R.A.F.T. part 2

Since I am doing RAFT out of order, I choose to focus on “Farewell” next. Since I am not permanently leaving Mali, this goes a little differently. I would like to highlight some goodbyes that have been part of my life already due to people leaving Mali.

Smee- Real name: Elias.

The best way to describe Elias is "on the go”. He came to Mali to work with a family from Sweden and be a tutor for their oldest child who needed to complete course work from Sweden. It was fun to have him around and he was a great addition to our food club- his specialty? Desserts- man, he loves to make cake, cookie, and of course “apple pie with vanilla sauce”. He is now back in Sweden working this summer with children and youth that are mentally disabled. In the fall he will start taking university classes.

 

Carolina-

Carolina came to my class one day to share about her country Brazil

Carolina moved into our apartment about a month after I arrived and since she is from Brazil, we could only communicate in a broken English/Spanish combination. Over the year, however, she picked up a lot of English and became a great friend. She is a doctor and was in Mali to work on a program teaching mothers-to-be how to stay healthy and take care of their children. She also incorporated a lot of art into her classes and I was able to attend a meeting on Saturday afternoon as they were making dolls. She is now back in Brazil finishing her residency.

R.A.F.T. Part 1

In my training we learned the acronym RAFT- to be used in times of change and transition as a tool for leaving and entering well. This stands for:

R is for Reconciliation.

A is for Affirmation

F is for Farewell

T is for Think Destination.

I will be using these with my students over the next few weeks as they transition from school time to summer. Also we have 2 families leaving Mali and this will allow their children to leave BCA well.

But this is not just for students- I am going through a time of transition as well when I head to Oregon for the summer. It IS going to be a change, especially since I have rooted myself in Mali over the past year. So join the next few blogs as I build my own R.A.F.T.!

Think Destination

It is exciting for me to think of going home, but I am also anxious- there are many changes that have taken place and I need to be mentally and emotionally prepared for them.

That being said here are my top five things I am looking forward to most during my visit to the USA-

1. Seeing family and friends. I have missed you all the past year and look forward to fun chats and good times.

2. Foods! I eat well in Mali, don’t get me wrong! But Bagels, cream cheese (for less than $7), fancy coffee, QDOBA and convenient fast foods… YUM!

3. My car. I look forward to the freedom of jumping in my car and taking a drive. In Bamako I rely on public transportation and friends and I miss the freedom!

4. A summer job! I will be working part time with Wilderness International as an assistant team leader for conservation teams. This is a ministry focused on providing job opportunities for at-risk youth. So, I will be going from missionary kids, to at-risk youth, back to missionary kids. FUN

5. Cooler weather. The heat of the Oregon summer will be comparable to cold season here in Mali- Bring it on!

Why can’t we get along Charlie Brown?

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. “ 1 Corinthians 1:10

As a body of Christ, it is important to get along. Whether it is at school with your classmates, or in the office with co-workers, finding ways to work together is important!

This year, I have had to set an expectation of cooperation in my classroom.

I work at an international school and in my class alone there are students from five different countries. Throw in four languages, a variety of cultures, and, well, growing up- that can be a recipe for conflict.

However, I serve a God that loves His children, and through that overflowing love, my students have learned to see the world through the eyes of Jesus.

Most of the time they work together, share, play together and for the most part– get along.

This Spring I had the privilege of writing and co-directing the elementary musical. The music teacher and I decided to put on a show featuring Charlie Brown characters with the theme of getting along– something part of their everyday life.

We cast the play the end of February have been working hard since. Last Friday we had our performance and it was AMAZING. The kids were so much fun to watch and they really enjoyed the show.

 

Upper: Schroeder is catcher at the baseball game

Left: Lucy and Marcy write their book report

Right: Several students sing their hearts out in Glee Club

Bottom: Linus and his bird friend dance with their blankets

Let the WORD speak for itself

Lately I have been reminded of the power of the Word of God. I often take the Bible for granted, and forget it’s power, but God has been teaching me that His word really is the bread of life.

As I teach Bible class, I have the natural tendency to try to over-explain things. If we read a verse, I get excited and start talking…blah blah blah.

However, for our Easter lessons, they asked that we read the Easter story and allow the kids to respond to comprehension questions. So I tried it. I read about 2 chapters a day for 4 days out loud to the class. Not only did the kids pick up in new pieces of the story, I was struck with the complete simplicity of the Word of God.

So I decided to try something new. Let the WORD speak for itself. This week the students have been learning about Heaven and Hell. Tough subjects- complicated too. As part of their activity they were to look up verses on Heaven and Hell and learn what the scriptures say. I decided that rather than walk through it as a class, they would work independently- read the verse and write down what it says. So far it worked- I mean, boy did they ask questions!!! But I just let them read the verse over and over and all of the sudden things started to click!

