Mali

Wow- I've had a mix of emotions the past day or so. The 2009 Edge Mali Team just left this morning around 8am. They will fly into Paris on Valentine's Day!! What a day! They are going to have such an amazing experience full of challenges, triumphs, difficulties, and joys. They are going to come back as changed people in everything they do--their perspective on life is going to be changed dramatically. One of the team members was on our hall last semester and I've gotten to know her just because of our same passions and interests. She was very nervous last night and even felt kind of sick last night but I think it was all in her head. I can't imagine what it will feel like next year at this time for me to be leaving. Two suitcases for 6 months. It's a long time, but yet not really when compared to your whole life time. I keep thinking about this and I just can't imagine what it will be like and wish I could watch them and see their faces as they experience new things culturally in Mali.

I am excited and wished I could have gone with them--but a the same time I know I am not prepared yet. Our fall semester will be the preparation for Mali- learning French, about relationships and the culture and much much more. Our team will become quite close because of our dependence upon each other. We will have a couple meetings and a weekend retreat this semester already and then over summer we are supposed to start our support ($7500; I know, right?!). It looks like we have a great team though. God is really going to use this team and us as well when He has made us ready and equipped us for the challenges.

I am heading to Swaziland this summer so even though they are on opposite sides of the continent of Africa, I will be prepared somewhat in what to expect. Mali is Muslim, while Swaziland is more Christianity with everything else mixed in with it (kinda different). My support has been slow the last month 1/2 but God is good and gracious and I know He wants me there because He told me heart already. It is going to be amazing and all so tough at the same time.

Injustice.Compassion.Challenge.Jesus.Smiles.Orphans.
Love.Cry.NotFair.Joy.Relationship.Friendship.Difficult.
Pain.Gospel.Nation.Culture.Pray.Accept.Unconditional.