Greetings everyone!!
I would have to say the one word that has characterized the last two days is CHANGE…From the moment we woke up yesterday change seemed to be the norm. As we considered all the different options and all the uncertainties of our situation and all the questions of what if this, what if that, and do we or do we not. Today, proved to be no different. When we went to bed last night we had a set plan for what we would do today. We did know that we had a lot to do today before we could leave B@mako. As the word for the day would have it, we would encounter many changes through the day, many challenges that would keep us from completing all we had to do in a timely manner. Because of that we were unable to leave for Sik@sso in time to get there before dark. That reality brought more questions and more changes.
We decided we would remain in B@mako today and join another group who will be heading out tomorrow– only to a different border. Our plan now is to leave at 6 am and make our way to S3negal. There will be 5 of us leaving B@mako together and we will be picking up 9 others along the way. The journey will be about 11 hours of driving.
- Pr@y for rest tonight so we will be alert and ready for the long drive
- Pr@y for smooth pick ups of all the people along the way
- Pr@y joy and laughter and sense of G0d’s Presence throughout the journey
- Pr@y for G0d’s protection to surround each vehicle (3) and each driver– for alertness, all vehicle parts and tires to do what they are suppose to do
- Pr@y for comfort and strength as we all leave a land and people we love and continue to walk in the uncertainties of this situation
The situation in B@mako remains peaceful with people going about their daily jobs and routines. There have been several meetings between the leaders from the ECOWAS and the c0up leaders. The announcement we were waiting for this morning was mainly focused on the situation in the north. We are still hopeful that an agreement will be reached by tomorrow and there will be no sanctions imposed on M@li.
- Pr@y for the meetings that are taking place tonight (Saturday, March 31) and any other meetings that may be scheduled tomorrow to negotiate an agreement between the c0up leaders of M@li and ECOWAS
- Pr@y for wisdom and truth to be exposed and embraced by all those meeting together
- Pr@y that NO SANCTIONS will be imposed, a tranistional government will be put in place and that M@li will progress toward the election of a new president
The situation in the north of M@li continues to get worse. The rebels have seized 2 of the three major towns they seek to control. The second one was seized today. At this point the rebels seem unstoppable in their mission.
- Pr@y for the people of these two towns and for their protection as these rebels rule over them
- Pr@y for our Sovereign G0d to rule over those who seek to rule over the citizens that live in these towns
- Pr@y for wisdom on the part of the M@lian army to know how to protect and maintain control of the one remaining town
- Pr@y for the quick resolve to the political issues in B@mako so that the military issues can be resolved
I will continue to let you know how things are going. I will have internet tomorrow night (remember change is the word of the last few days) and I will try to let you know of our arrival. If I do not, remember do not worry…just pr@y and hold onto the truth that we are in HIS HANDS!!
Thankful for the one constant thing in my life–Jesus Christ, who NEVER changes!!
TRUSTING HIM like never before…