As soon as my mouth shut, Gods can open HIS. And He has much better things to say.

This is true for everyone! I just stumbled upon the controversy surrounding Rob Bells newest book “Love Wins”. It seems to me that Rob started letting himself speak for the Word. His ideas, his understanding, and his desires crept into what the Scriptures really say. It’s easy to do- but scary when it happens.

Tonight I was reading in 2 Samuel 23 and they are some of David’s last words:

1 These are the last words of David:
"The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel's songs:

2 "The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:

David wasn’t speaking here of his words, rather he was speaking the WORD OF GOD given to him directly, without human contamination. And how would you like to have your last recorded words be words that God spoke through you! That would be AWESOME!

It’s important. We must not allow human desires and interpretation to cloud the WORD. As I teach my students I know that I have to be careful to “train them in righteousness”. Allow God’s perfect word to speak rather than my own ideas and agenda. It’s hard, but it’s worth it!

The greatest day in history!

I forget

I get distracted

I find excuses

THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE RESURRECTION.

Jesus, fully God, came to earth. Lived life as a man. Died.

AND ROSE AGAIN.

defeating death

carrying all the sins and throwing them away

closing the separation between man and God

I must remember. I have no excuses for not being excited. I have no excuses for not celebrating.

Because of what Jesus did,

I can live in relationship with God.

I can worship. I can love.

I can live without fear or condemnation.

 

Hallelujah! HE IS RISEN!

(and as all good Baptists reply)

HE IS RISEN INDEED

to DAKAR on DA’BUS

Spring break is here and a group of BCA teachers decided to hit the road and visit the most Western point of Africa!

It started with a 28 hour bus ride… through some of the hottest places on earth! (Kayes, Mali)

Upon arrival and after a LONG shower, we hit the beach! I was very excited to stomp into the waves!!!

We made our way downtown and climbed to the top of some buildings! Dakar is a real city! So different from Bamako- there are real sidewalks!!!

On our way down town- we spotted a place of wonderment- MAGIC LAND!!!

We then met up with our friend from Bamako and headed to N’gor island on a boat for some evening exploration!

 

 

We finished off the evening with SUSHI!

 

The next day we headed to Goree island- a key spot of the slave trade. We spent time looking around the island and exploring the mix of colonial buildings and African culture.

 

The following day was spent shopping- both at a ritzy mall (where we didn’t buy anything) and the local street market. Next to the mall we found Africa!!!

 

That evening we climbed to the top of a hill to look at the giant statue- it’s hard to tell from the pictures, but it is HUMONGOUS!!!

 

 

Our last photo stop was the following morning on a walk along the beach. This was a beautiful mosque about half a mile from our guesthouse.

 

It was a fun-filled, relaxing and beautiful week! I loved being in cooler weather (70’s and 80’s) as well as seeing a new city.

 

Oh, and we survived the 32 hour bus ride home- barely! I forgot just hot HOT Mali can get!

A little remodeling!

A few weeks ago, my roomies and I decided that a fresh coat of paint in our living/dining room would be a wonderful thing. After a quick discussion we decided that we would paint 3 walls white and 1 brown. We called a few friends and headed to a local boutique to get supplies ie paint, brushes, and scrappers. Then we got to work!

Step 1: wash the walls

 

Step 2: scrape away the loose plaster… use anything you find: knives, pie cutter, or maybe a real scrapper

 

 

Step 3: paint!

 

Step 4: enjoy your freshly painted home- don’t forget to clean up! Nail polish remover is great for getting dried oil-based paint off a tile floor!

 

 

                

Special thanks to: David Wong; Mads, Ruth and Micah Baker, and Ed Trussell for you help!

- Sarah, Hilary, and Carolina!

Jesus the Miracle Worker

Usually when I think of Jesus and miracles, the big ones come to mind: Raising Lazarus from the dead, healing the blind man, turning water into wine, etc. However, a devotional I was reading yesterday stated:
“Sometimes "small miracles" can have tremendous impact…(such as) an unheralded change of heart. There is just such a miracle in the story of Peter recorded in Acts chapter nine. We are told that Peter, a Jew, was staying in the home of a Gentile man named Simon. And Simon was, by profession, a tanner! Tanners handled the hides of dead animals, and were considered unclean by Jewish rabbis. But God was beginning to change Peter's heart, and would soon show him that the Gospel was (and is!) for everyone - not just for good, law-abiding Jews. Peter's "sleep-over" at Simon's home might seem insignificant - but it was a micro-movement toward a larger goal: the opening of the door of salvation to the Gentiles.”
The change of heart is hard to witness and may not seem mighty- especially when it is gradual. But, it is through changed hearts that God works. Upon reading this I began to reflect on the little miracles I see in my life. Being a teacher of the same seven students for a year certainly gives me the vantage point to seek out transformation.
This has been a challenging year for my classroom- not just for me as a first year teacher- but for my students as they have had to learn to work, play and essentially live along side others that are different and challenging. However, as I reflect on the actions and conversations of my students, little changes have taken place. There is no longer frustration in some of their voices, they are willing to help other students that don’t understand the material, compassion- rather than annoyance- is displayed in their interactions. Little changes of heart are taking place and that is truly a miracle.
I realized also, that these little changes are not due to my action or ideas- rather it is God working through my students. I would love to say that it is because of my teaching, and my patience that hearts are changed- but that is not true in the least! I have to surrender these tyes of transformation to the only ONE who can change people- Jesus- and rest in the promise that He is working.

