Healing 2 The Nations - Dr. Claudia R. Wintoch

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Two Girls Have Left

This afternoon the moment had come - the two girls that arrived first, nearly a month ago, had to leave. It was an emotional time for good-byes with tears. Sickness or not, I know they enjoyed their time with us and want to come back. May the Lord bless them with health and grace to settle into the life ahead of them.

Two Girls In the Clinic

Both July and Carina spend another night in the clinic - July's second, and Carina's fourth. Frédérique paid her bill today, and it was really high. Carina is more lucky, because her insurance is paying 100% of her expenses, and the flight back home. They are even sending a doctor from Austria who will accompany her home on Friday. July's insurance is only changing her flight home to an earlier time; she'll find out when tomorrow. So in a few days all the girls will be gone.

Solomani

Paul and I have been thinking and praying for two days, and so far we still feel we need to send Solomani away. In fact, his behavior has been rather confirming our decision. However, the closer it comes, the more I realize how hard this is gonna be. We decided to tell him Thursday morning, so he can leave during the day Thu. Unless God tells us not to, or shows something else to do.

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Monday, July 30, 2007

Going Solar After All

Our construction manager Kossi had told us to forget about solar since the maintenance is too costly. Last week I talked to a missionary friend who is now installing solar systems much of his time. He told me that technology has advanced dramatically the last few years, and today it's definitely the way to go. I asked him whether I could come over with Kossi one day to find out more, and tonight the moment had come.

I was very excited as he explained everything to us, and Kossi as well. He showed us pictures of some places where he installed the system, and explained how to do it on our property. He also told us how much it's gonna cost, and what's best of all, he's gonna install it for us, and he has a way of getting the materials from the US and Europe without us having to pay customs on them! The whole thing is gonna cost less than bringing city electricity all the way to us (at least to start with) - and we won't have any monthly expenses for electricity, and no power cuts! Isn't that awesome? We need $35,000 for the system for the first two houses we move into in a few months (instead of $44,000 for city electricity, and that's just the installation).

Thank You, Lord, for guiding our steps!!!

Health Update

Today I spent 4 hours at the clinic, and most of it waiting for the doctor who should have passed in the morning but didn't show up until 4 pm. Frédérique was waiting for him to be released and go home. Fousseni and Abdias were with me and soon fell asleep (on the floor). In the meantime I had a chance to talk with Frédérique and Carina and hear some "horror stories" of what the Malian doctors are doing or not doing.

Finally July was examined by the doctor, but who then went home to eat, and we kept waiting. Finally he came and talked to Frédérique, and I got to be present. It was shocking to see his surprise at what the doctors in his clinic had done or not done. Unfortunately he is such a busy man that he is rarely around. He's the only one there, together with his daughter, who did his medical studies in the West.

He then saw Carina (picture: her room), who will be released tomorrow. But July chose to stay over night to get some rest, and her insurance is letting her take a plane home to France tomorrow night, over a week earlier than planned. Carina is also trying to get her insurance to pay her a flight home as soon as possible. So, we returned home with Frédérique, leaving July there until tomorrow. Tomorrow all the French girls are leaving, leaving only Carina (Austrian) with us.

By the way, since stopping the medication, I've been fine. It's so wonderful to feel well again! Thank God for health!

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Sunday, July 29, 2007

Another Emergency Night

Some time after our nightly family meeting at 9 pm, the girls alerted me that their fever was rising more and more. Carina was measuring close to 41°C (106°F), and they asked me to call the doctor. I tried for an hour and a half without success. Gladly a missionary friend was online on skype, and I asked him who we could contact for help. He recommended a clinic to me where the founder and doctor was formed in the West, and where my friend himself has been treated very successfully several times. Then he connected me on skype with a missionary doctor in Mali who also told us to go to that clinic - according to them the best one. That missionary doctor said that he doesn't trust any other clinic or doctor, and not the results of tests either.

