As I sat fanning hot coals, it was incredible to me the distinct difference between an African and an American kitchen. The only thing that could be closely related is the sink. Aside from that, the typical kitchen for a Malian is a small room with a sink.. And a floor. They burn charcoal to cook over and they prepare their food without even a counter to rest on. It took us nearly two and a half hours to prepare what they consider to be spaghetti. And although I surely enjoyed helping out, I cannot say that this is the style to which I would choose to prepare each and every meal. Mami, The Christian lady that so graciously opened up her home to us, is an incredible woman. She is a young newlywed, and I was so interested to learn about the culture of weddings here.  Mami has a girl that works for her by helping around the house and we were able to hear of how she is teaching her in every way that she can about the Lord. It’s so inspiring to watch how people here relate and share Jesus with one another.  I absolutely cannot wait to go back and spend more time learning.. So much fun, and good food. What more could I ask for?

Dark am I

Through listening to a song written by a dear friend, the Lord has revealed some things to me that I really feel  I must begin to apply to my life. The lyrics of the song read, “Dark am I yet lovely.”   The perspective that I have of myself is one that totally contradicts everything that the Lord says about me. In my own eyes, I am dark. There is nothing good inside of me. However, the view of my Maker is that regardless of how dark you or I may be, we are lovely. He see’s perfection in every ounce of our being, and He longs each and every day to begin to pull that perfection out into the light for all of creation to see.  The image that comes to mind is that of certain Muslim women, who cover their bodies entirely in black, including their faces. . Leaving only their eyes to give a small glimpse of who they are. If knowing God, is seeking and learning His face, then that must mean that there is something intimate in the face of each and every person. Yet we so often pull a veil over ourselves and do not allow the Lord to come into a place of intimacy where we are naked and bare before Him. I think that’s how Jesus wants to be with us, and want us to be with Him. He calls us to take off the veil that covers up what He already knows is underneath. So, I am taking off the veil. Because though I may be dark, I am lovely.

Even though this box is now filled with dusty scraps of this and that, it once housed dozens of small shoe boxes filled with a child’s Christmas, Birthday, Easter.. And every other holiday that one would celebrate. I was touched to see this square package sitting inside of a church that my fellow team mates and I just painted. Not only did children in that village receive a gift, but who knows if one of the shoe boxes that my family fills every year, was one of them. This is the reason that you do what you do. You don’t need to be in a foreign country to let your fingers touch the world. Send and support those that can go, fill a shoe box that to most seems pointless.. Play a part in a lifetime that is so much bigger than yourself. Don’t just do anything. Do something.

This past weekend was spent in the “Bush” of Mali. I have never been so out of my comfort zone, and yet still felt the comfort of the Lord when faced with things that are certainly beyond me. We slept with only African stars as a roof over our heads, and showered from buckets inside of clay walls created for small privacy while bathing and using the restroom. We saw a rather large viper, and monstrous spiders.  We awoke every morning with the sunshine as our alarm, along with the morning cry of chickens, cows, and goats.  During the day we presented Jesus to the children, and spent hours playing and loving on each and every one that came to visit the “Toubabou’s”. When the sun descended we set up a projector and screen, showing a video to speak of a love still unknown and unheard of. Five people gave their hearts to the Lord, and we were invited into the home of  the chief of an all Muslim village, and he blessed us with a rather delicious African meal.  The pace and style of life is one that is entirely different from all that I have ever known, and yet contentment rules inside the homes of the villagers. I've never felt so accomplished. Jesus is incredible.