Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Last week in Mali
Sunday
In the morning the team met for bible study and prayer time. Then we finished the practical work at Tommy’s. In the evening we had team time at the sand dunes. Bradley made a really cheesy snowboard to use on the sand. We drove out to a place Paul knew about. When we parked the truck it got stuck in the sand. As Bradley was trying to get the truck unstuck, the truck ran out of gas. As all this was happening, Tito was already playing with the snowboard and was oblivious to what was happening with the truck. Paul ended up walking back to Tommy’s house for a gas can and we stayed with the truck and proceeded to have fun sliding down the sand dunes. Unfortunately the snowboard that Bradley made didn’t really work well sliding on the sand…….so we put that to the side and started rolling down the hill, jumping down the hill, and doing front flips off the hill. We got a crowd of onlookers that live near the sand dunes where we were and joined us in our time of fun. Then one local man proceeded to sell us jewelry and wouldn’t leave us alone. Finally, Paul returned with the gas and we got the truck started. We had quite the adventure getting the truck unstuck. Bradley got the truck out and got it moving down the first hill and then it got stuck again. Paul tried next and moved it a little bit up the hill but had to stop so the tires wouldn’t get buried in the sand. We then decided to put Veronika behind the wheel and put all the guy power behind the truck to push. With success, Veronika drove the truck out of the soft sand to hard ground with ease! She was our hero that night! Thanks Veronika! We were very tired that night and went to bed early. Before that could happen……one more episode had to happen that evening…….the girls came screaming out of there room because there were two mice running lose amongst their bags. Bradley and I tried finding them, but were no where to be found. We assumed that the girls screams scared them away.
Monday
Today was a personal day to get packed and finish up any shopping we needed to do. It was a very busy day even though it was an off day. Bradley was very busy do to the fact that he was the driver since Tommy had left for his conference. He made numberous trips for Tommy’s family and for the team even though we didn’t even notice how much he was driving. It was very important for each trip he took and we appreciate his services for the day!
Tuesday
Today we woke up REALLY early(0300) to leave for Douentza at 0400. We had a good trip that day and got to Lorna’s by 1200. We relaxed the rest of the day and enjoyed seeing the boys again.
Wednesday
We didn’t have much planned for the day. We spent time with the boys and had a couple team meetings and drank a lot of water during the day……it was really hot and humid.
Thursday
Today we had another team meeting, Bible study, and played with the boys. We found some relief from the heat later in the evening when a storm came in and it started raining. The cool air and rain was VERY refreshing. Thank you Jesus!
Friday
Another early morning to rise. Today we headed back to Bamako on a bus. The rain was still coming down as we waited for our bus to arrive and it made for a comfortable trip for the whole day. It was a long day, but pleasant on the bus because we didn’t have the heat. Again, Thank You Jesus!! After arriving we got a ride back to the base with John we were greeted by the French team. We headed out at 2300 to get some dinner. We were hungry, tired, and very loud, but very happy once we got food in our bellies!!
Saturday
The excitement is in the air!! We leave tomorrow for Norway! WOW!! We are already talking about the trip as if we were back home. We can’t believe our time is over here in Mali! We are reliving stories and conversations and talking about everything we have done and experienced. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at Borgen, but sad to leave everyone here.
In the morning the team met for bible study and prayer time. Then we finished the practical work at Tommy’s. In the evening we had team time at the sand dunes. Bradley made a really cheesy snowboard to use on the sand. We drove out to a place Paul knew about. When we parked the truck it got stuck in the sand. As Bradley was trying to get the truck unstuck, the truck ran out of gas. As all this was happening, Tito was already playing with the snowboard and was oblivious to what was happening with the truck. Paul ended up walking back to Tommy’s house for a gas can and we stayed with the truck and proceeded to have fun sliding down the sand dunes. Unfortunately the snowboard that Bradley made didn’t really work well sliding on the sand…….so we put that to the side and started rolling down the hill, jumping down the hill, and doing front flips off the hill. We got a crowd of onlookers that live near the sand dunes where we were and joined us in our time of fun. Then one local man proceeded to sell us jewelry and wouldn’t leave us alone. Finally, Paul returned with the gas and we got the truck started. We had quite the adventure getting the truck unstuck. Bradley got the truck out and got it moving down the first hill and then it got stuck again. Paul tried next and moved it a little bit up the hill but had to stop so the tires wouldn’t get buried in the sand. We then decided to put Veronika behind the wheel and put all the guy power behind the truck to push. With success, Veronika drove the truck out of the soft sand to hard ground with ease! She was our hero that night! Thanks Veronika! We were very tired that night and went to bed early. Before that could happen……one more episode had to happen that evening…….the girls came screaming out of there room because there were two mice running lose amongst their bags. Bradley and I tried finding them, but were no where to be found. We assumed that the girls screams scared them away.
Monday
Today was a personal day to get packed and finish up any shopping we needed to do. It was a very busy day even though it was an off day. Bradley was very busy do to the fact that he was the driver since Tommy had left for his conference. He made numberous trips for Tommy’s family and for the team even though we didn’t even notice how much he was driving. It was very important for each trip he took and we appreciate his services for the day!
Tuesday
Today we woke up REALLY early(0300) to leave for Douentza at 0400. We had a good trip that day and got to Lorna’s by 1200. We relaxed the rest of the day and enjoyed seeing the boys again.
Wednesday
We didn’t have much planned for the day. We spent time with the boys and had a couple team meetings and drank a lot of water during the day……it was really hot and humid.
