put up little candles all around that I lit, and got the first course - an Austrian soup - ready. It only was a matter of minutes until I opened the door and let them in, my youngest sun Sekouba first. I had laid the table for 9 people, but unfortunately Hassim was called away and couldn't join us, so we were only 8.

We ate "Grießnockerlsuppe" together, then pasta, and finally "Grießkoch". These were all new dishes to most of them, but they liked them anyway. Emma was on my left, and Sekouba to my right. Sekouba had a healthy appetite, always having seconds.

After the meal the time had finally come to open gifts. But first I took a few minutes talking about why we were gathered, about the "birthday kid" Jesus, and asking them to think of what to give Jesus for his birthday. We spent some time praying, then we sang "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU" for Jesus, and then for Emma whose birthday it is on Tuesday.

Then I callec up Sekouba to distribute the gifts. He only just started learning reading, so I had to help him with the names, but he enjoyed it anyway. I felt like a real Mom, proudly watching her son, and then other kids receive their gifts. I told them we'd open them one after the other, watching the others do it.

17-year-old Paul was like a little kid, not able to wait for his turn. And Sekouba was totally into it, opening all his gifts with joy.

But most fun of all - for all of us - was watching Emma, who was the first one to open his gift. He had the fewest gifts, but then he had a big box to open (on the right bottom corner in the gift picture). When the team came in Nov, I asked whether anyone could bring an old guitar for Emma who so much wants to learn it, and one of them did. I put the guitar in the bathroom, and filled the big box with junk and a piece of paper Emma then found that read: "I tried everything, but your gift didn't fit into the box. Find it in the bathroom." What made it extra fun and suspense was that Emma REALLY took his time with everything. When he went into the bathroom, I followed him - and relished the moment of him finding the guitar! He was totally perplexed, surprised, astonished. He said he'd NEVER have though that! He immediately got it out and started strumming - AHH! He needs to learn to play it first! And then three other guys received harmonicas - Paul, Seybou (picture) and Sekouba - and the music could begin! It didn't take me long to ask for mercy, though.

After all the gifts were opened, and all faces were shining brightly with joy at their special gifts, they soon started leaving one after the other. For many of them it was their first Christmas ever, and for some their first Christmas as Christians. Paul (both is true for him) told me the next day how very special the day was for him!

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Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Christmas Party For Street Children

Quick highlights:

•   Over 100 kids show up.
•   Many pray to become a child of God.
•   6 kids get physically healed.
•   All receive food, clothes, play games, sing and dance.

Read the detailed report.

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Monday & Tuesday, December 19 + 20, 2005

Putting Up Decorations With My Kids

Christmas is only a few days away, and our children's Christmas party is already tomorrow (Wed). Thinking back at last Christmas, I realize how much has changed since then, especially these past few months. Today, I truly have a family right here, and we're preparing for a special family time together on Saturday, including gifts.

Yesterday, it was time to put the Christmas decorations up. Sekouba was home, so we were gonna do it together, and then little Hama (whose healing we're contending for) came to join us. We had much fun together! I had to use my Bambara (Sekouba doesn't speak French), and little Hama only speaks Dogon which Sekouba doesn't speak. We had a wonderful time, and I won't keep these pictures from you.

Then today, Simeon was over here and while he was waiting, he blew up ballons and counted candy for the Christmas party tomorrow. Again, Hama joined him, and had much fun.

So, I had time with all my three kids - Simeon, Sekouba and Hama. And I love them all dearly.

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Saturday, December 17, 2005

A Crippled Boy & His Dad (Hama & Seybou)

As every Saturday, the team - our family - gathered to pray together. Tonight we were seven people - a new record. There were Simeon, Emma, Paul, Marie, Sekouba, Seybou and I. Though Sekouba soon fell asleep, and Seybou only stayed for part of it.

Today I had put up some Christmas decorations in a corner, to have a place where to put all the gifts, to get some kind of Christmas feel. Plus, it was fun using my creativity. I then started wrapping some gifts, already full of joy, imagining their faces as they open them. And then tonight there were some nosy people looking at names on packages - but that was part of the fun. I told them, "no touching".

