What a GREAT week I had last week in the village. Thank to so many of you that prayer me through it. Here are some highlights. I got to share with one of the women's groups. They did a great job of retelling the Abraham story and then I told the story of the Promise Savior from Isaiah. Jak and I went to Shen, one of the five villages that is VERY open. A man had died early that morning so we did not get to share but at least we were there. We sat with the village all morning. Continue to PRAY for Shen as Jak and I will be going out there again this week.
I had a GREAT week with Jak this week in the village. We talked for 2 to 3 hours every night and was fun. We talked about everything...from life, God's Word and what God is doing. He shared with me that his older brother is really mouthing at him daily and that is hard for him. God showed me that I have failed Jak by not praying more for him and by not keeping him more in front of everyone. His brother is concerned that Jak is not sacrificing and paying money to the medicine man for assurance of the families wealthy and peace. Jak knows what he believes and stand by that but to be mouthed at daily has to be hard and wearing. So please pray HARDER for him.
I am headed back on today, Monday March 29th and will return on Friday April 2nd. Things to pray about:
1. Jak: protection and encouragement
2. Two women's groups: time for me to share, openness and eyes to see God
3. Shen: As Jak and I travel out again this week for God to prepare their hearts to hear from Him
4. Pray for Jak and I as we look for where God is working and join Him
5. Pray for new opportunities to share with people that have not heard.
Thanks for coming along with me this week through prayer. I could not make it without any of you.
More on Friday!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Heading to the village March 22-26, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Just wanted you to know that I am headed to the village this week: March 22-26th, 2010. I plan to visit some new villages that have shown an interest in hearing God's Word. I am excited about what God is doing. Pray for me as I join Him in His work. Pray also as I continue the work in Kar (my home village). I will be meeting, studying, praying and encouraging the two women's groups and Jak. Pray for these groups and Jak that they will have the time, willingness and openness to hear from God this week. I will be back on Friday and will report on how things went.
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
Until Friday
Lori
Just wanted you to know that I am headed to the village this week: March 22-26th, 2010. I plan to visit some new villages that have shown an interest in hearing God's Word. I am excited about what God is doing. Pray for me as I join Him in His work. Pray also as I continue the work in Kar (my home village). I will be meeting, studying, praying and encouraging the two women's groups and Jak. Pray for these groups and Jak that they will have the time, willingness and openness to hear from God this week. I will be back on Friday and will report on how things went.
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
Until Friday
Lori
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Send offs
In the Samogho culture, greetings and send offs are extremely important. They demonstrate the importantance of relationships and the value one person has to another.
The evening after we arrived in the village we heard drums playing. Wa told us they were about to dance the women out of the village so they could go to a neighboring village to celebrate the weddings. She asked if we wanted to go and of course we could not miss the dancing! We climb the hill and met the procession coming our way. The women were dressed in their best and ready for the big celebrations to come. An older woman led the line of women playing some bells and two men followed her playing the drums. The village walked them to the outskirts of the village to send them off
On Sunday night when the women returned, they were greeted and welcomed home with more drums and dancing! We joined in the fun and celebration. Yes, we were drawn into the center of the dance circle and did our part in celebrating the return of the women to the village! What fun and joy we had together. Bintu stayed in the courtyard but had her own celebration and dance with Wa!
Wa had planned to go to her home village on Monday, but decided to wait until Tuesday since we woud be leaving that day too. She was going to leave early because she had a 40 mile walk ahead of her and the hot weather has come early to Mali. She was unable to leave early because one of the women going with her was not ready. It turned out to be a great thing because we were able to walk these women out of the village, to send them off for their journey with the honor and value of their friendship expressed. It was a blessing to walk out with them and to pray for them as we sent them off on the long journey. There were 3 women and a young girl leaving that morning and 6 women and 4 children sent the off!
As I thought about these send offs and celebrations, it reminded me of how Father sends us out to make Him known and how He welcomes us back. He always goes with us and doesn't send us out alone. His Spirit goes with us.