Thursday
Today we had another team meeting, Bible study, and played with the boys. We found some relief from the heat later in the evening when a storm came in and it started raining. The cool air and rain was VERY refreshing. Thank you Jesus!
Friday
Another early morning to rise. Today we headed back to Bamako on a bus. The rain was still coming down as we waited for our bus to arrive and it made for a comfortable trip for the whole day. It was a long day, but pleasant on the bus because we didn’t have the heat. Again, Thank You Jesus!! After arriving we got a ride back to the base with John we were greeted by the French team. We headed out at 2300 to get some dinner. We were hungry, tired, and very loud, but very happy once we got food in our bellies!!
Saturday
The excitement is in the air!! We leave tomorrow for Norway! WOW!! We are already talking about the trip as if we were back home. We can’t believe our time is over here in Mali! We are reliving stories and conversations and talking about everything we have done and experienced. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at Borgen, but sad to leave everyone here.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday
In the morning we had preparation time for the bible study we were going to lead in the afternoon. In the afternoon we went to the church to have the bible study and we talked about a very sensitive topic here in Mali about the unity in believers.
We took our own team as an example, about how we can work together even though we are from five different churches, five different countries, and five different cultures, and how we can put or differences aside and work as a team.
Friday
In the morning everyone except me(Tito) went on an all day camel ride in the Sahara Desert with a local guide.
In the evening Bradley, Paul, and I went to the mens prayer meeting at Robertos house ( Roberto is a brazilian missionary), we had a great discussion about Caleb’s promise from Moses(Joshua 14.6-15) then we prayed for each other.
Satuday
In the morning we went to the Elijah House-a ministry the Baptist church has. We taught them a song, had a drama for them and played a couple games with them. The drama was of Daniel and the Lions Den. We taught them a bible verse from Daniel…..Daniel 6.24
………News Bulliten!!!!!………..
Bradley has been leading the group since Tuesday of this week and has done a Fabulous job soo far!!!!
In the morning we had preparation time for the bible study we were going to lead in the afternoon. In the afternoon we went to the church to have the bible study and we talked about a very sensitive topic here in Mali about the unity in believers.
We took our own team as an example, about how we can work together even though we are from five different churches, five different countries, and five different cultures, and how we can put or differences aside and work as a team.
Friday
In the morning everyone except me(Tito) went on an all day camel ride in the Sahara Desert with a local guide.
In the evening Bradley, Paul, and I went to the mens prayer meeting at Robertos house ( Roberto is a brazilian missionary), we had a great discussion about Caleb’s promise from Moses(Joshua 14.6-15) then we prayed for each other.
Satuday
In the morning we went to the Elijah House-a ministry the Baptist church has. We taught them a song, had a drama for them and played a couple games with them. The drama was of Daniel and the Lions Den. We taught them a bible verse from Daniel…..Daniel 6.24
………News Bulliten!!!!!………..
Bradley has been leading the group since Tuesday of this week and has done a Fabulous job soo far!!!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
There is allredy more than a week since we arrived here In Timbuktu, the weeks are going too fast now when the end of the outreach is near. Some of us are happy and looking forward, others think that the outreach has gone too fast.
Our main foucus during these weeks here is practical work.
We left from Douentza early on Friday (27th of february). The car ride to the river took around 3- 4 hours, then we had to wait for the ferry for another couple of hours, and finally we arrived here in Timboctu around 1 in the afternoon.
When we arrived, Danielle, Tommys wife, had prepared really good food, it was so good…!
Later we (Annika, Veronika, Miriam, Tito) took a short walk around, Annika knew some places she wanted to show us.
On Saturday ( 28th of february) we had a day off to rest, but Annika, Veronika and I ( Tito) went to the market to do shopping for the school. First Tommy drove us to the baptist Church garden to buy some Vegetables, it was very cheep so we got plenty, later we went to the market to buy the rest.
Later in the afternoon we went out to take a look at the local souvenir shops, something we learned is a new way of bartering, three times like when they drink malian tea; first the seller start with a crazy high prize, then you say the lowest prize you can think of, then the seller goes down a little and you higher a little your first prize. Then it is the final, final prize; he says his final prize, and then you say your final price , if you are good doing this you will get everything at the right prize.
When we came back Bradley were sitting there in front of the tv watching CNN for first time in months.
The first day of march some team menbers went to the church( Annika, Bradley and Miriam) and Veronika and I( Tito) stayed home resting. After the church we had off, but in the afternoon some of us ( Annika, Miriam, Tito) went out to find gifts for a special happening the next day…
Monday 2nd of March
VERONIKA HAD HER BIRTHDAY, so we surprised her in the morning before she came out of the bedroom. We were wearing party hats and singing happy birthday, we had a beautiful hand made crown for her and some presents. It was so surprising for her that she still had shampoo in her hair. It was so funny… That was a really good start for a ministry day.
Afterwards we had practical work, except from Miriam because she jonied Danielle to the school where Danielle is a teacher, and spent some hours there helping.
In the afternoon we had more practical work.
In the evening the girls had prayer meeting that lasted some hours…..
The last thing we did before we went to bed was to pray and bless Veronika.
Tuesday ( 3rd of March)
Early in the morning( 6 o’clock ) we had a prayer walk, later we had practical work. But Veronika joined Danielle to the school instead. We (the boys) had practical work in the prison and the girls in Tommys house. In the afternoon we gave some t-shirt in the prison.
In the evening we had orientation movie with Tommy, after the movie we went to Tommys roof and there Tommy answered questions about Timboctu we had for him.
Wednesday
I (Tito) went to the school with Danielle, while the rest of the team had practical work in the police station, cleaning and washing.