At first the girls didn't want to get up and go somewhere in their state, but then they relented. Amazing providence that we got the car just a few hours earlier to be able to even do that!!! Thankfully the clinic was easy to find. It was going on midnight when we got there. It was pretty empty, but we were immediately received by a Malian doctor. I first went in with Carina, to help out language-wise. The doctor said she had to stay because of the high fever. She had all the symptoms of malaria. Obviously the first treatment had been insufficient. Then the other two girls went in. July was not thought to have malaria, and could go home. But Frédérique's blood pressure was so low, that they wanted to keep her; and they thought she also had malaria. They put them each in separate rooms, seemingly as far one from the other as possible -weird. They told me they don't ever put two people in the same room. Carina was willing to stay to really get well this time, but Frédérique was very unhappy. She's already returning to France on Tue, and now she had to stay there until Monday.

We left them and drove back home. It was 2 am by the time I went to bed. At 1 pm I gave the car keys to Seybou to drive the girls to see the girls there. I was still taking malaria medication, and had taken it on an empty stomach, suffering the consequences. There was no way I could go anywhere, plus I had to prepare to preach in the afternoon. It wasn't my typical Sunday, when I cherish my day with the Lord until the service at 4 pm.

I talked to my missionary friend in the morning who told me to insist the doctor formed in the West see the girls - and he did see them in the morning. In fact, when he came into Frédérique's room, he saw that they had put the wrong medication in the IV!! He was also able to make a correct diagnosis, and he also examined Rilla, who was now ill as well. Both girls in the hospital had malaria, but also an infection. In fact, all four girls suffer from the same intestinal infection, caused by the local food (or lack of hygiene in its preparation which they are not used to). They are all taking antibiotics now. The doctor said they shouldn't be surprised that they can't eat the local foods like the locals do.

Please pray that all girls would be restored quickly, and that it won't taint their memories of their time in Mali.

I took my last malaria medication this morning, and by the time it was evening, I felt so much better. Praise God!

Different Service

I threw myself upon the grace of God to be able to do the service. Already I knew my sermon would be different today, and it turned out great. Today I widened their understanding of who God is, what He is like, taking Him out of the box, or at least giving them a much bigger box. I got so excited myself while preaching, at how awesome and wonderful He is, and was sad to see my teenagers totally bored and fighting falling asleep. After the sermon, everyone took some time just praising God, and then I prayed for the girls to be healed as well. By the way, the service was also different because it was the shortest sermon I have ever preached in Mali! (about 35 min)

After the service I was uplifted, and was disappointed that the two sick girls in our house had chosen not to attend the service - they missed a blessing. Originally, we had planned to go out to eat, all the girls, but now they weren't able to. I ended up going out to eat with Paul, which gave us an occasion to talk about some things. One of which is the following:

Solomani To Leave?

Solomani has now been with us for 8 months, and today Paul suggested something I have considered myself - to send Solomani away. He is the only one of the kids who has nothing to say when you ask what difference Jesus has made for him. We have long suspected that he only copies the others but doesn't know the Lord for Himself - something which was once confirmed by a dream he had himself. He shows no interest in God, and we see more and more how he's infecting the others with his bad behavior and language. For the sake of the others and the community, we'll probably have to let him go.

Please pray for us the next few days so we make the right decision.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

The Car Is Here!

FINALLY! It took 3 weeks to get all the papers done, but now the car is here! Praise God! Seybou, who's only had his license for a few months, got a lesson from Emma how to drive and maintain the car, and had to drive him home.

When they got back, I got in the car with Carina and two kids, and we drove to the supermarket - high time to buy some grocercies and necessities! We had fun though I couldn't wait to get home as I was feeling worse and worse. I was afraid I'd pass out right there in the supermarket. I was glad when we were back home.

Health Update

I for my part am still very affected by the malaria medication at times - I still have to take it until Monday. And now one of the girls has got a cold, and has already passed it on to two of the other girls - one of whom is Carina who just recovered from malaria. Now 3 of the 4 girls are sick, and two of them leave on Tuesday. Please pray for their health!