The evening after we arrived in the village we heard drums playing. Wa told us they were about to dance the women out of the village so they could go to a neighboring village to celebrate the weddings. She asked if we wanted to go and of course we could not miss the dancing! We climb the hill and met the procession coming our way. The women were dressed in their best and ready for the big celebrations to come. An older woman led the line of women playing some bells and two men followed her playing the drums. The village walked them to the outskirts of the village to send them off
On Sunday night when the women returned, they were greeted and welcomed home with more drums and dancing! We joined in the fun and celebration. Yes, we were drawn into the center of the dance circle and did our part in celebrating the return of the women to the village! What fun and joy we had together. Bintu stayed in the courtyard but had her own celebration and dance with Wa!
Wa had planned to go to her home village on Monday, but decided to wait until Tuesday since we woud be leaving that day too. She was going to leave early because she had a 40 mile walk ahead of her and the hot weather has come early to Mali. She was unable to leave early because one of the women going with her was not ready. It turned out to be a great thing because we were able to walk these women out of the village, to send them off for their journey with the honor and value of their friendship expressed. It was a blessing to walk out with them and to pray for them as we sent them off on the long journey. There were 3 women and a young girl leaving that morning and 6 women and 4 children sent the off!
As I thought about these send offs and celebrations, it reminded me of how Father sends us out to make Him known and how He welcomes us back. He always goes with us and doesn't send us out alone. His Spirit goes with us.
Father's Pursuit
Two Samogho men have been on Father's heart for years, and He has been pursuing a relationship with them. One is Isa, the man who desires to be the Good Soil. Several years ago his confession about J.s.s was only to say that he would beat anyone in his household who chose to follow the J road. His confession this trip was that he himself wanted to follow the J road. He confessed it is the best road, the only road. His struggle to follow is the same as many Malians...the pressure from those who have power over you...your father, your friends, your family members, the other men of the village. The J road is tough for all, but especially tough for those who follow first.
The second man, educated and an educator, reads and understands many things. He has heard stories from his friend Jak, a follower of J. They spend time talking about the J road. A couple of years ago, this teacher confessed he could not follow because he was afraid of his father and the reality that his father would disown him. Several months ago, his father died. Since then, there has been an openness and a freedom evident in him. He came to sing and w0rship with us the Sund@y we were in the village. He listened and joined in with us. He even played the role of King in the story of the Fiery Furnace.
Please pray for these two men. Their earthly fathers, families, and friends may not understand or may even disown them, yet the Father of all Creation longs to restore His relationship with them. The Father of all Creation is pursuing them. Pray for courage and power to overcome their fears and choose to follow the only road.
The second man, educated and an educator, reads and understands many things. He has heard stories from his friend Jak, a follower of J. They spend time talking about the J road. A couple of years ago, this teacher confessed he could not follow because he was afraid of his father and the reality that his father would disown him. Several months ago, his father died. Since then, there has been an openness and a freedom evident in him. He came to sing and w0rship with us the Sund@y we were in the village. He listened and joined in with us. He even played the role of King in the story of the Fiery Furnace.
Please pray for these two men. Their earthly fathers, families, and friends may not understand or may even disown them, yet the Father of all Creation longs to restore His relationship with them. The Father of all Creation is pursuing them. Pray for courage and power to overcome their fears and choose to follow the only road.
Different Soils
Monday morning clear direction came to us as a team... Tell the story of the four soils to the people in Wa courtyard...Isa, his wife, and Wa.
The three of us took a walk out to the fields before telling the story to look for the four kinds of soils...the hard path, the rocky soil, the thorns and weeds, and the good soil. We gathered some of each kind to take with us to tell the story.
Father had orchestrated the perfect timing. Isa, his wife, Wa and even Jak were available. We went over and sat with them, greeted them, and began telling them the story. As farmers they were able to grasp the story and understand it well.
We talked about which soil they would want to plant their seeds in and we talked about how our hearts toward God are the same as these soils. Each person including the team members were asked which soil they were. The good soil was the overwhelming majority. Isa said, "I want to be the good soil. The J.s.s road is the best road and I want to be on it. It is hard." With that confession, we talked about the difficulties and how we all begin our walk with Father as the soil with weeds and thorns. We had a great discussion about pulling the weeds and thorns and concerns of the world as we farm the soil of our hearts so that the seeds of God's word can grow and make us strong. Jak was able to share from his experience how he understands the struggles they face and to encourage them to believe and follow.
