We
left Bamako just after 10 am - pastor Enoch, Paul, our two German
visitors, and myself. We had a good trip to Dio, stopping on a
hill overlooking Bamako, and to buy some rice as a gift from the
pastor's kids' sponsors.
We
arrived in Dio just before noon, and all the kids were already
waiting for us. Heike, the director of the German NGO managing
our kids' sponsorships, handed over the 50 kilo bag of rice to
pastor Enoch, as well as a letter the sponsors of the two pastor's
kids had written.
Then
Heike handed out candy to all the assembled kids, which made them
very happy.
It
was time for the children's program I had prepared. We played
a game with the kids - trying to throw a ball into two loops on
the ground - which they enjoyed. Those who threw the ball into
the closer loop received a candy, and those who threw it into
the one further away a marble.
After
that we sang some songs with actions together, and then I taught
them a verse, which they memorized. I had chosen to teach on God
the Father since no one in Mali has a concept of a loving, close
father. The verse reflected my teaching.
The
30 or so children listened carefully as I taught on the Father.
No one had ever heard anything like it, that a father could be
loving like that. I could see some of the older children really
touched on the inside. At one point I shaved my face, which the
kids always enjoy; it's an illustration of little children copying
their fathers. At the end of my teaching, I asked them who wanted
to have a father like that, and they all did. We prayed a prayer
of salvation together, and they all repeated it, dedicating their
lives to the Lord. Hallelujah! Then I asked whether anyone needed
healing, and several came forward to be prayed for. I've prayed
for these children before - many have parasites from the well
water, and we'd really need to bring some medical people there
to treat them.
Then
I did something I hadn't planned. I asked that those who wanted
to know the love of the Father and have me pray for that, come
forward. The 13-year-old who had listened to me the most attentively
was first in line. And then one after the other came. I held them
in my arms, as I prayed for the love of the Father to flow into
them, and spoke words of blessing and destiny and affirmation
over them. With one girl especially the Lord broke my heart, as
I could feel her pain. Some children were like sponges and held
me tight, while others were tense. Most if not all of these children
were hugged for the first time in their lives.
When
we had finished praying for about a third of the children, Heike
handed out balloons to all of them. The joy was great at those
precious little gifts! Do watch the video of those kids rejoicing!
Pastor
Enoch has been amazed at what's happening in Dio. One of the things
God is doing in him is that he's starting to understand the value
of children. Like everyone else in Mali, he had not seen any value
in children at all and had been frustrated to only have children
come to his church, and no adults.
Now
his attitude has changed. The two most fiery evangelists he has
are Daouda (13), and a 7-year-old, both on the picture. Daouda
got saved two weeks ago, and went to school the next day, standing
up in front of 90 students and telling them he is a Christian
now. He's been mocked and mistreated by his classmates since,
but keeps telling everyone about the Lord (except his father who
he is afraid of). The 7-year-old also goes around telling everyone
about Jesus, including his parents, who have acknowledged the
change in him these past two months since his new birth.
I
told Enoch that this is the beginnig
of the fulfillment of the prophetic word that God would use our
children powerfully to evangelize Mali.
With
our German visitors arriving tonight, our house cleaning today
was more thorough than usual. Normally the kids wash the floor
three times a week, but today they also cleaned the windows, and
even the adults helped out, killing the spiders that are everywhere
on the ceiling. The picture shows Issa removing the webs from
the ceiling, and the kids cleaning the window.
German
Visitors
After
our family meeting tonight, it was time to leave for the airport
to pick up our German visitors, two ladies. One is the director
of the NGO that is managing the sponsorships for our kids. Solomani
was the one allowed to come along, and the other person was Paul.
We waited for an hour before they finally came out. We drove home,
and it was only Fousseni who was already asleep - the others welcomed
our visitors. To my greatest surprise, Emma was there waiting
for us as well! After over two months, he is finally back in Bamako
and came over just that night, at 11 pm. It was good to see him
again, and I hope we'll see more of him now.
Repairs....
Once
again, the car needed to be repaired. This time the left headlight
didn't work, and since we had to go to the airport at night, I
asked Seybou to have it fixed today. He did, and when I started
the car to drive to the airport, the headlight was still not working.
He's going to see the mechanic again tomorrow.
We
also had a plumber come today, who fixed the pipe running to the
toilet. I also took advantage of him, asking him to fix the three
toilets in our house. They never work - water is constantly running.
I can hardly remember a time I wasn't flushing my toilet using
a bucket of water. He repaired them all today, so I'm curious
how many days I'll be able to flush it the way it's supposed to
work.
Seybou
also took our sound system back to the technician today, to figure
out why the wireless is not working any more. Hopefully he will.
TPM
Sessions
We
did a second session with Simeon today, and it went well. Firmin
assisted and was triggered himself during the session, so we did
one with him right after Simeon, and he found truth and freedom
in a painful memory.
I've
had a very busy day today, without even 5 minutes to sit down
and relax. I'm planning on going to bed earlier today :-).
A
few days ago I had an email from a missionary in Bamako, telling
me there were a few ladies from Guinea (neighboring country) who
evacuated to Bamako and who have an orphanage there, and experience
with scabies. She was asking if I wanted to meet with them. I
said, why not, let me try to come Sunday night by the end of the
service the English-speaking missionaries do Sun night.
So
I did, and met the two ladies. We went to a restaurant to eat
and talk. They asked me about our work, and I shared with them.
Then they started sharing. They have both lived in Guinea for
more than 20 years and are in the medical field. In Oct a businessman
they did not know sent them a huge amount of money for "children
in Africa" - the pastor of a church they passed through connected
them. With that money they started an orphanage in Guinea, or
were just about to when they evacuated. Then they said that since
the money was for "children in Africa", and not "children
in Guinea", they has asked the missionaries here who was
working with children, and they were given my name. They want
to use part of the money for our children. The condition is that
they make the purchases; they can't give me cash.
Now
they're gonna buy effective medication against the scabies (we're
NOT rid of them!), plus they gave me good advice how to really
get rid of them, and they're gonna buy us a washing machine and
a dryer (if they can find one in Bamako). They said a dryer would
effectively take care of the scabies. They're also gonna buy new
pillows since the washing destroyed them. They asked us if there
was anything else we would need. WOW! Isn't that awesome??? I
had been thinking about getting a washing machine once we move,
and now we even get a dryer!
Visions
Of Hell
What
an interesting day! Yesterday the Lord put on my heart to preach
on His heart for the lost, to impart it to His people. Today,
as I spent the day with the Lord, it became more and more a sermon
on hell. I believe the body of Christ has forgotten the reality
of hell - how often do you hear a sermon on this subject! We're
too afraid of scaring people.
All
day I felt His heart for the lost, for the people in Mali, for
those who die without Him. I read half a book a lady wrote who
the Lord took to hell for several days in a row so she could share
what she saw and save people from that fate. It was heart-breaking
to read.
I
had some Scriptures ready, and knew the Lord would use the words
spoken, as well as the excerpts from the book, to break people's
hearts - and He did. He inspired my words, and even most of the
kids listened carefully. Unfortunately the women hadn't come today.
When I was done speaking, I put on some music that is on the same
subject, and invited people to kneel down or whatever to ask the
Lord to give them His heart for the lost, and a understanding
of hell.
Paul
(my interpreter) had been angry much of the service, but some
things I said towards the end broke through to his heart. In the
end he was also on the floor, his heart broken for the lost. He
asked the Lord to show him hell, and He did.
Ever
since the news of the grenade killing a few street kids, I've
felt an anticipation of how God would use that for His glory.
I've been looking forward to this morning's program.
Last
week we finished a 13-week-course, and I decided to not start
the new course today but next week. Instead I felt I was supposed
to show GOD'S STORY - a presentation of the gospel from Genesis
to revelation, and it's in Bambara.
Simeon
had been doing much inviting - finally again, after a long season
of hardly going out there. Of course it's good to have many children
come, but it's also more challenging; either way is fine with
me. Today we had a LOT of children.
We started off with a game they all liked. Then we sang two songs
together. I've rarely seen so much joy and dancing as today! Watch
the videos for yourself.
Then
we did the revision of last week's teaching, but a lot of new
kids were there. After that, I started talking about the accident.
To my surprise, no one knew anything about it. So I still don't
know who died in the accident. I had printed out a picture of
a grenade and a landmine to also give them some information that
will protect them from a similar fate. So I started off sharing
about the accident and talking about heaven and hell. What if
they had been one of the kids? For once, all the kids were listenting
intently - I had their full attention. I spoke from my heart,
urging them to know today that they would spend eternity in heaven
if they died.