In the afternoon we had children program at New life mission, there we had a story and some games…. It was fun.
Thursday
Thursday early in the morning we had Prayer for the YWAM ground, Tommy drove us there and we prayed hand worshiped there.
Afterwards we had preparation time for the programs we were going to lead and have in the afternoon. Veronika, Bradley and Miriam went to the orphanage and had an hour program for the kids, after that they joined us in the police station to finish with the cleaning up. We were there until around 7 in the evening.
Friday
Early in the mornig friday we had prayer walk, afterwards Bradley left to the school and the rest of us had practical work.
In the afternoon we had more practical work.
In the evening we had men’s meting wich Bradley, and I (Tito) leaded.We divided it in two parts; worship and then a short bible study.
Than Danielle had prepared pizza for us , it was so good.
Saturday
Saturday in the morning we had practical work until lunch time. In the afternoon we were supposed to go and play volleyball with some local muslim youth, but when we came to the ground one of the poles were broken so we couldent. So instead we went to the airport to buy suvenirs and Timbuktu t-shirts.
Sunday
Sunday we had church service in the morning; Bradley, Veronika and Miriam performed a song . The rest of the day we had off.
Monday
Monday we had off until the afternoon when the girls had women’s meeting .
In the morning All the team whent to the local taylors and do some shopping
Tuesday
I(Tito) went to school again, the rest of the team had practical work, at 1 we went over to some boys’ house to have tea with them.
Our main foucus during these weeks here is practical work.
We left from Douentza early on Friday (27th of february). The car ride to the river took around 3- 4 hours, then we had to wait for the ferry for another couple of hours, and finally we arrived here in Timboctu around 1 in the afternoon.
When we arrived, Danielle, Tommys wife, had prepared really good food, it was so good…!
Later we (Annika, Veronika, Miriam, Tito) took a short walk around, Annika knew some places she wanted to show us.
On Saturday ( 28th of february) we had a day off to rest, but Annika, Veronika and I ( Tito) went to the market to do shopping for the school. First Tommy drove us to the baptist Church garden to buy some Vegetables, it was very cheep so we got plenty, later we went to the market to buy the rest.
Later in the afternoon we went out to take a look at the local souvenir shops, something we learned is a new way of bartering, three times like when they drink malian tea; first the seller start with a crazy high prize, then you say the lowest prize you can think of, then the seller goes down a little and you higher a little your first prize. Then it is the final, final prize; he says his final prize, and then you say your final price , if you are good doing this you will get everything at the right prize.
When we came back Bradley were sitting there in front of the tv watching CNN for first time in months.
The first day of march some team menbers went to the church( Annika, Bradley and Miriam) and Veronika and I( Tito) stayed home resting. After the church we had off, but in the afternoon some of us ( Annika, Miriam, Tito) went out to find gifts for a special happening the next day…
Monday 2nd of March
VERONIKA HAD HER BIRTHDAY, so we surprised her in the morning before she came out of the bedroom. We were wearing party hats and singing happy birthday, we had a beautiful hand made crown for her and some presents. It was so surprising for her that she still had shampoo in her hair. It was so funny… That was a really good start for a ministry day.
Afterwards we had practical work, except from Miriam because she jonied Danielle to the school where Danielle is a teacher, and spent some hours there helping.
In the afternoon we had more practical work.
In the evening the girls had prayer meeting that lasted some hours…..
The last thing we did before we went to bed was to pray and bless Veronika.
Tuesday ( 3rd of March)
Early in the morning( 6 o’clock ) we had a prayer walk, later we had practical work. But Veronika joined Danielle to the school instead. We (the boys) had practical work in the prison and the girls in Tommys house. In the afternoon we gave some t-shirt in the prison.
In the evening we had orientation movie with Tommy, after the movie we went to Tommys roof and there Tommy answered questions about Timboctu we had for him.
Wednesday
I (Tito) went to the school with Danielle, while the rest of the team had practical work in the police station, cleaning and washing.
In the afternoon we had children program at New life mission, there we had a story and some games…. It was fun.
Thursday
Thursday early in the morning we had Prayer for the YWAM ground, Tommy drove us there and we prayed hand worshiped there.
Afterwards we had preparation time for the programs we were going to lead and have in the afternoon. Veronika, Bradley and Miriam went to the orphanage and had an hour program for the kids, after that they joined us in the police station to finish with the cleaning up. We were there until around 7 in the evening.
Friday
Early in the mornig friday we had prayer walk, afterwards Bradley left to the school and the rest of us had practical work.
In the afternoon we had more practical work.
In the evening we had men’s meting wich Bradley, and I (Tito) leaded.We divided it in two parts; worship and then a short bible study.
Than Danielle had prepared pizza for us , it was so good.
Saturday
Saturday in the morning we had practical work until lunch time. In the afternoon we were supposed to go and play volleyball with some local muslim youth, but when we came to the ground one of the poles were broken so we couldent. So instead we went to the airport to buy suvenirs and Timbuktu t-shirts.
Sunday
Sunday we had church service in the morning; Bradley, Veronika and Miriam performed a song . The rest of the day we had off.
Monday
Monday we had off until the afternoon when the girls had women’s meeting .
In the morning All the team whent to the local taylors and do some shopping
Tuesday
I(Tito) went to school again, the rest of the team had practical work, at 1 we went over to some boys’ house to have tea with them.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!! News from Douentza
Our time here in Douentza is soon over, The 27 we are leaving to Timbuktu.
