Healing 2 The Nations International ~ Dr. Claudia R. Wintoch ~ Blog March2009

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Theophostic Sessions

Today we did two TPM sessions - one with one of our own kids, and one with one of the street kids. The one with our boy went really well, while the one with the street boy was pretty tough and didn't really bear any fruit.

Please pray as we continue doing two sessions a day with the boys.

Working With Hama

Today was Hama's day to pick up his physical exercises again - after a 7-month break because of him and his family moving away. It's been breaking my heart seeing all the progress we had made with him vanish, and so I finally told Seybou he HAS to start doing his exercises again! And so, he's now coming over to our base after school, so we can work with him.

I hope Firmin will come back to do so. I'm sad that he's not coming to the service any more. I'd like for him and Joseph to work with Hama - it has to be two people.

Today it was me, Paul, and Joseph who did the exercises - I had a paper to remind myself, and Paul, who also explained things to Joseph. Until Firmin comes back - if he comes - Paul and Joseph are going to do it.

Hama did pretty well today, and didn't even complain. He was also happy to be back and work! And I talked to him in English today, and he understands well - after all those months in the international school. It's really great to see!

Table Soccer

In January I purchased an old table soccer from a school for little money, and it was only today we transported it over. The kids - ours as well as street kids - all love it!

However, the street kids not in the literacy class who were playing, made so much noise while I was trying to teach the others to read and write, that we had to tell them to leave for the time of the class.

I love these kids, and it broke my heart to see one of the two boys that were caught yesterday not show up today. He's the one who has not missed one night since day 1 of us letting them sleep here. I wonder where he's spending the night tonight, and hope he'll be back tomorrow. He also has a TPM session scheduled this week.

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Foreign Visitors

This morning was spent getting the house and property all cleaned up and shining for our visitors. It was high time for me to really clean the kitchen well, and it felt great!

At 3 pm we picked up our two visitors from the guesthouse they were staying at. Norm (American) had visited us before, nearly exactly a year ago. Today he was with a guy from Singapore who was doing the filming.

It was great to see Norm again, and we drove them to our base. We had 3 hours together. They had me tell the story of how I ended up in Mali, and sharing the vision, and filmed it all. I also gave them a tour of the property, and they filmed it all. I introduced the kids, and they filmed it all. We had a good time together.

Then we went to a restaurant where we had a drink, and prayed together, before taking them back to the guest house.

Please pray for fruit coming out of this connection. They want to put together a video clip, primarily to show to Norm's boss, the organization he's working for. Norm has it on his heart to help us, so we'll see if anything comes of it. I believe it's no coincidence God revived this connection, and brought him here!

Sexual Activity Among Boys

My kids got to watch a movie tonight (it's Sunday), and after the movie, we went through our nightly routine. My kids now sleep on the roof, because it's too hot in the house.

As the first one entered the dining hall with his mattress and turned on the lights, he found two street boys in a tight embrace, touching each other sexually. Paul and I immediately went in there to find out what was going on. One of the caught boys said that ALL OF THEM are doing this, not just them. In the end, five boys admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the others. FIVE of our boys that have been sleeping here for many months now!!! Paul was shocked, while I'm not surprised, but definitely saddened. Our rules are - you're caught touching others, you can't sleep here anymore. One of the two boys has been here since day ONE in September, and spent more nights here than any other child! (I keep track.) How can I kick them out???

I cannot. The five boys implicated had to grab their mattress and go outside into the courtyard. We informed the night guard of what had happened. Now they're sleeping out there in the open, and cannot do anything without the night guard noticing. We also told Dami to check inside from time to time, with his flashlight, so he could catch other kids.

Yesterday, we scheduled some of the street children for TPM sessions this week. Now those 5 kids have priority, and two of the other kids had to give up their sessions, at least for this week. Pray that they'll open their hearts and be healed. I don't want to send them away. I guess for now we'll let them sleep outside in the courtyard - it's still another two months before rainy season starts.

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Service

The last two weeks we've been focusing on the Father heart of God, and how our earthly fathers influence our image of the heavenly Father, and today was to be the third and last part. I talked about the abusive father, and then introduced TPM. I showed two power point presentations that were made for children, but that introduce the basics very well. It also kept the children attentive. Then I told them there was a sign-up sheet for those who wanted to have sessions this week.

The slots were filled quickly - two per day. My own kids signed up for the morning slots, and the street children for the evening slot. No adults! Go, kids, go! Please pray for them this week.

Today we used our projector for the first time during French worship, so people could get the words for the songs that way - at least those who know how to read French.

Money's Up

Our financial situation is serious - to the point that somehow I don't care. Only God can pull us out.

Jean took one of our two cars to the repair shop today - when he showed me how much the repair would cost, I told him we don't have the money ($200). So right now we only have one car that's running.

The kids are on Easter break now. Their tuition is due in a few days; if the money doesn't come, they won't return to school after Easter. In this case, it's a matter of $700.

The first of the month is on Wed, which is when Enoch comes from the village to pick up his money for the month. I don't know how to give him anything ($250).

I've had to pay for my ticket to Austria. I'm going there in a few weeks. I've asked my mother to lend me the money for the ticket until I come and preach/share and money comes in. However, so far I have not even one invitation (I haven't put an effort into it either).

The situation is serious, but I'm not worried. It's an adventure. If worse comes to worse, there's no school , no car running, and we all go on an extended fast. If that is what God wants, so be it.

Tomorrow, we have an American visitor who works for an organization that does work in Mali also. He has it on his heart to help us. So please pray for a fruitful meeting.

The picture was taken in the village of Dra this morning:

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Friday, March 27, 2009

This Week

Another week has gone by. The kids finished their exams in the beginning of the week, and vacation started on Wednesday for them - 3 weeks!

Wednesday was also the first day their new music teacher came for the first lesson. He's a very active Christian, and studies at the music conservatory (I didn't even know there was one in Bamako). He came after our weekly prayer meeting, and just before I started the literacy class with the street children. First, he did 45 minutes with the three kids wanting to learn to play the guitar, and then 45 minutes with the three kids wanting to learn to play the piano. Then Souleymane came to me, saying, he could also teach drumming, which is what he wants to learn. He's already playing in our service, but he's never learned it.

