Monday, August 27, 2007
I must "Go"
Again, I have decided that my K-Love devotional book is just simply amazing. Here was the message for today.
"I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way...to show them what roads to take." Isaiah 42:16
"GO!"
Are you facing a situation that feels overwhelming and you're afraid to make a wrong move? Or maybe you're saying no to something in your life that you'd really like to say yes to. A well-known counselor says, "For years I heard about hiking. It sounded elusive, difficult...and mysterious. When a friend asked me to go hiking...I began thinking..what if I couldn't do it well enough? Or I didn't know how to do it all? 'Don't be ridiculous,' I scolded myself. 'You're making thos more complicated than it is...it's just walking, and you've bee doing that since you were a baby!' We left ...and I followed... as he started up a steep incline. 'Just walk,' I told myself...'Put one foot in front of another... like you've done all your life.' I didn't make it to the top of the mountain that day, but I made it halfway...Start where you are. Start poorly. Just start...if you already knew how to do it well, it wouldn't be a lesson...and you'd never have the thrill of victory, years from now looking back."
God has promised to "take the hand of those who don't know the way...to show them what roads to take." You say, "But what if I get into difficulty?" You probably will! But God says: "When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you" (Is 43:2). But you've got to be willing to 'go' in order for God to bring you 'through!' In other words- you have to be willing to get your feet wet. The thing to keep in mind is: "God...goes ahead of you" (Dt 1:30).
**It reminds me of the saying..When the going gets tough, the tough get going! No matter what trials I may be facing, or no matter what obstacles lay ahead, I must go..and remember that God is on my side. He is going to take my hand and lead me through. : ) What a great God I serve!
"I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way...to show them what roads to take." Isaiah 42:16
"GO!"
Are you facing a situation that feels overwhelming and you're afraid to make a wrong move? Or maybe you're saying no to something in your life that you'd really like to say yes to. A well-known counselor says, "For years I heard about hiking. It sounded elusive, difficult...and mysterious. When a friend asked me to go hiking...I began thinking..what if I couldn't do it well enough? Or I didn't know how to do it all? 'Don't be ridiculous,' I scolded myself. 'You're making thos more complicated than it is...it's just walking, and you've bee doing that since you were a baby!' We left ...and I followed... as he started up a steep incline. 'Just walk,' I told myself...'Put one foot in front of another... like you've done all your life.' I didn't make it to the top of the mountain that day, but I made it halfway...Start where you are. Start poorly. Just start...if you already knew how to do it well, it wouldn't be a lesson...and you'd never have the thrill of victory, years from now looking back."
God has promised to "take the hand of those who don't know the way...to show them what roads to take." You say, "But what if I get into difficulty?" You probably will! But God says: "When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you" (Is 43:2). But you've got to be willing to 'go' in order for God to bring you 'through!' In other words- you have to be willing to get your feet wet. The thing to keep in mind is: "God...goes ahead of you" (Dt 1:30).
**It reminds me of the saying..When the going gets tough, the tough get going! No matter what trials I may be facing, or no matter what obstacles lay ahead, I must go..and remember that God is on my side. He is going to take my hand and lead me through. : ) What a great God I serve!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Church Kids in Bougouni
Here is a video clip from one Sunday morning. The kids sang a song for the church. It was so cute!
The Dance :)
So, this afternoon, Sarah and I went out into the streets of Bamako. When we hit a main road, we noticed lots of commotion and loud music coming from across the street...so, we crossed the road. As we approached, to our surprise, there were lots of litte kids dancing. After the kids, then there were lots of women and men dancing. We just stood on the outside and observed, but the annoucer all of a sudden, got on the mic and said in Bambara, " Hey Toubabous, come join us...you dance?" Sarah and I looked at each, and just laughed...in the past, whenever we have tried to dance the way they dance, it ends up being more entertainment for others. :) A source of amusement...so we shook our heads and smiled, and then just watched:) Maybe someday soon I will make my dancing debut to the Malians, but watch out...Mali will never be the same after that day! : )
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Thoughts straight from my heart
This morning, while doing my devotions, I came across an article. It seemed as though someone had gotten into my heart and wrote down how my heart was feeling...the article captivated my thoughts. I would like to share it with you. It came from a K-LOVE devotional book entitled, "On the Right Note"( an amazing little devo book)
Wednesday, August 22
Faith vs. Control
" When you obsess over problems instead of looking to God for solutions, the enemy will magnify your fears. If he can't get you to worry about the present he'll remind you of everything that could go wrong in the future! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "All I have seen, has taught me to trust God for all I haven't seen." The last time you checked, wasn't God still bigger than any terrorist attack, financial disaster, illness, accusation, or mess you found yourself in? Well, He hasn't changed! David said, "He won't go to sleep...The Lord is...at your right side...(He) will...keep you safe...wherever you go" (Ps121:3-8 CEV); plus His angels are watching over you 24/7.
