We're in Bamako Now!

Hello! We're here and we have a lot of catching up to do! This entry will have some photos and captions to bring you up to date with what's been happening in our lives since we arrived here in December.

Farewell to France......December 22, 2006~Left to Right: Bridgette, Maryann, Kristen, Jordan, Bruce, J.T., T.J. & Ryan

We wanted to share some of the beauty of France. God was so good to us and we learned so much more than just a new language. We are very thankful for the opportunity we had to live in such a beautiful place:

WELCOME TO BAMAKO, MALI, WEST AFRICA

This sign is on the airport road as you drive into the City of Bamako.

After arriving in Bamako we stayed in a guesthouse apartment for about one month.

Christmas Day 2006, two days after we landed - Gifts were waiting for us from Prescott First Assembly & Canyon Del Oro Assembly.... Thank you so much!!

Tia made the trip well and we are so happy to have her with us!

Christmas Dinner was a wonderful blessing with our new friends/missionary collegues, David & Linda Arzouni and the Caswell Family, Rick, Elaine, Katie, Keenan & Lydia. They welcomed us into their homes and took wonderful care of us! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

House Hunting....down many bumpy Bamako roads occupied the next few weeks...okay, a month! But God is so good, of course and He led us to a good house that is everything we need! It needed some work and we continue to do repairs here and there.

This is the Niger River where the water is receeding now but the rains will begin soon and the riverbanks will be full again. For many people the river is their source of life...they wash there, do their laundry there, fish and plant along its banks.



Our container arrived the week after we located our home. It cleared customs easily and we were able to unpack it without any problems. Our family worked incredibly hard along with the Arizona Women's Ministries to make sure we would have everything we needed. The last thing we put in the container were Bibles however the container was too full to use the cartons that the Bibles came in so they were tucked everywhere and when the doors were opened, that was the first thing that came tumbling out, along with rolls of toilet paper and canned food our church family had collected for us! Thank you Family Life Assembly and thank you everyone who prayed for our container to arrive safely. It has been an incredible blessing to have the things we have needed as many things are not available to purchase, or they may be very expensive and not well made.

The Container before leaving Phoenix after a ton of work done on it by some very dear friends. When we purchased it, it was supposed to be "seaworthy", however when it underwent the inspection needed before shipping, we found that it wasn't seaworthy. We are so grateful for our friends who went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure it was good to go! We love you Pauleys!

And as you can see it made it........this is the "opening" in Africa...we had lots of help unloading it and lots of curiosity as well. God is so good!!

Here's a picture of our house....and cleaning....and moving in!

Our friend, Elaine Caswell, she and her family helped us so much while moving in.....Thank you guys! And "Bridgette the Builder"? Yes, believe it or not and T.J. of course was in his element working on mesquito screens and door locks. Our appliances were crammed full of goodies from home....thank you family & friends!!!

Getting settled didn't take too long and before we knew it, we were out and about. Here are some photos:






Niger River from the bridge road:

Todd preaching for the first time in an African church:

This church meets in a tent because they do not own land and therefore we cannot construct a tabernacle. Please pray that the owners will agree to the sell the land at an affordable price.

Niger River and surrounding area......












Visiting another church service.....











The shell of this church was a steel tabernacle building. The church built their walls and added doors and windows as they could. They would buy enough sand and cement to make one row of blocks at a time and that's how they finished enclosing their church.

In March, we were blessed to be a part of hosting a team from Rockford Illinois. They along with our collegues worked on a Christian school project in Timbuktu, Mali. The team did an awesome job and we are so glad they came. They constructed the 3rd of the 4 tabernacles needed to complete the project. The buildings are still in need of walls, windows and finish work before the school can open.

They took a camel ride while they were there.....

And when the took the ferry from inland across the Niger to Timbuktu, they saw hippos in the river. As we understand it, this is a pretty rare occasion. Can you see them?

And we just couldn't help showing you the sunset.......while Todd was there, the lunar eclispe took place. It was reported that Africa was the best place to see it and it was quite a site to behold from this side of the world.

On the heels of the Rockford team leaving, another team arrived a few short days later from Eugene Oregon. They worked in cooperation with David & Linda Arzouni, our missionary collegues, Assist International, the Eugene & Bamako Rotary Clubs to install cardiac equipment and monitors in a Bamako hospital. This project of goodwill toward Malian people opens many doors for missions on government levels that would not otherwise be possible. We are grateful for the vision behind this project. The team did an outstanding job.

Todd worked closely with the team and Malian technicians, doctors and nurses serving as a French interpreter which was quite a stretch.

The inauguration of the equipment was attended by both the President of the Republic of Mali as well as the Minister of Health.

Next on our agenda was the first Malian Pastor's Kids Retreat. This event was organized by our collegues and they anticipated only around 40 participants. Much to their delight, over 90 were in attendance. It was a great time for our family to interact with the students of our Malian pastors and give them encouragement. Many of them are somewhat isolated in remote villages. Please pray for the children of our pastors that they would who they are in Christ and allow Him to work in their lives on a daily basis and realize how special they are.





Much of our focus during the retreat was team building.....

This is a typical meal served in Mali for lunch and dinner. It usually consisted of rice with a sauce of some kind. Large bowls are prepared and shared by 5 or 6 people, eating should only be done with your right hand....no spoons or forks. Breakfast was bread with a cup of sweet milk. The food here has been very good, we are very thankful for the generous hearts of our African brothers and sisters.

PK Leadership Team

T.J. and Bridgette are doing well, they have spent some time with us at a local orphanage. T.J. isn't really into the babies but enjoys hanging out with other students who go.



Just one small way we can be Jesus' hands here. There are babies here that are only days old, some are found on the streets and are brought to the orphanage where they are cared for and homes are found for them. We sing many choruses of Jesus Loves Me to them.



Our Speed the Light vehicle arrived just about a month ago and we are so very grateful for it! It is four wheel drive which is a necessity here in Bamako. Thank you Students of Arizona, we love you and appreciate your sacrifices for us....you are Speeding the Light around the world!