So I now have 7 children learning an instrument, and it's not cheap. I agreed with hesitation and a sigh. How are we going to pay for it? But I feel it's really important for them, and well worth the cost. Those who don't take it seriously, will have to drop out, which would make it cheaper, since I pay per child.

Lunch, Hama & Daniel

Today is Friday which is the day I go have lunch at the restaurant and then pick up Hama and Sarata from school. I also always take someone with me, which is a great opportunity to spend one-on-one time with my kids. Today was Jérémie's turn who had never been to the restaurant with me before.

First we went to the supermarket next to the restaurant where I got a few groceries for myself - and a chocolate bar for Jérémie. Then we went to the restaurant where Jérémie had what ALL my children have - chicken with fries. They just love it!

I enjoyed my time with Jérémie whose French is pretty decent for his age (he's 12 and in 3rd grade). From the restaurant we went to Hama & Sarata's school. There was no presentation today (test week), and so they were already ready to go home. Hama's teacher told me that he had come to school without shoes (sigh). Last week, his shoes were broken, and then I told Seybou to buy him new ones, and then they were too big and slipped off his feet, and now he's going to school barefoot!

They were both happy to see me, and we put them into the car to drive home. Seybou wasn't there when we dropped them off, only a bunch of other people, and Fanta. I talked to her. I made the decision right there and then that come Monday, Hama has to come over to our place to start his physical exercises again. I'm shocked and saddened when I see how far he's fallen behind these last 7 months that he's been gone and not done any exercises. I just wanna cry when I see how hard it is for him to walk now, when he had already done so well before leaving! It's time to work with him again! I also told Fanta that he needs shoes his size!

In the evening, it was finally time to go see our attorney/legal adviser who's helping us with all the paperwork. I've been wanting to go see him for weeks, but every time it wouldn't work out.

There is a playground next to his house, and I thought it would be nice to take a few kids with me to enjoy it. However, it was getting dark already. Still, we took Jérémie and Bakary with us. Both have never been on a playground before. I purchased a damaged swingset a while back, and need to have it fixed, then we'll have one too.

Both of them loved the swings and the slide there. It was wonderful to see the huge smile on Bakary's face!

While they had fun, Paul and I went to see Daniel and spent about an hour with him discussing things. I felt like I left there more confused than when I came! So many legal things! We now have to write contracts for the employees, and then register them for social and tax reasons. As a ministry, we don't pay taxes, but the employees though, and we have to pay a fee for our employees to the government.

As for the rejecte church and children's center papers, Daniel said he had a relative working at the ministry, and he's gonna give our papers to him to work out what they had not liked, and resubmit everything.

I greatly appreciate Daniel, who is from the older generation - a HUGE difference. He was still educated under French colonial rule, which means he had a great education, and you can tell. There are WORLDS between now and then. He's also an amazing Christian man. I love talking to him, and he always encourages me, telling me I need more helpers etc. As if I didn't know!

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Having Fun

The heat has now reached and surpassed the 40°C line (104°F) - the highest I saw today was 41°C (106°F), so we're slowly approaching the highest temperatures of hot season a third of which is nearly behind us now. Your clothes are always wet, especially where your behind is, just from sitting on a chair.

This afternoon, I played with the Wii with my kids, and we had a lot of fun.

Paul went to the hospital again, but came back encouraged because someone had given Rokia a good amount of money to pay for the hospital expenses. Obviously, that had also weighed on Paul. I was amazed how big the difference in Paul's emotional well-being was! He realized that God would take care of her and of him. He also realized that he needs more healing, and I'm very glad about that.

I also pointed out to him that he's totally shut me out of the situation with Rokia, treating it as if it is solely his problem, and I'm not interested in it at all. He admitted that that's true.

Saloum

Saloum was here several times today, trying to talk to us. One time I wasn't available, and then Paul wasn't here. He also talked to my kids again, trying to find out who had talked and threatening them.

In the evening, the moment to talk had finally come, but it didn't go that well. My kids had been too afraid to confront him directly, and Saloum was asking who'd said what. So we really didn't get anywhere. He did admit, though, to going to the bus station regularly and hanging out with the street kids there.

I asked him whether he wants to school, and he finally said yes. I also asked him whether he follows Jesus, and didn't get a straight answer either. He finally said yes to that as well. He said he wants to take face-to-face with his accusers, otherwise it's not worth talking at all. So I told him we'd talk to the people involved.

The only decision taken tonight was that he can't play in the worship team any more, and is not supposed to be inside the house.

At our family meeting tonight, I talked with my children, and asked them whether they'd be willing to come out of the closet and confront Saloum. I told them, Jesus would protect them, and we would also make it clear to Saloum that he'd better not touch them. Jean and Paul also encouraged them, and in the end, they all agreed they'd speak up in front of Saloum. Yeah!

Later, Saloum's father called Paul, asking to meet with him and me. It was a little confusing, but it sounded as if he things Saloum should come back to stay with us. Paul told him he's not a minor any more, but an adult of 19 years, and the paper we signed was that he'd stay with us until he's 18. Tomorrow Paul will go to talk to him and find out what's really on his mind. Paul thinks that he thinks we'll take Saloum back in if he throws him out.

If he really does that, it will break my heart to see Saloum on the street, but he's made some bad choices and needs to bear the consequences. Pray for him, that he returns to the straight and narrow path.

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Service

Paul and the kids went to Dra in the morning to teach the new believers, and I heard that they had a great time.

At 4 pm we had our "Sunday" service. There were the typical problems before the service but everything worked out fine. We had a new person come early. Paul told me later that he's just rededicated his life to the Lord, and is now coming to our services every week.

Jean was late picking up everyone from our old neighborhood, and so the service started without them. Souleymane was playing the drum set, and Joseph was singing with Paul. They all did a great job. Then it was my turn with French worship.

