NOT for the weak in stomach

Honest warning: this is a little brutal for the easily grossed out!
 

Riding back from school, we saw this ram in the back of a TAXI- still alive

Tabaski is the celebration of Abraham and Ishmael's obedience to Allah's commands. According to Islam, Abraham was told to sacrifice Ishmael on the alter. Ishmael verbally agreed to allow his father to do this, because he knew that Allah had commanded. At the last minute, Allah spoke and intervened saying that the action of obedience was all that was necessary and Allah provided a Ram to sacrifice instead.

Poor Ram.. morning before the slaughter!

As a Christian I am very familiar with a different version of this story. Instead of Ishmael, Christian's believe it to be Isaac- the promised son- to have been offered as a sacrifice. A difference that shows not just the differences in the traditions of  Islam and Christianity, but the separate foundations of each.

On Tabaski -also called Eid Al-Adha outside of West Africa- each family purchases and slaughters a ram (or cow, or sheep, or goat) then cooks it for the evening meal.

YOU are going to DIE

The celebration starts the week prior with the purchase of the ram. All week in Bamako I have seen sheep EVERYWHERE- in taxis, buses, being walked down the road, etc. I have taken the culturally insensitive habit of yelling out in English "you are going to die" to the poor animal.

On the day of the celebration, it starts with a call to prayer and a service at the local mosque. People dress in their finest clothes and gather together where ever they find room. Women are separate from the men and have their heads covered. Everyone faces toward Mecca. Today as I walked by the mosque across the street from my house, there were too many people to fit inside the courtyard so prayer mats were set up outside and men were praying and listening to the Arabic.

Mosque across from my house and the morning prayer.

Afterwards, the blood bath begins. Everyone returns to their home and kills their animal. My room mate and I walked around just to observe the sights. Every house hold gathered in the street and began hacking away at the animal. Blood flying everywhere. Guts splayed out. The animals that we had seen alive an hour prior were now in bloody piece. I am amazed how every single Malian male knows how to kill a ram. They were hanging in trees, laid  out on the ground and being carried by men. Very little disturbs me, but I must be honest- my stomach started to feel a little quesy.

*Warning: these pictures are a little graphic*

YOU ARE DEAD (same cow only, after)

This family had 4 rams. 3 of them already have been slaughtered

The whole family is involved in the process.

Now it is time to celebrate! Families are gathering together- with a day off of work and school- to feast and be together. It is a good reminder of the importance of celebration and remembering Gods provision. Even though I believe in a different sacrifice- the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, my neighbors around me do not. I must be sensitive to their hearts and as I continue to learn language, take the time to speak with them and understand them as I share the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!

Favorite Classroom Moments- part 2

The last two weeks have been the hardest weeks as a teacher so far. What went from fun and games changed to a realization how much influence I have on these children and "what AM I doing?". There were some hard days. I struggled to see progress in my students and became frustrated when they misbehaved or acted out. However, there were many other moments of joy with funny comments they made or honest questions they asked. So here are some of the highlights!

1. In science I taught a lesson on ocean currents. Lacking a visual aid, I decided that drawing a world map and placing the arrows in the correct location would suffice. So as I am talking I begin to draw. Now, I have no real artistic skill, and drawing for me can be quite humorous... About halfway through my drawing of the world, one of my students raises their hand,

"Miss Silberstein, what are you drawing, because it looks like a  mermaid with a big butt".

I stop, step back, and look at my drawing. Sure enough, North and South America are indeed a mermaid with a HUGE butt. I laugh, allow the kids to get their giggles out, the proceed with the lesson. Never the less after lunch, I come back into my classroom and see all the details filled in... Oh, goodness!

The wonderful mermaid/Americas

2. Science lessons seem to be a favorite for great comments and conversation. This week we learned about the nervous system and how it transfers information about the senses. About halfway through the lesson, my Brazilian student raises her hand and through the help of her translator asks

"So, if nerves transfer feelings, then what about love- like between a man and a woman. I mean, how is that transferred through the body in the nerve cells?"

WOAH- wait, what.. you're 9! I am so surprised that I start laughing, but want to do the good teacher thing and actually attempt to answer her questions. So I fumble through a brief explanation that God gives us emotions and the ability to love and that doesnt really have to do with the five senses... or something like that.

3. Our social studies unit right now is on Asia, and so I decided to teach on Japan. As part of the lesson, I taught my students a few Japanese phrases (thanks to all my friends who took Japanese in high school, I learned a word or two). The day after, I walk back to my classroom after break and see all my students outside the door. I look at them as they bow and say "ka-nee-che-wah sensai" (or hello teacher). Made my day!

Anyway, focusing on the fun parts of teaching helps me enjoy class! Glad I can share some of these with you!

Retreat.

This past weekend was a women's retreat for the missionary community in Mali. For 3 days around 60 women gathered together to worship, learn and retreat. A team of 5 ladies came from Colorado to put on the retreat and bless the missionary community through this event.

My roomie, Hilary, and I at the retreat.

For me I struggled to get into the mode of "retreat". The location was in Bamako and I commuted back and forth from my house to the hotel to save some money and keep hotel space open for out of town-ers and mothers. This brought my normal 'life" into "retreat" life and caused me to be distracted.Also, I struggled with pride. My attitude was focused on me, what I was thinking, what I was going to get out of this weekend. My over-critical spirit jumped out and thoughts of "who are these ladies teaching us? Most have never been to Africa, let alone know anything about life of a missionary in Mali." blocked me from really hearing what God was saying through them.

This weekend focused on our stories and how God is working through them. We were given time to make a timeline of our lives by placing significant events and phases of life on the paper. Later in the day we gathered together in small groups and shared our stories. I was blessed with the genuine honesty of the ladies who shared with me. I heard stories of pain, sorrow, joy and peace. I have always known in my head that since no one is perfect, then that would include missionaries. But, hearing stories reminded me that every person is broken and in need of Jesus for healing and fixing.

Life on the field- or really in any "ministry position"- is in a fishbowl. Everyone sees what you do and you are expected to be the perfect Christian- and most strive to live that way. However, we really are only human, and when we dedicate our lives to following God, Satan gets even madder and tries to thwart us- causing all those struggles to intensify. Its a powerful battle that I regularly forget to recognize.

When I was writing out my story, I really started to see some themes- the biggest being my strive for perfection. I always remember Jesus being my life. Sure, there are times where it would not appear so from the way I treat people or the thoughts in my head, but I look back and see obedience, and joy in the journeys He has taken me- around the world, literally.

However, I see that perfection being sought after in the eyes of others. Instead of seeking after Gods holiness to please Him and Him alone, I tend to strive for perfection to please others and myself. It has the same result, yet the attitude in my heart is not always pure, and is self seeking, rather than loving. Its a strange juxtaposition, really.

I guess my purpose in writing this blog is to allow people to see the real "Sarah". We discussed genuine community on the final day of the retreat. The first step is to desire community and then put in the work for it. It doesnt just happen by chance, but the work that needs to be done is honesty of our stories and praise to God for the work He does in spite of those.

So, here you are, my friends and family. I may be a  missionary but that does not mean I am perfect. My prideful attitude and critical spirit gets in the way of me really listening and learning. However, I serve a God who is sovereign. He somehow always pushes through my stubbornness and barriers to teach me. He is holy and only through his work in me am I made holy.

I now ask of all of you to remember this: do your best to not put missionaries, pastors, or really any spiritual leader on a pedestal. They are broken in need of God just as much as anyone else. Seek to find out their story and pray for them through their short comings. Our God uses ordinary people for His glory! And it's a good thing!