Pros and Cons (by Amanda)

Living in Mali definitely has its ups and downs, but I need to remind myself that all places have some bad with the good. I could write a list of all the negatives, but I could probably write one just as long of all the positives. So here is a small start to the negatives: one - no McDonald's. Two - no other fast food. Three - dust, sand, heat and even more heat! OK, that's as far as I will go because I have a wonderful story to tell.

God is marvelous. He makes things that could be bad turn out to be a blessing. I was out yesterday morning learning how to help out another missionary and on the way home I wanted to stop and pick up some groceries. I love to grocery shop here because I never have to carry my own bags and I always get friendly 'hellos' from the workers. So the girls and I finished up our shopping got help from the workers there and loaded ourselves into the car. Unfortunately, there was a slight hitch; the car wouldn’t start. I knew immediately that it was the battery because we had problems with it earlier this week but we thought they were taken care of.

So here I was stranded at the store; the girls needed naps, I needed a nap, the car was full of groceries but wouldn’t start. I called Thom and told him that I was going to get a taxi and pack us all in to come home. Let me tell you the thought of taking a taxi with all my groceries, the twins, and their stuff was not a pleasant thought. I got out of the car and told a security guard that I needed a taxi and he asked me what the problem was. My first thought was, "O, here's another delay because he wants an explanation of the problem."

Now here is where God intervenes, but not in the way I expected. You see, before I got out of the car I asked God to please just start the car. He, of course, did not. The security guard, though, talked to his friend who suggested they pop the clutch. It was in French so I didn't understand all the words but I got the idea. I have learned how to drive a manual here in Mali but not how to pop the clutch. I ended up giving the keys to one of them and they did it. They started the car within a matter of moments and I was on my way with a big thank you to them and a song in my heart to God.

Here at the end, for balance's sake, I want to tell you just a few of the lighter positives about living here: One - I never carry my own groceries, even into my own house. Two - I never pump my own gas. Three - have I said it is always warm here? Four - the people are wonderful.