Then
it was time for the 70 min gospel movie. I went inside the house
to intercede for the kids while they were watching. I spent much
of the time behind the window, directly behind the TV, watching
the kids. While I was watching them, watching those who were captivated
by the film, and those that preferred to sleep, and praying at
the same time, the Lord started breaking my heart for them, and
tears ran down my cheeks as I pleaed for their salvation. The
picture was taken from my vantage point (I stood on a chair) -
children in prison....
After
the movie, I spoke to them again - by now half the kids were asleep,
and the others had a hard time concentrating. Still, I believe
that several of the kids praying the salvation prayer were serious
- if they're the next ones to die, they will be going to the One
who desires to spend eternity with them.
We
prayed for a few kids, and then had lunch together.
By
the way, today was remarkable for another reason: Not only did
Eli come back for the first time, but Abdiel showed up! Abdiel
is the 11-year-old we took in in September. He was so sick he
had to spend 3 days in hospital before coming home to us, but
after one week he just left to return to the street. Today it
was the first time he was back, but he didn't say anything.
As
for Eli, I just took him into my arms, and asked him how he was
doing. He just answered "fine", what else. My heart
went out to him. The other kids said later that he didn't care
about them, and didn't talk to them at all.
TPM
Seminar
Tonight
we had our third TPM seminar, and it went great again. I love
teaching it, and they love learning. I have such an excitement
as I teach this, it even surprises me. Simeon is the most excited
hearing it - it's like all I read in the book, he can say yes
and amen to. It's like everything starts making sense to Simeon,
his behavior, his emotions, and he now understands that there
is hope for him.
Paul
missed the seminar tonight. Just before we started the doctor
came over to look at his thumb again, since it's not gotten better
but worse. A few days ago he reopened Paul's wound to clean it
out. Paul was afraid for that to happen again, since it was so
painful, but that's exactly what the doctor did. Paul was in pain,
and without talking to anyone went to their room to sleep. He
has hardly talked to anyone since then.
And
not just any, but those who've been to our weekly program.
Last
night, Simeon went to the bus station with Sekou to invite children
to come to our Saturday program. They were later than usual, and
so they were stopped by the police at 1 am, having to show their
IDs. They told the policemen why they were out that late, who
then appreciated a lot what they were doing. They even told them
to take all the children with them. Then they shared about the
accident that happened. The other children gave Simeon more details,
and then especially Paul whose colleague in school lives right
where it happened.
There
is garbage dump downtown where people go to search for salvagable
stuff. Four street children went there to collect metal that they
then sell. They also found a grenade that they took with them
to sell with the other metal. Mali had a dictator who was toppled
in 1991, and in some areas there are still grenades from that
overthrow lying around. The kids didn't know what it was.
They
went to the metal vendor with all their metal, who recognized
what it was. He told them to leave it alone, not to try to take
it apart, and left to call someone to help. While he was gone,
the kids took the grenade and wanted to take it apart. That's
when it exploded. Three of the four kids were killed. The fourth
kid and the vendor's son are in hospital, as are others who were
in the neighborhood. I was told that the vendor was put in prison
(what did he do???). I heard it was in the news today, but I didn't
get a chance to watch them.
The
Lord knew those kids would die and sent them to us to hear the
gospel; whether they made a decision for Him or not, I don't know.
I hope they did. So far I don't know yet who it was that died.
Maybe the kids coming to our program tomorrow know more.
I'm
praying that this tragid accident will lead to a revival among
the street children! Tomorrow I'm not starting the new course,
but I'll give an urgent gospel message, mentioning the accident.
Right now I teach our own kids a course on evangelism every day,
and this was a good way of showing them the urgency of sharing
the good news with others.
Ministry
On Our Property
I
taught the last session of our basic Christianity course today.
I've been rather frustrated with the way things are going on our
property, and know I have to seek God on how to proceed there,
what to do. The situation is really very different from our Saturday
program, where we have (often teenage) street kids. In Yirimadio
most kids are really youny, pre-school, and it's by the time we're
done with the program that a lot of them are gathered. May the
Lord show us how to effectively reach out to them! We told them
to bring all their friends next week, because we're bringing two
white ladies with us to do a special program.
First
TPM Session With Simeon
Finally,
we did the first TPM session with him. At first it wasn't sure
it would happen. Simeon refused to have anyone but me sitting
in in the session, but I insisted. Finally he allowed Firmin to
assist, just not Paul.
At
first it was tough, but then Simeon went into two memories and
found truth and freedom there. Praise God! Our next session is
on Monday.
In
our Western culture, you threaten your child with not watching
TV, or not going out, or other punishments, or if it comes to
that, with more serious (and unhelpful) things like sending it
away to a home (which I heard as a child). But it breaks my heart
every time I hear how Hama's mother threatens him with something
that should be full of JOY and not full of FEAR. She threatens
him with calling his Dad. And it always works: 5-year-old Hama
is so afraid of his Dad (Seybou) that he obeys right away when
his Mom threatens him that way. It breaks my heart that the one
person that should love him unconditionally and nurture him and
encourage him is also the person who Hama is the most afraid of.
Seybou never holds him, never hugs him, never says a kind word
to him, or spends time with him - just as all the fathers in Mali
are.
Papa
Bill, please come to Mali soon to love those kids - young and
old - to life and show them what a real Dad is like!!!
Paul's
Health
The
other day I mentioned Paul's health, but forgot to tell you the
outcome. The doctor's assistant came by yesterday, and saw that
Paul had a little injury on his thumb. Paul hadn't even seen it!
Maybe a thorn from the flowers, or something. In any case, the
wound was dirty, which is why his thumb was swollen. The doctor
opened the wound and disinfected it. Paul has been taking pain
medication since, and it's still swollen. The doctor also gave
him medication against malaria and the flu, because of his other
symptoms. They tend to give much medication here, to cover every
possibilty, so they don't have to do blood tests or other tests.
My
itching has stopped, and I've had two peaceful nights now. It's
weird though, those holes in my sheet. And it's my only sheet!
Great
Prayer Meeting
In
the afternoon I finally went to the local big supermarket, something
I've wanted to do in a while; Solomani and Abdias came with me.
All the kids love accompanying me. Back home, I had a nap, thank
God, before our weekly prayer meeting started.
In
the middle of the prayer meeting, two new people showed up. Firmin
had invited them. One of Firmin's gifts is definitely evangelism.
They both said they were Christians, but only one participated.
We
had a great one-hour time of worshiping the Lord. Nearly every
week most everyone is on their knees or on the ground. Today nobody
had anything to share though, in terms of visions or words from
the Lord. Then we moved into one hour of intercession. I shared
topics, and then we all prayed for that at the same time, with
one person closing, praying for it for all to listen and say amen
to. We had a great hour, and I myself was excited seeing all the
Lord is doing and up to this year. Awesome God!
Simeon's
Late Birthday Gift
After
the meeting, I had a late birthday gift to give to Simeon. Sekouba's
sponsor in Austria, a good friend of mine, had given me a special
gift for Sekouba last year. Unfortunately, I never saw Sekouba
again to give it to him (I still hurt over my first kid's loss).
So today she told me to give that gift to Simeon instead.
Simeon
was all excited, but when he opened the gift, he literally jumped
in the air - I took a picture just at that moment. He was SO HAPPY
about this gift!!! In fact, I knew he would love it. It's a gold
chain with a gold cross that my friend bought sacrificially. Simeon
was overwhelmed by joy! It was the perfect gift for him!
Simeon
has grown accustomed to sending me a text message every night
before going to bed. Tonight it read, "Kind Mom, I'm up there,
lifted up by God. I'm gonna carry gold for the glory of my most
high God. I'm crazy with joy. I don't know whether I'll be able
to sleep tonight." (I omitted the last sentence he wrote.)
Enoch
came from the village yesterday for our Bible School, and today
I had a chance to talk to him for a while, and heard awesome testimonies
of what's happening in Dio. Enoch himself is just totally amazed
at what's happening, hardly able to believe it. He says everything
started to take off two months ago, when we came at Christmas.
Last
week, one of the pastor's son's best friends, 13-year-old Daouda
(in yellow) came for the baptism service and stayed for the MATTHEW
movie. He even played the drums during out time of worship, and
listened carefully to all I said. Last Sunday, Daouda came to
the service and dedicated his life to the Lord. But not only that,
he told his Mom who is okay with it. Then he went to school and
stood up in front of his whole class of 90 students and told them
all that he has become a Christian. His classmates were so amazed,
because Daouda once was a quranic student and always hated the
Christians, doing them as much harm as possible. Now he's so on
fire for God, he's telling everyone about Jesus. He hasn't dared
tell his Dad yet, but he will. He said he's willing to die for
the Lord, and he's serious.
I
had Enoch tell his story to our kids today, to inspire them. I'm
currently teaching them a course on evangelism, but they're are
for the most part lacking all interest. Fousseni told today how
he tried to talk to his friend about Jesus, who started mocking
him. I encouraged Fousseni and told him, Jesus said this would
happen, and that He was very pleased with him. Fousseni has grown
the most spiritually of all the kids.