This week we had some new experiences for example:
On Tuesday (17th) Christophe invited a couple of people (Tito, Veronika) to join him to visit a village, About 1 hour drive from Douentza, So in the morning about 9 am Christophe picked us up and everything was fine, we drove around 20 km when the car made strange noises and started to go slower and slower, something was wrong, so Christophe stopped the car but, couldn’t find the reason why? So he drove some more kilometres until we reached a side road to another village we could visit. Slowly, but we made it. From the side road, there Grace (Christophe’s wife) stayed in the car, and the rest of us (Christophe, Veronika and Tito) walked to the village around 15 min, away from the main road, the weather was really nice not too hot, the nature around here is completely different and beautiful so Veronika and I (Tito) couldn’t miss the opportunity to take pictures. When we arrived at the village (Fulani village) we visited a man, and Prayed for him, and stayed there for a while and then left, we walked back to the car, and we tried to go back to Douentza, slowly and we had to stop some times until the mechanic picked us up in his car and drove us back.
The same day in the afternoon the other 3 team members (Annika, Miriam and Bradley) left to a village, with the Norwegian missionaries, to show the Jesus Film and stay to the next morning, Veronika and I (Tito) stayed at Lorna’s house.
I think they got a little wet because in the night they slept outside and funnily enough they got rain in the dry season.
Here are some comments from Bradley:
“After the movie we set up our tents outside to sleep. Well it ended up raining and we had to move inside the mud hut to sleep, we didn’t get much sleep, but it was an incredible Experience!!!!”
Thursday Annika and Miriam went to another village with Kjell and Katie (Norwegian missionaries), here are a few sentences Miriam wrote about the village tour:
“Annika and I (Miriam) left with Kjell and Katie Thursday morning to go with them to a village. We met a man that was saved some time ago and one of his wives. They lived in a very charming little hut where we spent some hours with them. We were served some good and some more interesting food and enjoyed the company with them. Kjell and Katie told them a bible story from a program they are going through with them, and afterwards the lovely lady retold it eagerly. It was nice to see some more of Mali and a lot of life in Malian village.”
The same Thursday Bradley, Veronika and I (Tito) had an incredible experience, Kjell drove us to a man he knew and there we got our first time camel riding, it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Saturday as usual we had our day off and we made French fries, it was fun.
On Monday we had worship in Bambara it was very good.
On Tuesday we had some team time from 9 to 12, where we encourage each other it was refreshing for team and it was really good for each one of us.
Wednesday we had bible study with the base staff and as we read through Genesis 24 a very important subject popped up “the importance and role of the wife in a marriage”. We had a long discussion time it was really good and we ended it praying for our future spouses, Bradley prayed for the girls, and Grace prayed for the boys.
So now every ONE IS READY FOR MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today (Thursday 26th) we are packing and preparing to leave to Timbuktu.
Our time here in Douentza is soon over, The 27 we are leaving to Timbuktu.
This week we had some new experiences for example:
On Tuesday (17th) Christophe invited a couple of people (Tito, Veronika) to join him to visit a village, About 1 hour drive from Douentza, So in the morning about 9 am Christophe picked us up and everything was fine, we drove around 20 km when the car made strange noises and started to go slower and slower, something was wrong, so Christophe stopped the car but, couldn’t find the reason why? So he drove some more kilometres until we reached a side road to another village we could visit. Slowly, but we made it. From the side road, there Grace (Christophe’s wife) stayed in the car, and the rest of us (Christophe, Veronika and Tito) walked to the village around 15 min, away from the main road, the weather was really nice not too hot, the nature around here is completely different and beautiful so Veronika and I (Tito) couldn’t miss the opportunity to take pictures. When we arrived at the village (Fulani village) we visited a man, and Prayed for him, and stayed there for a while and then left, we walked back to the car, and we tried to go back to Douentza, slowly and we had to stop some times until the mechanic picked us up in his car and drove us back.
The same day in the afternoon the other 3 team members (Annika, Miriam and Bradley) left to a village, with the Norwegian missionaries, to show the Jesus Film and stay to the next morning, Veronika and I (Tito) stayed at Lorna’s house.
I think they got a little wet because in the night they slept outside and funnily enough they got rain in the dry season.
Here are some comments from Bradley:
“After the movie we set up our tents outside to sleep. Well it ended up raining and we had to move inside the mud hut to sleep, we didn’t get much sleep, but it was an incredible Experience!!!!”
Thursday Annika and Miriam went to another village with Kjell and Katie (Norwegian missionaries), here are a few sentences Miriam wrote about the village tour:
“Annika and I (Miriam) left with Kjell and Katie Thursday morning to go with them to a village. We met a man that was saved some time ago and one of his wives. They lived in a very charming little hut where we spent some hours with them. We were served some good and some more interesting food and enjoyed the company with them. Kjell and Katie told them a bible story from a program they are going through with them, and afterwards the lovely lady retold it eagerly. It was nice to see some more of Mali and a lot of life in Malian village.”
The same Thursday Bradley, Veronika and I (Tito) had an incredible experience, Kjell drove us to a man he knew and there we got our first time camel riding, it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Saturday as usual we had our day off and we made French fries, it was fun.
On Monday we had worship in Bambara it was very good.
On Tuesday we had some team time from 9 to 12, where we encourage each other it was refreshing for team and it was really good for each one of us.
Wednesday we had bible study with the base staff and as we read through Genesis 24 a very important subject popped up “the importance and role of the wife in a marriage”. We had a long discussion time it was really good and we ended it praying for our future spouses, Bradley prayed for the girls, and Grace prayed for the boys.
So now every ONE IS READY FOR MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today (Thursday 26th) we are packing and preparing to leave to Timbuktu.
