Issac

Just last week, we sent out an email updating folks on what has been going on and how God is working in Mali. We wrote about a book project that we are in the beginning stages of, and we also shared about the part that our friend, Isaac, played in it. We wrote,

"We are about to embark upon an "out-of-the-box" book geared for families studing God's Word together. Instead of illustrating the pages, we plan on taking photos of pastors and their families as characters in the various Bible stories. Malians love photos of people they know! Not only does this help to make a priority out of going out and visiting these pastors, but it also encourages families to take time to study the Bible together: something lacking in the majority of Christian homes.

Our friend, Isaac (pictured below), recently came to visit us. We do not get to see him very often anymore, as he works for a gold mining company about 10 hours away from Bamako. Almost sheepishly, he presented us with a gift of 2,000 CFA- about 4 dollars. He said that it wasn't much, but he desired to give us this money as a way of being hospitable; since he is single, he felt badly that he has never had us over to his home for a meal, etc. We were deeply touched by his heart, and asked God to in some way multiply his gift. So, we are asking anyone who wishes to take part in the creation of the family devotional book to consider matching his gift, allowing us the necessary funds to travel, purchase photo props, etc. We have already seen money come in to help, and we are thrilled to be able to show Issac how his seemingly small gesture was used in a big way.̈

Isaac came by our home this morning. He had left Bamako a few days ago to return to work, along with about 35 other men working for the same company. It began raining on a bad stretch of road about six hours away from Bamako. The driver lost control, and the bus went off the road and tipped over. All the passengers were brought back into town: many bruised, some with severe injuries, but all alive. Isaac did not have a scratch on him! We thanked God for His protection over what could have been a very serious accident, and for guarding Isaac against injury. Pray for Isaac in the days to come, that he would be able to use this opportunity to point others to the One who gives and guards life.