LOVE MALI February 2010 UPDATE

W h a t ' s  N e w :

Love Mali Table  Sunday March 28^th -

We are still in need of more sponsors- please pray about impacting a child's life forever

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New Love Mali Monthly Prayer Meetings- Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 1:30 pm

A small team from CCCH set out on an adventure this past February to the school and church in Soulemonbougou. The mission- to GET ORGANIZED and to serve OTHERS. As the theme of the trip was centered around Philippians' 2:3 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." God set our path straight and are hearts overflowing to be back in Mali with joy.We started our trip visiting local schools in the surrounding area. We were able to ask questions about the educational system traditions of Mali. We could have spent the whole day asking questions and observing, but we were off to Love Mali Christian school. Upon arriving at our school there was an amazing change that had taken place. It was peaceful, organized and the presence of the Lord could be felt. The children's classrooms were in order, the teachers were excited to greet us and overall the atmosphere at the school was incredible.

This trip CCCH helped to purchase classroom sets of bibles for the 5^th-7^th grade classrooms. This will allow each child to read their bible during bible time and during the bible memory program. In Mali, it is always exciting to see the reactions on the children's face when we get to present gifts to them. Each child received a pencil pouch with a pen, eraser, and sharpener for participating in the Bible Memory Program. Every child at the school memorized the Romans Road bible verses!!!

We had a foot washing with all the teachers and staff. It was a very humbling experience for us all. As Pastor Steve read from Matthew, the mission's team came out and started washing their feet one by one. It was received with grace and love and it truly united all of our hearts together. The purpose was to serve them, to thank them for what they are doing in the lives of these children. We wanted them to know that serving others brings no greater joy and it blesses God. Another exciting opportunity that God allowed us to participate in was providing a Health Seminar on the importance of washing hands to the parents of the school. This opened the door for us to share the gospel and explain how God washes us clean. We later invited the local villagers to enjoy worship, dancing, and a movie in Bambara called, "From Creation to Christ" God's Story. Many came to know the Lord and we were all amazed how much they were intrigued by the films awesome job of explaining creation. 

Bernie, our Love Mali Medical assistant went and visited the local pharmacies and health clinics in the area to find out what the protocol's are when children get sick, the costs of clinic visits and the medical prescriptions that are common in the area. This was very helpful in knowing where to send the children and the expense of things. After the lunch program, a group of our team members got to walk some of their sponsored children home. We were able to meet their families, invite them to the health seminar and movie night and to church. It was fun to see how overwhelmingly inviting they were. After one visit, we were invited to attend a Malian wedding. It was an experience that we will always treasure.

One of our Love Mali teachers, Joseph decided that it was time for him to get married. Pastor Steve got to marry them in a traditional American wedding ceremony. It was the first time that the school teachers, church congregation and students got to be part of an American Wedding tradition. They really enjoyed the traditions that we don't ever think about. The bride and groom facing each other holding hands, saying their wedding vows, and kissing the bride. You rarely see couples being affectionate with each other there. They were all celebrating and cheering during this affection, it was adorable.

More highlights of Trip:

Baby dedication- our School's Secretary Monique'(Pastor Joseph's sister-in-law)

Visited the local market for the lunch program

Visited the Department of Health

Observed 3 different Friday Bible Programs at other schools in local villages

Set up brand new Library

Teacher Training

Organized each child's school record- 576 children!!!

Sponsorship letters distributed to the children-In return, each child wrote to their CCCH sponsor

Set up Language lab with Rosetta Stone for English and French for Staff use

Set up classrooms with visual aids, painted hopscotch in hallways

Visited "the Bush" a very remote village with no electricity. It was the most peaceful experience.

Installed new sinks at the school and taught the children the importance of washing their hands

Presented 2 bibles to Muslim teachers

As we look back and reflect on what God has done, we are all very grateful to be part of the work in Soulemonbougou; the school on a hill that shines for Christ. Thank you all for your support and for doing an amazing job on your sponsor letters. The children's faces were priceless. As we explained to them that each one of them has a family in America that is praying for them and has committed to support them, they all took their new sponsor pictures with excitement and joy.

Awaiting His return, Love Mali Team