After the offering, it was time for the sermon - or rather the teaching, today. I reviewed what I had talked about last week, and then went into the teaching of the six different father types, and how it affects us - the good father, passive father, absent father, performance-oriented father, and authoritarian father. Some people were listening very carefully, while some kids were falling asleep.

I decided to leave the last category - the abusive father - for next week, together with the "solution", how to get healed, and know our heavenly Father. However, I ended with the FATHER'S LOVE LETTER that we translated into Bambara, and then led them in two prayers - one to forgive our fathers, and one to ask forgiveness for dishonoring them.

I had noticed that there was a couple I didn't know; they had come in late. They came to see whether their run-away kid was with us, and just "happened" to come at the time of the service. They weren't Christians, but listened very attentively. The mother even cried as she listened. They found their kid with us, and left with him. May the sermon make a difference in how they're gonna treat their children from now on!

Paul was not doing well at all. He had not had lunch - after ministering in Dra - and the service is also tiring. No wonder. He has very little appetite most of the time, and eats far too little. Right after the service, he told me he needs to leave and go to the big university hospital where his fiancée is lying with her sick baby. So he left.

I wanted to talk to Saloum, but with Paul gone, that had to be postponed. Saloum asked me for his pocket money, and so I had to tell him that I've been told bad things about him. He wanted to know details, and said he'd come back tomorrow to talk. He didn't leave without talking to my kids, asking if they've talked, and threatening them.

Hawa-Only Evening

With Paul at the hospital, and Jean gone for the rest of the weekend, I was with the kids by myself (my Malian name is Hawa). However, it turned out to be a wonderful time of quality time with all the kids.

At first, we sit down with the street children - and I took a new picture of them on their mattresses. Souleymane was my interpreter, and he's really good at it! We talked about the service. I was asking them questions to see what they've understood and whether they listened. I enjoyed the time with them. Then I prayed for them, and said good-night.

Next, it was time for the family meeting. We also talked about the service for quite some time. None of them had gotten the main message of the teaching. Sigh. I'll have them relisten to it. Still, we had a good time together, and in the end I prayed for them, and hugged them each, before they went to bed.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Lunch, School & Concert

I was looking forward to spending some time with my friend Anne-Marie. I left the house at 11 am, and went to the big supermarket to buy a few groceries. Then I continued on to her house.

She'd prepared a nice meal, and we enjoyed our time of fellowship. Anne-Marie is French and has been in Mali for a good numer of years, working with YWAM in the education sector, training Christian teachers.

We then went together to Hama & Sarata's school, where both did their weekly presentations. Sarata is the girl to the very right, and Hama the third boy from the left, in dark blue.

We dropped them off at home, and then I took Anne-Marie to our base for the very first time. I gave her a tour, and then we had some more time talking.

At 4:45 pm it was time to leave for the concert YWAM was organizing. Everybody piled into the car (except for Moussa who had to stay and guard the house), and together we went to the location of the concert.

It lasted for two hours. First, a Malian YWAM choir did a few songs. They were great! I want to hire them for our big celebration in November.

Then the Indian musician & YWAM missionary came up. He's created this unique guitar that has many cords and two bongos. He played a few songs - very impressive - but didn't really play that much. He actually did more talking, giving his personal testimony and sharing Jesus. Paul was interpreting for our kids. All the people in this picture are part of our group, and one is even hidden.

I sat with Anne-Marie and our little Bakary. She's the one who took these pictures.

After the concert, I took advantage of having several people I needed to talk to right there. I talked to the leader of the YWAM kids dancing group, and found out that they have a 3-day camp during Easter holiday. All the kids between 7 and 14 can participate. That's a shame because Abdias really wanted to do this.

I also got some information about YWAM's evangelism camp in the summer, and talkd to a Malian musician who teaches several instruments. Several of my kids want to learn instruments, and I hope he can come and teach them. Now the question is how much it will cost...

We returned home, where the street kids were already waiting for us. It was too late for the literacy class, so we just did the remaining program - dinner, a martyr's story, prayer, then the family meeting. Everything was fine at that point, and the kids excitedly told Moussa about the concert.

Saloum's Shocking Actions

I was VERY tired and just wanted to go to bed. But then suddenly, all my kids were at my door wanting to talk to me. They should have been sleeping already! I was alarmed by the way they acted.

So we gathered in the living room again, and Paul was called as well. Then Souleymane started telling the story of how Saloum has been stealing stuff out of the house, and how he had tried to get Souleymane to steal the key to my office from Paul while I was in the US, so he could steal stuff. I was shocked. I had seen Saloum that day, and thought everything was okay. I even thought he'd have to move back in soon, as things with his Dad are not going so well.

The kids also told us that Saloum sometimes skips school, and goes to the bus station to hang out with really bad street kids. Could that be? Saloum was never a real street kid, though he would spend much time on the street. I have a hard time believing all this. Saloum seemed to love God, and would testify of God has changed his life. Could he now have gone back to his old life, just like that? Incredible. And so sad.

Unfortunately Paul got very upset during our conversation, being triggered, and stormed out of the room. So I couldn't finish explaining to the kids how important it is to tell us things like that right away. Some of the things they were telling had happened many weeks ago!

It's so sad to see kids you love and have poured your life into turn back to their old ways. It makes you wonder whether you're making any difference at all...

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

It's Getting Hotter

Temperatures continue going up as hot season advances. I've had two nights in a row where the power went out in the middle of the night, and you can tell the difference during the day when you've had a bad night. I now wake up a lot during the night, turning the AC on and off, knowing we don't have enough electricity to have it on constantly.

New Pictures

I've taken a few new pictures.

This picture shows Rosalie - who's been cooking breakfast and dinner for us for the past 6+ months. Her husband just recently became our night guard, but I don't have a picture of him yet. They live just around the corner, but their house is marked for destruction by the city because it's built where the road is gonna be - some time in the future. So they and their two kids are eventually gonna move in with us, whenever it is that they're gonna destroy their house.

This is a new picture of Joseph the way he is now - the old one was taken the first night he spent here while still on the street. I greatly appreciate Joseph. At this point he has a "child status" in the house, as we don't have any job for him to do yet. Paul has been trying to get the Christian gardener to come over, but in reality, we don't have money for gardening at this point.

