Greetings (by Thom)

Something that’s very important in Malian culture is greetings. Whenever there is a major change in someone’s life it is imperative that you go and greet. This is true for weddings, deaths, births, and the sort. We’ve had several of our Malian friends stop by our house in the month since we brought Hannah and Miriam home. Pastors, colleagues, and other friends have all come by to sit and talk and give blessings on the babies and us as we raise them.
Last week I was at the bank standing in line when I heard someone behind me say “Thomas?” I turned around and saw the wife of our landlord. She asked me how Amanda was, and the house, and the rabbits (she had given us 2 rabbits as a gift when we rented the house). Everything was fine, I said, and then I told her about the twins and the adoption process.
Last night she came by the house to greet. We had a very nice time talking about the girls and talking about life in Mali. I found it very interesting that she would say, as a Muslim, she’s concerned by the growing influence of Islam in Mali. Islam here can be quite different that Islam in the Middle East, and she told me that times are changing and the strict Muslims are gaining influence here. Just one example would be the stricter diet requirements. We also talked about the girls and how they’ll be able to speak 3 languages fluently (English, French, Bambara) and how we can already see differences in their personalities (Miriam is more active and fussy; Hannah is calm and quiet).
It was a good time and something I love about Malian culture; relationships are so important here.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.