Enoch
told us also that the whole village is talking about us, and the
film, and it seems like they all want us to come and show it in
a public place. So we've decided to show the movie downtown Dio
in March, rather than going to another village. We could have
a lot of people come, if they continue talking like this. Praise
God! What I saw in the Spirit is coming to pass, and Enoch is
slowly starting to see it too.
How
exciting! In March, I'm gonna be in Dio for a weekend. We show
the movie Sat night, and then I'm preaching Sunday morning. We
could have a lot of people show up that Sunday morning, more than
Enoch has ever seen. Praise God!
TPM
Sessions
After
one week without sessions, we've finally done a few again. The
kids need them so desperately, but they are simply not willing
to remember the painful memories. That's frustrating. We tried
with two kids tonight. In one session Paul was triggered, and
so we did a session with him. As always, he easily and gloriously
received truth and freedom and joy in a painful memory.
This
morning I had an email from Dr. Ed Smith, asking me to write a
testimony to be put on the theophostic website. He said 50,000
people would look at it. Wow! I wrote it, and he put it up on
the site that's gonna be released shortly. They redid their whole
website.
What
a blessing! What an honor! May it be an encouragement to many,
and bring fruit for God's kingdom in Mali! I'll let you know,
once their new site is up and accessible.
Day
Of Joy - In Spite Of....
Today
I've been joyful all day - as we should all be at all times. Paul
has also been joyful all day, since he also had some good news
by email. And both of us are sick.
Paul
doesn't really know what's wrong with him, but he's not been feeling
well. People have even told him that he's lost weight.
As
for myself, after one normal night, tonight I was itching again,
and wondering what was going on. In the middle of the night I
woke up from it, feeling my arm, and feeling the scabies' tunnels,
but then when I woke up in the morning, my arm was just fine.
At the same time, there are some little holes in my sheet, that
are strange. Maybe it's some other bug? In any case, I feel something
weird all over the skin of my body.
Bible
School
Tuesday
is Bible School day. All 6 students were here tonight, and had
a great time. Enoch was there from the village, and Simeon showed
up (he's doing the semester a second time), as well as two people
from other churches, and Firmin and Issa.
The
Kids
The
kids spent that time outside in the garden, with Paul. Tonight
in our family meeting I had to speak to them seriously about some
behavior, and I can only hope and pray they were listening.
Often
I have the impression they are not listening at all when I teach
my Bible class; right now it's a course on evangelism. I encouraged
them to go out there and talk to their friends about Jesus. They
loved the prophetic word about God using them in evangelism, but
if they don't go out there, it will never be fulfilled.
Since
our corporate time of worship is now at noon instead of in the
morning, Paul's little brothers and sisters can now join us as
well, which is wonderful. They get back from school in time to
be with us and also attend the class.
By
The Way....
So
far I've been unable to love my little cat Sweety back to life.
Before my trip to the US, she was the most loving cat. Now she
does not deserve her name - she's a wild cat and has only barely
started to respond to my love. It breaks my heart, but is a great
illustration in the end. By the way, my kids call her my daughter,
while they are my sons.
If
you read my latest email update that I just sent out - click here
- you will have noticed that I talk about LICE not FLEAS. I happened
to look into a dictionary and discovered that the French word
they're using actually means lice not fleas. The word for fleas
is similar though, so I'm not sure if they're using the right
word.
Yesterday
I laid hands on myself and prayed for all the scabies to die and
leave my system, and today I'm fine. Praise God! I had a good
night's rest, no itching.
The
weird things is that my sheet has some holes, as if some insects
ate it, so maybe it was a different kind of insect that bothered
me that night, eating my sheet as well as me.
White
Visitors
It's
been AGES that I spent some time with other missionaries. Tonight
I had a couple come over that I've been friends with, and it was
great to catch up with them. I really need to do this more often.
In fact, I might meet another family on Wednesday.
A
Place For Firmin
Please
keep praying that Firmin would find a new home to stay in; his
deadline is March 4. His only option right now is to return to
where he was staying before coming to live with us. That's with
relatives who hardly give him food, and he doesn't have a room
or mattress to sleep on. I have to admit, if he doesn't find anything,
I'll be tempted to let him stay. But SHHHHT - don't tell anyone!
In
November of last year, I finally bought a stove - after over 3
years in Mali. Up until then I just used a little gas bottle I
cooked on directly. With Christmas approaching, I was thinking
of baking cookies with my kids, which never happened because of
the circumstances.
So
today the big day had arrived - using the oven for the first time,
to bake Simeon's birthday cake. I had brought some cookie mixes
with me from the US, which made it a lot easier. Abdias helped
me, stirring the chocolate walnut mix. While he was stirring,
I sat down on the floor to figure out how to get the gas burning
on the top of the oven. I tried around, but it didn't come on.
So finally I decided to light the bottom. As I approached my flame,
suddenly all the gas that had already come out while I was trying
on top, was lit at the same time, creating a huge flame. The hair
on my arm was burned, as were a few hairs on my head. My face
was pretty hot, but especially my hand which was the closest.
The smell of burned hair was in the air. My hand hurt a little,
but only for a few hours. I thank the Lord for His protection!
Obviously,
I succeeded, and was able to bake my first chocolate cake (in
Mali).
Simeon's
Birthday
And
they all loved the cake! They said they'd want to eat that every
day! So I asked our architect who's coming in two weeks to bring
a few :-).
After
the service, we all went inside, and finished the cake, putting
some chocolate on it, and writing HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMEON on it
with stuff I had brought from the US. I put on a few candles,
lit them (the Malian lighter died in the process), and brought
it out singing. Simeon was happy! We ate the cake (little pieces
since we were a lot of people), and then we gave him our gifts.
The kids had made drawings for him, the adults had bought different
things, and I gave him two pens at first - something everybody
always needs.
Then
I told him to look into his mailbox - he hasn't checked his emails
in more than half a year. And there he found several emails you
have written to him. He read one after the other and was so happy!
I had sent him an ecard, telling him I was reducing his debt as
a birthday gift, and that made him happy too. I haven't seen him
so happy in a long time.
Sunday
Service
We
had a lot of people in our service today - everybody came, including
Hawa and her kids who rarely show up. I preached on RECOVERY.
2007 is the year of recovery, and spoke about what the means,
how to act accordingly. I talked about recovering what the enemy
has stolen from us, what has been lost, be it money, possessions,
or fathers, joy, our childhood, etc. Of course, I had to mention
TPM, because that's one powerful way God is gonna help us recover
those things that we never received in our childhood. I mentioned
Job, who had double in the end, and I mentioned Joel 2, the Lord's
promise to restore what the locusts have eaten.
Picture
taken in Nov 2006.
Everybody
really appreciated the message, and several told me so. Paul (my
interpreter) said he wanted to listen to it again. At the end
of the sermon, I had those stand up who had something they needed
to recover this year, whatever it was. I had them each speak it
out to the Lord, before I prayed over them, decreeing this to
be the year of recovery, and that none of us would be the same
a year from now. Then I said that there is one person for whom
this word was especially a word from the Lord, and that we wanted
to pray for him. I said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMEON, come forward!
He had thought we had forgotten his birthday. I just wanted him
to hear the message before decreeing it over him. Simeon knelt
down in the front, and everybody surrounded him. I then proclaimed
with authority over him that this was the year of recovery for
him, recovery of everything the enemy has stolen from him! A few
others also prayed over him. I truly believe that TPM is gonna
change his life, and that he'll be a great testimony of what the
Lord can do! So far, we have not scheduled a session yet. I'm
meeting other missionaries on my two nights off this week.
Scabies
& Flea Plague
We
keep battling them. They found a flea on Solomani today, and I've
been itching since yesterday, causing me a short and sleepless
night. Today I was praying and standing in faith for our deliverance,
and the itching has lessened somewhat. Pray for a restful night,
that I can catch up on some sleep!
Yesterday
night Simeon went out to invite street kids to our weekly Saturday
program - it's been a while since he last did that - and it made
a big difference. We had a good-sized group of kids, and most
of them were new. There were also a couple of troublemakers among
them, but in the end everything worked out just fine. One of the
troublemakers - Amadou - ended up listening very careful, and
I had the impression that he was very impacted. As always, we
prayed a prayer of consecration to the Lord in the end, and I
hope some of them were serious when they did so, and were born
into His kingdom today.
Reminder
Of Where I Live
About
two weeks ago they started turning off our water supply during
the day. The hot season has barely started, so that's really early.
There are water shortages during that time of year, when it gets
hotter and hotter, but their measures seem pretty tough already.
