Camp/Easter/Babies (by Amanda)

It has been such a long time since I have written and so many things have been going on. I would like to share just a little bit of what I have been up to. Three weeks ago I attended a women’s camp. I had a good time visiting with the women of the church here in Mali. Some women stayed each night there, but with the girls I decided to go just during the days. Miri and Hannah really enjoyed playing with the other young children there and, of course, charmed the women with their smiles. Each morning started with the choir singing and dancing. Eventually it led into the message. We had several different speakers and I have to say the afternoon speaker was my favorite because he gave the message in French and then it was translated (I actually understood most of it). It was a really good time for me to connect with Malian women.

Of course I am sure many of you had a wonderful Easter celebration. Likewise our church had big events. The night before Easter Sunday there was an evening service that I was able to attend. It was a celebration service with singing, dancing and a message. No celebration is complete without singing and dancing in Mali. We were not able to attend the Easter service because Thom as sick but it turned out to be a nice cool day sandwiched between very hot weather. It actually rained for the first time since last October! Later I was talking to our pastor and he said it always rains on Easter because the believers pray for it. You might think that seems a little weird but a couple of days later another missionary said that some of her neighbors were talking about the holiday and they said it always rains on Easter because the believers pray. We probably won’t see any more rain until July.

Last Sunday we had another big event. It was a baby dedication. This was not just any baby though; it was our good friends Pastor Christophe and Jeanné’s baby. Events like this are very special so for the first time I went to the market and had Miri and Hannah’s hair braided. We all dressed in our Sunday-best for the dedication. They had special chairs set up and had a meal afterwards. Important customs like inviting the mayor of the neighborhood and head council people were followed. It was very interesting to see but the most important thing that happened that day was baby Alec being brought forward to be dedicated to God.