Dusty arrives!

Hi. Our new friend Dusty just arrived in Mali. He is here for 4 weeks. He is exploring to see how God could use him in Mali. He will be living with an african senoufo family, he will be learning a bit of Bambara. He will be generally experiencing what missionary life is in southern Mali. Also he will be visiting the various ministries, and hearing from our African brothers and sisters what their vision is for the church and the advancement of the gospel here.

If you are twinged with a teeny bit of jealousy because you're saying to yourself. "HEY! Could I do something like that??" Maybe you could. God has gifted you in many ways that you are aware of, as well as a few ways that would surprise even your mother. Sometimes we need to step out in faith to find these things.







On the other side of experiences in Mali, our colleagues Ernie & Jan E. had a car accident. They were on a very dusty road, and stopped because they couldn't see. They were stopped lest than a minute when a semi truck (who did not stop when he couldn't see.) hit them almost head on. Fortunatly he was going fairly slow. But the semi truck just about demolished their car, but did not harm Ernie or Jan nor their 2 passengers.





I've had a very busy week this week. I've been meeting with Ernie, and with our pastors of the Pain de Vie (Bread of life) church association. (In case I've never said this, Pain de Vie is the name of our church association here in Mali.) Anyway, they have been reworking their Statement of Faith. So we've been talking through issues like baptism, communion, baby dedication. We walked through the example of World Venture's statement of faith. So now they're writing theirs along those lines, but in french. Once the french one is accepted by the association, then they will write it in Bambara.

The idea is that when we are done, the pastors will have a statement of faith that can be taught to believers who neither speak nor read french.



I've also been meeting with the radio drama team. A mission concerned with media would like to come to Kadiolo in February 2010, to offer some training to the team on video production. So we've been discussing/working through a lot of issues with that trip as well.



I really felt needed and useful in a profound way this week. I was at the right place at the right time, and able help navigate some of these issues. And God is blessing.



Thank you for praying. Your prayers, even in the "simple" matter of travel. As you can see, it means a lot.



Thanks for stopping by,

Tom & Lisa