Please pray for this family and the challenges they face in choosing to walk with Father on the J.s.s road! Pray for courage in the midst of a lot of persecution from friends and family! Praise Father for the work He has done in the hearts of this man and his family!!! It truly is a miracle! Thank Father for the chance to share our lives, our friendship, our testimony with this family!
The three of us took a walk out to the fields before telling the story to look for the four kinds of soils...the hard path, the rocky soil, the thorns and weeds, and the good soil. We gathered some of each kind to take with us to tell the story.
Father had orchestrated the perfect timing. Isa, his wife, Wa and even Jak were available. We went over and sat with them, greeted them, and began telling them the story. As farmers they were able to grasp the story and understand it well.
We talked about which soil they would want to plant their seeds in and we talked about how our hearts toward God are the same as these soils. Each person including the team members were asked which soil they were. The good soil was the overwhelming majority. Isa said, "I want to be the good soil. The J.s.s road is the best road and I want to be on it. It is hard." With that confession, we talked about the difficulties and how we all begin our walk with Father as the soil with weeds and thorns. We had a great discussion about pulling the weeds and thorns and concerns of the world as we farm the soil of our hearts so that the seeds of God's word can grow and make us strong. Jak was able to share from his experience how he understands the struggles they face and to encourage them to believe and follow.
Please pray for this family and the challenges they face in choosing to walk with Father on the J.s.s road! Pray for courage in the midst of a lot of persecution from friends and family! Praise Father for the work He has done in the hearts of this man and his family!!! It truly is a miracle! Thank Father for the chance to share our lives, our friendship, our testimony with this family!
Under the Mango Tree
The mango trees are magnificent in the village. They provide an incredible refuge from the heat, a great place of shade to work in, and a peaceful place to hangout with friends. The hot season has come early this year so we spent a lot of time working, sitting, napping, and visiting under the mango trees. On Sunday afternoon, many of the women had gathered to just sit together. Bintu (Ann) told the story of Sarah to the women. It was so fun to listen to the discussion about a woman in her 90's having a child. It was tinder them grasp the idea that nothing is impossible with God. We all laughed with Sarah as we talked about Wa or Bintu having children at their age. We talked about how Sarah tried to take things into her own hands by giving Hagar to Abraham and how she became jealous after Hagar gave Abraham a son. The women grasped some of the truths about people and about God from this story. Pray that they will continue to think about Sarah, about God's fulfilling His promises to us even when we are impatient or doubt Him. Pray they will recognize that nothing is impossible with God!
Worship Day
Sund@y in the Samogho village was filled with favorites! After a morning of greeting throughout the village and checking on the little boy who had been burned, we gather for a time of w0rship. We sang a ton of songs...well i don't know if songs weigh anything, but we sang and sang and sang. It was fun! Ann even found herself reading Bambara, singing and keeping up with the tune of the songs. It is always fun to recognize the tune and realize it is one of your favorite hymns. Now you are singing it in another language! Kind how heaven will be, I imagine.
After our praise session, we told favorite stories. The missionary told the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace...she didn't just tell it to the children...she had them act it out! She made the school teacher the King and had 3 young boys bow at his feet. Then she told how 3 young men refused to bow down to the King, and they were thrown into a fiery furnace. She wrapped her arms around them and covered them to show how God protected them and how the King saw 4 men in the furnace. It was a favorite moment in the day to see the faces of those young boys and even the school teacher understand the power and protection of our Father for those who choose to follow Him. We continued with Jak's favorite story about J.s.s telling his followers to throw their nets out over the other side of the boat after they had fished all night and caught nothing. Jak's thoughts about that were simply this, "We have to always be ready to obey God. When we are tired and just don't see the benefits, we just continue to do what He said and He will bless us."
Ann's favorite story was next. She told of the Beattitudes and Jak read it from the Bambara B.ble. We focused on the last part where J.s.s tells how Father blesses you when people mock and persecute you. It was an important Word for the teacher who came to w0rship with us.
