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HEARTBROKEN TO ACTION

10 days ago I left Mali for the US, and it's already been a significant time of restoration of vision and hope and excitement of what lies ahead. The other night God broke my heart for my nation (again) during worship in a conference meeting. The challenges seem to overwhelming, and I feel so powerless to do anything about them! However, NOTHING is impossible for God!

For this past 8.5 years in Mali I've been crying out for WORKERS, for the forgotten nation of Mali to be PUT ON THE MAP again. That's one of the reasons why I travel, as an ambassador for God's kingdom in Mali. And I've seen little things that give me hope that I will see the answer to those prayers.

Because the harvest is ripe, and God is waiting on us to be moved by what He is moved by, which leads us to intercession, which then leads us to action.

God gave us a new mandate a few weeks ago, and not a day goes by that I do not think about it and pray for God to show us how to proceed.

I was made aware of the following documentary that shows how OUR children are sold across the border to Ivory Coast to work as slaves on the cocoa farms there.

Click here to watch it online.

These children are constantly on my mind. Not on my watch, Satan! You won't get our children!!

Right now Mali is under attack in several areas, with desperate reports coming in from all sides. Please pray for the following:

REBELS ADVANCING IN NORTH

The top half of Mali is in the Sahara desert, and the north has always been a hotbed of conflict. There is smuggling, trafficking, terrorist camps, and much lawlessness. Just a few months ago, Westerners were kidnapped and killed in the area - all the embassies advise to stay away from the region (which is where Timbuktu is located).

The North-African looking desert people Tuareg want their independence and fight for it. A few weeks ago they launched a new, aggressive effort to advance, and they have taken several towns and killed many soldiers of the Malian army who are trying to stop them. The Touaregs have been reinforced by thousands of Africans who fought for Gaddafi last year.

These past few days there have been demonstrations in our city - for and against the Tuareg people. Unfortunately innocent Tuaregs in our own city are being attacked because of this conflict. Westerners are advised to not leave their homes.

A few news reports to read:

Tuareg rebellion sparks angry protests in Bamako. (BBC - Feb 2012)

Mali besieged by fighters fleeing Libya. (Stratfor - Feb 2012)

Rebels push south to open third front. (Reuters - Jan 2012)

Ex-Gaddafi Tuareg fighters boost Mali rebels. (BBC - Oct 2011)

WIDESPREAD FAMINE

Last year the rainy season was very bad. I have seen before and after pictures that were shocking. Our own village churches have shared their desperation, and we prayed for a supernatural multiplication of the little they have.

Rice prices went up even more, the millet price that hadn't changed in years shot up by a third over night. People are hungry, and the media says that over 1 million children alone (12 million people) are in danger of starvation all across the Sahel region that includes Mali. 3 million people are at risk of starvation in Mali alone.

The picture to the right I took myself in Mali in 1999.

A few articles:

One million children in Sahel at risk. (Reuters - Jan 2012)

Hunger calls in Africa's Sahel region. (The Star - Jan 2012)

Sahel food crisis reaches tipping point. (Groundswell - Jan 2012)

ELECTIONS

We have presidential and parlamental elections coming up, starting end of April. We're praying for the right new president who will continue to hold up democracy and freedom of religion. It's also a time of increased human sacrifice (children) as the candidates seek the help of the spiritual world to be elected. Your prayers are appreciated.

The picture shows me with the current Malian president in Austria in 2009.

DEALING WITH OFFICIALS

Just when I was hoping to pay a part of the surprising $6,000 bill we received, Paul informed me about big amounts of money we have to pay to different government officials to get papers we need.

Please pray for Paul as he deals with those officials. Pray all the papers come through. Pray for favor, and that we have all the finances we need at the time we need.

QUICK NEWS

•        USA Trip - Please look to the left for details on my current US trip, as well as on the CALENDAR page of the website.      

•       Volunteers - We're looking for young, single people who are willing to spend a few months in Mali to help with our children.

•        Construction & Finances - Construction is on hold because of all the financial demands on us right now. We just had to pay a lot of money for school tuition for our 30 kids, still have that $6,000 bill to pay, plus what we need to give to government officals right now.

•       Europe Trip - Look to the left to see when I'm where, with more details on the CALENDAR page of our website. I still have openings if you'd like me to come to your church/group.

•        My Book - My book can now be ordered from all over the world. Just click on the link on the left side.

•        Personal Travel Assistant - Email me if you're young, female and single and are interested in this great learning experience of traveling with me and serving as my assistant.

lernet Gutes tun, trachtet nach Recht, helfet dem Unterdrückten, schaffet dem Waisen Recht, führet der Witwe Sache. (Jes 1,17)

Beseeching HIM,

Claudia