When we got up at 7 this morning, the water was already cut off,
and only came back at 11 pm. It's like nearly every day now, and
so we fill all the bottles and barrels we can to have water during
the day.
Today
the electricity was also off when we got up - neither water nor
electricity. Thankfully it came back on at 2 pm.
No
Seminar Tonight
I
had to cancel the TPM seminar tonight, because both Paul and Issa
are gone, visiting family members. That left me with Firmin only,
who did his best, though still forgetting all the kids are supposed
to (not) do. I had the chance to take a nap in the afternoon,
that lasted longer than expected, and then got some administrative
stuff done.
Simeon's
Birthday
Tomorrow
Sunday, Simeon is turning 34. If you would like to send him an
email, send it to simeon@centreapostoliquemalien.org.
I'd like to bake a cake, since I brought some mixtures with me
from the US, but I'm not sure yet when I'll have the time. I've
never used the oven of my new stove before, so it would be a good
occasion to try it out.
We
had a good number of kids, many of them very little. We started
singing, and Solomani surprised me with his voice. Issa was singing
the lead voice, and as is the custom in Mali, Solomani sang the
echoing voice. It was great! Then we played a game with all the
kids, which they greatly enjoyed. I was glad to see my kids take
responsability and lead the game. When I tried to do a revision
of last week's teaching, as well as the memory verse, nobody had
a clue, so I went straight to the teaching. Few listened, and
I wondered what the point of the teaching was even. I'm wondering
how we could improve, what we could do differently. It's not on
the level of the little kids, but then there are also older kids.
In the end, I explained the gospel to them, showing them the picture
of Jesus on the cross, and asked who wanted to become friends
with Jesus. We then all prayed together.
Bible
School
In
the evening Simeon caught up on some Bible School sessions and
then did the mid-term exam the others did on Tuesday - and he
passed! Praise God! It's the second time he's doing this second
trimester.
Sicknesses
Hama
has been sick with a cold/flu for a week now, and now Sarata got
sick as well. And then Abdias hurt his inner ear, and needs eardrops
every day. We had the doctor's assistant come, and got all the
(expensive) medication for them. Pray for their healing, and that
nobody else will catch the virus.
Praise
God, we had no technical difficulties whatsoever - neither with
the car nor anything else. That sure is an answer to prayer!
We
had such an awesome time in Dio! Wow! What comparison to last
time, at Christmas, when I was a physical and spiritual and emotional
wreck, unable to do anything. This time I was filled with a sense
of destiny and purpose and God setting awesome things in place,
during our whole time. The Spirit of prophecy was strong, and
I prophesied over our pastor Enoch there, as well as the church
and ministry and village, and then also when we laid hands on
the guy who we baptized. It was powerful, and exciting, and Holy
Spirit was there!
When
we got there, all the kids were already waiting for us. There
are 19 who are on our list waiting for sponsors (3 have one).
I brought vitamins from MANNATECH with me that HIM had given me.
I gave Enoch a list to tick off every day who got theirs, and
had the joy of giving out the first one to each kid myself.
A
few minutes before we started the meeting, Enoch informed me that
I was the one doing it all. Enoch just officially became part
of our network, our first ouside pastor of Centre Apostolique
Malien. It still amazes me to see a 46-year-old Malian pastor
submit to a younger woman. But then, this is all God!
In
any case, I did the meeting. We started by doing a few Bambara
songs. I closed my eyes and the presence of God was so strong.
I let myself fall into His presence and bowed down (instead of
kneeling on the sharp stones). Then Enoch had me come up to preach
- without preparation. I did have a baptism passage ready, but
as I started talking I was just sharing what the Lord was putting
on my heart, and it just flowed! I was actually prophesying over
the village and Enoch and the ministry there. Finally I made myself
stop and go to the baptism passage, sharing for a while. There
were about 20 people including children.
Then
we went over to the barrel the young man would be baptized in.
He sat down in it, and then we baptized him. Awesome! After that,
we had communion that I led as well, and then we laid hand on
the newly-baptized believer and prayed for him. Again, I started
prophesying over him - it was awesome!
It
was nearly 8 pm, and we quickly had some dinner, before starting
the MATTHEW film. I counted about 50 people, children included,
who came to watch the movie. People were captivated by what they
saw and heard, and we learned later how much they were impacted
by it. Nobody made a decision to follow Christ, but several children
came up for healing prayer. Three
children all had the same issue - stomach problems, and it seemed
like they had parasites. One girl had malaria, and then they handed
me a little baby-girl.
Her twin sister had died, and she herself had a lot of health
problems. I took her in my arms and started praying. I felt led
to pray for deliverance, and she started crying loudly. Then she
suddenly stopped, and actually fell asleep!!!! She looked like
she was resting in the Spirit! I was amazed! When I handed her
back to her Mom, she awoke and was all calm. Praise God!
That
reminds of the little 2-year-old boy that has so many problems
- remember him? The first time we prayed he would start walking
- and did a few days later. Last time we prayed he'd start talking
- and now he talks all the time! Praise God! This time we didn't
have a chance to go see him and pray for him.
This
morning we had two visitors in the village - one of the village
imams (Muslim leaders), as well as one of the influential people
in Dio. I couldn't help but talk to them about the Lord (Enoch
is rather timid), and the influential man - Alou - suddenly showed
so much interest, and hunger to know the truth. He said he was
neither a Muslim nor a Christian or anything, but he was searching.
Praise God! He wanted us to come back soon, and to talk more with
him, and to show the MATTHEW film (he didn't see it) next to his
house downtown, in a public place, where a lot more people will
come. He also said he'd introduce me to the mayor and other leading
people next time.
The
imam Alassane was less receptive, but I challenged him anyway.
I asked whether I could pray for him, but he answered with a resounding
no. He still told us to come back often and talk to him, and he'd
help us. His kids actually came to see the movie.
We're
seeing the beginnings of something big God is gonna do. I had
Enoch draw a map of the villages surrounding Dio, so we can strategize
and start reaching those other villages where they have never
heard the gospel (though there are some catholics).
Our
next time in Dio will be on Feb 28, just for the day, to show
the NGO director from Germany everything there.
Awesome
Prayer Meeting
We
had a glorious prayer meeting tonight! We started off with sharing
about our trip to Dio, and showing the pictures, then I updated
them on some other new developments, before starting our time
of worship. There was so much joy, we had an awesome time worshipping
the Lord, and I was also singing prophetically - it was glorious.
We ended up singing a victory song, shouting VICTORY, it was great!
Then we acted on what the Lord had shown us through my prophetic
intercessory friend. We went outside into the garden to march
around the walls of our property, one person behind the other,
Paul behind me, followed by the others. Twice we marched around
praying, and the third time we sang a victory song. Then we went
back inside and had communion together. It was a precious time!
The
stealing continues. Eli is gone, and yet something was stolen
again yesterday, and again, nobody did it.
Then
today two kids seriously attacked and hurt each other.
We
got our sound system and rest of equipment back today. It was
expensive to repair the battery. And the fall of the sound system
out of our car yesterday broke the wireless mic part. So now we
can't use any wireless mics with it (unless it can be repaired),
and we just bought them for much money.
But
at least, everything should be working now to show the MATTHEW
video in the village tomorrow.
Bible
School & TPM
Tonight
we did a TPM session with Paul, and it was glorious. He went into
a painful memory, owned the pain, found the lies, received truth
from the Lord, and found freedom and joy. He was laughing so hard
as he was being set free, it was so beautiful!
Tonight
the Bible students did their midterm exams. One failed miserably,
and one has to redo part of the classes. Enoch also came from
the village, even though there were no classes to watch, but he
watched a Heidi Baker preaching DVD (in French) instead, and listened
to my French translation of HEALING LIFE'S HURTS (book introducing
theophostic PM). I can tell he is blessed when he comes to stay
with us. In March, I'm gonna go to Dio on a weekend to preach
in his church and officially pray for him and anoint him and accept
him as a part of our network.
Paul
Yesterday
Paul was called into the principal's office, who then proceeded
to praise him in the highest tones. Paul had tears run down as
he was told that his teachers all respect him and see his earnestness
in studying, and his character, etc. etc. He said they would do
something unprecedented and apply for him to be exempt from tuition
for his final year next year. They are gonna do everything so
that he won't have to pay next year - and it's a private school
that runs due to students' tuition. Paul's tuition has been a
challenge for our budget at times.
4
voltage regulators in a week - that's all of them, the new wireless
mic, the battery converter for the sound system (again), the car
(again)...
We
loaded the sound system and all the equipment for it into the
car to drive downtown to a place, where missionaries and ministers
can bring their stuff to be repaired for little money. Three of
the kids came with me. As I turned onto the paved road, the trunk
opened and the sound system fell out, into the middle of the road.