Monday, February 16, 2009
To our followers
Sorry !!!!!!!!!!The internet speed over here in Douentza is very slow so we cant update so many pictures
Thanks for your understanding.
Thanks for your understanding.
Funny things
During the last three weeks we have had some funny things been happening:
One night Lorna had a special visit, a lizard managed to come inside the house and make her scream and ask for the guardians help....... some of us were sleeping outside (Annika, Miriam and Bradley) had a good laughter before they slept. Rebecca (super bex) tried to help and right after the scream she was standing right out of Lorna’s door.
Another night Veronika was going to the bathroom and there were 10 cockroachs and she was screaming. You should try to imagine the expression on her face. And she refused to go inside again before I (Tito) killed them all.
On another night Bradley got an unexpected visitor while inside the bathroom, a bat flew inside and scared the pee out of him......literally. So Bradley came out in a hurry trying to do up his now wet pants and the girls had a good laugh!!!!
One night I (Tito) didn’t zipped all the way down my mosquito net, so when I slept, a mouse visited me and I tried to kill him until he found his way out.
During the last three weeks we have had some funny things been happening:
One night Lorna had a special visit, a lizard managed to come inside the house and make her scream and ask for the guardians help....... some of us were sleeping outside (Annika, Miriam and Bradley) had a good laughter before they slept. Rebecca (super bex) tried to help and right after the scream she was standing right out of Lorna’s door.
Another night Veronika was going to the bathroom and there were 10 cockroachs and she was screaming. You should try to imagine the expression on her face. And she refused to go inside again before I (Tito) killed them all.
On another night Bradley got an unexpected visitor while inside the bathroom, a bat flew inside and scared the pee out of him......literally. So Bradley came out in a hurry trying to do up his now wet pants and the girls had a good laugh!!!!
One night I (Tito) didn’t zipped all the way down my mosquito net, so when I slept, a mouse visited me and I tried to kill him until he found his way out.
Interesting Things
During the 3 weeks we have been here, some interesting things have happened:
One of The nights we were invited to Sandra’s place (Norwegian volunteer) ,there we had a very fun evening... and for first time since we left Borgen we played legretto!!!
Lorna hosted a small kind of tea party with the Norwegian missionaries here in Douentza, Lorna made some really good food, and we had a really good time!
Bradley and I (Tito) tasted our first Malian Tea with the night guard, Jose. Tea here is a long process........you drink three separate times. The first time is the strongest and then by the third time it is very sweet because they use LOTS of sugar. As the tea weakens, it gets sweeter. We have become pros at drinking tea now!
*I (Tito) lead the team for one week..... Veronika took over and is leader until 18 of February.
She is doing a great job as leader. Now we are very excited to know, who is going to be our next leader... Bradley or Miriam?
One of The nights we were invited to Sandra’s place (Norwegian volunteer) ,there we had a very fun evening... and for first time since we left Borgen we played legretto!!!
Lorna hosted a small kind of tea party with the Norwegian missionaries here in Douentza, Lorna made some really good food, and we had a really good time!
Bradley and I (Tito) tasted our first Malian Tea with the night guard, Jose. Tea here is a long process........you drink three separate times. The first time is the strongest and then by the third time it is very sweet because they use LOTS of sugar. As the tea weakens, it gets sweeter. We have become pros at drinking tea now!
*I (Tito) lead the team for one week..... Veronika took over and is leader until 18 of February.
She is doing a great job as leader. Now we are very excited to know, who is going to be our next leader... Bradley or Miriam?
NEWS FROM DOUENTZA
Sorry has been a while since I (Tito) updated but here it comes, better late than never.
It has been long and exiting days since we arrived here in Douentza there is always something to do. Here is a schedule of how a normal day looks like:
We wake up at 6:45 in the morning, help to prepare everything before the boys arrive.
Around 7:30 – 8:00 we have breakfast (it depends on if we have worship with the base staff or just with the team)
Around 8:45 – 9:00 we (team) have bible study, we are reading through Acts
9:30 we leave to the base here in Douentza to the meeting (Monday and Wednesday except on Friday we have to be at the base at 9:00........... on Tuesdays and Thursday we have our team worship ). The worship, prayer, or bible study with the base staff can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours.
Around 12:00 we have lunch
From or around 13:00 – 14:00 we have an hour off.
From 14:00 to around 16:00 we have ministry with the boys
From 16:00 – 17:00 some people do practical work while others help to prepare the food for the boys.
Around 17:00 we have Dinner
Around 18:00 – 19:00 we are off unless Rebecca (Super Bex) or Lorna needs help.
Around 19:00 – 20:00 we have dramas for the kids or just playing with them. (We have dramas 3 day in the week and we are making dramas about Jesus’s life and ministry)
Ps. you may notice that I used the word “around” many times in this text, the reason is that here in Africa we are learning to be flexible. This schedule is from Monday to Sunday except Saturday; Saturdays we have day off.
It has been long and exiting days since we arrived here in Douentza there is always something to do. Here is a schedule of how a normal day looks like:
We wake up at 6:45 in the morning, help to prepare everything before the boys arrive.
Around 7:30 – 8:00 we have breakfast (it depends on if we have worship with the base staff or just with the team)
Around 8:45 – 9:00 we (team) have bible study, we are reading through Acts
9:30 we leave to the base here in Douentza to the meeting (Monday and Wednesday except on Friday we have to be at the base at 9:00........... on Tuesdays and Thursday we have our team worship ). The worship, prayer, or bible study with the base staff can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours.
Around 12:00 we have lunch
From or around 13:00 – 14:00 we have an hour off.