Fanta's favorite story for the day was the temptations of J.s.s. During that time in the wilderness, J.s.s was tempted but each time He was able to fight those temptations and be victorious because He knew what His Father had said. He could use the Father's Word to fight.
Which one is your favorite? Have you read these stories lately? Read them and see what Father has to say to you!
After our praise session, we told favorite stories. The missionary told the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace...she didn't just tell it to the children...she had them act it out! She made the school teacher the King and had 3 young boys bow at his feet. Then she told how 3 young men refused to bow down to the King, and they were thrown into a fiery furnace. She wrapped her arms around them and covered them to show how God protected them and how the King saw 4 men in the furnace. It was a favorite moment in the day to see the faces of those young boys and even the school teacher understand the power and protection of our Father for those who choose to follow Him. We continued with Jak's favorite story about J.s.s telling his followers to throw their nets out over the other side of the boat after they had fished all night and caught nothing. Jak's thoughts about that were simply this, "We have to always be ready to obey God. When we are tired and just don't see the benefits, we just continue to do what He said and He will bless us."
Ann's favorite story was next. She told of the Beattitudes and Jak read it from the Bambara B.ble. We focused on the last part where J.s.s tells how Father blesses you when people mock and persecute you. It was an important Word for the teacher who came to w0rship with us.
Fanta's favorite story for the day was the temptations of J.s.s. During that time in the wilderness, J.s.s was tempted but each time He was able to fight those temptations and be victorious because He knew what His Father had said. He could use the Father's Word to fight.
Which one is your favorite? Have you read these stories lately? Read them and see what Father has to say to you!
God's Promise
Our first evening in Kar was spent with Wa. She is the new follower as of November. She had recently heard the story of Noah, so she was asked to retell it to us. She had some trouble with the details but two things she remembered... Noah was saved because he was the only righteous man on the earth. The second thing... God's promise to never again destroy all living things.
Wa shared with us that night that those in her compound have agreed that the J.s.s road is the best way. Their are still obstacles for th to overcome, but we have seen Father working in these friends and pursuing a relationship with them for over 3 years. Many of you gave been pr@ying for them alongside us. Thank you! Father is working in the hearts of this family fulfilling His promise that His Word will accomplish His purpose wherever it is spoken!
God's promises...always fulfilled!! Celebrate His work being accomplished!
Wa shared with us that night that those in her compound have agreed that the J.s.s road is the best way. Their are still obstacles for th to overcome, but we have seen Father working in these friends and pursuing a relationship with them for over 3 years. Many of you gave been pr@ying for them alongside us. Thank you! Father is working in the hearts of this family fulfilling His promise that His Word will accomplish His purpose wherever it is spoken!
God's promises...always fulfilled!! Celebrate His work being accomplished!
Heading to the Samogho
Greetings from the Samogho!
If you have ever been to Kar, know that you were asked about, greeted, and remembered!
We had a great time among the people of Kar and I look forward to giving you the details. We got in from the village this morning and were without electricity for almost 7 hours. We had great showers to refresh us and then had some time to just rest. We needed it after a night of little rest. Between the loud music, the cows, the chickens, and the full moon, we didn't get as much rest as we hoped.
Thanks for praying for us, for the Samogho, and for all that Father wanted. He heard you and listened! Praise Him today for His work in the hearts of the people of Kar!
If you have ever been to Kar, know that you were asked about, greeted, and remembered!
We had a great time among the people of Kar and I look forward to giving you the details. We got in from the village this morning and were without electricity for almost 7 hours. We had great showers to refresh us and then had some time to just rest. We needed it after a night of little rest. Between the loud music, the cows, the chickens, and the full moon, we didn't get as much rest as we hoped.
Thanks for praying for us, for the Samogho, and for all that Father wanted. He heard you and listened! Praise Him today for His work in the hearts of the people of Kar!
Long Time No blog
It has been forever since I have put anything on the blog. It is my goal to get better at that and so hopefully at least once a week I will have something new. Lori Smith and Ann Moody just came on a volunteer trip a couple of weeks ago. I will start by telling you what happen on their trip.
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