It was two weeks ago today that we once again walked into the small, hot, disorganized, multi-lingual Bamako airport. 5 1/2 years ago it seemed like a foreign and slightly unnerving place. This time, we breathed in the hot and dusty air, joined the chaotic line that was sort of forming, and bypassed having our papers looked over once we greeted in Bambara. We were HOME!
These past two weeks have been full. It is been great to catch up with our teammates and many friends that have come our way. We have dusted off our shelves, unpacked our bags, and restocked the fridge. The boys have had friends over, and have spent the night elsewhere. Steve has been trying to spend time over in the office getting himself reacquainted with the business side of the mission, while I have been working on knocking out my inbox that filled up over Christmas.
Beside dealing with the various illnesses that we brought back to Mali with us, adjustment has been quite easy. In many ways we don't really feel like we have left. So much is different here, and yet so much is the same. However it seems like for many here, difficulties in life that we all face either come more often, or go to the extreme very quickly.
"La Vie au Mali est Dure." (Life in Mali is hard.) This is something we hear quite often. Sometimes it is said by someone we meet on the street, just hoping that we will feel sorry for them and give them some sort of monetary help. Other times, it is said by friends who really are in a difficult spot, and don't quite know what to do. Here are a few situations we have encountered since being back:
Just a couple days after returning, we got word that a pastor that works out in a village suddenly passed away. He got sick, just couldn't recover, then was brought into Bamako for further treatment where he died. He left behind a wife and six children, the youngest being 1 year old. His wife now faces a difficult time ahead of her as she is responsible for the lives and well-being of her six children.
A woman who works for us shared how concerned she was for her 12 year old son. He has been dealing with malaria, and then dysentary on top of that. He has refused to eat or drink, risking dehydration. While expressing her fear for his life, she went into details of why she feared so greatly. Several years ago, her 12 year-old nephew had been put in their care so that he could attend a school in their village. They had him only one month when he became ill and then suddenly died.
In her care. Relationships have never been the same with that side of the family, and she now fears the same thing might happen to her own son.
Steve went to visit Enoch, who was in a bad car accident a few months back. Even though we had been keeping up with his condition while we were in the US, nothing touches emotions quite like seeing him in person, and really being able to hear his heart. There is so much he could be negative about. His body may never entirely function exactly like it did before, and his life will certainly be different as a result of the accident. But through it all, he was praising God for the way He has met every detail: the opportunity to even have surgery in Mali to fix a broken neck, for the many, many people who fasted and prayed throughout the entire ordeal, and the constant encouragement he has received through calls and visits. Many parents- Muslim and Christian alike- of his students have traveled into town to see him. Although weary and sometimes asking "why?" noone has tried to persuade him to give up the fight.
I visited with another friend, recently graduated from college. She has just finished up an apprentice-type position, and is now desperately searching for a job as a secretary. She has worked hard, both on her secretarial as well as her English skills. Jobs are hard to come by, and she was pretty down. So many are searching for the few jobs that are there.
La vie au Mali est dure...Really, all of these things happen everywhere. People get sick, people die, people have strained family relations, people get into car accidents, people lose their jobs or have difficulty finding new ones. Nothing is new under the sun. It just seems like the sun shines hotter in some places! Please pray that we would have hearts that care and listen, have actions (along with discernment) that do more than just say "Stay well and keep warm," and have the words that point them to the True Answer and Consolation.
Along the way, we are encouraged by how God is working in the individual hearts of His people. In the course of different conversations in the past few days, we have talked about topics ranging from the role of Israel throughout all history up to today, to the significance of Christ's death on the cross, to why a Christian should not marry someone who isn't. We consider it a real privilege to be able to spend some of our life here in Mali, and to do our small part. Thanks to all who are praying and standing alongside of us!!
A packed church!
The bride with her Maid of Honor
Steve with Pastor Maurice
Always time for chatting!
Josh, Danny, and Kameron next to some happy kids
This boy was off by himself, reading the booklet that came with his shoebox: 
Jonny passing out some boxes
All of the students, just before heading into the zoo.
Josh and a friend, taken by driver Becky, stuck in traffic.
Jonny, Danny, and another friend. All sporting their new BCA t-shirts.
The best hot peppers EVER.
A gecko that likes to hang out in our bedroom.
Danny attempting to do his homework. Obviously he wasn't quite over jetlag!
I was attempting to pick up the boys from school one afternoon, but spent a ton of time on the bridge due to an accident. Over one hour and two crunches to the front of the truck 
Jonny with my friend, Kadi 
Danny with the gecko that lives in THEIR bathroom. 
Steve having a good conversation with friends.
We water our plants for two reasons. 1. So they live. 2. So we can dust them off. 