Thankfully no car was directly behind us. As we put it back in,
on the back seat, one kid threw the battery out on the ground.
As of now, I don't know yet if either one is still working. The
sound system WAS damaged on the outside. Everything is with the
technician, so we'll find out more tomorrow. We had to have one
kid sit in the trunk to hold the trunk door shut. Later we took
the car to our mechanic (again) who fixed it. So maybe, just maybe,
the car is fixed enough to go to the village on Wednesday....
One
Kid's Reputation
Today
I found out that Fousseni had told all the neighbors' kids about
one of our kids sexually abusing him and others. That kid is now
being called really bad names - I heard one that is used for homosexuals.
When I found that out today it really grieved me. That little
boy is really hurt by that, and not only that, but Fousseni (one
of the victims) called him the same words as well. I was shocked!
I spoke about forgiveness, and that the Lord had forgiven him
and forgotten it, who were we to side with the enemy and keep
bringing it up. I asked them what they would feel like if we trumpeted
all their sins out to everyone. I also spoke about love covering
sin, and that they should stand up for each other, protect each
other, and defend each other, not side with the evildoers. I can
only hope my words made a difference.
As
every Sunday, I spent the day with the Lord until our service
at 4 pm. While the Lord met me and filled me with joy, I had to
take headache medication because I wasn't feeling too well, and
then again in the evening. I need to find some good vitamines.
Last
night the Lord already gave me peace and joy, and I could see
how all that's going on is gonna be used for His glory in the
end, turned into a testimony. This morning I consciously released
(again) everything and everyone into His hands. By the time we
started the service, I was looking forward to what the Lord would
do.
When
I came out of my room, I learned that Eli had left us. He simply
left, not taking anything with him. This 11-year-old boy was with
us for 2 months, and now he has returned to the street. If he
is the one who stole the money (which is very likely though not
proven), he'll be able to live nicely for a little while (unless
the older kids steal the money). He said to the others that he
would be coming to the kids' program on Saturdays.
Since
the money for one day was stolen, we were all fasting today and
praying for the guilty one to be revealed. Eli said if he doesn't
get food he'll leave. I guess being with us didn't really mean
much to him, and/or he wanted the freedom on the street again.
Hunger brings out the worst in all of us, I guess, and of course
we've got a great biblical example in Esau. Eli was a quiet, good
kid on the outward, though recently we've seen more and more of
his real self. Even last night, he refused to do the scabies treatment
at first; I guess his mind was already made up to leave.
This
is the fourth kid that is leaving us. The shorter they've been
with us, the easier it is. Nothing will ever compare to Sekouba's
leaving. I think of him daily. He was the first kid I took in,
and for half a year he was the only kid. He grew more in the Lord,
than any other kid so far, and was a very special young man. Pray
for him.
Sunday
Service
Even
though Eli had left, I was so full of joy when it was time for
the service - rather unusual. I have been missing my kids - with
all the treatments and bugs and not having hugged them in two
days. When I came out, I grabbed Abdias and Fousseni, and we've
been hugging all night.
In
the afternoon, I got two new worship songs translated - it's been
quite some time since I did that and I was getting tired of the
same old songs. I believe everyone was refreshed by the new songs,
and we all enjoyed it a lot. We had a great time of worship, and
today all the kids sang along during Bambara worship. Praise God!
I
then preached on purity, and I heard that people loved it. They
were all honest enough to get up at the end of the service, admitting
they had things in their lives they needed to get rid of.
After
the service, I talked to each kid individually to find out if
they knew who took the money and if it was them. Nobody knew,
and nobody was the guilty one. With Eli leaving, I believed them.
I then made some Austrian soup for them, since they were very
hungry, and had dinner with them (I rarely eat with them). Then
- after the last few tough days of also tackling their wordliness
- I allowed them to watch a kids' movie. Abdias was holding on
to me tightly during the movie, until I left to do other things.
Right now they're in our baptismal tank, having fun, preparing
themselves to put on the lotion that kills the scabies. Our nightly
family meeting will begin shortly.
Every
night I put out the money for the food of the following day -
$20, a huge amount of money for anyone in my house. It's in the
living room, where one of my team picks it up in the morning to
give to Fanta, our cook, who then goes to the market. This morning,
the money was gone. One of the kids must have taken it, and of
course, the new ones are the most suspect. Honestly, I haven't
even yet figured out the two new kids, and am wondering about
them at times, because of their words and behavior.
We
confronted the kids, but of course nobody has taken it. Whatever
it is, none of them is ever guilty. I told them this was very
serious, and I won't let go until the guilty one comes forward
and confesses. Right now, all five of them are in their room together,
to talk and find the guilty one.
We
checked their pockets, and then searched their room. We took everything
apart, searched all the clothes, but didn't find it. It's great
timing because we have to wash all the clothes for the scabies
treatment anyway, so we could just all throw them on one big heap.
Please
pray for conviction to come on the thief, so this situation can
be resolved.
Children's
Program
Not
many kids showed up for our children's program today. Simeon was
told that many of the streed kids had gone to a little town just
outside of Bamako; maybe there is some special event there.
But
a few were here, and we had a good time together. There were three
that had either no shoes or the clothes on their bodies were falling
apart. At the end of the program we gave them shoes, pants, and
T-shirts, and it was wonderful. One of them said he was only 6
years old (but I think he was older).
Start
Of Scabies Treatment
In
the afternoon the kids started washing all their clothes, just
with warm water and soap. In the evening, it was time for the
treatment. They had to first wash themselves with the water certain
leaves had been in for a while, and then put on the lotion on
their body, covering all of it, so that the scabies would be killed.
With the kids having been crazy all day, all of this was quite
a challenge.
My
three adult team members got into the water basin after midnight,
but the water was really cold. Unfortunately the kids didn't get
to go inside, because the water was cut off all day today, until
sundown, so that it wasn't filled in time for them. And then the
adults suffered in the middle of the night.
Now
it's only me remaining to cover myself in the lotion, with the
purpose of killing all bugs.
Second
TPM Seminar
We
had our second TPM seminar tonight, and the same 5 young men showed
up. Especially Simeon is very interested in TPM, and really excited
as he hears the testimonies. I can tell he's getting more and
more hopeful for his own healing. I asked whether he wanted to
do a session this coming week, but he said he wasn't quite ready
yet.
I
read a chapter of HEALING LIFE'S HURTS by Ed Smith to them, doing
simultaneous translation into French, and then we watched a demonstration
video, which was excellent! I enjoy doing this so much, and for
3 hours all the current challenges were forgotten.
Praise
God, we got the car back today, in two days instead of four. But
it was more expensive, and cost over $150. I drove it in the afternoon,
and it was running smoothly again. Thank you, Jesus!
That
allowed us to do our weekly program on our property. When we got
there and set up the sound system, it wasn't working. The battery
is still not working - and we had it repaired this week even.
I will have to take it back again on Monday. Another reason why
it's good we didn't go to the village - imagine setting up there,
and then not having the power/energy to show the movie. Thank
you, Lord!
So
we had to do with our voices, and only few kids joined us as we
were singing. Then we played a game, and more kids showed up.
Then it was teaching time, and I taught on the spirit of a person.
They enjoyed the illustrations as always. In the end I asked who
would like to live with Jesus, know Him, and talk and listen to
Him every day, and many said yes. So we prayed together, and then
it was over. We packed up and drove back home.
My
kids watched another "spiritual movie" tonight, on the
live of John Hus, a martyr in the 15th century. They were touched
by the movie. Then, somehow, in our family meeting, I talked about
today's martyrs, and how lucky we are in Mali right now, but that
I believe it's not always gonna be that way. It could be very
different a few years from now. They listened carefully, and heard
the seriousness of what I was saying.
Today
the kids collected the leaves of a certain tree, and we're gonna
use those tomorrow to wash ourselves with. I've also gotten all
the medication today, so we're all set to start killing all the
bugs in our house. The medication totaled $80.
So
tomorrow is gonna be a busy day - kids' program in the morning,
TPM seminar late afternoon, and then the scabies treatment.
Today
the kids watched THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. They've been watching
too many animated movies, and have been too enthralled with their
video games, so they have one week without video games, and can
only watch "spiritual" DVDs right now. Yesterday they
watched the early Heidi Baker documentary, and today THE PASSION
- for the first times. The kids watched it all, but it was the
adults who couldn't finish the movie. The kids said they were
touched, and Eli had tears in his eyes. In the prayer meeting
tonight, I did see fruit, I believe, as (some of) the kids prayed
and worshipped with new intensity.
Prayer
Meeting
Everything seemed to go wrong before our prayer meeting, and everyone
was annoyed about something, so that I wondered how we could pray
at all. But then I just rose up in my spirit and declared that
we would worship and praise the Lord whatever the circumstances,
and that we would lay everything at the cross, at His feet, and
worship Him because He is worthy, at all times and in all circumstances.