It all comes down to faith vs. control. You can struggle to handle things on your own- or trust your Heavenly Father. That's the choice! It's not about "blind faith" it's about believing that God is who He says He is. And it's an issue you need to settle in your mind once and for all, because if you don't believe He wants ONLY the best for you, you'll keep trying to run the show. Control isn't responsibility. Responsibility is doing your part by praying, obeying, and trusting God. Control is manipulating the circumstances to engineer the outcome you want. Jesus knows how we like holding on to things we're not wise enough to control, so He said, "If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give it up... for me, you will save it." (Luke 9:24) Bottom line- you either trust God or you don't. "
**My prayer for today:
Lord, help me to believe that you want ONLY the best for me, and therefore you will supply for my every need, if I give you the control, and I have faith.
Wednesday, August 22
Faith vs. Control
" When you obsess over problems instead of looking to God for solutions, the enemy will magnify your fears. If he can't get you to worry about the present he'll remind you of everything that could go wrong in the future! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "All I have seen, has taught me to trust God for all I haven't seen." The last time you checked, wasn't God still bigger than any terrorist attack, financial disaster, illness, accusation, or mess you found yourself in? Well, He hasn't changed! David said, "He won't go to sleep...The Lord is...at your right side...(He) will...keep you safe...wherever you go" (Ps121:3-8 CEV); plus His angels are watching over you 24/7.
It all comes down to faith vs. control. You can struggle to handle things on your own- or trust your Heavenly Father. That's the choice! It's not about "blind faith" it's about believing that God is who He says He is. And it's an issue you need to settle in your mind once and for all, because if you don't believe He wants ONLY the best for you, you'll keep trying to run the show. Control isn't responsibility. Responsibility is doing your part by praying, obeying, and trusting God. Control is manipulating the circumstances to engineer the outcome you want. Jesus knows how we like holding on to things we're not wise enough to control, so He said, "If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give it up... for me, you will save it." (Luke 9:24) Bottom line- you either trust God or you don't. "
**My prayer for today:
Lord, help me to believe that you want ONLY the best for me, and therefore you will supply for my every need, if I give you the control, and I have faith.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Good ol' Days : )
Papou and Ellen on the Power K.
Here I am with Ellen on my back....I am totally trying to be as Malian as possible ;)
This is Kadiatou. We are working on learning English :)
I taught the kids how to play "Slap Jack", so in this picture was a round between Abel and I. It lasted for like 20 minutes. I think I won. :)
This is Baby Ellen and I in Bougouni. :) She is now one year old.
Monday, August 20, 2007
My niece was asking me if I had any pictures of the henna that I had done, and if you look closely at the picture, you will be able to see it on my feet. :) It lasted for 2-3 weeks. Also, you can see my African beautician in the background, her name is Maya. She has done an amazing job with my hair, considering how fine my hair is compared to their hair. This picture was when she was doing my hair for the second time. :)
The Update :)
Aw ni wula(Good Afternoon) to My Dear Friends and Family,
It seems as though I got so excited about having internet connection again, that I went picture crazy, but did not write an updated blog message, so I decided I best update you all on what God has been doing here in Mali, West Africa. He has been quite busy! The team returned to Bamako, from our stay in Bougouni. While we were in Bougouni, we stayed at Reed Bible Institute, where the director of the school, taught us our “World’s Living Religions” course. His family lives on the compound, as did we. I fell in love with his family, and spent almost every evening with them. Our professor’s name was Joseph Camara, and he studied at Grace University, in Omaha, NE, about 11 years ago. So, he and his wife can both speak English, and their children are learning. They have three children, whom I am pictured with many times. Almost every afternoon, I would go with their threes kids up to a mountain and we would just sit and talk, take pictures, play UNO J In Africa, it is quite common for extended family to all live together, and so not only does Joseph’s family live there, his mother, one sister, and one brother also live there. His sister is 25, and his brother is 27. I have spent a lot of time with his brother and sister, as well. His brother, Abel, can speak a small amount of English, but he is learning, and he has been helping me with my French. I am trying to teach English to his sister, Kadiatou. When we left Bougouni, I really did leave part of my heart there. I learned many things while in Bougouni. I really did enjoy my time there, so much so, that I will be returning to Bougouni on the weekends to hopefully engage in some women’s and children’s ministry, and then doing some ministry with university students here in Bamako, during the week. While in Bougouni, I would say that my relationship with God, reached a level that it has never been at before. Although, I have tried many times, and have always wanted to have a daily time that I spent with God, it is something that I always struggled with. While in Bougouni, I found a little secret spot, and EVERY morning, I would get up early, at the same time, and go to my spot and spend time with the Lord. Every morning, He had something new to show me. I actually look forward to getting up early every morning just to spend time with Him. Never in my life have I ever enjoyed getting up early, but I have come to love my mornings. Not to mention, that no one else on my team is up, so it quiet and peaceful. J I can honestly say that I love the Lord, and I am so thankful that He is in my life, and that He has control. He has been teaching me many lessons on being patient, and waiting for His timing. Isnt it great that we serve such a big God?