From 14:00 to around 16:00 we have ministry with the boys
From 16:00 – 17:00 some people do practical work while others help to prepare the food for the boys.
Around 17:00 we have Dinner
Around 18:00 – 19:00 we are off unless Rebecca (Super Bex) or Lorna needs help.
Around 19:00 – 20:00 we have dramas for the kids or just playing with them. (We have dramas 3 day in the week and we are making dramas about Jesus’s life and ministry)
Ps. you may notice that I used the word “around” many times in this text, the reason is that here in Africa we are learning to be flexible. This schedule is from Monday to Sunday except Saturday; Saturdays we have day off.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
DOUENTZA
Jan 24
We woke up early and we were obviously already packed and ready to go. We grabbed some bread and jam and we were all ready to leave the base by 0600. This time there were not any problems, so before 0700 we were at the bus station waiting for our bus. As we waited for our 0700 departure we finally got on our bus by 0915 and were heading out by 0930. Not bad for African time!
After a long.... bus (It was an interesting experience) ride finally we arrived to Douentza around midnight, when we arrived Lorna had prepared good food for us after eating we went straight to bed.
Jan 25
We rested and slept in until 10 then the girls went to the market to do some shopping, Rebecca joined them. Tito and Bradley had some men time in the wile the girls were out.
Later in the afternoon we meet the local children’s.
Jan 26
In the morning we went to the ywam base here in Douentza and we had worship with the staff there. The most of the day we spend looking and the work of the missionaries.
We woke up early and we were obviously already packed and ready to go. We grabbed some bread and jam and we were all ready to leave the base by 0600. This time there were not any problems, so before 0700 we were at the bus station waiting for our bus. As we waited for our 0700 departure we finally got on our bus by 0915 and were heading out by 0930. Not bad for African time!
After a long.... bus (It was an interesting experience) ride finally we arrived to Douentza around midnight, when we arrived Lorna had prepared good food for us after eating we went straight to bed.
Jan 25
We rested and slept in until 10 then the girls went to the market to do some shopping, Rebecca joined them. Tito and Bradley had some men time in the wile the girls were out.
Later in the afternoon we meet the local children’s.
Jan 26
In the morning we went to the ywam base here in Douentza and we had worship with the staff there. The most of the day we spend looking and the work of the missionaries.
Jan 20
Tuesday the YWAM base Bamako had a meeting so the team had time playing, doing things together and having fun, Rebecca joined us. That the most of us discovered that there is a deck on the roof of the base. It is so nice up there! Nice view over the entire place. So we spent some time up there too.
In the night John invited us to his place to watch a movie. When we arrived Julie had prepared popcorn and brownies for all of us. We watched Evan Almighty and took a tour of there place and learned a lot about the area they live in. It was a very fun night......we all enjoyed it.
Jan 21
In the morning we had worship and intersession, then work duties with Daniel cleaning and organizing in the base. Later in the afternoon by special request of the team we went to the orphanage, this time for two hours instead for one. We all had fun playing with the babies and praying for them.
Jan 22
In the morning at the end of worship they prayed for our bus ride to Douentza. The rest of the afternoon we were packing our stuff and getting ready. In the afternoon Issouf drove us to the prison and there we had one drama. Daniel and John from the Bamako base joined us in the drama. Later Daniel preached to the boys and explained to them that we are leaving, but that the Douenzta base staff will keep visiting them.
Jan 23
This day was quite interesting. In the morning we were rushing around trying to get ready to leave the base(the bus was supposed to leave Bamako at 1 pm, so we had to leave the base at 12 o’clock Everything was happening so fast and we were a bit late, and then we tasted a bit more of African culture. About five minutes before we were supposed to leave the base and with all the team rushing, Issouf told us that we would not be leaving till the next morning. The staff at Duentza thought it would be better for us to travel only during the day time and not thru the night. So in the midst of us stirring around to get the bus loaded, all progress came to a halt. Suddenly all was so calm........we now had the rest of the day to just relax, we were not leaving anymore. We were all a bit stunned by the news and didn’t know what to say and so we all just laughed and sat down. After a while we just pulled out the playing cards and started playing UNO and SORRY all day. We were able to enjoy one more time of worship with the base that evening.
Tuesday the YWAM base Bamako had a meeting so the team had time playing, doing things together and having fun, Rebecca joined us. That the most of us discovered that there is a deck on the roof of the base. It is so nice up there! Nice view over the entire place. So we spent some time up there too.
In the night John invited us to his place to watch a movie. When we arrived Julie had prepared popcorn and brownies for all of us. We watched Evan Almighty and took a tour of there place and learned a lot about the area they live in. It was a very fun night......we all enjoyed it.
Jan 21
In the morning we had worship and intersession, then work duties with Daniel cleaning and organizing in the base. Later in the afternoon by special request of the team we went to the orphanage, this time for two hours instead for one. We all had fun playing with the babies and praying for them.
Jan 22
In the morning at the end of worship they prayed for our bus ride to Douentza. The rest of the afternoon we were packing our stuff and getting ready. In the afternoon Issouf drove us to the prison and there we had one drama. Daniel and John from the Bamako base joined us in the drama. Later Daniel preached to the boys and explained to them that we are leaving, but that the Douenzta base staff will keep visiting them.