As always we started with a time of worship. I never know in advance what God is up to, and I just LOVE Him surprising us every week, and amazing me. I'm also amazed at how CLEARLY He always leads us/me. Wow! Tonight I started with the song CAN YOU HEAR OUR PASSION (I translated it into French). While we were singing it - and I was encouraging them to mean every word - the Lord suddenly told me to get a song I hadn't thought of in quite some time: IT'S TIME. Plus, I haven't translated it into French yet. I got it anyway, and told them what the words meant. Then I started singing it, and soon singing the chorus in French, having translated it on the spot. I could feel the anointing on the song and a spirit of intercession came. I started replacing CITY and NATION with BAMAKO and MALI, as we entered into intercession. We prayed for the city, nation, for the upcoming events this Christmas season, that are all meant to reach people with the gospel. It was powerful. From there we went into I ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES, which led into a holiness-moment with God and prophetic singing.

An hour had passed when I put the guitar aside to start the DVD. At that time I didn't know that the video would take over 2 hours. We've been talking about physical healing a lot, and I needed to show them Heidi Baker's message, where she shares about the rooms in the Father's house, one with body parts. Faith was rising as we watched, and some really enjoyed it. While the ministry time was going on in the video, I went to get Hama. He was already asleep, but I picked him up and took him with me. I also asked Seybou to join us again.

I held Hama, who was all sleepy, and close to falling asleep again cuddled against me, his head on my upper arm. I felt so much love for this little boy! Finally, I put Hama down on a chair in the middle of the room, asking the others to come around and start praying. I encouraged the Bible students to apply what they've learned (well, they tend to go back to their old religious ways). They all started praying for him, and at one point I got concerned that Hama was getting afraid because of some frantic praying that seemed unnecessary. I myself was speaking to the paralyzed parts of his body, and to his brain, commanding them to be whole. Hama was born his left side paralyzed, but I don't know at all why or what, since doctors are unreachable.

Done praying, I took him by his hands and walked with him slowly, like I've been doing nearly every day. There wasn't any visible improvements, but I know God is at work in his body. Seybou was sitting on his chair, his head down. I picked Hama back up and started saying a few words. Then the Holy Spirit inspired me, knowing what was going on in Seybou's mind. I reminded them of the story of the blind man, when the disciples asked Jesus who had sinned to cause him to be in that condition and Jesus replied, that it was to display the glory of God (see John 9). I know that I know that Hama's healing will be very significant; He will be a sign and a wonder that will bring many people into the kingdom of God. Nobody had sinned to cause Hama to be in that condition.

I took Hama back to his little house behind mine, so he could go back to sleep. His Mom must have been outside. When I left the house, Seybou was approaching. I told him what a wonderful son he had, and how I loved him, and he started crying. Again, I knew what the issue was. I told him that it was NOT his fault that Hama was crippled, that he hadn't done anything, nor anyone else, that God wasn't punishing him, but that He loves Hama very much, more than him or me, and that He wants him healed even more than us. And the day WILL come! Seybou was crying even more by then, because of the feeling of guilt and shame he's carried these past four years since Hama's birth. I told him I was there if he wanted to talk and left. My heart was full of compassion for him.

I returned inside, and Emma was gripped by Holy Spirit, giving a little impassioned speech, reiterating that we needed to THANK God now for Hama's healing, and how God has used Hama to reveal Himself to him, and to give him compassion. A week ago Emma had a visitation of Jesus, while he was fasting for Hama's healing. When he had finished, I emphasized once more that Hama's healing was a done deal in heaven. All we need to do now is to thank God for his healing and to bring what is in heaven down to earth.

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Thursday, December 15, 2005

A Physical (Emma) & An Emotional Healing (Sekouba)

Tonight was our last Bible School night before the final exam of this first trimester. As you know, the three students are Simeon, Emma and Paul. But Marie often sits in, and now my "son" Sekouba participates in nearly everything going on, which is a great joy. Every day I sit down with him now to teach him reading and writing. He always comes, asking to work on it, since I set up my old computer for all to use. It helps Sekouba to use the computer to learn, and it's more fun. He is having a very hard time learning, even though he once went to school for three years.

