Photo countdown #4 (by Thom)

In 2005 we arrived in Mali as new missionaries with the C&MA. For Amanda it was her first time in Africa and for me it was the first time taking on the role of bookkeeper. A lot has changed in our lives over the past 4 years, not the least of which is the additions of Miriam and Hannah to our lives. Now, we have only *4* days left in Mali before we return to the United States for furlough and eventually our move to Dakar, Senegal where we'll serve in a more regional capacity. With that in mind, here is a countdown of my eighteen favorite pictures during our time in Mali. 9 pictures of the twins and 9 other pictures. Today is Number 4:

#4 Twin Division:

I snapped this photo in April 2008 on the day our friend's baby was being dedicated at church. The girls were all dressed up. Not only do they look beautiful here but I clearly see their personalities shining through. Hannah (left) is looking sweet, demure while Miriam is puffing her cheeks and looks ready to go do something (probably something she shouldn't).

#4 Non-twin Division:

I took this picture on the edge of a very remote village called Blendio in July 2006. This girl was helping her older relative in the cotton field. Her hair has a blond tint because of malnutrition. Later that day we went into the village and I saw several dozen children. About 80% of them had the same blond tint from a poor diet.
We were in Blendio for a video project I did for the national church of Mali. They've sent 4 Malian missionaries that they are funding out to unreached parts of the country. I went and interviewed 3 of the 4 and put together a video of the trip for them to show at their missions conference. Pastor Eli has been in Blendio for about a decade now and it has been tough. There were a couple of people who accepted Jesus as their savior very early on but both of them got sick and died. The villagers decided that converting equals death so it has made evangelism very difficult. Still, I could see Eli has a passion for the people of Blendio. I believe great things are going to happen from the ministry there.