Which reminds me - I've just had to pay the next installment of tuition for Hama & Sarata, and the payment for the other 13 in private Malian school is coming up. I have no clue how to pay for that. Please pray and/or give to help us.

It's been HIGH TIME to take a new family picture. Here it is:

Sitting from left: Abdias, Jérémie, Amadou, Bakary, Dramane, Souleymane
Standing from left: Claudia, Paul, Jean, Joseph, Moussa

Prayer Meeting

Yesterday we had our weekly prayer meeting, and we took some pictures.

You can see me at the keyboard, leading French praise & worship. As we entered into God's presence, and Paul knelt down, all the kids copied him - only Jean stayed standing.

The last half hour we went into intercession for different subjects. To have variety, we went into groups of three this time. This picture shows Oumar (a young man in our church who spends a lot of time on our base), Dramane, and Amadou.

After the prayer meeting, there was little time before it was time for the street kids' literacy class. We're making a lot of progress, which is wonderful. By the time the class was over, I was totally exhausted. It's now very hot in the unfinished dining hall, and no fans yet, and I had spent over 3 hours in there, with the prayer meeting and the class. I now often leave my office around 10 pm already to go to bed, turning on the AC. However, I usually read books for quite some time before actually going to bed.

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

New "Child" Joseph

The one street kid that has stuck out among the others is Joseph - that's his new name that he took on at his baptism last November. Joseph truly loves Jesus, and is hungry to learn more, always listening attentively. He also has a servant's heart, always helping out when nobody else is. Both Paul and I have been impressed with him, and have wanted to help him out.

A few days ago we did the interview with him that we do with every child we consider taking in. Joseph lost his Mom when he was 9, and his Dad when he was 11. An uncle then took care of him and his sister, but threw out his sister, and so he left too. He was 13 then, and is 16 now. He spent those years on the street.

Joseph has never gone to school, but is a good student in the literacy class I'm teaching every day, teaching the street kids to read and write in Bambara. Joseph will start school in first grade in fall.

We've decided to take him in as a team member, rather than a child. Like Moussa, our day guard, who's 17 and goes to evening school. Joseph will also go to evening school, and he will be working for us as a gardener. Paul knows a Christian gardener that we'll ask to come and plant some bougainvillea along our wall, and some vegetables and fruit trees. We can't plant too much yet since the property has not been leveled yet. Joseph will then take care of those plants.

Joseph was excited about staying though people here don't show emotions. I got him a mattress, sheet, and some other basic stuff, and installed him in the older children's room. In the evening, in our family meeting, I officially welcomed him into the family and prayed a prayer of blessing over him.

This Past Week

The whole last week I have not written any blogs, though most days I sat down to write, but didn't. So let me give you a few highlights of the week.

* On Monday Moussa started night school. He's already done the first 6 years of school, including the big final exam, and so he is in 7th grade. However, that was a long time ago, and he definitely does not have that level. He can't even communicate in French with me! But because he has that 6th grade exam, they won't let him start at a lower level. We'll see how it goes.

* On Tuesday Anco came, the Dutch missionary who installed the solar power system. He came to check out a few things, like why we don't have more power, and discovered that the panels produce more electricity than the batteries can hold. So we'd need more batteries to have more power - another row of batteries would cost $6000. Well, at least he lowered the level at what point the power goes out, so that in fact we do have a little more electricity. Not enough to have the AC on all night, but at least to have it on for a few hours.

Another helpful thing he did was install a timer so that the water tower is filled with water automatically, rather than us having to turn the pump on and off. That has already made a huge difference.

Finally, he looked at our new generator that stopped working on the second day of operation. Somehow, we are not "lucky" when it comes to generators. He discovered that too much was attached to it, and that's what damaged it. Unfortunately there was no safety guard built in to prevent that. He took it with him to see what he can do.

* On Wednesday we had our first prayer meeting since my return. The kids don't have school Wed afternoon, and so that day works well now. We made a circle in the dining hall, put a mat in the middle on the dirt floor, and I set up the piano to lead worship. I was glad to see Jean with us as well (our driver), and Oumar, a young man in our church. We praised and worshipped the Lord for nearly 90 minutes, and then went into a time of intercession for the remaining time. It was a good time. I was really glad we had gathered to pray again. So important!

* I'm glad Jean, Paul and I sat down to talk. Paul's bad feeling about Jean has subsided in the meantime. But I was very candid with Jean that he was an employee in this house, but very definitely not a family member. He just does his job of driving, and doesn't participate anywhere else. I told him that that was not acceptable for me. I want him to participate in the meetings and family meetings, and to also help out with watching the kids when Paul is unavailable. He said he understood.

The reason he wanted to talk to me was that he said he wants to get married now. Taking into consideration the school year, he said he wanted to do it during Easter break, and so he needed to know when that was. We inquired with both schools, and all the kids are off for one week. So he's getting married on Easter Saturday, coming back to live with us with his wife Marie Sunday night, since Hama and Sarata have school on Monday. Jean won't be with us for the whole Easter week, getting ready for his wedding. That means we won't have any driver that week.

I have never met his fiancée. We will have to find some work for her to do when she comes.

Now Jean's room will be for him and his wife. That means we're running out of rooms, if any other people come to join the team. And construction has come to a standstill.

* On Friday I usually go eat at a restaurant before going to Hama and Sarata's school. This Friday I had lunch with a missionary friend from Switzerland. We had a good time together. Well, I was pretty challenged by what she was saying, which wasn't too comfortable. She basically told me not to go to the villages and make converts, if we can't do the follow-up. I told her, we are not going to any NEW villages at this point. She said I should do less, and asked where my heart was, with the street kids or the villages. I told her both, both is what God has called us to.

* Then I went to Hama and Sarata's school for their weekly presentation. I took a picture each, of their class with their teacher, doing the presentation. Sarata is the second girl from the right, and Hama is sitting on the floor.

Hama's teacher told me that Hama has made progress - socially especially. I saw her play with Hama, and my heart rejoiced over seeing Hama have such joy, and a friend in his teacher. Thank you, Lord!

