Hope and Prayer

Today I have this giddy little sparkle in my heart.  It's as if I'm a little girl dressed in a pretty princess dress ready to go off to the ball.  I could skip where ever I go.
Odd analogy? Yes. But it's true!

Since March myself, my teammates, my friends and hundreds of others have been praying for the crisis taking place in our beloved Mali.  In the matter of days, decisions made by a few men ripped apart 20+ years of calm and democracy in the country.  Ever since it has been a day to day battle for the precious people of Mali. 

However, there is HOPE.  There is always hope.  This I believe.

With the instability of government, dangers coming from radical Islamic groups taking over towns and villages in the North, a very serious famine plaguing the entire country due to drought - all members of my team had to leave the country in April.  Between March and April many if not all aid agencies also had to leave the country.

My teammates bodies left Mali but their hearts are still very much there!  At home with God's people.

Over the past month and a half issues in Mali have made good improvements.  Is everything great?  By no means.  But then again everything was never great nor perfect.  However, the dangerous issues have seen peace and there is a relative peace within the government.  Things are stable, enough.  Because of these things....

My teammates are going back home to Mali!!!!  I am so excited for them! 

I am asking you to PRAY.  Please continue to lift up Mali and all of the situations going on in the country.  Please consider taking some time to lift these prayer needs:

*My teammates will be headed back to Mali over the next few weeks:
-Shari is going back on July 21st (she is currently sick so please pray for healing!)
-Sharon is going back on July 24th
-Steve, Becky and their 3 sons are going back on August 12th
-Dan and Katie are entering the country for the first time in August

Please pray for safe travels, no complications with Visas or entry into Mali, for health, and JOY!!!!

*The food shortage has truly become a crisis in the land.  Please pray for rain.  Please lift up my teammates as they will be helping the Malian churches get finances to distribute food to villages and thousands of refugees.

*Please pray for the North.  Please pray for the people who live in the North.  Please pray for their safety as the radical Islamic group Ansari Dine has taken over the land and has imposed strict sharia (Islamic) law and are physically harming residents of villages and towns they have invaded. Please pray that Jesus would be reveal Himself to ALL people!

*Please pray for the Church in Mali!!!  From what I have heard the Church has stepped up in big ways and is doing great things!  They are giving at great measure.  They are taking in refugees from the North.  They are providing for all as much as they are able.  All the while doing it with great joy and bringing glory to Jesus!  What an honor I have to soon be working along side such wonderful, faithful servants in the Malian Church.