Until moving to Mali, the Lord has never had to be everything to me. At home I always have a person to fill in all of the different spots that pop up throughout the day, and those spots change from day to day.  But since being here, I have never felt so alone. Of course, I am constantly around people, but not people that I can take rest in.  The Lord is having to take the place of my parents, my best friend, my acquaintances, my doctor and every other place that you could possibly think of. Although I am sure that I could go lower, I feel as though I have hit my lowest point. But that’s okay. That is exactly where the Lord wants me to be. He is teaching me weakness. He said that it is through my weakness, that I will find His strength. Obviously its not an easy process, but in the end I am sure that it will be quite worth it. The Lord is proving to me each and every day that He is faithful to speak to me through His word, when I am faithful to first bring my emotions to Him. When I make Him my first priority, He makes me His first priority. He is forever faithful.

This week has been full of new experiences. I am getting comfortable in my surroundings and learning new things about the culture each and every day.  We are taking language classes twice a week and I assure you, Bambara is no piece of cake. But, the Malian’s get so excited when they see that you are trying to learn their language and practice with them, even if you do butcher it entirely.  The first week that we were here, we had a common Malian dish for dinner one day. At that point, I had to do everything that I could to not throw up each bite that I took in. This week, we had that plate once again.. And apparently my taste buds have had a change in heart because now I cannot wait until the next time that I get to eat it. Progress. Of course, I am still missing home with everything in me, and I pray each and every day that my parents get to come and visit this summer.. But regardless,  I am still making progress.. Even though sometimes that is hard to see.  Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, the Lord has definitely used that to show me His comfort in times where I need it the most.  As we say it in Bambara, I ni ce, or Barika. Thankyou.

Ps- If anybody wants to write letters or send packages, here is the address:

Ariel Ivey
Care of:
Mission Evangelique
B.P. 3211
Bamako, Mali

The love of God is not composed of acts of kindness. Kindness is a product of God’s love, that results in His blessing, but it is not God’s love. For God’s love is not just an action. Because He loved the world, He sent His son. Jesus dying for us was a result, a product, of what love really is.  We have been unconsciously taught to show love through gifts, or acts of service. But that’s not love, it’s a product of love. So, what is love?

The topic that the Lord has, and continues to speak to me about is the transformation of my mind. I cannot love people until I have a full understanding of God's love for me. Understanding does not come through different doctrine or teaching. I'm honestly quite sick of  hearing what man thinks about God. I want to learn who God is, and I want to learn who He is from Him. I think that the most difficult part is having to strip away everything that I already think about God, and relearn Him. Transformation can only occur when I have been stripped of all preconceived ideas, so that new ones may be poured in. The Lord is certainly doing so here in Mali, and I am already gaining new understanding from the best teacher that there is. The Lord is always faithful to speak to me through His word, and I am so grateful that He has given me ears to hear, when I am willing to listen. This week we embark on more adventures. We will be visiting and aids orphanage, teaching English in a 90% Muslim school, learning more language, and learning more about Jesus. I think that's enough to be stoked for a good while.

This week was full of unpacking, organizing, learning, trying new foods, and entering into a different culture. There is an incredible team of missionaries here that will be mentoring and training us as we begin to adjust. On Wednesday we got to move into our apartment, experience our first Malian grocery store, and each of us got to pick material for a new bag to be made. When I chose my material, the man said that it was from the Puel Nomadic Tribe, which was actually the tribe that he was from. After telling me this, he proceeded to call me his sister. I cannot begin to express how much joy this has brought me. It was my first time feeling like I was strangely making my way into the culture, and more importantly into the hearts of people.  It's rather difficult to not be able to speak French or Bambara, but I have been practicing the few words and greetings that I know. Our official Bambara classes will begin next week, as well as our official weekly schedule. Amongst all of my emotions and missing home, the Lord is faithful. I have questioned myself a hundred times and over again this week about why I allowed myself to do this. I honestly feel foolish. But, that doesn't earase the fact that this is what God has called me to do. And because this is what He has called me to do, He will help me to love it here. The lesson taught by Mr. Faouzi, a former Muslim who is now a missionary to the muslims, was about Credibility. Although, not credibility as in what we are authorized to do. He stated that character was your greatest credibilty. That is my goal for the next year, and I'm sure that the Lord has alot planned to help me out with that. I will rejoice.