So, even though he doesn't understand a word of French, Sekouba sits in part or all of the three classes, watching and listening, sometimes falling asleep. Tonight that was also the case.

The second class is on SUPERNATURAL LIVING, and often, the discussion time after the teaching is actually a prayer time, like tonight. The teaching was on the laying on of hands - whether for impartation or healing. So we made a circle - Simeon, Emma, Paul and I. Sekouba was slipping in and out at that time. I encouraged the students to apply what they had learned. My left hand started burning, more and more, so I asked if anyone needed healing. Emma said he did. His back was hurting at that very moment. I know he's had those pains for quite some time. So I encouraged them to lay their hands on him, and did so myself. Each one prayed, as learned, and the pain was gone. Praise God! Emma bent over, like he couldn't before, having no pain.

Each one was prayed for, and I called Sekouba into the circle when he came back in. As I was communicating with God to receive what He wanted to give, compassion just flooded my heart. How I love this boy, and how I long to see him on fire for Jesus, and completely restored! Emma prayed for him, right-on, and then I released what the Lord had given me: I broke the orphan spirit and prayed for the Father's love to fill him. You couldn't see much going on, but when he sat down, he rubbed his eyes, saying they were hurting. A proud young man from his background wouldn't admit to having tears in his eyes. I believe the Lord did a deep work in him. And He will finish what He has started!

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Sunday, December 4, 2005

The Fire Of God

It seems that God is emphasizing His FIRE these days. Last Saturday we had a powerful prayer meeting again, and God was speaking about the fire. We then watched a Heidi Baker video and - while Paul fell asleep - the others were challenged.

Today, Sunday, we had our 33rd service. I preached on Elijah and the prophets of Baal. I told them the story (most have never heard it) and challenged them that they are no different than Elijah. Again, the fire of God was prominent (as also last Sunday when I talked about Salomon consecrating the temple). I challenged them to go out and find sick people and pray for them, and God would show His name great!

At the end, I called forward those who want the fire of God, who want to be like Elijah. They all came forward. I told them to raise their hands to God and receive. The anointing was strongly on me, as I was walking up and down praying, asking for the fire of God to come down. I went and laid my hand on each one of them for some moments. When I put my hand on Emma, he nearly fell. He told me afterwards he got an electric jolt, as if from electricity. But he's so afraid of falling, that he always stops what God is doing.

So, we had a good service. I asked who would go pray for ONE sick person this week, and in the end they all said they would. I told them I want to hear testimonies next week, whether the person was healed or not.

We're now contending more than ever for 4-year-old Hama's healing. He was born with his left side paralyzed. I now "walk" with him nearly every day. And one day I will just let go of his hands..... Emma even suggested to fast for his healing next Saturday.

I'm encouraged at how things are going.

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Friday, December 2, 2005

Deliverance From Satanic Attack

Last Sunday we celebrated our first anniversary as a church. Read the report and see the pictures here.

Last night was our weekly Bible School night. Emma was sick, so only Paul and Simeon were there. Paul was baptized last Sunday, and I had told the four candidates to expect attacks from the enemy as a result. Well, for Paul, it was sudden intense pains he got in both legs that made walking very painful, and he needs to walk long distances to school every day. At Bible School last night, the second lesson was on divine healing. There are always discussion questions after every session, but before we even got to that, Paul requested prayer for his legs, to be healed of the pain. I went over and started praying, when suddenly the pain all came together on top of his legs and he was wincing. As I continued praying, the pain moved down his legs, all the way to the feet. Paul was shaking his feet in pain, and then it moved out of his legs. Glory to God! He was free, no more pain!

What an awesome God we serve!

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Saturday, November 26, 2005

3 Weeks Of Intense Ministry

3 busy weeks have come to an end, and 3 busy months, including the preparations. A team of 4 people was with me these past few weeks, doing ministry - 3 Americans and a Kenyan. You can read the reports on the NEWS -> ARCHIVE page.

Also, last Thursday was significant, and I wrote a report you can read here. It's called NEW HOPE FOR A NEW CHAPTER. Tonight I've already seen fruit from it, which I will tell you in the next post.

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Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Visit To The District Police Station

These past three days I've gone to our district police station three times - and it's done. In record time! Thanks to support from high up and bribes. Now all the paper work goes back the same way until it returns to the point of origin, which was one of the Ministries.

