Ne be taara.

As my time here in Mali is coming to an end, I am so thankful to have been privileged to serve the Lord these past nine months from the continent of Africa. While I thought that I would be bringing something to this country, this country gave more to me than what I could have ever given to it. I have been able to study a new language, culture, and people.. And with that has come the opportunity to learn many life lessons that I shall carry with me for the rest of my life. I have learned what it takes to “live” in a foreign country, and through the struggle of learning the Lord has taught me who I truly am in Him, not who I am in the world that surrounds me.  The Lord has taught me what it means to let Him define me, rather than my circumstance.  I am going to miss each of the little faces that have helped me paint during the week, and all of the babies at the orphanage that I have grown so attached to, as well as the missionary team here.

 Although sad to close this chapter, I am excited for the next one.  Upon my arrival on the 15th of October, I will begin helping my church send out 12 families next year, to 12 different countries. It is certainly true that one does not have to be in another country to be involved in Missions, and I am thrilled to be able to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of those that are soon to be around me.

Thank you, for your support, encouragement, and most importantly your prayers. My experience here would not have been possible without your help.. And you have been the hands and feet of Jesus. I am so thankful to have been able to partner with each and every person that has so graciously assisted me in my journey to Bamako. Continue to pray for the Muslim nation of Mali, and for each of the missionaries that remain here. You guys are awesome, and I look forward to seeing you on the other side!

I stepped outside of our courtyard gate to set up my easel and begin painting. It took me a couple moments to work through the putrid stench of trash, but I was determined to paint outside of our four walls, instead of down the road at a local boutique. It didn’t take long for lots of familiar little brown eyes to be staring, and their bright little faces brought them the motivation that I lacked. Some teenage girls that live nearby kept coming and asking if I was okay in the sun, to which I jokingly replied that I wanted to be black like them. After only a few moments of sitting, a herd of cows decided that it was time to pass by.. And I must say, there is nothing quite as alarming as Misi Belibeli ba. You learn to love the little “Surprises” that Africa always has to give. While trying to keep my cool around the gigantic beasts, a young man came and sat down beside me. Alu is from Gambia, and surprisingly enough he spoke English. We carried on conversation for the entire time that I was painting, so it only seemed right that he receive the painting when I finished. The cool part about giving it to him was that because he spoke English, I got to explain that El Roi means The God who see’s me. I‘m so thankful for privileges that continue to arise. Why worry about tomorrow, when we can eat to our content on the promises today?

Kalenden.

This week, we will be taking an intensive course on the details of Islam. Mr. Faouzi, a former Muslim himself who is now an AG missionary, will be our teacher and helping hand as we learn all that we can on the religion of the culture that we are currently living in. Words cannot begin to express how excited I am for the week ahead. The following set of seven will be another course on Transforming Culture/Contextualized ministry. It'll be really neat to see how the two tie together. Keep each of us Safer's in your heart's and prayer's as we learn how to better understand and communicate to the Muslims around us. Ala Ka Du Ba Ye.

I honestly do not know where to begin this post. So, I am beginning. My trip to Ghana and visiting with my family was more refreshing than what words could ever express. I suppose that I shall start by hitting some of the major highlights. Forgive me for being so informal.