Well, after returning to Bamako on August 11, 2007, we attended a “Tent-making Conference” this last weekend. Its emphasis was on witness and taking Christ into your work setting. It was very interesting, and I felt that thinking long-term, it was a very beneficial conference. It was an international conference, everything was in French and English. There were 17 different countries represented, most from within Africa. At one point, they called people up to represent the different countries, and my team sent me up as the rep. for the United States…oh boy, I was a proud representative for the United States( it was kind of funny, because I was actually wearing a Malian outfit, on the day that I was representing the United States of America. J ) I was able to make many contacts with people from the different countries, so that one day when I am finished with school, if Africa is still where the Lord wants me, I have many invitations to many different African countries. God is good! I was also able to make contacts with several of the local university students, which is amazing, because as a team, we will now be able to work on building some relationships with them. The students that were at the conference could all speak English rather well. I am really excited to see what God is going to do with these contacts, I am very excited about all the potential…J Anyway, we started our final class today..”Evangelism and Church Planting” I am excited about it. So, I actually best be heading off, so that I can focus on doing some of my homeworkJ Anyway, thank you to all of you who have been and still are praying for me and my team. God has been doing some amazing things, and we can feel the impacts of your prayers! After we finish up with this last class, the team will be splitting up to focus on ministry opportunites. The 6 single students will be living in Bamako, and the two married couples will be heading to different cities to do their ministry. So, you can be praying for the adjustments that will have to be made. Also, I am just super excited about all the potential there is to serve here, so if you would be praying that God would be guiding me in what He wants me to be doing, I would appreciate that! I kept telling my mother, that although my plane ticket says that my return date in November 17th, that date just may change to a later date…she keeps telling me that I must come home and finish school, before I can stay in Africa…I told her that we will just see what God has in mindJ I do truly love it here, the people are amazing, they love to build relationships! I am excited to see what God has in store for myself and my team in the next 3 months. Please keep us in your prayers, and know that you are playing a major role in our team, although you are on the other side of the world. Let us all keep our eyes focused on Jesus, as we all strive to serve Him each and every day.
Shining His Light,
Hannah
It seems as though I got so excited about having internet connection again, that I went picture crazy, but did not write an updated blog message, so I decided I best update you all on what God has been doing here in Mali, West Africa. He has been quite busy! The team returned to Bamako, from our stay in Bougouni. While we were in Bougouni, we stayed at Reed Bible Institute, where the director of the school, taught us our “World’s Living Religions” course. His family lives on the compound, as did we. I fell in love with his family, and spent almost every evening with them. Our professor’s name was Joseph Camara, and he studied at Grace University, in Omaha, NE, about 11 years ago. So, he and his wife can both speak English, and their children are learning. They have three children, whom I am pictured with many times. Almost every afternoon, I would go with their threes kids up to a mountain and we would just sit and talk, take pictures, play UNO J In Africa, it is quite common for extended family to all live together, and so not only does Joseph’s family live there, his mother, one sister, and one brother also live there. His sister is 25, and his brother is 27. I have spent a lot of time with his brother and sister, as well. His brother, Abel, can speak a small amount of English, but he is learning, and he has been helping me with my French. I am trying to teach English to his sister, Kadiatou. When we left Bougouni, I really did leave part of my heart there. I learned many things while in Bougouni. I really did enjoy my time there, so much so, that I will be returning to Bougouni on the weekends to hopefully engage in some women’s and children’s ministry, and then doing some ministry with university students here in Bamako, during the week. While in Bougouni, I would say that my relationship with God, reached a level that it has never been at before. Although, I have tried many times, and have always wanted to have a daily time that I spent with God, it is something that I always struggled with. While in Bougouni, I found a little secret spot, and EVERY morning, I would get up early, at the same time, and go to my spot and spend time with the Lord. Every morning, He had something new to show me. I actually look forward to getting up early every morning just to spend time with Him. Never in my life have I ever enjoyed getting up early, but I have come to love my mornings. Not to mention, that no one else on my team is up, so it quiet and peaceful. J I can honestly say that I love the Lord, and I am so thankful that He is in my life, and that He has control. He has been teaching me many lessons on being patient, and waiting for His timing. Isnt it great that we serve such a big God?