Pig face for breakfast

Most of my time in Mali is spent in the big city living with and serving the missionary community. However, my friend Lisa invited me to spend a day with her in a village as she is finishing up the photography project she was sent here for. I was excited to leave the city, even if just for a day, and get a taste of the “real Mali”.

With the pastors wife

While in the village, we stayed with a Christian pastor and his family. Time was spent sitting under the mango tree, drinking tea, preparing food, and living life. It was calm and refreshing… except for one thing.

About halfway through the afternoon, a man drives up in a moto with a large bag on the back. He hops off and tugs the bag to the ground. Curious as to what is in the bag we look over, and as it is opened a pig, still freshly killed, rolls out. Interesting. It is the first pig I have seen in Mali, because Muslims consider pigs unclean, and it was right in front of me.

Gabriel the pig

About an hour later two missionary friends show up. Apparently they had asked for a pig on their last visit and just today the hunter was able to catch one. They conversed with the family, and then had the pig skinned and packed up in the cooler they brought.

As the missionaries left, Lisa and I noticed they left the head and feet behind. The Malians seem to know that most white people do not share in the enjoyment of the head and feet. That being said, somehow we both know those could be our next meal. The process of mentally preparing myself to eat pig head began almost immediately.

The sons start a fire in one corner of the courtyard and pretty soon the head and feet and being cooked. Disgusted, yet fascinated, we watch the process of burning off the fur, and cooking the head.

Cooking the head

That night when dinner was served, I was shocked and excited to see that pig head was not on the menu! It looks like I am safe for now.

The next morning we sat down with the pastor to eat breakfast. One of the sons had gone and purchased bread, so I was looking forward to some rice and bread for breakfast. The pastor took the lid off the bowl and SURPRISE there was part of the pig head.

I silently gasped, looked at Lisa, and made the resolution “you have to at least try it”. We dug in. First we started with the juices. Soak bread in juice, place in mouth. Hey, that’s not too bad.

Then I watched as the pastor took a big piece of skin, pulled it off the bone and placed it in his mouth. I told myself “you can do this” and proceeded to do the same with a small piece of meat that was exposed with the skin removed. Hey, its not too bad. Kind of salty- actually tastes a lot like ham. Ok! I CAN do this.

For the next fifteen minutes I pick off small pieces of meat and cooked organs (the brain and tongue), place it on my bread and pop it in my mouth. It is actually quite tasty. Once I forget what I am eating that is.

We finish our bread, sit back and I am fairly satisfied! I did it! I ate the really disgusting looking food and actually liked it! Winner!

As if to congratulate me, the mother brings in a bowl of millet soup. It is tiny balls of millet cooked in lemon juice and honey. It was refreshing to wash down the salty pig with the sweet millet! YUM!

The rest of my day went equally as pleasant. We went to the market and enjoyed spending time with the family for the rest of the morning. What a great experience!

 

 

Walking back from the market

Money MONEY money!

In Mali the Communaute Financiere Africaine franc is used- most commonly known as CFA (see-fa) or franc. The exchange is around 500 CFA to $1- so, as you can imagine mental math becomes a norm. This currency is used all over West Africa- brought in during French Colonization.

Today in my Bambara lesson I learned how to say the different values of money in Bambara- simple, right? Not so much! You see in Bambara the money is in units of five. For example if something costs 100CFA (or Keme) the shop keeper would tell me Mugan or “20”. 1000Cfa is Kemefila or 200, and 300CFA is biwaru or 60. Confusing, right!

 

Here’s a little practice

Bambara          Actual number     Value in cfa            What it can buy

Mugan                    20                     100cfa              small packet of powdered milk

Kemefila                 200                  1000cfa              taxi ride, liter of milk

Biwaru                   60                      300cfa               loaf of bread

Bisaba                   30                     150cfa               ride on a sotrama

Tan ni duru             15                      75cfa                 1 egg

 

and just in case you are curious what it looks like

 

Some of the coins

All the bills- the cleanest you will ever see them!