- I woke up at 4am to prepare myself for the journey ahead. My flight to Ghana was suppose to leave at 9am, placing myself in the airport at about 6:30.  I was to first fly to Togo, and then from Togo to Accra. We boarded the plane on schedule, and took off. I was asleep before we even left the runway. However, I awoke to the plane landing and the pilot explaining that there was a problem with the tires and breaks, but that they thought it would be easily fixed and we could be on our way. Well.. About four hours later, we finally took flight. Because of this, I missed my flight from Togo to Accra. Mind you, few speak English and I have no clue what I am doing, or where I am going. When we got to Togo, they said that they would be putting us in a hotel for the night and then would fly us to Ghana the next day. To which I replied with a big “No Sir!” After using multiple people’s cell phones, learning by force how to get my Visa in an airport, and finding my luggage, I found myself sitting in a waiting area for nearly three hours while the Pastor that we were staying with in Ghana drove to come and pick me up. (So thankful that where he lived was within driving distance.) I found a rather uncomfortable seat and decided to read. There was a small family sitting fairly close to where I was and when I looked up and saw their baby girl, I couldn’t help but smile. As soon as I grinned they were up to come and sit where I was sitting, and placed their baby in my arms.  I spent forever holding and loving on little Gloria.. While communicating in Frenglish to her mother and aunts and uncles. As it turned out, I ended up being proposed to, to which I swiftly declined. :P  After sitting for what felt like an eternity, a Pastor showed up with my name on a piece of paper, and said that I was to come with him and that he would be taking me to the Ghana border. I’ve honestly never been so happy to go somewhere with a stranger in my entire life. Relief started to flood every ounce of me, and I couldn’t help but laugh and cry. We took about a thirty minute taxi ride to the border, where I filled out more and more paper work. I suppose for most people, their first view of a country is the airport.. No one ever really knows where the actual lines of a country end and begin. But, I was able to walk across the border into Ghana. My first experience of that charming place was the people, the smells, the sounds.. It was one of the most surreal feelings that I have ever experienced, and it was proof that regardless of my strenuous day, God turned something awful into one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life.  We took one more taxi ride and stood outside of a petite gas station, and when my parents finally rolled up, I ran as fast as I could into their arms with tears, laughter, joy, and relief. It was a beautiful reunion indeed. I’m so thankful for the Lord’s continual provision in our lives.

-The week in Ghana was filled with my dad preaching, my mother teaching, my brother and I doing human video, him teaching a class on worship, myself teaching a human video where the teens actually got to perform it with us, and Caymen Grant experiencing his first missions trip, and then begging to stay another night. Demon’s were cast out, people were delivered, Ghana was prophesied over, we met the King in Keta, we experienced being alone in a foreign country with a flat tire and no cell phone, we spent hours together, learned together, grew together, ate Fufu together, and then flew back to Mali together. We had a lovely week here, and I was truly sad to have to say goodbye to my family today. But, I can really only rejoice for the time that I got to spend with them. I’m so, so grateful for the parents and siblings that the Lord has blessed with me. Perfection could not have been expressed more clearly.

And so, I am back in my Bamako. I am striving to head full force into my next few months here. The Lord does not desire mediocrity for his people, He desires greatness. Again, forgive me for being so informal, in some ways long, in other ways short. But I just really don’t have words for all that the Lord has done. His goodness is everlasting.

Sanji

Today, I felt incredibly privileged to have had the experiences that I did. Myself along with others had the amazing opportunity to meet Tim, Mohammed, and George from Georgia. (Not really, but that is what he titles himself.) These men are from Seirra Leone , and have been working their craft of tie-dye and batik material since they were children. These special types of fabric originated in Sierra Leone, so you can therefor rest assure that what they make is the very best in quality. We traveled to the small village where they work every day, which we later learned was the very first village in Bamako. Over the next few months we will be spending time each week learning under these men as they teach us the tricks of their trade. I am so beyond thrilled to begin learning and creating my own designs on fabric. It truly is nothing like I have ever seen before and my creative fingers are excited for the task ahead. We will be working with them, as well as doing our best to share the love of an awesome God. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt with the people and environment around me, and plan to do my best to communicate Jesus to the people of this village. I am in love and terribly excited for this opportunity. Yesu kera an kisibaa ye.

Now that we Safer’s have been here for a few months, we are each looking for our “niche”  where we feel we want to spend the majority of our time in ministry.  Quite honestly, I was having a rather difficult time discovering this, and feeling like I had purpose in anything that I was doing.. But, through lots and lots of prayer and confirmation, I feel like I have indeed found that special place.

This morning, I packed all of my painting mediums into a cardboard box and headed out the door. I walked to a small boutique in our neighborhood, and asked if I could sit outside and paint. Given the go, I positioned my canvas and pulled out my brushes. It did not take long to have small groups of people stopping and watching for short periods of time. Two little girls, Fatimata and Mari, had been sitting closely for quite a while, so I decided to direct my painting towards what would be likeable, and understandable to a child. Well, by the time I had finished, my little friends were nowhere to be found and shockingly there were no other kids around. To my surprise, there were seven to ten grown men standing and watching intently.  One of them began to express that he liked it, so I handed it to him. He seemed rather elated, and all the others took turns holding and looking.  