My first of three visits was definitely the most noteworthy. That was on Monday. I went to the police headquarters downtown, where I had an appointment with the same police officer I had met earlier and who had helped with my visa. He said he'd go with me to the discrict police station to help me. It was HIM offering it!

So I got there and he finished up what he was doing. Then we went to his car - an old one, not a nice one like others have who take a lot of bribes. He asked another policeman to join us - I was glad about that. Our first stop was the gas station, and to my greatest surprise he refused to allow me to pay for the gas. Unheard of!

We got to the district police station and had to wait for the "commissaire" to be free to see us. When his visitors left, it was immediately our turn to go in (the poor people who'd been waiting....). We sat down, and the commissaire was upset. He asked whether I couldn't come by myself, why I needed two police officers to come with me, and that you'd think they'd had my papers for months etc. etc. He went on and on, and I must have turned pale. It seemed to me that their presence had the OPPOSITE of the intended effect. My police officer friend from the Headquarters took off his cap and was all submissive, saying I was their "protégé", saying what I was doing, even mentioning the English class, as if he invited him to come.

Finally the commissaire turned to me - a slick-looking man who uses his position. He told me in frank terms to prepare a really nice gift for him and the secretary and to come back the following day. The secretary would then tell me where to go and what to do.

When we left the office, I was wondering whether the guy had been all serious, or whether it was a "ritual". So I asked my police officer friend, and he confirmed that the commissaire hadn't been upset or anything. It's like they're role-playing to get a point across. The commissaire was affirming his position in higher authority and showing them their place of submission.

The following day I came with my money-gift. I was gonna go from there to my old High School, since they're pretty close to each other. However, I underestimated the time I'd spend there. And I showed my impatience, which I regretted. I waited for about 40 minutes when I told the secretary that I could only wait a few more minutes, and whether the guy I was waiting for had forgotten I was there. She went inside the commissaire's office. I hadn't realized the guy I was waiting for was with the boss himself. The secretary called me into the commissaire's office, where they were all sitting. I was really embarrassed. The commissaire asked indignantly why I was in such a hurry, and to wait a little longer.

I went back outside and continued waiting. I knew I wouldn't make it to the High School in time. And I didn't even realize what lay ahead of me. It didn't take long before I was called into an office. The guy there was writing (no computers, all on paper), and then he started questionning me. I was totally not prepared, hadn't had a clue what all he'd ask me. I had to give him my whole bio, and the he asked why I wanted to create the association, and how it would benefit the population.

I spent quite some time with the guy. In the end he said I could come back the following afternoon and it would be done.

So I went back there today. A lot of people were already gone, including the secretary. I found the guy who had questionned me, and he showed me that the papers were done, except for the official number. He said to call him tomorrow for the number. Then they'd send it on to the next place.

On the sideline: I saw the two "cages" they have there to hold arrested people in. My heart broke seeing those poor people, and crammed into the tiny space.

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Friday, October 21, 2005

Stupidity, Not The Enemy

We often blame our hardships and problems on the enemy, who - I can only imagine - gloats because of all the honor and credit he gets, even for what either people themselves do, or what God does. For thousands of years, we've copied our ancestors in shifting the blame onto others instead of taking responsability for what we do wrong. And what better person to blame than our accuser and enemy.

But I wasn't planning on preaching :-) I wanted to tell you about the STUPID thing I did today - me, not the enemy (but of course, the enemy takes advantage of situations).

I had to go to town today, to go to the police (church recognition), but also to withdraw money. After 11 months of being out of order, the bank has FINALLY repaired its ATM. Awesome! It's the only ATM in Bamako that lets you withdraw with your VISA card. And it's even airconditioned! I put my card into the machine, followed the instructions, and took my card out. I opened my calendar to look something up while waiting for the money. The money was "spit out", but I kept looking in my calendar, not knowing that the machine wouldn't wait for me forever. Suddenly, it swallowed my money up again!!! I was so shocked! I had NOT expected that at all!!!!

