Computer Crisis Avoided

Hello Everyone.
Its been a busy week. I was doing a lot of computer repair/file saving.We had a problem two weeks ago with one of the drama team computers. The team risked losing 10-11 months of work! I made a backup of that computer onan external hard drive, and was preparing to write cd's to save the important recorded material. Subsequently, that computer died. Everything would have been lost, exceptthat we had a backup on the external HD. So When Lisa was in Europe, we had her buy an external HD for the drama team, so they would always have a backup. But when I went to pick upLisa in Sikasso, I left the external HD plugged in. (A huge no-no in lightning infested rainy season.) When I got back the next day, it's power suppy was dead because of lightning.Stupid mistake on my part. However, I knew/thought the information on that HD would still be safe, if we could hook it up and read it somehow. (remember this is now the only existing copy of all of that material.) We were able to, and the day was saved. I went from being very heartsick because it was my fault, to being excstatic that the day was saved!! Here is a pic of my and Siriki today. We're installing the new external HD that Lisa brought back from Europe. It installed perfectly on both laptops used for recording/editing.


People often ask what is your average day like? We have daily chores/jobs to make life function in Mali. Then we have work-to do's. Then the unexpected happens. Often the unexpected is someone knocking at your front gate, or someone in the market askes you why you are a Christian, can you explain Christ tothem? The other day it was an emergency baby delivery.

Bamba's 1st wife has been pregnant for awhile. One morning, he went off to his fields as always.The women came to our place, and asked, "Can you drive her to the hospital this morning?" "When?" I asked. "Right away."

Lisa and I go over to their house to see what the situation is, and sure enough, this woman looks like she is in labor..So we load her into the car, and take her over to the maternity hospital. I was driving home, and saw Bamba at the side of the road. He knew already, someone had given him the message out at his field.We turn around, and head back to the hospital. The baby and mother were already in a room!The baby had been born less that 1/2 hour after I dropped the mother off.That's the closest I've ever been to delivering a baby in the car! Thank the Lord for his goodness, proven once again as mother and baby are healthy.
Here is a pic of them....


Here is a pic from Sunday School this week. Ben is sitting on the girls' side. They are all singing,as Sunday School starts. There are boys present, but they're off camera.


I'm going to Dakar this week. We received a gift that enables me to go see Hilary! What a blessing.Dakar Academy has an extra long weekend coming up. No school Mon or Tues next week. So its a good time tovisit, and let Hilary let her guard down a little bit. She has done so well at school, we are soproud of her! Her grades are doing okay, too...Look for some pics next week of our time together!
Thanks for stopping by this week!
Tom & Lisa Seward

Lisa returns, School on strike

Hello from Kadiolo
Lisa arrived in Sikasso yesterday on the bus. It was one like this. She weathered the trip down from Bamako well. (She left at 10 am, and arrived in Sikasso not too long after 4pm.) Getting on the bus, she was trying to get her two large suitcases put on the bus, and someone came behind her, and cut her purse! They sliced into it, and reached in for whatever they could steal. They took an envelope with money in it. At first, Lisa was scared that it was money she'dreceived in Bamako from our accountant, but it turned out to be a smaller envelope with onlyabout $30 or so in it.

Thank the Lord! It could have been another envelope with almost$300 in it.
Lisa had a good visit with her mom, she's back re-juvenated to be in Kadiolo!
Here is Lisa, Ben and Caleb shopping in Sikasso. This is one of the better grocery stores near us...
Lisa had a good visit with her mom, she's back re-juvenated to be in Kadiolo!

Here is Lisa, Ben and Caleb shopping in Sikasso.
This is one of the better grocery stores near us...

Students. School has been in session for two weeks now.
But it has not been in session, the teachers union is on strike. They want more money. Actually they're owed back pay for two years. It is a bit strange. Right now the government is not paying them x amount
of money. Now they want a promise that the government will pay them x amount + y amount.
It should be easy if the government isn't paying any of it?
As a result, students are worried, like these guys in the picture.

They want to get going on their school year, and work on grades. As it is, every day they go 2 miles out to
school to see if classes will be held. Then they trek back. They are discouraged.
Pray for the students, for their studies to continue, but also that we would be able
to share with many as they are very open to talk at this time...






Computers:
We've been experiencing a series of computer problems/failures. Most of these have been affecting our national colleagues, but the latest one is that our laptop died.
It has been replaced, but I've not been able to rebuild my address book yet.
Please email us, so we can have your current information!

Thank You for stopping by!
Tom & Lisa Seward

Ramadan

Ramadan is a month long holiday for M-lims. They fast all month, though the rules of the fast say that you can eat after dark. So when the "caller" calls for evening prayer time, everyone runs for food, and eats as much as possible.It seems like food sells more than ever.

I've had the chance to witness several times this week as m-lims ask me: "Aren't you fasting, Don't Christians fast?"I explained that Jesus (He is their prophet Issa) talked about fasting.He said when you fast do not wear old clothes, and walk around with a sad face, hoping people will ask you if you're fasting. Or that they will know you are fasting, and think you are super-spiritual. Jesus said those that do that have their reward already. Jesus explained to fast in private, and that it was to be a gift between you and God. (I don't know what you think of my answer, but it does make my m-lim friends think.)

Ramadan is also a time when I am reminded again that we're missionaries in hostile territory. So many of my friends/aquaintances are m-lims. They are so friendly and fun to talk to. They are open to asking spiritual questions, and our relationship is usually so good that I forget that there is a spiritual battle going on.Ramadan brings that to mind. Those willing to follow a month long fast are committed to Islam. They are following religious rites that do not save, and will be lost in the end. Pray for these people who need Christ. They need to know that a relationship with Christ supercedes simply religiosity. Its not about rules & regulations, but about a salvation so great!

Preaching. I was asked to preach. I was all prepared today with a paint story board.So great a Salvation was on my mind, so I preached about that.I explained Love, Grace, Faith, and Forgiveness, for those who need to hear the basic gospel again. I explained the truths of justification and sanctificationfor those who have been Christians a long time, but are blocked by big words.The truths of Justificationa and Sanctification are why our salvation is so great. (Bookstore Friends- So great a salvation. Would you call that plagairism or just borrowing heavily? :-))
Justification, the job is done! We are 100% perfect in Gods sight.
Sancification, why do I still face temptations? I explained about how we have choice as Christians, we no longer are slaves to sin. We now can choose in the power of Christ to reject sin and temptation. Every time we do that we bring honor and gloryto God. He loves it! I had to preach in french, of course. Pastor Youssouf translated into Bambara for me.



Womens ministry is doing well. I asked the ladies if they were able to follow my block letters on the board. All but one of them said yes! Their literacy is coming along well. We are so excited about that. We are still looking for partners to send funds to help the womens ministry. We are looking forward to after Christmas, when most of the ladies will exchange their reading/writing books for Bible study materials. Thats' when the money will come in handy. We want these women to be able to study the Word of God!

Lisa comes back next week. I am ready for her to be back. 2.5 weeks as a single parent takes a lot of doing!
Thanks for stopping by,Tom & Lisa