Mali - August 17, 2009

Ne's smile is one of the greatest "Thank you" I've ever received!

The little gal went home this week, and took a bit of my heart with her.

I came to help at the Women's and Children's hospital of Koutiala, Mali. But I know I received as much, if not more, than what I gave here.

Ne's operation went well. Thank you to those who were praying. She recovered well, and finally smiled :) That was a happy day. Both she and her older brother received Christ a few weeks ago. She was here nearly three months, and had ample opportunity to see the lives the Christians lived out daily, and to receive their love and care. She in turn shared her little heart with us. I only knew her for just over a week, but the rest of the staff knew her well. After multiple abdominal operations for perforated Typhoid infection, she is finally well, and

normal again. Truly normal in a very real way.

God is GOOD.

I have been truly blessed with time to work and time to rest. The time here has flown by, but in a non-hurried sort of way. The interaction with staff and patients has been good. And I have had time to rest and reflect along the way. It seems like life always appears to have a different perspective coming from the sands of the Sahara.

I'm starting to realize deep within my heart just how important it is to take time to reflect and acknowledge God's hand in our lives. I believe Jesus talked about that a fair bit - I just have not taken it to heart as much as I should. Thankful for His patience.

There are many memories I'll take with me as I leave.

Besides Ne, there are a few women who had C-sections who have done quite well. And their babies are quite cute! The woman with a uterus

swelled with tumor to the edge of her ribs, the baby who's belly was as big as he was - and died the same night. The woman who is a year younger than I, who we told would have to go home - there is no cure for her cancer. Or the

woman who came in with a swollen leg, and then died suddenly.

But there is also the little 2 y/o girl who swallowed lye, and we dilated her esophagus twice so far and she is doing well! Swallowing liquids again. Or the little baby that I helped the pediatrician with for 2-3 hours this afternoon - holding off his Malaria and sepsis.

And the brave little girl who never winced and even thanked me (in English!) after I removed her stitches :)

Swimming, sharing dinners, relaxing evenings, cool rains, and even a rainbow are just a few of the memories I take with me.

But it is the people, the staff, and friends like

Saskia, Jake, and Nienke who have made this time so meaningful. It is the eternal aspect of living life now and one step closer into eternity.

People and God's word - two things which are

eternal. And that is what Life is about - God and

people, and our relationship to both.

Saskia is the Dutch physician who I've known since Gabon. An incredible heart for the people, and a joy to work with. Jake is an ICU nurse who does anesthesia par excellance - and has a wit to boot! And Nienke is a medical student from the Netherlands who's assistance was invaluable on rounds. She is quite adept at C-sections too! It has been a joy to work with them, and to know the fellowship that comes from being together as believers. I will be sad to leave them.

Learning to trust God more and more these weeks.

Trust - what lasts for eternity is born today.

God is my Protector, the maker of heaven and earth - and I KNOW I can trust Him. Seeing these women and children come here because they trust us to care for them reminds me of my coming to Christ for the same reason - each day - as I recognize I can not help myself. Humbling, but reality. God is so gracious.

Thank you for your prayers.

I hope to write at least once more before the end of this trip. Thanks for your patience :)

In Him, John