Joannie est Arrivee!!

Have you ever had a dream for ministry or a desire to help serve that you couldn't make happen on your own strength? We had a dream to have a tutor come out to help tutor our kids, especially to help Hilary as village life is difficult for girls. The tutor would need to have a desire to work with our church ministries, and have a good base of french to be effective. So when we went to Quebec spring 2005 for a short trip, we shared in the church our dream/need. Joannie Gagnon, a young girl partway through community college to do teacher training, came forward. She is a French speaker first, and speaks English well also. She is strong in Math, which we are lacking in.. So we were excited about the possibility, but neither she nor we were sure how the financial needs for her coming would work out. God moved in a miraculous way, and her needs were all taken care of- even when the air ticket was double what we thought it would be. So late Sunday night, when Joannie's feet touched Mali soil as she got out of the airplane, we saw a tangible proof of God moving in a myriad of ways to accomplish His promises. In this case, it was not necessarily a biblical promise from Him to us, but it was a fulfilment of a dream we had to help facilitate ministry in Kadiolo! God is so good. Rejoice with us as we acknowledge His hand in bringing Joannie out to join us. We could not have done it on our own! Joannie will be here until Oct 2006. We are so pleased to add her as a full member to our team in Kadiolo!!

Here is a pic of Joannie and the kids in the car the day after she arrived. (2:30 am arrival after a long layover in Paris and a short hop from Casablanca.)
Note: This picture could include any of you who are reading this blog, and have a desire to taste & see of what God is doing in Mali.


We're in Bamako, because that is where Joannie flew into. We also had a day retreat with our WorldVenture colleagues. We called it a Pray & Play because that is what we did. Lots of pool time, a good meal at a hotel, and time to share and pray. It did us good inside and out. (For most of us, Hilary got quite sunburnt!)

Bamako is an interesting place. It is a big city, so has lots of hotels, resteraunts, and ammenities that come with a big city. It is also in West Africa, and as you imagine, life goes along here in an African way. So often you see a contrast or combination of Modern vs Tradition.
Here is a pic of very nice furniture for sale under some mango trees at the side of the road. Buy now for it rains tomorrow!


Another thing about Bamako that the kids like is the other missionary families. There seems to be no shortage of other kids to play with. Ben and Caleb are constantly asking to go play with someone. And everywhere we go it seems there are lots of new friends to be made. That makes Bamako a special vacation for them, because Kadiolo has no other Mks nearby to play with on a daily basis...
The kids were able to get in two days of classes at Bamako Christian Academy, and enjoy real kids, real teachers in a classroom setting as well.
Here is a pic of Ben & friend Keenans' winning watermelon carving at the fall festival held at BCA. Can you guess who it is?


Once again, thanks for praying for us, and dropping by to read the latest in our adventures. We hope you enjoy the pics and stories, and that they encourage you in your walk in the Lord.

Tom & Lisa Seward