I went into the bank, condemning myself for my stupidity. As if I didn't have enough problems yet! I waited until a lady asked me what I wanted. I told her. She told me, money always had to be taken right away - great advice! She made a copy of my passport and credit card and gave me a form to fill out. She told me to come by on Monday, and they should have canceled the transaction by then. It will probably entail fees, plus with time being so short, I might not be able to withdraw all the money I need for the crusade in time.

Stupid.

By the way, I met another pastor in the bank, and told him about the crusade and conference, and he was excited. Could it be that God used my stupidity?

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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Another Visit To Police Headquarters

Yesterday was the last day my visa was valid. You are always accorded a visa for one year, and I've been in Mali for two. But the past two years, I worked at a Malian High School, so I had a work visa. This year, I had nothing to show for - no work, no official papers of any kind for our church.

Last week I went to the Police Headquarters with a pastor friend who knows an officer there. "By chance", that officer is a catholic, and not a Muslim like most all of the population. In fact, you immediately recognize Christians (those grown up in Christian families), because their whole behavior and mind set is different, even the body language.

In any case, that police officer was gonna take care of everything and asked me to come three days later to pick up the visa. When I came back, there was no visa. He said, the request for the visa could not be handwritten (he had written it for me), but needed to be typed on the computer, with church letter head and official stamp. So he he sent me home to do that, and I came back to give it to him. That was last Thursday. He said he'd call Friday to let me know what happened. He didn't. Neither on Monday. I finally called him and he asked me to come Tuesday morning - the last day my old visa was valid. Tuesday Morning he called and told me to come Wed morning, because he would go Tue night (literally hours before my old visa ran out) to pick up my passport.

Now, going to town Wed morning is a challenge, because we have our children's program that starts at noon. But I had no choice. I took a taxi - one with people already in it - and had my patience tested in traffic jams, looking at my watch at the passing time, knowing I had to be back as soon as possible. Bamako will experience a traffic collapse in a few years, with more and more cars on the road, and only two bridges connecting the two parts of town, one on each side of the river. I live on the right side of the river, and downtown is on the left side of the river, which is where the Police Headquarters are as well as most other places I need to go to.

I FINALLY made it to the police. When you go in, there is a police officer sitting at a table who you have to give an ID to. Today he gave me a visitor's badge in return. Today was the first time I went there without my pastor friend. Plus I was pretty tired and eager to get back home. I find "my police officer friend", who greeted me warmly. He LOVES my Malian name. Also, he is serious about joining our English class! Imagine that! Wouldn't that be something! He said he'd come next Tue night.

He gave me my passport. I asked about our church papers, which also go through his hands. He said they've been passed on to the next place they go - the regional police. However I had to tell him I didn't have time to do that today. So I'm probably going on Friday. But imagine this: he said he'd go WITH me over there! Wow! It's just across the street, but still. He said to call before I come, to make sure he's there and available.

Glory to God! That's FAVOR!

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Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Children's Program

It's Wed, and time again for the children's program. School started ten days ago, and so we hardly have any neighbors' kids coming any more (some show up later), but the street kids come, and they are our target group anyway.

Paul, my interpreter, was supposed to have a class at his High School, but his timetable was changed. That's great, because it means he'll be able to be with us, without us changing the time.

Sekouba and his friend Brahima, plus another guy were the first to come. Sekouba sleeps here every night. By the way, Brahima has now also given his life to the Lord! He was clear on that today! Thinking how he mocked God the first time he came with Sekouba! Praise God!

Emma was prevented from coming on time today - he showed up long after the program was over. But Marie came, and so did Simon-Pierre and Birama. All three came to play the sketch.

To my surprise Kassim came. Kassim is a university student who is in our English class. He has come a few times to watch the Christian movies we show on Fridays, and once I asked him to play in the sketch, but he hasn't shown up just like that before. Something must go on in him. He sat and listened very carefully during my teaching. I love the materials I teach - they are great, with many illustrations. I always have to prepare my props quite a bit.

So, we started with the meal again. It's Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, but the street kids are simply hungry. I was pleased to see Kassim as well as Seybou eat with us. I always eat with the kids, to be with them. We had tomato sauce with our rice today.

