BCA's "Alice in Wonderland"

I created the title for this post way back in May when our boys performed in BCA's "Alice in Wonderland" musical. Here I am in July actually posting; better late than never, I guess!

5th through 12th grade students had been busy singing, dancing, and memorizing lines for quite a while. It was fun to see the final performance. Jonny, Josh, and Danny would also say it was fun to stop practicing!

For more photos of the play, along with some from Jonny's birthday party, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=179756&id=683027015&l=4bb0fba64c

Jonny and his friend, Cole, as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Danny, a "Proper Authority," in trouble with Alice

Josh, the sleeping Red King. He had his snores timed perfectly!

Pray for Mali's Pastors

When you pray for Mali, please remember to especially pray for the pastors and their families. For many of them, the societal needs are great, the resources are limited, and the spiritual fruit is slow in ripening. It is easy to get discouraged! We as a team try to encourage whenever and wherever we can, but oftentimes it seems that for every family we do encourage, there are three more out there needing the same.

One such couple works in a village that has had many relational problems. There are even two roads leading to the village, and the position that the villagers take concerning a few people determines which path they follow to town. This couple is feeling burnt out. They have taken a couple of weeks away to rest and spend time together without the stress of daily life. Pray that their needs would be met, that God would renew their desire for ministry, and that they would grow in their walk as a family with the Lord.

Above is a picture of our friends' son, Paul, who stayed at our house while waiting for his parents to arrive from the village. Paul asked, "Daniel bɛ min?" [Where is Danny?] I had to tell him that Danny was at school. A few minutes later, he had found this picture of Danny, put it on the floor, and was talking to him just like he was there playing with him. Too cute!

Annual Church Conference

Steve just returned from spending a night out at Bougouni for the EEPM (Eglise Evangélique Protestante au Mali) annual church conference. Different groups within the EEPM, including Avant, share about what has taken place in the past year, and strategize and plan for the future. This is a great time for many different pastors and leaders to come together from different areas to visit with, encourage, and pray for one another.

Clean trees and cool air!
Everyone was thankful for a good rain the night before.
The Bougouni area is just at the very beginning of rainy season,
and people have begun to plant.
FYI: Those are mango trees in the background.

The literature table.
Almost all the Christian literature sold was produced at CLE
(Centre Littérature Evangélique)

Camaraderie!

In the meetings

Time for lunch. I am always amazed that the ladies can cook SO much rice in one pot,and it doesn't turn out sticky!

Rice and sauce