That
made the difference. We entered in, and ended up having a great
time with the Lord. It seems that the Lord is speaking EVANGELISM
in bold letters to us right now - this is the year of evangelism,
and it's exciting.
Scabies,
Fleas & Our Car
Today the kids showed me that they're having flees now as well!
Oh, Lord!
We
have not been able to get a hold of the poison that kills all
the bugs in the clothes and sheets. But somebody told me there
are certain leaves that grow in Mali that are as effective. Tomorrow
we're gonna try to find those. Hopefully they will also kill the
fleas in the process.
So
far we have 2 bottles of the lotion for the body, but we need
12 in total. Hopefully Seybou will be able to buy more tomorrow.
The
car is making progress too; the mechanic said we could pick it
up tomorrow. So maybe we could go to our property for our weekly
ministry after all.
What
a turbulent day! It even made me send out another email newsletter,
where I tell about why we had to cancel going to the village,
about the car breaking down, and the current situation on the
scabies. Read it here.
Getting
Rest
It was probably a good thing we didn't go to the village, at least
for my health. I didn't feel that well today, and was glad to
have a 3-hour-nap in the afternoon, even though the noise of 5
teenagers woke me up several times. I sure needed that time!
TPM
Sessions
After
I got up, I helped my kids write emails to their sponsors, and
then it was time to do a session with Paul who hasn't felt well
since finding out about his sickness last night. It is so wonderful
to do a session with him, because it's so easy, and he gets wonderful
truth from the Lord which often leads to intense joy and laughter.
He was so transformed (again) by the time we were done! Later
we did a session with Issa, that was more difficult, but he also
found truth and freedom. Praise God!
Office
Work
Thanks
to the nap I've been very awake and active tonight, working until
3 am (oops) - scanning, printing papers for school for the kids.
Prayer
Points
Please
keep praying for my health, for total restoration.
Pray
also that the car will be repaired quickly, and for little money,
and that God would send the money.
Seybou found two bottles of the medication in a pharmacy today
- but we'll need about 10-12 to treat everyone. Hopefully we
can start tomorrow, though we still have to find the powder
before starting. Pray for provision for this too.
Pray
for a new car - this one is just costing us money and energy
and keeping us from what we've got to do.
I
just read an article, and happened to check the current UN rating
of the human
development index. Mali has lost one place and is now the
3rd poorest nation in the world, on place 175 out of 177, followed
by Sierra Leone and then Niger as the poorest (all in the neighboorhood
of Mali). When I first went to Mali, it was still the 6th-poorest.
My heart aches as I read that, and at the same time I know our
Lord chooses the weak and little things, and He will make Mali
into a bright shining light for His glory.
If
you want to read more details on that index on Wikipedia, click
here.
By the way, my country Austria has gained 3 places and is now
14th-richest in the world (Norway is first, and the US is 8th).
Scabies
Outbreak
I
just wrote about this situation in an email newsletter, which
you can read here. It sure isn't
a nice situation, but I praise God and am full of joy, because
I know He is gonna use this for His glory! What a cheap way Satan
tried to counterattack our hugging each other... We still all
hugged each other tonight.
Ministry
In Village
Tomorrow
after lunch we're leaving for Dio. Paul will come with me (he's
done with school at noon, and won't have school until the afternoon
of Thursday), and also Fousseni who's shown much growth and more
spiritual maturity than the others. It's not certain yet who's
gonna be the second boy to come with us. They've all been rather
worldly recently, and not that well-behaved.
Please
pray the car will make it to the village and back! I'm glad I
had it repaired (again) today, because I was worried about going
to the village the way the car was behaving.
Please
pray also for my health - I've been tired a lot, and battling
this virus or whatever for a few days. Please pray I will sleep
well in the village, and not come back exhausted. After all, I
now have an air mattress and sleeping bag, so I should be able
to sleep well in my little tent.
Today
I asked Enoch if he wanted to officially be a part of Centre
Apostolique Malien and come under my covering, and he said
he'd been thinking about it for weeks. I'm very excited about
that, something only God could do. It will bring responsabilities
and rights, and a whole different spiritual level.
I've
also talked to him about TPM, and he would like to have a session,
as well as for his wife and daughter.
I
enjoyed the morning with my new schedule (which doesn't work on
weekends), though I was pretty tired. For some reason I'm having
a hard time, not only going to bed at my set time, but then to
fall asleep.
It
was the first day I taught the Bible class at noon instead of
8:45. I did the first lesson of the evangelism course, since we
finished the HEARING GOD course. After lunch, I took two kids
with me, as I had to drive downtown to a place, where they help
missionaries and ministries repair technical equipment. I took
the battery and DC/DC converter there, and hopefully it will be
fixed so we can show the MATTHEW Jesus movie in the village on
Wed as planned.
Our
car has been fixed (again) as well. Something was loose which
is why the gas was gone so quickly every time, and then Seybou
had put some bad gas in the tank, which is why all the smoke came
out in the back. Today I filled it with (good) gas again - only
the third gas station I went to had gas at all.
Back
home, later in the afternoon, we did two TPM sessions, one with
Eli (11) who had never had one before, and then with Saloum (17)
who had asked for it. Especially the children have a very hard
time saying how they feel and what they believe, and Eli was no
exception. If everything he said was true, he received truth and
freedom anyway.
Saloum's
session was awesome, with him receiving truth and liberty in several
memories. Praise God!
I
spent the rest of the day correcting homework the Bible students
who did the intensive course handed in when they did their exam;
lots of papers.
My
all-in-one printer also died, but thankfully I have a backup printer.
I just hope I can still use the scanner and copier anyway. I'll
find out right away, because I have to do some scanning for the
kids' French class.
This
afternoon I also helped the kids get started with some educational
software on the computer - they had fun learning math and French
that way!
I
went to bed too late last night, and suffered for it today. Somehow
I got stuck somewhere across the Atlantic with my body clock as
I'm trying to get over jetlag. I'm going to bed at 3 am.
I
got up late, and didn't feel too well up until the time of the
service at 4 pm. I spent time in prayer, and preparing the sermon.
Often
before we start the service, things go wrong, and today the kids
hadn't put on their nice clothes (always have to tell them), nor
picked up all the trash in the garden.
Paul
started the Bambara worship, and I was praying, trying to get
over my frustration. None of the kids were singing (have told
them a thousand times) or participating in worship. Then I went
up to lead in French worship, and I had my eyes closed much of
the time to not have to look at them.
My
sermon wasn't what I had thought a week ago. I was talking about
our heavenly Father as the Potter who loves us too much to leave
us the way we are. I talked about the vision He gave me in Kansas
City, about Him lovingly breaking me and making me into a more
beautiful vessel. I talked about Him choosing the despised and
weak things, and Him making something great out of them, for His
glory. I encouraged them not to despise the hard times, but to
thank God for them, because He was at work in their lives. I reminded
them that to live was to die, that we're also called to know His
sufferings, and to crucify our flesh daily. In the end, I called
those forward who truly wanted to be made into His image, whatever
the cost, and however much it hurt. They all came forward, and
I prayed for each one.
Paul
was touched by the sermon, and I prayed for him as well. I saw
him as a little vessel, but that God wanted to make a bigger and
more beautiful vessel out of him, for His glory. There would be
a time of breaking and remodeling when he'd take the small vessel
to make a big one, and he should be ready for that difficult time
when it came.
After
the service, I spontaneously asked Paul whether he wanted to go
out to eat, since everybody else had gone somewhere. He was excited!
We had a great time having dinner together, and talking about
all kinds of things, including Ghana and our American Dad (Bill
adopted him too).
In
our family meeting back home, I had to talk very seriously with
the kids - video games and movies seem to be their first love
now, and I told them that that was scary, and I would like them
to fall in love with Jesus again, making him first in their lives.
Also, they had shown some significant rebellion today, and I asked
them to pray and seek the Lord and let Him convict them and lead
them to repentance. I then prayed for them all at once, and when
I was done, I made sure to tell them that whatever they did, it
would never change my love for them. Though full of sin, I looked
at them with so much love and a smile, and some smiled back. They
got the message, and each one of them gave me their nightly hug
without resistance.
We
started the day with our weekly children's program. I was disappointed,
because not one street kid was there, and Simeon said he had gone
to invite them. Could my absence have made such a difference?
We
did the program anyway, with our kids as well as the neighbors'
kids, and an hour later a few street children showed up, so that
there were over 15 kids in the end. We had a good time together,
and in the end we prayed for those who were hungry to know God
more.
We
finished early, and while we were waiting for the food to be ready,
I decided to use the time to have a serious talk with Simeon,
about some of the things going on, even during my absence. After
the talk, he went straight home, but I asked him intently to be
back for the TPM seminar later.