Then we started the program with two action songs. I grabbed my guitar today, so I had to rely on Seybou, Paul and Simon-Pierre to do the actions while I sang and played. It worked out okay :-)

Then we did the memory verse - one kid was able to perfectly recall John 1:1. Today they learned John 3:16 - kind of long. Then we did the sketch. We needed a baby for it, and I "borrowed" Seybou's daughter Sarata. She wasn't pleased at all and started crying. I had pity on her, but we carried on with the sketch.

Then it was teaching time. By that time, many of the kids start falling asleep. Several of them were sleeping soundly, including Sekouba. In fact, Sekouba slept 6(!) hours, until it was dark! Some of the other kids listened VERY carefully. Today's topic was "Jesus, the Savior". At the end I asked who wanted to be purified of their sins, and several raised their hands. I gave them time to quietly talk to God and confess their sins, then I prayed a prayer they repeated after me. After that I told them I was willing to pray for anyone who wanted to. Brahima; Sekouba's friend, came forward and wanted prayer for a job. It's through the following conversation I found out he has decided to follow Jesus.

Then this girl, Fatoumata, came up to me, and just slung her arms around my body. Last week, her Dad was reading the paper on the gate, when I got talking to him. I invited him to bring his daughter, and they really came. Fatoumata looks 7 years old, because she is tall, but her Dad claims she's 4. Hard to imagine. She was sitting with her Dad in the back, listening. When she clung to me at the end, I thought she had come up for prayer. But her Dad told me that she wanted to stay with me and not leave. Interesting! For a first encounter!

They then left, and we started putting stuff away. Suddenly they came back. Her Dad said that she just didn't want to go home but stay here. She clung to me again. I finally told her I had to go inside and work, but she was welcome any time here. I told them about the service on Sun. Unfortunately they live very far away.

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Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Nothing Just "Gets Done" - Why Not? (visa)

Why is it so hard to simply get things done? Why do there always have to be complications??? Maybe it's just the warfare going on - that's very possible.

Tonight I called my pastor friend who's been helping me with paper work. He called the police officer to ask what time would be good to come in tomorrow and pick up the passport. He said he unfortunately couldn't find the pastor's phone number any more, because there is a problem. Since I'm now the director of an association (NGO), I cannot hand in a hand-written request for the visa (which the police officer had written for me). I have to type a letter, with letter-head and church stamp. Since I didn't even know who to address it to, my pastor friend gave me the officer's phone number, and I had to call him (I hate phones!). After the call, I wrote it, so we're still going there tomorrow - just not to pick up the passport with visa, but to deposit the letter. My visa runs out next Tuesday - so let's pray that there won't be any more complications!

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The National Police Headquarters

As I've been saying for a while, and asking people to pray, I had to renew my visa this week. Since I'm not teaching at High School any more, since we are not yet a part of the Malian Association of Churches (AGEMPEM), and since we don't have the government recognition of our church yet, in the natural I was nervous about this, especially since some of what people told me was less than encouraging.

Then God sent another pastor over who knows a high-up guy at the police. So we went there together. As you walk in, you are stopped by a police man who takes and keeps your ID until you leave again. We then found the room of the police official, who wasn't even there. We waited a few minutes before he came. He was very friendly. I explained the situation (and he's the same guy who will also approve our government recognition papers), and he said he'd take care of everything. I gave him my passport, the filled out form, money, photos, and info he wanted. Then the pastor nudged me that I'd have to give him money for his services. I was shocked - giving money to a police man? In Austria you'd go straight to jail! I was very reluctant, but I know that's the way the system works. One of the big problems of Africa. So the pastor took the money from my hands, and put it into the policeman's hand, in my place. Some relief!

So, it looks like I'll have my new visa, for another year, this Thursday! I'll post a comment to this post to let you know how that went.

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Sunday, October 2, 2005

Experiencing Malaria For The First Time

There is always a first time - or is there? In this case, I wouldn't have minded never experiencing "the first time". Even though I'm taking malaria prophylaxis at this time of year, when there are LOTS of mosquitoes, I just had malaria for the first time - no fun, I tell you!