I also made their last payment for the school year. It's been challenging to pay school for them, $3000 in all for the one year. And at this point, there is a good chance the school is going bankrupt. The founder and director, a Dutch missionary lady, had to be evacuated after a breakdown caused by burnout, and is recovering in Europe. The school has too few students, and it's possible they'll have to close before the end of the school year. Please pray for them. Sarata is also doing great, and I would hate for them to lose that place.

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

"Sunday" Service

Well, today was the first time our Sunday service was actually on a Saturday. And I would say it's a full success. We had one person in the service who can't come on Sunday, plus our driver Jean was there who's not with us on Sundays either.

I was actually looking forward to the service - something unheard of these past few months where I would dread having to do a service. But today I was excited, and full of joy, and ready to pass on that message that is so on my heart and so needed - on God the Father.

I was going to use a friend's teaching, but prepared some preliminary notes, writing down several Scriptures. I was really getting into it again, the way I used to. It's good to be "back".

The service started at 4 pm. We set everything up, and then prayed before the service. As most Sundays, it was rather chaotic before the service.

Paul led Bambara praise first, together with Dramane, and Saloum played the drums. Then I got on the piano and did a few French worship songs.

There was a good number of people present, including many street children. After worship and the offering, I got ready to preach. Paul was interpreting for me. I had a little camera set up to record video - that's a first. It turned out pretty good though the sound is not really impressive.

I started sharing on our heavenly Father, from the Word, as well as telling them about my life and towards the end, I shared the encounter I had in Kansas City in February. I could tell that some people were really listening and being touched as I spoke.

In the end, I played "the Father's love letter" in French for them - a video, off the computer. By next week we'll have it translated into Bambara. I turned down the sound, and let it keep running, as I invited those whose hearts had been touched to come forward for prayer.

At first no one moved, and then Paul was the first one. He told me later how touched he was when I asked them whether they saw themselves first as servants, or as children of God, and if they could truly call God "Daddy". I also said that if you feel guilty when you don't work for God, DO something for him, then you're probably a servant, not a son.

God really touched Paul as I prayed for him. He then knelt down and stayed there for some time while I went to pray for other people like Oumar (picture), and some of the kids. I would have liked all of my kids to come for prayer, and was excited about Joseph - a street kid - who came forward. He's been the most spiritually hungry kid among the street children. Several of the adults also came for prayer.

I was excited after the service, happy with the way things had gone. Elisabeth and her kids had also been here, as well as Hama and Sarata. Jean went to pick them up, and took them home after the service. Before, with the service on Sunday, that was up to me - but it's too much when you preach as well.

I then spent some time talking with Paul, and heard that he was giving thought to a temptation once again - the kind that comes around about once a year, and every time, he falls for it. I pointed that out to him, and in the end he recognized it for what it was. Hopefully he will right away next time. I was relieved, in any case.

It being Saturday, I thought it would be nice to get to watch a movie tonight. Everyone was excited to watch "One Night with the King", and Paul was willing to translate. So we set the TV up outside, and all the street kids and our kids gathered around for the movie. Since it is in English, I had to interpret into French, and then Paul interpreted into Bambara for the kids. It went pretty well.

But Paul was very tired. It had been a very long day for him, since he went to the village of Dra with the kids in the morning, to preach. He came back excited as about 60 adults had gathered - a new record. Also, the doctor who's helping us out went with them, and treated them some people at the end. It was a great morning. I wished they had taken some pictures.

After 45 minutes of the movie, I decided it was time to stop as Paul was already very tired. To be continued tomorrow. The kids loved the movie, in any case.

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Visiting American Pastor

What a short night! As soon as the sun was up, the kids got busy in preparation of our guest of honor, picking up trash and getting the dining hall ready for the service. I moved to my bedroom to get a little more sleep, but soon got up myself. This was the first time I HAD to get up early.

After I got up, I went into the dining hall and finished getting everything ready for the service. I changed into nice Sunday clothes, and after checking everything, left to pick up our speaker. With our driver gone on Sundays, I was the only one left with a driver's license.

I left just after 9 am to drive downtown to pick up pastor Paul who was staying with my friends, the YWAM leaders. I got there just after 9:30 am. We didn't go straight back to the base, but went to our old home first where we picked up Elisabeth and her kids, Fanta with Hama & Sarata, and Saloum. The truck was full - inside and out.

We arrived at our base late, after 10 am. I quickly got the last preparations done, and then pastor Paul, Paul and a few of my kids and me, we got together to pray before the service.

The dining hall was pretty full with the street kids, a few adults, and neighbors' kids. I opened with a prayer, and then Paul started leading Bambara praise songs. Souleymane played the drums for the first song (see picture) before Saloum did the next songs. One song, Dramane sang with Paul, another Souleymane, and one the street kids. They did a great job. I have a few little video clips I'll upload to youtube.

After 3 Bambara songs, I came to do 3 French worship songs. It went great. We did the offering, and then I introduced pastor Paul and had him come to preach.

He had asked me what to do, and I said the Father heart of God would be great. So he preached in that direction, and it was great. The kids had somewhat of a hard time staying attentive that long, and I repeatedly had to call on some of them to stop disrupting.

I was interpreting Paul from English into French (though he speaks good French), and then my Paul interpreted into Bambara. In the end, we did an altar call, and Paul prayed for several people, including most of my kids. I loved how Joseph - one of the baptized street kids - helped him pray by putting his hands on the people Paul would pray for.

Then I asked Paul to pray for me as well, for refreshing. He did, and I quickly started smiling, as I tend to do when His presence comes. God touched and refreshed me. Paul also prayed to break off discouragement. I felt a lot better for the rest of the day.

I gave Paul a quick tour of the property, and then we had to go. Elisabeth and the others were eager to get home since they had a celebration going on there. We dropped everyone off, and then the two Pauls and I continued on downtown, to a restaurant.

We had a great time of fellowship at the restaurant, talking about all kinds of things. Time was flying by, and we needed to get Paul home. We dropped him off and returned home.

It had been a great blessing, and honor, to have pastor Paul with us. I didn't think it would happen, but it did. We were all greatly blessed and encouraged.