I
was gonna get some rest in the afternoon (nights have been too
short, again!), but ended up watching a move together with my
kids, which was fun. When 5 pm came around, I hadn't really done
anything, but I was looking forward to teaching the TPM seminar.
Besides
my three guys who live with me, two more came - Simeon and Mathias.
Those two didn't know anything yet, while the other three have
already heard a lot and had a session or more each.
I
started off by showing them two power point presentations for
kids that present TPM well on an easy level. I could tell it spoke
to them. Then I read the first chapter (introduction) to them
of Ed Smith's introductory book HEALING LIFE'S HURTS; I read the
English book to them in French, recording it so that other people
will be able to listen to it in French (it's not translated yet).
I was starting to lose my voice (I've had some fever and a soar
throat today), and was glad when we put a TPM demonstration video
in of Ed Smith doing a session. They all listened and watched
very carefully, and enjoyed it.
We
also had enough time for questions, and as always, Simeon had
the most, which was good. By the time he left, he looked so much
better - I believe hope came during the seminar.
We
had our family meeting, and then I had a serious talk with Firmin.
After that I finally got to have some dinner, after having talked
to one of my spiritual fathers on the phone; it was 11 pm by then.
I
brought some diet coke with me (they only have regular in Mali),
and I'm slowly savoring my last little bottle. Also, the other
day I had my last orange from California. I shared one with everyone
- the 5 kids and 3 adults - and they were totally amazed! In Mali,
oranges are small, green, dry, and sour. And that orange was the
exact opposite. When they actually put it in their mouth, their
amazement grew even more. They couldn't believe an orange could
taste that good! Well, now they are gone (sigh).
It
seems that every Friday when we get ready to go to our property
to do ministry, "all hell" breaks lose. Today was no
exception. Problems with the kids, the helpers, and then the car.
Finally we had to turn around and didn't make it to our property.
I
did my best to deal with each crisis for the rest of the afternoon.
By
then, I had regained my well-being, and was ready to do the session
with Abdias, together with Paul. We did 90 minutes, and got farther
than ever before. At first it seemed that there was no point in
even getting started, but then I took him in my arms, and that's
when he softened and then was ready to do the session. We went
into a painful memory, and didn't get it resolved, but did make
progress. In the end I took him into my arms again, and he was
holding on to me for dear life, for the longest time. For the
rest of the evening, I could see a noticeable change in him -
he was joyful and hanging on Paul or me a lot.
What
a wonderful morning I had! It was the first of my new schedule.
I got up before 9 (though I had slept little because of jetlag
and the heat), and had 80 minutes of exercise, followed by a wonderful
extended time with the Lord. At one point I said, "Lord,
I pray for France...", and I just started weeping and weeping.
Another confirmation of Him calling me to France.
Even
though I'd had a short night, I felt refreshed and full energy
for the day, when I left my room around noon.
The
challenges did come, though, and it took me a while to be able
to get my peace back. I did the accounting for January, and looked
at the bills to be paid, and it made me feel pretty bad. There
is no money, and so many expenses. We spent $3200 in January,
and the regular monthly support is only $710. Please pray for
provision to be released. In fact, I prophesy provision is coming!
I
just noticed that my (real glass) glasses are scratched.
And
by the way, my air condition is repaired - praise God! It was
horrendously expensive - $40 - and of course its operation is
very costly.
But
enough of money!
We
did a TPM session with Solomani today. We only had an hour, but
he received some truth, while having a hard time in another memory.
Please pray he'll find total freedom and healing.
Wonderful
Prayer Meeting
Then
we had our weekly prayer meeting. I was looking forward to it!
We entered a time of worship for 90 minutes. I started singing
prophetically, as I often do, and it was awesome as the Lord led
us into His throne room. Everyone was on the floor in a deep place
with God. As I sang prophetically, some would be taken somewhere
by the Lord. At one point, as I was singing for Holy Spirit to
come down and visit us (I think that's what I was singing then),
I went around the room lightly putting my hand on each one and
releasing more. Later one shared a vision of a scroll coming down
from heaven, and it opened but he couldn't read the language.
When I put my hand on him, the Lord gave him understanding and
he was able to read part of it. I was something about the Word
and its power. So many people had visions, I was amazed. I asked
them all to write them down.
After
praying shortly over each one, I returned to the keyboard, and
then I asked them to share their visions. When they were done,
I suddenly realized that I had not put my hand on Paul, who was
interpreting. At the same time I realized that, I also knew that
there was a purpose for that. Since my return I had said several
times to Paul that God would have some refreshing for him on Thu,
something special. So I said, "Paul, I didn't pray for you!".
I had him come into the middle, and everybody surround him (something
I learned at World Revival Church/Smithton Outpouring). I then
asked them to pray all at once until the moment for the release
to come. They did, and Holy Spirit was strongly on me. Finally
I touched Paul on his head, and the power of God shot through
him. As I touched his hand, the fire of God came and he feel down.
Thankfully I "warned" the guy behind him in time (we
rarely see people touched that powerfully by the power of God
- but may it become frequent!). As Paul lay on the floor, you
could see the power of God move in him in a powerful way. He later
shared that it was like God went into Him, and bad stuff came
out of him. He had his mouth wide open.
I
then shared with the others some things of the past few weeks,
and about the weeks ahead, while Paul stayed with God on the floor.
Even when the meeting was over, he stayed there, and finally went
into the room to be alone with God, rather than having all the
loud kids around. He did come out later, and shared that He's
just blown away by all the Lord showed him, all the plans He has
for him. In fact, I had heard him say repeatedly, WHY ME? I even
answered softly, because you are a child of God.
Isn't
our God awesome?
If
you read all the way to here, then you are maybe someone who reads
my blog regularly. If you'd like to get the blogs in your mailbox
as soon as they are written, please send me an email and let me
know.
We
arrived in Dio just before noon, and all the kids were already
waiting for us. Heike, the director of the German NGO managing
our kids' sponsorships, handed over the 50 kilo bag of rice to
pastor Enoch, as well as a letter the sponsors of the two pastor's
kids had written. 
The
30 or so children listened carefully as I taught on the Father.
No one had ever heard anything like it, that a father could be
loving like that. I could see some of the older children really
touched on the inside. At one point I shaved my face, which the
kids always enjoy; it's an illustration of little children copying
their fathers. At the end of my teaching, I asked them who wanted
to have a father like that, and they all did. We prayed a prayer
of salvation together, and they all repeated it, dedicating their
lives to the Lord. Hallelujah! Then I asked whether anyone needed
healing, and several came forward to be prayed for. I've prayed
for these children before - many have parasites from the well
water, and we'd really need to bring some medical people there
to treat them.
Then
I did something I hadn't planned. I asked that those who wanted
to know the love of the Father and have me pray for that, come
forward. The 13-year-old who had listened to me the most attentively
was first in line. And then one after the other came. I held them
in my arms, as I prayed for the love of the Father to flow into
them, and spoke words of blessing and destiny and affirmation
over them. With one girl especially the Lord broke my heart, as
I could feel her pain. Some children were like sponges and held
me tight, while others were tense. Most if not all of these children
were hugged for the first time in their lives. 
Now
his attitude has changed. The two most fiery evangelists he has
are Daouda (13), and a 7-year-old, both on the picture. Daouda
got saved two weeks ago, and went to school the next day, standing
up in front of 90 students and telling them he is a Christian
now. He's been mocked and mistreated by his classmates since,
but keeps telling everyone about the Lord (except his father who
he is afraid of). The 7-year-old also goes around telling everyone
about Jesus, including his parents, who have acknowledged the
change in him these past two months since his new birth.
I
had some Scriptures ready, and knew the Lord would use the words
spoken, as well as the excerpts from the book, to break people's
hearts - and He did. He inspired my words, and even most of the
kids listened carefully. Unfortunately the women hadn't come today.
When I was done speaking, I put on some music that is on the same
subject, and invited people to kneel down or whatever to ask the
Lord to give them His heart for the lost, and a understanding
of hell.
Paul
(my interpreter) had been angry much of the service, but some
things I said towards the end broke through to his heart. In the
end he was also on the floor, his heart broken for the lost. He
asked the Lord to show him hell, and He did.
Last
week we finished a 13-week-course, and I decided to not start
the new course today but next week. Instead I felt I was supposed
to show GOD'S STORY - a presentation of the gospel from Genesis
to revelation, and it's in Bambara. 
We started off with a game they all liked. Then we sang two songs
together. I've rarely seen so much joy and dancing as today! Watch
the videos for yourself.
Then
we did the revision of last week's teaching, but a lot of new
kids were there. After that, I started talking about the accident.
