Ministry in Southern Mali

Hello. We're gearing up for ministries this next week.
Tomorrow, Tom goes back to the village church from 3 weeks ago with the youth.
I'll be preaching again. They will translate my french into Bambara.
We're hoping for a good turnout of youth in the village.
Pastor there said that last time the youth in town were so interested,
and they began to visit him to ask questions about our faith in Christ. Very encouraging.
This village is a Senefou village. Many will say outwardly they are m-lim.
But in reality they are animist. They believe in hexes,
curses, pleasing the ancestors, and often have to have a witch doctor explain to them how to do so.
These villages tend to be very hard towards the gospel because their animistic system is so important to village life, and is so ingrained in the people, that it is hard for them to break free from the fear that holds them. Pray for us as we seek to share the good news of freedom in Christ to them.


Lisa is gearing up for Womens Camp. The women are so excited about it.
We don't yet have a final count as to how many are going, but are able to handle up to 37 or so.
(We have 9 women coming from the church in Fourou.) Lisa is going to be camping with them in a womens dorm in Sikasso. She's been instructed to bring a sleeping mat, (No beds furnished.) and her washing bucket.

It will be a challenge for Lisa to camp with the ladies.
It is hot season right now. Today is 111 degrees F. 20% humidity.
The humidity is going to be building up over the next two weeks until it comes down as rain.
The nights are even getting a bit hot and sticky. Usually nights are cool.

Last years' conference had about 240 women. It was the first time our Kadiolo area women were able to go.
They were so encouraged. They leave Monday, and come back Sunday afternoon.
Pray for them that they will be able to hear the messages God has for them. Pray for women who've been involved in church for a while now, but need to hear and understand the gospel for themselves.

Lisa had an idea this year for a gift for the women who are going. She bought beads and other materials for necklaces for the women. Then we invited all the older kids from church. (Secretly...) To come and make a necklace for their moms. Sunday morning these neckaces will be presented to the moms as a goodbye from their kids. The kids made enough necklaces for each woman going, so that the necklaces, while each being individual, will also be sort of a uniform for the women for the week. Of course each one recieving one from her own kids will hopefully feel loved, missed, and appreciated from home as well. Here is a couple of pics from necklace production last Thursday.










God Bless,
Tom & Lisa Seward