mali NOW

Wow it has been a long week! The days have gone by so slowly here, yet sort of fast, its weird.  We arrived in Bamako about 9pm last Tuesday evening.  Fortunately the weather was cooler than normally.  It was hot air (probably 90's) but still better than we expected.  We met Mama Sako and his wife and kids in Bamako.  He is a leader/pastor in the church and has been very involved with Grace University's EDGE Program.  We ate with them in their home for lunch one day and had a great time meeting his family.  His wife is very sweet.  Later the next day we went to the bus station to wait to go down to Bougouni (where we are staying).  It is about a 3 hour drive from Bamako.  But before we left, we waited about 1 1/2 hrs and out of nowhere became the center of attention.  This man dances for money and he walked up and started dancing...somewhat inappropriately...but also hilarious.  I guess he dances on tv here or something as well.  We got some on video as we were completely surrounded by music and probably 40+ women and men laughing and clapping.

On the way down there were so many children on the bus, and some just happened to sit right next to us! One girl absolutely loved us and kept on smiling all the time.  Another one wasn't sure about us until Chris started making weird noises at her.  Then she opened up and was a little crazy! I even got to hold a couple-month-old baby as well. 

Down in Bougouni, our team is staying in a house (pink :)).  There are two small rooms for the intern and our oldest team member (Christian).  The other bedroom has me and two other girls in it, and it is a bit crowded.  We have a small kitchen, study room, living room and bathroom.  And now had some men fix up our porch in the back so we could sit under some shade.  It is definitely liveable (sp?).  We have gone to the market many times already, and it is interesting how people completely stop what they are doing to stare at us as we walk by.  It's strange at first and sort of awkward but you get used to it and just ignore it.  We are living on the IBR compound.  It is a small bible college that the district pays some students to go to.  It is expensive for them ($800/yr). But there are only 4 students this year.  Not many huh?  They are pretty nice and fun to be around.  We have to be careful in our actions though, for continually talking or sitting by one of them many times can look like we are interested in them, and from what I've heard they are all engaged.  The relationship aspect in the Malian culture is so different.  Would it even be possible for two people from different cultures to marry.  It is quite interesting!  

Mali is definitely "real" Africa.  Swaziland was more like South Africa which is closer to how the US runs in some ways.  But here, you know you are in a different world.  We are definitely still in our "honeymoon" stage of the continuum.  But within another 2 weeks here, things will start to change.  Frustrations and struggles will begin to hit us and this is when we will have to rely on the Lord.  Nothing will get easier from here on out.  I hope this gives you a small glimpse of what has been going on.

Oh, and I got to ride a nomad's camel! 

Amanda