I was quite shocked that something that had been created for the eye of a child, was found pleasing to the eye of an adult. God does indeed use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He is so faithful to speak to us when we are finally ready to hear.. And He has so much purpose even in things that seem insignificant. I hope to be able to continue going out and painting weekly. My goal is to put subliminal messages about the Lord inside of my paintings, so that parts of Him can be carried unknowingly into the homes of Muslims. 

If anybody would like to donate any painting mediums, that would be so thoroughly appreciated, as I can only go out for as long as my supplies last. For more info, my email is: arielivey1993@yahoo.com . Thankyou so much for every prayer that is lifted for Mali, you are helping make a difference. 

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.

Tonight goes down in the record book. What we thought would be a simple trip out to get ice cream, turned into a blessing far greater than what I could ever convey with words. Talibe boys fill the streets of Bamako at all hours. They are often sexually abused and go without food. But tonight we were able to purchase ice cream for nine of these precious little guys, and I don't know that I have ever seen, or experienced so much joy. After giving them their frozen scoops, us girls sat down to finish our own.. It only took seconds for us to decide that we did not want to be sitting inside, but would much rather go sit outside with all of our new friends. After doing so and spending a few moments the boys, it was time for us to get a taxi.. Which the boys all called for us themselves. They then proceeded to open our doors, and secure that we were all inside. I'll never forget the smiling faces, and the care that was shown to us in return. I'm so thankful for nights like these.. And I am truly learning to love this place.

Wednesday's are one of my favorite days of the week, simply because it means that I get to visit all my precious babies at the orphanage. Today, I was able to sit and use what little Bambara that I know with a little girl named Fanna. Her mother works at the orphanage, and she therefore has to tag along and help do whatever needs to be done. She is only five years old and already knows so much about caring for infants. I got to help her do the chores that to me seem so great for such a small child, and after we braided the hair of a baby doll. You can immediately tell who did what braid, as mine are thick and lumpy, and hers seem to be flawless. (African's are incredible at braiding hair.) I am so encouraged to learn the language, so that I can better communicate the love of Jesus to the children of Bamako. Pray for Fanna, Assatou, and Awa.. All incredible little girls, with incredible purpose ahead of them.

I continue to be affected by the amount of satisfaction found by those that seemingly have nothing to be satisfied with.  Yesterday, as I was leaving lunch.. A little girl ran up to us. Her tiny palms were stretched out and open, asking without words to not be left empty handed. I then proceeded to give her a  half empty water bottle.  The biggest  smile stretched across her face and she began to jump and to giggle. I stood amazed that something of no value could mean so much to someone.  We went back there again today, and she ran up to us with that same smile already embracing her soft face. She remembered us. This may seem like an insignificant experience.. But as I search for the Lord’s purpose in being here,  I choose, just like a small girl, to be satisfied with those small things. It is, after all, the small things that make a big difference.

I'm just gonna give a shout out to Jesus right now, just because He's the best. For about the past week, my parents and I have been going back and forth discussing a possible trip for them to come to Mali and visit me, and then for us to travel together to Ghana, for my dad to preach at a youth conference for Bishop Emmanuel. Of course, we all wanted this to happen. However, as the story goes.. Much money is required to make such a trip possible. It brings me so much joy to tell you that today, someone who knew nothing of this trip, came and donated one thousand dollars for my parents to go to Ghana. Jesus hears those prayers that  I whisper while falling asleep at night. He is already providing, and proving that He is more than enough. I will get to see my parents this year, and travel to a country that I have wanted to visit for years. God is so, so faithful. And I know that He will continue to be. I can't wait for August.

This week I was finally able to visit one of the Orphanages here in Bamako. I will be working there once a week, not only holding babies and taking care of their needs, but doing my best to practice Bambara, and look for opportunities to minister to the ladies that work there.  After my visit, I felt the Lord speak to me that holding and loving on the babies was not enough.. If I want to have a long term affect on the children, I must impact those that are raising them. The workers there are indeed Muslim, as it is a Muslim orphanage.  I am so excited to see the doors that God opens there. Pray for the women that care for the babies, and ultimately have a say in how the children are raised.