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Friday, July 27, 2007

Exam & Going Swimming

Today the children did their final French exam, after three weeks of French class taught by our French visitor Frédérique. 3 out of 5 passed. Still, I feel like their French has improved a lot, especially written French.

So finally all classes being over, it was time to start the two month summer vacation! We did that by all going swimming together - including Hama who LOVES going swimming. Since he needs to be watched constantly, he did have to spend some time with me - but we both enjoyed that. Reminder: Hama is our 6-year-old who can't walk.

Our 4 visitors from Europe as well as the 6 kids all enjoyed themselves greatly; for Souleymane it was the first time at a swimming pool. He's the one who moved in with us a few weeks ago.

Malaria Health Update

Carina had infusions twice a day for 3 days - that helped keep the side-effects down, and it's shorter than when you take medication like I do. I took the full brunt of the heavy side-effects, and still have two days to go, since I need to take them about 6 days. Every day I have times of low blood-pressure, intense dizziness and weakness. Frédérique caught a little too much sun which is probably the reason why she wasn't feeling well after the swimming pool.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Medical Emergency Night

Just before 2 am Firmin hammered on my door - Carina was very much in pain. I went into the girls' room and saw Carina lying on the floor agonizing. I called our doctor, and was glad he picked up the second time I tried. He asked a few questions I passed on to Carina, and then he said he'd come right away. Carina stayed on the floor in pain while we were waiting and praying.

The doctor arrived at 2:30 am or so and examined her. His guess was that she had malaria, and he took some of her blood to test it. He gave her an IV and something against the pain, and she soon felt better. As we were talking, and told him, she'd faithfully taken her malaria prophylaxis, he said that he knows of several people right now who did and got it anyway. He said that you don't joke around with malaria, but you need to take it seriously. At least we white people do since we haven't grown up having it regularly like the Malians. As he was talking that way, I mentioned that Rilla just had malaria, and didn't even finish the medication, so he took a drop of blood to test it for malaria. I then told him he needed to test me as well, since I've been sick since Thursday. Especially yesterday Monday, I was good for nothing. So he took a drop of blood of mine as well.

He left at 3:30 am or so, but had to come back because the IV fell to the floor and wouldn't work any more afterwards. He took care of it and went home. We all went to bed at around 5 am.

Doctor's Second Visit

The doctor's assistant came in the afternoon to give Carina the second IV. She has to have those the next three days. The blood tests showed that Rilla doesn't have malaria, but I do. I'm starting to take medication now to treat it. It's strong medication, but last time it worked well for me.

This is the second time I have malaria, and it's not at all as bad as the first time - which is normal. Still, it's good to know why I'm feeling so miserable. Please pray for a quick recovery for myself and for Carina.

All this changes our plans once again. Somehow we're not able to make it to the village. We should have the car tomorrow, but now Carina is too sick to go to the village on Thursday. We're now planning on going on Monday, but may only be able to stay for the day, since the first two girls leave on Tue.

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Saturday, July 21, 2007

A Saturday

On Saturday we have our street kids' program. One of the regular kids from the past came back. He told us that he spent the past half year in prison. Friends of his had robbed someone, and he participated in spending the money stolen. He also saw Daouda in prison - the kid who lived with us in Dec but who we had to send away because of his inability to stop stealing.

The kids watched the first half of the movie THE BIBLE today, which shows creation until Noah. They enjoyed it. Paul did a great job, although he is coughing now, joining the club of the sick. I myself have had a headache all day that hardly got better with medication.

In the afternoon, Hyacinthe was over, and Paul took advantage to have him show him how to bind a tie.

Firmin was doing the daily exercises with Hama, and I was amazed to see the progress. Hama is now able to hold onto the walker with his left hand, and therefore walk on his own a little. Praise God.

I also took a picture of the four girls with us - back: Rilla, Frédérique; front: Carina, July. They are having fun, spending much time with the kids, playing with them in the garden and inside the house. It's great!

Souleymane Staying

I'm spending much time thinking ahead, making necessary plans and preparing things. Souleymane is now staying with us, and will be going to the Christian school for 7th grade next year.

