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.