Seybou's Visit

After we got home around 3:30 pm, Paul needed to leave again and go to the celebration at his family's home. One of the major reasons for it was to celebrate Paul's fiancée's baby. Paul decided to take all our children with him.

So I was the only one home, besides our day guard, and the short night and busy morning was catching up with me. But I pressed on, getting some things done.

Some time later, there was a knock at my door. To my greatest surprise, it was Seybou. He and his family left us very suddenly last August; it was one of the hardest moments of ministry for me. It broke my heart when the two little kids Hama & Sarata who I love as my own were suddenly gone. And Seybou had been with me for 4 years, and I totally trusted him, but he had done some very extreme things that I could hardly believe he was capable off.

I had seen him a few times since, when dropping off or picking up the kids, and we'd always do some small talk. Today, he said he just came to say hello because he was in the neighborhood. And today, our conversation went deeper than it has since they left.

We talked about the reasons, and his horrible behavior, and I shared how much it broke my heart. He said it was for money reasons he left. His family back home expects to get money from him every month, and with his salary, he couldn't do that. I asked me how much he's making now, and it's more, though now it's only him working, and not his wife. I told him that today the salaries I pay are higher than a year ago, and that we were still in a phase to figure out what is best. I also told him that my hope was that one day they'd come back. He said he loved and appreciated me. Them leaving really was the beginning of this hard season of setback after setback. And to this day their labor is also missed, as both him and his wife had done a great job.

I told Seybou I forgive him, and that I love him as a son, and that will never change.

Seybou left again, and Paul and the kids came home pretty late. We went through our nightly routine, and had an extensive family meeting. I was shocked that none of the kids could even tell me the SUBJECT of the sermon today. The street kids had at least known that!

Though I was very tired, it ended up being late before I made it to bed.

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Saturday, March 7, 2009

Worship Seminar

A few days ago I talked with the speaker of today's seminar via Facebook, which is how I found out about the seminar. I knew that pastor Paul was in Mali, and wanted to know whether he was doing anything in Bamako, and the answer was yes. He spends most of his time in another town in Mali, but he was going to do this one-day worship seminar today. He cooperates with YWAM when he is in the country.

I first met him a few years ago when he was in Mali and doing a meeting, and exchanged email addresses. That's how we ended up connecting on Facebook. I hadn't seen him since then.

I invited him to come see our place and preach at our church on Sunday, and he said he'd have to check with the people making his schedule.

The seminar started at 9 am, which was too early for me. So our driver drove Paul and the kids to the location of the seminar, and I was planning on joining them later. The seminar was supposed to go until 4 pm.

Our day guard Moussa and 4-year-old Bakary stayed home. I left home at 11:30 and got there at noon. They were doing worship when I arrived. The seminar room was full of people. I spotted my kids and joined Jérémie who then had to sit on my lap for a few minutes.

The seminar went for another half hour after my arrival. My heart was aching for God as I stood there in worship. I felt the discouragement big time, during the whole time I was there, and often felt like crying though I was able to keep back the tears, as I talked with different friends.

At twelve thirty they started the break, and we waited for the food to arrive. The seminar was supposed to continue at 2 pm. However, there were problems, and no food was coming.

So we kept talking, and I was catching up with my different friends. There was Anne-Marie (picture), a French YWAM missionary who I appreciate very much and who's just moved to Bamako after 12 years in the south of Mali. She's great, and we made an appointment to get together.

Then there was French-Canadian Michelle whose husband is working with a food relief agency.

Then there was Ruth who's been in Mali for about 25 years; she and her husband used to lead YWAM in Mali but now her husband is over several French-speaking West-African countries. I greatly appreciate her.

And finally - since the seminar was at a mission - my friend Maja happened to be there and work. I was very excited to see her. She's Swiss. We talked a little bit, and also made an appointment to get together.

Seeing those friends of mine was such a huge blessing! Every time I meet another missionary, I'm so blessed and realize how much I need to spend time with friends and like-minded people. Unfortunately, we're all busy, and so I always end up not seeing them for many months or even more than a year. I should really make an effort to regularly get together with some of them. They're wonderful people.

The food finally arrived at 2:30 pm; we were all hungry. We ate, but by then, not much time was left until 4 pm. Since there wasn't gonna be any more teaching, we decided to go home.

During the break, the worship team there had played worship, and my kids eagerly joined in. Here you can see Souleymane at the drum set (on the very left) and Abdias singing (on the very right). Later Abdias picked up the guitar and plucked away. He really wants to learn the guitar now.

I also talked to Paul, the pastor from the US East coast who was the speaker. I introduced Paul and my kids, and he prayed for Paul and the kids. Paul had very much loved the seminar.

Then Pastor Paul said he could come do the service tomorrow - I was totally blown away, not having expected this to work out. Praise God! Since we're about to do our services on Saturday now, I told him it didn't really matter what time. We then decided to do the service at 10 am. I was excited!

We drove home, and knew we had to let everyone know there'd be a service tomorrow morning. We first stopped at Seybou's house, but no one was there. Then we stopped at Paul's family's home, where Fanta and the little ones were, and invited them all. Back home, Souleymane went to visit Fousseni to let him know, and later Paul found Saloum to inform him. Paul and the kids also went into the neighborhood to inform people. In the evening, I told the street kids to stay in the morning so they could participate.

Fourth Night Without Electricity

At 7:30 pm the power suddenly went out. What? How come? I checked, and the temperature light was on, meaning the machine got too hot and turned off. I couldn't believe it! Another night without power, and another night without getting things done - it was still early!

I was discouraged again. But since being annoyed doesn't help anyone, I just got the flashlight out and went outside to talk to the street kids before they go to bed. I didn't read a story though.

Then we did our family meeting outside in the moonlight. Souleymane suggested I'd get the piano out and do worship like the other night, but I rejected that idea at first. However, the more I thought about it, the more I thought, why not. I suggested it to the kids, who wanted to stay up a little longer on a Saturday night anyway, and they liked the idea. Paul had to go to visit his family, since they have a big celebration tomorrow, and it's already starting tonight.