I've also possibly got a solution for the dilemma I mentioned yesterday. Thanks for praying - God gives wisdom to those who ask.

Please pray that all those of us sick are healed by HIM. Paul is preaching tomorrow.

I updated the PICTURES pages today, so if you'd like to browse the pictures....

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Solution Needed

I've been praying and thinking, and praying and thinking, and normally I would have a solution by now, but not this time. Please pray for one, and if you have an idea...

It looks like my trip to the US is really just at the most inconvenient time this year. Right now, Paul would be alone with the 5 teenagers for one month, and that's simply not possible.

Issa is gone, and Firmin is leaving for the village for one month just after I leave for the US. Enoch has already agreed that our kids can be in the village with him for two weeks, which gives Paul a break, but what about the other two weeks? If school doesn't start for Paul yet, at least he'll be available around the clock. But 5 teenagers for two weeks for Paul only, that's a challenge.

Sick People Update

Carina was sick all night and morning, but seems to be doing better. Rilla was better, but then got worse again - as it typical for malaria. Frédérique is doing well again, but Hama is still sick. I had a headache for most of the day that wouldn't even leave with medication. I felt a little better in the evening.

All in all, things were going a little better today, with the kids' behavior being okay.

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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Our Car Delayed

The paperwork for our car is in progress, and we were supposed to have it tonight or tomorrow. However, one of the guys through whose hands our papers are going was just killed. Now Emma is saying we'll have the car by next Wed. That means we need to reschedule our trip to the village, as well as Hama's trip to the medical center and a few other things.

Several Sick People

Please pray for all those of us who are sick right now - Rilla, Frédérique, Hama, and myself.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Problems, Problems, Problems,...

It's absolutely crazy, all that's going on!!! Unbelievable! Nobody is left out, though so far I haven't been attacked directly myself, thank God. I've been able to maintain my peace most of the time, though my hearts broken over all that's going on.

After a major incident yesterday, that left especially Paul very hurt, another incident happened today, involving the kids. One of our French visitors has repeatedly been hurt by the kids, and in tears because of them. Today again.

We first talked about yesterday's incident, which ended with Paul retreating to his room hurt. Then we talked with the kids about today's, which ended with the French girl retreating to the bathroom to cry.

Running To God

At the same time, it was time for a much needed soaking session for the kids. Neither one wanted to participate, but I encouraged them to do it anyway. One hour of praying in tongues, even if it is for someone else, it benefits you too. Another girl has been sick today - maybe with malaria - and changed from the praying to the soaking position. So we soaked our teenage boys in prayer for one hour.

After that, I offered a TPM session to Paul who has been in need for it for a while, but he refused. I offered it to the French girl who was still in tears, and she agreed. We did a one-hour session, and she found freedom and peace from pain from the past. Praise God!!! Pray for Paul to do a session soon.

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Daily Activities

All our four visitors are busy doing their respective tasks, blessing us in the process, and hopefully being blessed themselves.

Frédérique is working with our teenagers for the second week, teaching them good French. Ever since we talked with them seriously about their inacceptable behavior, things have been going well.

Rilla has been translating diligently two of the schools we use to teach the street children. That way somebody other than me can teach the kids in the future, since we'll have a French translation.

And today the latest newcomer July started playing, drawing, and teaching our little kids.

Carina from Austria is practicing her Bambara and doing whatever is at hand.

I'm thankful for all our visitors. We're having a great time together. Next week we're going to the village, staying overnight, and they are very much looking forward to that.

Gas Update

Thank you for praying - we were able to buy gas!

Local Visitors

In the evening I had a missionary friend come over to visit. Those times are always so precious and refreshing, as I seldom get together with my friends here in town - they're busy, I'm busy. This Norvegian lady came over, and we had to retreat to my bedroom as the only place to have some quiet. I did the cooking, and we enjoyed the fellowship together, updating each other, and enjoying the AC I had turned on just for her. Several times we were interrupted, when I was needed, but never for long. Except once:

That's when our doctor came over. It was the first time in 6 months I had seen him. He was gone for nearly all that time, and I was unhappy with the absence of medical care, all the while paying a monthly flatrate for his services. So we needed to talk, and were able to make a new arrangement. Now we only pay when he has to come to our house, instead of the flatrate. And we don't pay anything, if we come to his medical center, which is on the other end of town, an hour's drive away. Next week I'll need to go there (sigh), with Hama who needs to be circumcised for medical reasons. At the condition that we'll have our car by Friday, as the latest prediction goes.