Jan 23
This day was quite interesting. In the morning we were rushing around trying to get ready to leave the base(the bus was supposed to leave Bamako at 1 pm, so we had to leave the base at 12 o’clock Everything was happening so fast and we were a bit late, and then we tasted a bit more of African culture. About five minutes before we were supposed to leave the base and with all the team rushing, Issouf told us that we would not be leaving till the next morning. The staff at Duentza thought it would be better for us to travel only during the day time and not thru the night. So in the midst of us stirring around to get the bus loaded, all progress came to a halt. Suddenly all was so calm........we now had the rest of the day to just relax, we were not leaving anymore. We were all a bit stunned by the news and didn’t know what to say and so we all just laughed and sat down. After a while we just pulled out the playing cards and started playing UNO and SORRY all day. We were able to enjoy one more time of worship with the base that evening.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Second week
Hello everybody this is our second week in Mali and here are some of the things that happened this week……….
Monday we had the day off. So we went with John to downtown Bamako to look around and buy some souvenirs and fabric. The interesting thing about this day was when we arrived down town there were so many people in the street. It was so crowded we had to hold on to John so we didn’t get lost. Later in the evening some of us rested and some of us spend qbout 8 hours at the hairdresser to get braids in their hair...
Tuesday we had worship and intersession in the morning with the base staff. Later we had kid’s ministry in a kindergarten, we had a story and after that we played with them. The kindergarten didn’t look like anything you have seen before probably………it was outside under a thatched roof awning with wooded benches for the kids. There were over 25 kids and all of them come from families with one parent or no parents.
Wednesday our team conducted the morning worship and intersession, next we went to the European shop to buy food and it was like we left Africa suddenly. In fact it was like a normal European Shop………both in prices and how it looked inside. In the evening Issouf drove us to an orphanage on the other side of the Niger River. The girls especially loved spending time with the babies and they wanted to stay longer. In fact, everyone had a great time holding the kids and playing with them. I think some of them were ready to adopt a kid that day!
Later we had kid’s ministry in the park next to the base. It was a lot of fun. We had a couple dramas, a story, and a couple games.
Thursday in the morning we had worship and intersession with the base, like every morning since we arrived. In the evening the Bamako base staff and our team left to visit a prison for young boys(14-20). There we had a short program with a testimony and a drama and then one of the staff members from the Bamako base preached a short sermon to the boys about being able to make good choices and not bad ones all the time……the focus was on them being good people, but their choices they were making were bad.
Friday we had worship in the morning and in the evening. We spent the day resting and playing games around the base.
Saturday we stayed at the base and in the evening we had king’s kid’s ministry. We presented dramas, a story and some activities. The kids really enjoyed it.
Sunday was a long day! We went to the Issouf’s church in the morning. Then we had kid’s ministry in the park that afternoon. Bradley, Julie, and Rebecca went to an English speaking service for all the English speaking Missionaries in Bamako. Later that night Issouf and the team had a debriefing of our time here in Bamako.
Monday we had the day off. So we went with John to downtown Bamako to look around and buy some souvenirs and fabric. The interesting thing about this day was when we arrived down town there were so many people in the street. It was so crowded we had to hold on to John so we didn’t get lost. Later in the evening some of us rested and some of us spend qbout 8 hours at the hairdresser to get braids in their hair...
Tuesday we had worship and intersession in the morning with the base staff. Later we had kid’s ministry in a kindergarten, we had a story and after that we played with them. The kindergarten didn’t look like anything you have seen before probably………it was outside under a thatched roof awning with wooded benches for the kids. There were over 25 kids and all of them come from families with one parent or no parents.
Wednesday our team conducted the morning worship and intersession, next we went to the European shop to buy food and it was like we left Africa suddenly. In fact it was like a normal European Shop………both in prices and how it looked inside. In the evening Issouf drove us to an orphanage on the other side of the Niger River. The girls especially loved spending time with the babies and they wanted to stay longer. In fact, everyone had a great time holding the kids and playing with them. I think some of them were ready to adopt a kid that day!
Later we had kid’s ministry in the park next to the base. It was a lot of fun. We had a couple dramas, a story, and a couple games.
Thursday in the morning we had worship and intersession with the base, like every morning since we arrived. In the evening the Bamako base staff and our team left to visit a prison for young boys(14-20). There we had a short program with a testimony and a drama and then one of the staff members from the Bamako base preached a short sermon to the boys about being able to make good choices and not bad ones all the time……the focus was on them being good people, but their choices they were making were bad.
Friday we had worship in the morning and in the evening. We spent the day resting and playing games around the base.
Saturday we stayed at the base and in the evening we had king’s kid’s ministry. We presented dramas, a story and some activities. The kids really enjoyed it.