So he left, and I got the piano out, and we started worshiping and praising God. I loved watching my kids jump and dance and raise their hands to heaven. The new children don't know our French songs by heart yet. We had a great time, and I don't know how long we kept going.

Jérémie was the first one to look very tired, and I told him to go wash and go to bed. They didn't want to wash in the dark, but they used a flashlight and did.

They had asked me whether they could sleep on the roof since it's really hot inside, especially without fans. So I gave them another chance (last year that privilege was abolished due to their actions), and they moved their mattresses on top of the dining hall.

I went back inside and moved my mattress onto the floor in front of the open double doors so I'd get somewhat of a breeze. Tomorrow is gonna be a very early morning, so I knew I should go to bed early and get sufficient sleep. However, I read a great book until midnight (with my flashlight), and then I had a hard time falling asleep. Last time I looked it was just before 1 am.

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Friday, March 6, 2009

My Little Ones

I put my mattress in the living room, right in front of the entrance tonight, hoping to be able to sleep there, getting a breeze, while also aware of the noise from the door to the dining hall where kids would get up to go to the bathroom all night. I slept better than expected, and as the activity picked up around 6:30, I simply moved into my bedroom with my mattress. I fell asleep again, and had maybe the best rest of the whole night.

Today was not going to be a typical day, since it was Friday. On Fridays Hama & Sarata do a presentation at their International School of what they've learned during the week, and I always make a point of being there and cheering them on. Usually I go have lunch before that as well.

Today, I needed to add going to the supermarket which is located right opposite the restaurant. I haven't gone shopping once since my return to Mali nearly two weeks ago. This supermarket is a Western-style place with imported goods - rather expensive.

I asked Paul whether he wanted to come along, and he said yes. That meant making Souleymane responsible to watch the kids - he's only 15 himself. It's amazing to me how well he is behaving now, since he nearly had to leave our house with the others at New Year's. Things are going great with him. I'm proud of him.

Paul and I left before 11:30 am to make it to the supermarket before 12. It then took us quite some time to get everything together - not just food for me, but also household items like cleaning stuff. It was 12:30 before we arrived at the restaurant.

The whole time I had remarked the heaviness having come back on Paul. I guess there's more that needs healing. His situation is still weighing him down (more below). We talked, and he's determined to marry Rokia in one year's time. He likes the date 10/10/10.

We were in a bit of a rush to finish eating, and quickly drove to the kids' school. The presentation had already started, and we had missed Sarata's. Hama's class were just doing theirs. When I sat down, Sarata came running over to me and hopped on my lap. Once Hama was done, he also quickly came over and sat on my other leg. I was glad to be holding my two beloved children. I miss them so much.

We have to pay the next installment of their tuition now which is 500 EUR, about $700. Sarata is doing great, with her English having improved a lot. I didn't talk with Hama's teacher today.

Then it was time to take them home. EVERY time, they ask me whether we are going to our base, rather than the house they now live in - an unfinished house without power, doors or windows. It is SO HARD to drop them off there. Fanta (their Mom) is always so very happy to see me, and now naturally hugs me - something she learned from me, sincing hugging is not done in Mali. Her little boy Jonathan can now stand already - he was born while they still lived with us.

With a sad heart I drove away from there. If only they could be back with us! Especially Hama who hasn't done any of his exercises since leaving us. How is he ever gonna walk this way!

Paul's Fiancée

Before going home, we decided to stop at Paul's family's home - they just live around the corner. Paul's fiancée Rokia lives there temporarily, for the 40 days of rest after childbirth. She gave birth to a baby boy last Sunday who's name is going to be Michel (Paul's Dad's name).

Rokia was raped twice by her uncle who went to prison for it. For this second picture, I tried hard to made them smile and succeeded. They both looked as if someone had died.

The little boy is doing well and is healthy. Rokia nearly died during delivery due to complications, and needs to heal from the wounds she incurred.

Moise Is Gone

I had finished teaching the literacy class for the street children, when Paul came with these news: Moise has left. He packed his stuff and climbed over the wall. He's gone.

What??? I could hardly believe it. Moise moved in with us last September, after having come to our weekly program for quite a long time.

Paul talked to the street children and found out a few things.

Most street kids couple up - and old child with a young one. The old one protects the young one, and the young one serves the old one. Moise was the young one in such a partnership. His older "partner" was a child who'd also come and sleep here. However, there were repeated problems with him stealing so that Paul had to tell him he can't sleep here any more.

Well, that older partner wanted Moise to leave the house and join him back on the street again. He wanted his little slave back. We heard that Moise had told someone that life in our house is too hard (while it's much less regulated than it used to be, as I've become less controling!). So he made the decision to leave - without telling anyone. And he simply left. Paul was also in shock, as he had spent a great afternoon playing with him and the others.

We now have three empty beds, and there are three children I'd like to take in. We need to do the interviews with them, and see whether we can find relatives who'll give their okay. We will wait, though, until the the visitors that are coming next week for 4 days are gone, so we can give them a room to themselves.

Another person gone. In our family meeting tonight we prayed for Moise.

It's midnight, and time for another night without AC - but WITH fans since the power is on.

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Paul & Dra

Thank God Paul had a good day - fruit from the theophostic session we did yesterday. He said he felt so much lighter and happier today, people noticed. Praise God!

In the afternoon, he went to Dra with the kids; he's pastoring the new believers in that village that is 45 minutes away. We handed out over 10 bags of rice to widows recently, and that had quite an impact on the village. Today they were asking all kinds of questions, like whether Christians can drink alcohol or eat pork.

Another Night Without Electricity

As for me, my day wasn't too good. I taught the daily literacy class from 8-9 pm, which is always a great time with the street kids. Before the class, I turned on the generator to charge up the batteries - everything was fine.

After class, I went to have a look, and so that the generator was running, but there was no power coming out. The voltmeter showed zero. I checked everything, and everything looked correct. I had to turn it off. Unfortunately the power in the house went out in the process, and wouldn't come back on, because the batteries were too low. It was just after 8 pm, and no more power until daylight.

