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.