Sunday was a long day! We went to the Issouf’s church in the morning. Then we had kid’s ministry in the park that afternoon. Bradley, Julie, and Rebecca went to an English speaking service for all the English speaking Missionaries in Bamako. Later that night Issouf and the team had a debriefing of our time here in Bamako.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
First week of adventures in Bamako
Hello everyone our first update from Mali
Our outreach started in a very traditional YWAM style one or two hours before we had to leave. Annika decided to check her mail and found out our flight tickets from Oslo to Paris had been cancelled. Seems the snow in Paris got the airport backed up and flights were cancelled. So we went to the Airport in Oslo so Annika could fix our problem. We ended up getting transferred to a flight on SAS that took us to Paris at 8 in the morning and after a long day of travelling and standing in lines we made it to Bamako. The Fun wasn’t over yet …….. We waited for an hour and a half for luggage and ended up with one lost bag. At this point we had to go to the parking lot and meet our contact persons(Issouf and John). We told him about the missing bag and he took Bradley back inside to the AirFrance counter while the rest of the team sat in the van. Over an hour later Bradley and Issouf appeared and said they had to go back the next night to get our missing bag. We were finally on our way to the Base so we could get in our beds and sleep. Once we arrived, they offered us filtered water to drink and then showed us to our rooms. At 0230 we were finally winding down and getting into bed. The next day we didn’t get up till 1100-1200. We basically rested most of the day, but we got to experience our first Malian Worship Service with the base staff. On Thursday the 8th we went out into town to look around and get a glimpse of Bamako. In the evening before dinner we had our introduction to Mali with John. He explained the culture, facts about Bamako, what to expect, the do’s and don’ts while we are here, the three seasons, the health problems, the economy, and the religion. On Friday morning we had another first experience with riding the local transportation to do ministry at a Christian school. We jumped into a gutted van for 9 people that now seated 18 people. That was interesting! At the school we sang some songs with the kids and dramatized a story from the Bible. Then we played outside with the younger kids and played games with them. Then it was back to the base and we had to get on another van…..this time we fit 21 people in the same kind of van. This was even more interesting and very painful for Tito, Bradley, and John. I don’t recommend this kind of travel very often for guys. HaHa! Before we got all the way to the base we stopped at an internet café and got to email our families and let them know we made it to Mali. Then we had another worship service with the base staff in the evening. Saturday John and Julie took us to buy fabric so we could have authentic Malian clothes made so we can fit into the culture here. During lunch, we got to treat ourselves to hamburgers and hotdogs and Cokes. That was a fun afternoon with John and Julie. Then we had some kids come to the base and we did Bible stories and dramas with them. Sunday the 11th (today) we got up and went to church and sat thru a three hour service. It was translated from French to the local tribal language. During the service we got to introduce ourselves to the congregation. Then we sang a song for them. They sang for an hour before anything else happened. They shared wedding announcements, shared testimonies, shared about conferences and the choir sang songs, and then we heard the preaching. One thing that stood out for all of us is the men sat on the right side and the women sat on the left. The choir was even separated….women in the front rows and the men in the back. But, the service was incredible! Lots of dancing, clapping hands, tamborines, and praising God during the singing. After church we ate lunch and rested till 1600. Then we had to go play outside with the local kids for a Kings Kids program. We played games and did a couple dramas and told another dramatized story. There were around 20 to 30 kids that showed up. They seemed to enjoy themselves. Again we had to translate from English to French to the local tribal language. That is all for now. We will keep updating you every few days. Please continue to pray for our team. Especially for our health, our unity with each other, and all the opportunities for ministering to the people here.
Our outreach started in a very traditional YWAM style one or two hours before we had to leave. Annika decided to check her mail and found out our flight tickets from Oslo to Paris had been cancelled. Seems the snow in Paris got the airport backed up and flights were cancelled. So we went to the Airport in Oslo so Annika could fix our problem. We ended up getting transferred to a flight on SAS that took us to Paris at 8 in the morning and after a long day of travelling and standing in lines we made it to Bamako. The Fun wasn’t over yet …….. We waited for an hour and a half for luggage and ended up with one lost bag. At this point we had to go to the parking lot and meet our contact persons(Issouf and John). We told him about the missing bag and he took Bradley back inside to the AirFrance counter while the rest of the team sat in the van. Over an hour later Bradley and Issouf appeared and said they had to go back the next night to get our missing bag. We were finally on our way to the Base so we could get in our beds and sleep. Once we arrived, they offered us filtered water to drink and then showed us to our rooms. At 0230 we were finally winding down and getting into bed. The next day we didn’t get up till 1100-1200. We basically rested most of the day, but we got to experience our first Malian Worship Service with the base staff. On Thursday the 8th we went out into town to look around and get a glimpse of Bamako. In the evening before dinner we had our introduction to Mali with John. He explained the culture, facts about Bamako, what to expect, the do’s and don’ts while we are here, the three seasons, the health problems, the economy, and the religion. On Friday morning we had another first experience with riding the local transportation to do ministry at a Christian school. We jumped into a gutted van for 9 people that now seated 18 people. That was interesting! At the school we sang some songs with the kids and dramatized a story from the Bible. Then we played outside with the younger kids and played games with them. Then it was back to the base and we had to get on another van…..this time we fit 21 people in the same kind of van. This was even more interesting and very painful for Tito, Bradley, and John. I don’t recommend this kind of travel very often for guys. HaHa! Before we got all the way to the base we stopped at an internet café and got to email our families and let them know we made it to Mali. Then we had another worship service with the base staff in the evening. Saturday John and Julie took us to buy fabric so we could have authentic Malian clothes made so we can fit into the culture here. During lunch, we got to treat ourselves to hamburgers and hotdogs and Cokes. That was a fun afternoon with John and Julie. Then we had some kids come to the base and we did Bible stories and dramas with them. Sunday the 11th (today) we got up and went to church and sat thru a three hour service. It was translated from French to the local tribal language. During the service we got to introduce ourselves to the congregation. Then we sang a song for them. They sang for an hour before anything else happened. They shared wedding announcements, shared testimonies, shared about conferences and the choir sang songs, and then we heard the preaching. One thing that stood out for all of us is the men sat on the right side and the women sat on the left. The choir was even separated….women in the front rows and the men in the back. But, the service was incredible! Lots of dancing, clapping hands, tamborines, and praising God during the singing. After church we ate lunch and rested till 1600. Then we had to go play outside with the local kids for a Kings Kids program. We played games and did a couple dramas and told another dramatized story. There were around 20 to 30 kids that showed up. They seemed to enjoy themselves. Again we had to translate from English to French to the local tribal language. That is all for now. We will keep updating you every few days. Please continue to pray for our team. Especially for our health, our unity with each other, and all the opportunities for ministering to the people here.
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