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Monday, July 16, 2007

City Out Of Gas

We're cooking on gas bottles that you take back when they are empty, and they refill them later, giving you another bottle. Our bottles are empty, and so Seybou wanted to get new ones today, but couldn't find any in the whole city. Hopefully this is just temporary. Right now we cook for 23 people a day in Bamako.

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

It's Raining!

Two hours after I wrote my call to prayer for our water to be turned back on, it was. Praise God! He answered your prayers! We were able to fill up all containers and bottles before they turned it off again.

And then it started raining in the early morning hours, and it has rained for much of the day. Praise the Lord! It's cooled down wonderfully as well. Pray for the rains to continue!

Fourth Visitor Arrived

In the night our fourth and last visitor arrived - July from France. Everything went well, and even her luggage arrived - that's a miracle! Carina's luggage also came with her plane - hallelujah! Nothing lost this year!

Sunday Service

On Sundays I don't leave my room until the service at 4 pm, having set the day apart to be with Him. My heart was burdened with the way lack of value of children in Mali, and the way they are treated by people, and so my message was about the incredible value each person has, no matter his age or his social status. I talked about loving people the way He loves them, and that Jesus would never beat a child or speak words of death and destruction to them. At one point my heart was so broken, I had to pause before being able to continue. I was desperate for them to get the message, and not leave after the service without putting anything into practice. I told them we need to be citizens of heaven with the culture of heaven before being citizens of Mali with the Malian culture. Let those who have ears hear!

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Saturday, July 14, 2007

No Water For 55 Hours

This past week it's only rained once, and then very little. It's Saturday evening, and the water has been off for over 48 hours. At least we still have electricity - so far. These past few months, the water would usually come on at 1 am or so for a few hours, which gave us time to fill up all the bottles and containers. However, after more than two days without water, our bottles are empty, our containers are empty, and we're praying for the water to be turned on tonight, even if it's only for an hour at 4 am or so, so we can fill everything up again. Tonight our fourth visitor arrives, and then we are 16 people to live together.

Please pray for this situation, and pray also for us that no one gets dehydrated. I know that I myself am drinking little right now, and that with 35°C (95°F) inside the house. If the water doesn't come on tonight, we'll have to buy water, and that's costly.

Fourth Visitor Arrives

In the early morning hours of Friday our third visitor - Carina from Austria - arrived with the Moroccan airline. This airline is always later, and hardly takes any luggage along in the same plane. So Carina came 3 hours late, and had neither one of her suitcases (one is my stuff).

Tonight, our fourth visitor, July from France, arrives with the same airline. Carina will go along to the airport, in case her suitcases are in that plane. They might have to be up all night waiting for the plane, but at least they'll be able to tell when the water comes on :-).

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Kids' Behavior Unacceptable

On Tuesday our French visitor Frédérique started teaching our kids French, and she is doing a great job. However, our kids' behavior has been pretty bad; they have no respect for adults, don't obey, insult, and one of them even threatened Frédérique with a knife. They succeeded in making her angry and making her cry.

It was also prayer meeting night, and my heart broke for our children. I watched them while leading worship. While all the adults were on the floor before the Lord, they had their eyes open and where staring around being totally bored. The fruit visible in their lives questions the confession of their lips. I was so burdened, I felt we needed to change direction. The second half of our prayer meeting, we soaked the kids in prayer. We placed them in different spots, and one adult with each one, put on some worship music, each one praying silently for the kid in front of him, then rotating to the next one. I was also praying that we adults would receive God's heart for each of these precious children.

Tomorrow and Saturday we're gonna repeat this, soaking them for one hour each in prayer.

