Tip of the Week-- October 16, 2014

Interacting with kids here is something of an art.  Since they are give enormous freedom to roam and play, you never know what kind of reaction you are going to get from a group of kids you encounter while walking around.  Sometimes they are timid, other times they are bold and funny, and then there is the infamous group shout of "Tubabu, Tubabu!" (White guy, white guy!)   So here's the tip of the week:

It is occasionally wise to listen to one of the children yelling at you as you run or walk past.  Usually they are just saying nonsense like, “Hey white guy, give me a soccer ball.” But sometimes they are saying, “Umm we just threw rocks at that bees’ nest.  You might not want to walk under that tree."  In which case, you'll want to tell them to lead you on a detour through a nearby field.  They'll have fun playing tour guide, and you won't be alone if you encounter a snake.

Prayer requests:

1. Continue to pray for a good adjustment for all of us at the hospital.  There are several people getting settled into new leadership positions and learning the ropes.  This requires an adjustment to new leadership styles and cultural differences.  Pray that all parties involved have extra grace and patience, as we continue taking steps to empower our Malian colleagues.

2. Pray for an outreach to the local prison, which will take place tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.  There are a number of prisoners that are sick, so we will be seeing everyone and treating them.  At the same time, our  oral storytelling team will be there to present a couple different Biblical stories. Pray that lives would be touched.

3. Continue to pray that the ebola crisis would come under control.  There are still no cases in Mali.  Pray it stays that way, but also pray fervently that the three countries most heavily impacted would experience a reprieve as it is wrecking havoc on their health systems and their economies.

4. Pray for Issa (new believer) as he has some issue with a bone in his arm.  We have sent x-ray results to a specialist for their opinion.  Pray also for discernment, as I sense that he might have a call on his life for full-time ministry.

5. Several young friends have come back into town after being in their home villages helping with farming during the vacation months.  It has been great to reconnect with them.  I've shared the Gospel with many of them.  Pray for good a reconnection with them.  Also, many of them are in need of jobs or financial help for more schooling.  Pray that they would see the Lord's provision for them in all of this.  Pray that I would have wisdom as I talk with them.