I was extremely frustrated. Without power, there was no more doing work, and not much more you can do but go to bed. However, without power, there are no fans, and it's very hot inside the house. This would be the third night of sleeping in the hot house without electricity. I was discouraged.

I sat down at my doorsteps in the dark for a while, and just let all the kids go to bed. I felt like I wanted to spend some time praying with Paul. Some time later Paul came by and sat next to me. We talked for some time, then I told him I felt we should pray together. So we prayed for about 10 minutes there on the steps, with me looking up at the sky and the moon and stars. While I was praying, my voice started breaking and tears were running down my cheeks. I acknowledged to God that things are hard, but that my trust is in Him, and I wanted to do His will, whatever it took, and I would persevere however hard it is. So I guess those were good tears.

Paul left, and I wasn't tired yet. What to do? I got my mp3 player and thought I'd spend some time praying. But then I remembered my keyboard, that it is battery-powered. I put my flashlight down in such a way that it would light the music sheets, and started worshiping God. I did that for over an hour. It was a good time of pouring out my heart to God, though I can't say that He responded with His presence. I've been in a time of desert spiritually, and this last trip was the very first trip where I came back not spiritually refreshed. It was a trip of physical and emotional refreshing, I guess. I mean, I did have good moments with God; it's probably that I'm simply in this season of spiritual desert.

In any case, I felt better after having worshiped God, and then tried to go to bed and sleep in the heat.

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Quite Regular Day

The first half of the day passed much more the way it should than yesterday. Kossi came with the guy who repaired my mosquito net window (so that I can keep the window open again), and later the AC guy came to finish the work he had left undone.

I got my workout in comfortably, and by the time I was done, the kids were back from school, and it was time to play - after their chores. I played Ligretto with Moise, Bakary, Jérémie and Amadou, and we had a good time together. Especially Jérémie is such an outgoing boy, always excited when I ask who wants to play. Amadou is more the quiet one, and Moise is the puzzling one.

Literacy Class For Street Children

Time went by fast, and the sun went down. It was time for the street kids to come in. First those who were already waiting at the gate. And Jean was already on the way to pick them up. We pick them up half an hour earlier now, so that we can do the literacy class in the evening.

Jean came back just after 7 pm. I had already prepared everything for our class. When the remaining kids arrived, we handed out their ID cards and established who was still here for the literacy class. The class has dwindled down to 9 students.

While we did the class, my kids were doing homework for school. That works out well that way, since they do chores and play when they come home from school at 5:30 pm.

Souleymane didn't have homework and was my teaching assistant - he even volunteered. We then reviewed what we had done before I left on my trip, reading all we had learned.

Then I decided to test their writing skills - that's much harder than reading. I spread them out, and gave them a paper and pen, and then did a dictation, having them write 5 different words. The result were a disaster, but I had already suspected that. It's time to work!

The kids are incredibly motivated. I gave them homework which they'll do in the morning, before returning to the street. I'm glad I have my mornings off for now, since Paul does the worship and teaching them with them.

After our one-hour class, they went to have dinner, and then it was already time for bed. I continued reading the book on the Father's blessing, and then we prayed for them, and they lay down. I then went inside to do our family meeting.

Abdias has not been thrown out of school but warned for his behavior. I'm not surprised honestly.

After our meeting they went to bed, and I went to work in my office. Paul and Moussa (new day guard) left to go to the evening school that Moussa is gonna do, as Sekouba had done. Then the power went out - and came back on some time later. Then the power went out again - and came back. Then it went out a third time, and it hasn't come on yet. So I'm writing this thanks to my computer's battery power.

I believe it's my new AC that is to blame (sigh). It probably still takes too much electricity. Now I'll have to sleep without power, i.e. without fans tonight since I had hoped to have a cool room. That's so frustrating. According to our solar guy, we should have enough power to run an AC over night.

I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get the blog as well, since there is no internet when there is no power.

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Unexpected Events

I was finally able to get up earlier, but hadn't slept very well. Somehow I just can't fall asleep early enough. And tonight I woke up a lot. I can't wait to get an AC!

And, later in the morning, Kossi (our construction supervisor) showed up with the guy who'd install the new AC. I told Kossi we can't really afford this right now, but he so has my well-being on his heart... in reality, the AC is part of the building expenses for my house, and since it will move to my house with me, I guess it's just making this expense early. It will definitely pay off.

I was so excited to be able to sleep in a nice-temperature room tonight. However, around 5 pm I realized that I hadn't heard any activity for some time. I had to discover that they guy had gone home without finishing it! I couldn't believe it! I called Kossi, who called the guy - he thought the door was locked and he couldn't get back inside, so he went home. I had left the door unlocked on purpose! I guess I have one more hot night ahead of me (sigh).

Another more or less unexpected visitor was Enoch, our village pastor. He always comes in the beginning of the month, but I never know when. He was so happy to see me, it surprised me.

So I went to work, doing the accounting of his expenses for January and February, and reading his reports. It's encouraging what's going on in some of our village churches. Many want to get baptized, and another village has started building a church building. We also feed about 60 people several times a week, with the help of a German organization.

I got it all done, and gave Enoch his March money, and a camera to take some pictures. Normally he stays over night, but today he had to return home.

The next task to tackle was the transfer of all my stuff from one computer to another. That's very time consuming, and didn't even get done. My team and kids have been without computer as well, and I finally had their old computer taken somewhere to be set up afresh. However, now there is no legitimate Windows version on there, and suddenly it acts as if it has no wifi capability, which means they won't be able to use it. Does anyone have an idea how I could make the wifi "reappear"? It's an XP system. I guess I'll have to give them another computer to use.

All those things got me so busy that my regular schedule was messed up - no exercise (sigh), and no play time with the kids today, and, we didn't start up with the literacy course again (tomorrow). So that does not make me happy :-). Thankfully, I had some time playing with the kids yesterday.

Construction Update

Last Saturday the electrician finally installed some lights inside - that's making a huge difference.

Next would be the tiles on the floor, but we don't have money for that yet. With today's dollar exchange rate, we need another $10,400 to finish the building.