Not only was I privileged to be able to visit and explore Dogon country this past week, but I was also able to visit a mosque for the first time. I honestly did not really know what to expect, other than the fact that I had to cover my head, and take off my shoes. I have only ever read and heard of what goes on inside of a mosque and was therefore rather intrigued to learn more about the primary religion of the people that I now live amongst. Upon our entrance, I was told that because I was a female, I would not be aloud to enter into the same room of prayer as the men.  So, the rest of the females and I began on our adventure up a staircase and into the area where women are aloud to pray.  As I slipped off my sandals before entering, I was reminded of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, where he was told to take off his shoes for he was on holy ground. Sadly, I was taking my shoes off for ground that is only thought to be holy.  There is no presence of God that rests inside of that place, calling and comforting the people that enter into it. I walked forward to a wall with small holes in it, so that women are blocked from being able to look fully down into the room where the Imam will speak, and where the men pray. They are separated and often uneducated about their own religion, although expected to follow through with the daily requirements of it. I immediately felt a physical pressure that weighed on my entire being.  I began to cry as I watched a lady start to pray. I felt the Lord just speak to me and say that He hears every single prayer that is lifted to Allah. It would be as though my father were standing right in front of me, but instead I turned to a different man, and begged and pleaded with that man for my life. But that man cannot do anything for me, because he is not my father, and my father could not do anything for me because I am not speaking to him. The Lord is beginning to give me an understanding  of the hearts behind the people that stop what they are doing five times a day to pray to the god of Islam.

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.

I have indeed arrived safely in Mali. The Lord's grace truly is sufficient as He proved Himself many times during our big adventure to the city of Bamako. We were presented to the church here this morning, and were received with all the love and kindness that one could possibly hope for. We get a sneak peak at our apartment tonight, after a cookout with some fellow missionaries. I really, really miss home.. But, I'm sure its just a matter of time before this place becomes home. 

“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[b] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

See? My Bible says so. Right there. As clear as the sun and the moon in the sky.. As clear as the distinction from night to day. My Bible says so. I suppose that because I received what was really the first bit of opposition that I have had in regard to my move to Africa, it hit me rather hard. Not because I for even a second questioned whether or not this was what God wanted me to do. But, because I honestly questioned whether or not I have it in me to complete, or at least try to complete what God has asked of me. But ya know what? I don’t have to have it in me.  It’s really as simple as that. I’m not going to pretend like I’m just excited and cannot wait to leave. I actually get sick to my stomach just thinking about it, and spend more time crying than I do breathing. However, it’s not even because I don’t want to go. I do. I’m just scared. Yes, scared. Scared to death, actually. That’s just me being bare faced. Emotionally naked. I’m just so glad right now that God, through His word, speaks specifically to my fear. I have nothing to fear. My Bible says to fear God more than man, actually. Fear what I embrace more than anything? Thats a concept and a whole other day of thinking in itself.  It’s hard to have a holy and healthy fear of God. I’ll work on that tomorrow. Right now, I am hugging the fact that He says not to be afraid. He opened up my chest and just poured those words in and displaced all of my worry. I am sacrificing my comfort of fear, for peace. Pretty sweet trade. And I’ll be honest again.. I have to work at replacing my comfortable discomfort with the word of God. That’s like a part time job. But, He’s faithful. And I guess that that is really all that I am trying to say with this massive paragraph of words. He is faithful. That’s it.

God is such an incredible Provider. He is pouring out so much that it's really hard to even believe it. My departure date is ever so quickly approaching. A mixture of nerves, excitement, and a tub full of other emotions are bubbling inside of me. God's promises are true. He is my portion. I am thrilled today to be able to say that in only eighteen days I will be in my precious Mali. I remind myself daily that God is faithful. "I believe, but help my unbelief." All that Jesus needs is a tiny seed of faith in order to be able to work in my life. That, and honesty in the moments where I really do not believe Him in the way that I should. Let's go.