Photo countdown #5 (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 *5* 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 5:

#5 Twin Division:

This was taken on Miri & Hannah's 2nd birthday (7/10/08). For the most part the girls enjoy having their picture taken, even if they do play shy now and then. They do a very good job posing for me when I ask. This wasn't a candid shot, as much as I wish it were. Still, it's wonderful to see Miri and Hannah becoming each other's best friend. Miriam is the leader between the two and Hannah is a quiet follower. Miri has developed a "take charge" personality while Hannah is often eager to help out and display her "servant’s heart". They really are opposites but do a wonderful job of balancing each other.

#5 Non-twin Division:

Our first New Year's Day in Mali (2006) was spent camping by the Bani River with most of the other C&MA missionaries in Mali. To get to the camp site we drove about 4 hours on paved road from Bamako and then turned left. The next 7 miles had no roads whatsoever. We just drove along, hoping we didn't vary too far from the river, which we couldn't see. Anyway, we found it fine. On the way back we were a little more at ease and Amanda was holding the camera in the passenger seat. She snapped this photo which instantly became a favorite of both of us for its simple beauty. The picture is extremely accurate of traditional life here in Mali. A couple of mud brick buildings with thatch roofs, people sitting in the shade to avoid the hot Equatorial sun, and livestock roaming free. I'm often struck that the contents of my camera bag were probably twice as valuable as the sum of all the possessions in this family. I'm equally struck that there are millions of huts just like this across Africa where the people have never heard Gospel of Jesus Christ. Projects like our mission hospital and Christian radio ministry here in Mali have done tremendous work in breaking down the barriers and taking the Gospel beyond where we can physically go.