Koutiala

This last weekend we made a trip up to Koutiala to visit some missionary friends there who attended language school with us in France. They are involved in a new Christian hospital that was just recently opened this past year. The drive was about 5 hours and we enjoyed the scenery. It was really fun and exciting to see what the Lord is doing in other parts of Mali.

Please pray for the hospital, they are scheduled to open the pediatric wing this next year. In Mali the death rate among women who give birth is 1 in 20. One in five children will not live past age five. Already, since opening, the hospital has received a reputation for quality care and many women are seeking help for their deliveries and other health issues. They are maintaining ratios equal to hospitals in the U.S. Patients all receive a presentation of the Gospel.

Currently, the hospital staff is praying for a two week old baby who was delivered at 22 weeks weighing 1 kg/2.2 lbs, unheard of in Mali, after her mother had lost 10 previous pregnancies. She's a premie named Grace and we're believing God that she will live! (Sorry I forgot to take my camera when we visited the hospital, but don't worry, we're planning to go back)

Here are some pictures of the landscape we saw along the way....this is West Africa!

Niger River....the boats you see are very typical of fishing boats here.

Balboa Trees are plentiful in the high desert of Mali



Many animals, such as these, freely roam the land and often block the narrow road. Caution is an extreme must when driving.....