Well, after returning to Bamako on August 11, 2007, we attended a “Tent-making Conference” this last weekend. Its emphasis was on witness and taking Christ into your work setting. It was very interesting, and I felt that thinking long-term, it was a very beneficial conference. It was an international conference, everything was in French and English. There were 17 different countries represented, most from within Africa. At one point, they called people up to represent the different countries, and my team sent me up as the rep. for the United States…oh boy, I was a proud representative for the United States( it was kind of funny, because I was actually wearing a Malian outfit, on the day that I was representing the United States of America. J ) I was able to make many contacts with people from the different countries, so that one day when I am finished with school, if Africa is still where the Lord wants me, I have many invitations to many different African countries. God is good! I was also able to make contacts with several of the local university students, which is amazing, because as a team, we will now be able to work on building some relationships with them. The students that were at the conference could all speak English rather well. I am really excited to see what God is going to do with these contacts, I am very excited about all the potential…J Anyway, we started our final class today..”Evangelism and Church Planting” I am excited about it. So, I actually best be heading off, so that I can focus on doing some of my homeworkJ Anyway, thank you to all of you who have been and still are praying for me and my team. God has been doing some amazing things, and we can feel the impacts of your prayers! After we finish up with this last class, the team will be splitting up to focus on ministry opportunites. The 6 single students will be living in Bamako, and the two married couples will be heading to different cities to do their ministry. So, you can be praying for the adjustments that will have to be made. Also, I am just super excited about all the potential there is to serve here, so if you would be praying that God would be guiding me in what He wants me to be doing, I would appreciate that! I kept telling my mother, that although my plane ticket says that my return date in November 17th, that date just may change to a later date…she keeps telling me that I must come home and finish school, before I can stay in Africa…I told her that we will just see what God has in mindJ I do truly love it here, the people are amazing, they love to build relationships! I am excited to see what God has in store for myself and my team in the next 3 months. Please keep us in your prayers, and know that you are playing a major role in our team, although you are on the other side of the world. Let us all keep our eyes focused on Jesus, as we all strive to serve Him each and every day.
Shining His Light,
Hannah
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
This is me receiving an award for first place in Bible quizzing at a camp in Koutiala....It was kind of exciting to get this award, because there were about 250 other campers, and I had to have everything translated, and they understood everything, and I received first place. The camp was a french speaking camp. I really enjoyed the week....got to shower under the stars in the moonlight, was that ever an experience..I loved it! God is good! I love Africa!
This is the Camara family. Some of the extended family lives with them. Back Row: Abel, Joseph, Marthe
Middle Row: Amie, Karidatou, LeVieux, Papou, Kyria
Front and Center: MaNagali
*I love this family..they have been such a blessing in my life.
This was my team with one of our professors....the Director of Reed Bible Institute, Joseph Camara. Although now, two of our team members have returned to the States, which was planned. :)
Here I am on the "Antenna Mount" with the Camara kids.. While I was in Bougouni, I stayed at a place called IBR.. Reed Bible Institute. The director's name was Joseph Camara, in this picture are his three children. Papou, LeVieux, and Kyria, and then the guy next to me is named Abel. He is Joseph's brother. These are probably my four most favorite people here in Mali, thus far :) Almost everyday in the afternoons, we would go hike up some "mountain/mound" and just spend time together. Saturday, August 11, 2007
Special People
This is me with some Pastors children. The names of the boys whose faces you can see are LeVieux and Papou. The other little boy is name Joussef. I've spent a lot of time with these little boys. :) I am loving Africa...I told my mom that I might not come home...and she informed me that I must come home and finish school, and then maybe I could come back to Africa:) We will see what God has in mind. Please be praying for the health of my team, we have had a few get sick with Malaria and typhoid...but right not all is well, but just keep praying for safety and health. God has been opening a lot of doors for us!
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