To my surprise, no one knew anything about it. So I still don't
know who died in the accident. I had printed out a picture of
a grenade and a landmine to also give them some information that
will protect them from a similar fate. So I started off sharing
about the accident and talking about heaven and hell. What if
they had been one of the kids? For once, all the kids were listenting
intently - I had their full attention. I spoke from my heart,
urging them to know today that they would spend eternity in heaven
if they died. 
Then
it was time for the 70 min gospel movie. I went inside the house
to intercede for the kids while they were watching. I spent much
of the time behind the window, directly behind the TV, watching
the kids. While I was watching them, watching those who were captivated
by the film, and those that preferred to sleep, and praying at
the same time, the Lord started breaking my heart for them, and
tears ran down my cheeks as I pleaed for their salvation. The
picture was taken from my vantage point (I stood on a chair) -
children in prison....
After
the movie, I spoke to them again - by now half the kids were asleep,
and the others had a hard time concentrating. Still, I believe
that several of the kids praying the salvation prayer were serious
- if they're the next ones to die, they will be going to the One
who desires to spend eternity with them.
Last
night, Simeon went to the bus station with Sekou to invite children
to come to our Saturday program. They were later than usual, and
so they were stopped by the police at 1 am, having to show their
IDs. They told the policemen why they were out that late, who
then appreciated a lot what they were doing. They even told them
to take all the children with them. Then they shared about the
accident that happened. The other children gave Simeon more details,
and then especially Paul whose colleague in school lives right
where it happened.
Finally,
we did the first TPM session with him. At first it wasn't sure
it would happen. Simeon refused to have anyone but me sitting
in in the session, but I insisted. Finally he allowed Firmin to
assist, just not Paul.
In
our Western culture, you threaten your child with not watching
TV, or not going out, or other punishments, or if it comes to
that, with more serious (and unhelpful) things like sending it
away to a home (which I heard as a child). But it breaks my heart
every time I hear how Hama's mother threatens him with something
that should be full of JOY and not full of FEAR. She threatens
him with calling his Dad. And it always works: 5-year-old Hama
is so afraid of his Dad (Seybou) that he obeys right away when
his Mom threatens him that way. It breaks my heart that the one
person that should love him unconditionally and nurture him and
encourage him is also the person who Hama is the most afraid of.
Seybou never holds him, never hugs him, never says a kind word
to him, or spends time with him - just as all the fathers in Mali
are.
The
other day I mentioned Paul's health, but forgot to tell you the
outcome. The doctor's assistant came by yesterday, and saw that
Paul had a little injury on his thumb. Paul hadn't even seen it!
Maybe a thorn from the flowers, or something. In any case, the
wound was dirty, which is why his thumb was swollen. The doctor
opened the wound and disinfected it. Paul has been taking pain
medication since, and it's still swollen. The doctor also gave
him medication against malaria and the flu, because of his other
symptoms. They tend to give much medication here, to cover every
possibilty, so they don't have to do blood tests or other tests.
In
the middle of the prayer meeting, two new people showed up. Firmin
had invited them. One of Firmin's gifts is definitely evangelism.
They both said they were Christians, but only one participated.
Simeon
was all excited, but when he opened the gift, he literally jumped
in the air - I took a picture just at that moment. He was SO HAPPY
about this gift!!! In fact, I knew he would love it. It's a gold
chain with a gold cross that my friend bought sacrificially. Simeon
was overwhelmed by joy! It was the perfect gift for him!
Enoch
came from the village yesterday for our Bible School, and today
I had a chance to talk to him for a while, and heard awesome testimonies
of what's happening in Dio. Enoch himself is just totally amazed
at what's happening, hardly able to believe it. He says everything
started to take off two months ago, when we came at Christmas.
Last
week, one of the pastor's son's best friends, 13-year-old Daouda
(in yellow) came for the baptism service and stayed for the MATTHEW
movie. He even played the drums during out time of worship, and
listened carefully to all I said. Last Sunday, Daouda came to
the service and dedicated his life to the Lord. But not only that,
he told his Mom who is okay with it. Then he went to school and
stood up in front of his whole class of 90 students and told them
all that he has become a Christian. His classmates were so amazed,
because Daouda once was a quranic student and always hated the
Christians, doing them as much harm as possible. Now he's so on
fire for God, he's telling everyone about Jesus. He hasn't dared
tell his Dad yet, but he will. He said he's willing to die for
the Lord, and he's serious.
So
far I've been unable to love my little cat Sweety back to life.
Before my trip to the US, she was the most loving cat. Now she
does not deserve her name - she's a wild cat and has only barely
started to respond to my love. It breaks my heart, but is a great
illustration in the end. By the way, my kids call her my daughter,
while they are my sons.
Please
keep praying that Firmin would find a new home to stay in; his
deadline is March 4. His only option right now is to return to
where he was staying before coming to live with us. That's with
relatives who hardly give him food, and he doesn't have a room
or mattress to sleep on. I have to admit, if he doesn't find anything,
I'll be tempted to let him stay. But SHHHHT - don't tell anyone!
In
November of last year, I finally bought a stove - after over 3
years in Mali. Up until then I just used a little gas bottle I
cooked on directly. With Christmas approaching, I was thinking
of baking cookies with my kids, which never happened because of
the circumstances.
And
they all loved the cake! They said they'd want to eat that every
day! So I asked our architect who's coming in two weeks to bring
a few :-).
Then
I told him to look into his mailbox - he hasn't checked his emails
in more than half a year. And there he found several emails you
have written to him. He read one after the other and was so happy!
I had sent him an ecard, telling him I was reducing his debt as
a birthday gift, and that made him happy too. I haven't seen him
so happy in a long time.
Everybody
really appreciated the message, and several told me so. Paul (my
interpreter) said he wanted to listen to it again. At the end
of the sermon, I had those stand up who had something they needed
to recover this year, whatever it was. I had them each speak it
out to the Lord, before I prayed over them, decreeing this to
be the year of recovery, and that none of us would be the same
a year from now. Then I said that there is one person for whom
this word was especially a word from the Lord, and that we wanted
to pray for him. I said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMEON, come forward!
He had thought we had forgotten his birthday. I just wanted him
to hear the message before decreeing it over him. Simeon knelt
down in the front, and everybody surrounded him. I then proclaimed
with authority over him that this was the year of recovery for
him, recovery of everything the enemy has stolen from him! A few
others also prayed over him. I truly believe that TPM is gonna
change his life, and that he'll be a great testimony of what the
Lord can do! So far, we have not scheduled a session yet. I'm
meeting other missionaries on my two nights off this week.
When
we got there, all the kids were already waiting for us. There
are 19 who are on our list waiting for sponsors (3 have one).
I brought vitamins from MANNATECH with me that HIM had given me.
I gave Enoch a list to tick off every day who got theirs, and
had the joy of giving out the first one to each kid myself.
A
few minutes before we started the meeting, Enoch informed me that
I was the one doing it all. Enoch just officially became part
of our network, our first ouside pastor of Centre Apostolique
Malien. It still amazes me to see a 46-year-old Malian pastor
submit to a younger woman. But then, this is all God! 
In
any case, I did the meeting. We started by doing a few Bambara
songs. I closed my eyes and the presence of God was so strong.
I let myself fall into His presence and bowed down (instead of
kneeling on the sharp stones). Then Enoch had me come up to preach
- without preparation. I did have a baptism passage ready, but
as I started talking I was just sharing what the Lord was putting
on my heart, and it just flowed! I was actually prophesying over
the village and Enoch and the ministry there. Finally I made myself
stop and go to the baptism passage, sharing for a while. There
were about 20 people including children. 
Three
children all had the same issue - stomach problems, and it seemed
like they had parasites. One girl had malaria, and then they handed
me a little baby-girl.
Her twin sister had died, and she herself had a lot of health
problems. I took her in my arms and started praying. I felt led
to pray for deliverance, and she started crying loudly. Then she
suddenly stopped, and actually fell asleep!!!! She looked like
she was resting in the Spirit! I was amazed! When I handed her
back to her Mom, she awoke and was all calm. Praise God!
We
loaded the sound system and all the equipment for it into the
car to drive downtown to a place, where missionaries and ministers
can bring their stuff to be repaired for little money. Three of
the kids came with me. As I turned onto the paved road, the trunk
opened and the sound system fell out, into the middle of the road.
Thankfully no car was directly behind us. As we put it back in,
on the back seat, one kid threw the battery out on the ground.
As of now, I don't know yet if either one is still working. The
sound system WAS damaged on the outside. Everything is with the
technician, so we'll find out more tomorrow. We had to have one
kid sit in the trunk to hold the trunk door shut. Later we took
the car to our mechanic (again) who fixed it. So maybe, just maybe,
the car is fixed enough to go to the village on Wednesday....
I
just wrote about this situation in an email newsletter, which
you can read