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Monday, July 9, 2007

Busy Day

Today I've been scurring around from the minute I got up. I had to correct the final exams with the kids, which took all morning as well as afternoon. Their grades are not great - only Solomani has no F's. Saloum has two (used to be a good student), Fousseni has three, and Abdias has three (used to be our best student, now our worst). That means, they'll have to redo those subjects in September, before school starts up again.

Having Fun Together

But we're also having fun together. I brought some movies/TV series and board games with me, and we've spent some fun time playing together. Tonight, after the kids went to bed, the adults played together as well, which was fun. Even Issa joined us, forgetting about the Master's thesis he has to finish and he's leaving us for tomorrow. Paul didn't play for long, because he didn't like never winning. :-)

Our New Car

Late tonight I had a call from Emma that the transaction has been made - the car is ours, and parked at Emma's house. He still has the paperwork to get done which will take a little while. We have to pay customs, and the car papers have to be changed to my name. I'm hoping it will be done by the time our next visitor arrives from Europe Thursday night.

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Sunday, July 8, 2007

Issa Is Leaving

Today Issa asked Hyacinthe - a Bible student in our school but an assistant pastor in another church - whether he could move in with him. Hyacinthe then talked to me, and I gave my okay. On Tuesday Issa is leaving us.

In our family meeting tonight Issa broke the news to the others. The kids were shocked, and Paul is also pretty affected though he saw it coming. I myself feel like I don't know Issa any more.

This situation leaves us in a problematic place. Issa gone, then Firmin wants to go to his village once vacation starts for him middle of August, and even he stays, he can't handle the teenagers. That would leave Paul all alone with the kids for weeks while I'm in the US. One person alone cannot do this job around the clock.

Plus, the kids should start school again in the beginning of September. A few months ago another teacher contacted me, and I'm gonna invite him for an interview. But even if I employ him, I don't want him to start without me being here.

Please pray that the Lord of the impossible would make things possible.

Great Service

It was my first service since coming home last Monday, and my message ended up being inspired by all the current events of this past week. Normally I have topics, but today I preached on Joshua 7, on Joshua trying to take Ai, but failing, because Achan had taken some objects that should have been destroyed with Jericho. Everything was in this passage - that we need to seek the Lord instead of thinking we know how to proceed (Joshua didn't inquire of the Lord whether to take Ai); that one person's sin affects the whole body; that we need to open up to each other to carry each other's burdens, and also share the joys. We're on the way to the Promised Land ourselves, and let's learn from the mistakes others have made before us.

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Saturday, July 7, 2007

07-07-07 Prayer Meeting

Thousands, probably millions of Christians are praying today on this unique date, and we joined in with them. Last night, with the latest crisis arising, I decided to fast and pray for three days for much-needed breakthroughs in all these areas, and invited the others to join in. A few are, and we're all fasting for 24 hours from the prayer meeting tonight until the end of the (evening) service tomorrow.

I had missed our prayer meetings while traveling. I sat down at the keyboard, and we started praising and worshiping the Lord. We then entered into a deeper place, and I started singing prophetically, which I love. Most everyone was on the floor in His presence. Finally I felt to pray for Abdias, so I called Paul over and together we prayed for his healing and deliverance; Rilla joined in as well. While they kept going, I lay down on the floor and entered into His sweet presence as well. I asked Rilla to come over and pray for me, and Paul did as well, prophesying actually. It was beautiful.

Street Kid Program

Today our French visitor Frédérique taught the kids. She gave a basic gospel message, but the kids weren't very attentive. They weren't very many either, because something was going on at the bus station today. My own kids didn't have exemplary behavior, probably because they felt the ladies had been unjust towards them with the game they did in the beginning.

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Friday, July 6, 2007

Discipling New Believers

As every Friday, Paul went to our property to teach the new believers. Daouda has been the greatest encouragement. He loves God and is hungry to grow. Now his family is putting pressure on him to return to Islam, but he refuses to. Pray for this young new believer.