It started last Wed. Suddenly I got SO sick. Somebody called on the phone, and I nearly had to hang up, saying, "Excuse me, I need to go vomit for a second." But I endured the phone call. Then the door bell rang. It was a former student I hadn't seen in weeks. We sat down to talk. Again, I got so sick at times I thought I'd vomit any second. Finally I told him I wasn't feeling so well, and he stood up to leave. As soon as he closed the gate, i turned around and couldn't help myself any more, vomiting forcefully onto the peanut bed.

The thing with malaria is, it comes in waves. And it's like the flu, plus the vomiting. It was Friday during the night that I started shivering violently - and it's 30°C(86°F) in my room! It was then I started wondering if it was malaria. I got up at 5 a.m. to ask my guard to go buy malaria medication - it's good, but really expensive: $22.

Thankfully, it was Saturday that I was down, unable to do ANYthing. The fever was high, my head was exploding, I couldn't even read, just lie in bed and listen to stuff. No fun! Towards the evening, the medication slowly started to work, and the following day (today), I was doing pretty well, able to do the service without any difficulty. I hope that's the end of this malaria!

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Friday, September 30, 2005

Your Opinion On Corruption

Coming from the Western world, there are certain things I see BLACK & WHITE, that are unnegotiable for me as a Christian. One of them is corruption.

However, I live in a culture where giving gifts of money to encourage peole is totally normal, even the norm. Nothing gets accomplished without these finanical gifts. What do you do? Is it really non-negotiable, or is it just a cultural lens I'm looking through?

Being in this culture, I have to adapt as long as it doesn't contradict the word of God. What is YOUR opinion?

I tell you the situation I'm in: We've applied to be recognized as a church by the Malian government. I've just started the long process of African bureaucracy, and will have to go to different places over the next few months. I was blessed to have a pastor who's already gone through it all help me. He told me, "If you don't give money, you can forget it right away. It will never happen."

So, a few days ago, I did what went against EVERYTHING within me. I gave the lady who's already helped us and through whose hands the papers will go, money. And this was only the first time of many more.

Let the discussion begin!

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Thursday, September 29, 2005

How To Take A Shower Nov-Feb

Another HOW TO, especially for the team coming to Mali in November. As you know, 8-9 monhts out of the year it is hot at night and even hotter during the day. You wouldn't believe HOW HOT the water is coming out of the tub during those months!

The downside is that it is very cold Nov-Feb. If you don't like cold showers, it's too cold to shower with, and definitely too cold to have a bath with (yes, I'm the proud owner of a bath tub!).

So what do you do? You turn on the water kettle and fill a bucket 2/3 with cold water. When the water is boiling, you add it to the cold water in the bucket. Put the bucket in the shower and step into it. Use a vessel to pour the water over you.

One thing to beware of: Make sure you have warm water left to rinse the shampoo out of your hair. If not, you'll take a cold shower after all.

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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

How To Rid Your Room Of Mosquitoes In Rainy Season

In rainy season (we're approaching the end), there are masses of mosquitoes in Mali, and it cannot be avoided that you have LOTS of them in your house. If you wanna sleep calmly, without being bitten all over your body all night, you have several options:

•   Put on long pyjamas and put mosquito-reppellent on the remaining part of your body - impractical because of the heat, and the repellent wears off.
•   Sleep under a mosquito net - must be realed out due to room-mate Sweety, my cat. She loves to tear holes into it.
•   Kill them all! And I'm gonna tell you how:

It must be night. Turn the light on and stand in the middle of a room. The mosquitoes will automatically come to you, because they are hungry for you. As you see them approach in their kamikazi flight, clap your hands with them in the middle. After some time you'll have lots of dead mosquitoes lying around you on the floor.

The downside: Even ONE mosquito who decides to hide until you're done and come back out once you turn off the lights to go to bed, can bite you numerous times during the night, feasting on your blood.

The remedy, cover yourself up - but then of course, it's hot.... And you might wake up with the only spot you didn't put repellent on swollen, like I did twice: my eyelids.

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Monday, September 26, 2005

Let's Get Started!!!

FINALLY - after two years of the slowest internet connection in this world - which is not surprising in the fourth-poorest nation in the world - I now have a round-the-clock fastER connection that allows me to use the web, including starting my blog. I pray that you will not only dive into the culture I am in with me, but that you will be inspired and drawn closer to the Lord.

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