By the way, Paul is doing a great job taking care of those new believers. It's a great joy for me to see my son walking in his destiny and calling, and to be respected by people as a pastor.

The picture shows Paul with his first own suit. My Mom's husband gave it to him, as well as the ties. You should have seen Paul's joy! He was literally jumping to the ceiling and shouting hallelujahs!

Time For Final Exams

This week the kids had their final exams. Preparing five exams kept me pretty busy (thankfully one French girl wrote one of them), then doing the exams with them (thankfully with Paul's help), and now correcting them. Their grades keep getting worse, them failing several subjects, which does not make me happy. On one hand, they lack some seriousness with school being at home, on the other hand, Issa's teaching is lacking as well. We need to improve the education we give the kids, and that's why Issa needs to do the teacher training which he now refuses to do. I'm seriously thinking of having another teacher come for an interview who contacted me a while back with great references.

Construction Update

They still have to lift the container for the water onto the tower. They had to wait to find out the water pressure before knowing how big it should be. They drilled 80 meters deep (260 feet).

On Thursday they started making bricks for the wall. It will take 3 weeks if we have the money. It costs $21,000, and we still need $17,000.

We decided to make the building a priority, rather than the electricity, renting a generator to pump water out of our well in the meantime. It is better to move on the property with a house and without eletricity, rather than with electricity and without a house.

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Thursday, July 5, 2007

A Dream Coming True

An hour before I left Austria, the 'impossible' came true: most of the money still needed to buy a Toyota truck was given; another donation came later that day to complete the amount needed.

My kids and in particular Paul had been praying all June while I was in Austria that I'd be coming back with the money for the car, but my faith was rather little. The Lord had spoken to me that the car would suddenly be there, it would be sudden and surprising and quick, and it certainly has been for me. I'm in awe how God answers prayer and makes dreams come true. I've prayed for this very kind of car/truck for nearly four years!!!

Back in Mali, I called Emmanuel - our car guy - so he could start looking around for a car; he already has connections. He did some research and found out that going to the coast to get one is not worth it for this type of car, and even more expensive. Then he found three cars currently for sale. One of them was in our price category, and Emma gave it his thumbs up.

Today I went to look at it. It is a Toyota Hilux double-cabin pick-up 2002 model. It has 175,000 km on it, but is in good shape. It's the body guard of one of the ministers of the Malian government who is selling it. Because of that, he didn't need to pay customs, but we will have to pay that. Emma is finding out today how much that will be.

After that we're ready to take care of all the paperwork. I'm expecting to pick up our third European visitor next Friday with our new car. PRAISE GOD!

Souleymane Moving In

I shared in my email update that Souleymane's Mom suddenly showed up after 14 years to take her child back, under the pressure of her current husband. Souleymane grew up with his grandmother until she couldn't do it any more and just gave him to Enoch, our pastor in the village.

After a week in Bamako with his mother, her husband didn't want Souleymane around any more, and so he left. Today he moved in with us for the summer months - something he had wanted to do anyway. He will go back to the village when school starts again. He's so happy to be with us, and I hope he'll be blessed in every way.

Founder of YWAM in Bamako

This afternoon YWAM Mali invited all church and mission leaders to a special meeting with YWAM founder Loren Cunningham. I took Paul and one of our French visitors with me. We enjoyed listening to Loren - a man who had a vision 47 years ago, and has seen it come to pass. He started with a vision, just with his wife, and today they've gone to all nations of the earth. How encouraging!

After the meeting, we had the opportunity to talk with Loren for a few minutes, and Paul asked some questions. We were uplifted when we left there to go home to our weekly prayer meeting.

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Monday, July 2, 2007

Home To Mali

It's time to start the long journey home. I'm leaving Austria at 9 am to drive 2 hours to the airport in Zurich, where I'm taking the plane at 1 pm to fly to Paris, and then on to Bamako. I'll be home by 8:30 pm local time. Paul is picking me up at the airport with a taxi.

Please pray for a safe trip. Pray also for my health as I'm not feeling well. And pray for favor at the airport; my luggage is heavier than allowed.