Well, I head off to Mali in two weeks. I will spend most of the time in
Oulessebougou seeing clinic patients and doing minor surgery at Dr. Omar’s
small private hospital. Twelve of us are
making the journey this time and we hope to have a profitable trip. Teaching,
learning, healing and being healed.
Making the world a little smaller and then bringing back news and
experiences to share.
Ibrahima Kodio is an expert in many languages. It has been through his gift of translating
that many of us have become acquainted with him. He will be with us on this mission as
well. Using his skill to not only
translate words but the meaning and the subtleties of the languages. He proved himself to also be an amazing
mediator last year with the officials at the refugee camp in Djibo, Burkina
Faso, helping to soothe anxieties and smooth over misunderstandings.
As the Grace Private School manager he uses many of the same
tools. A gifted teacher, manager, and
visionary he has built the school by sheer force of will. He feels it is his
calling to provide a quality education in his own impoverished village. An
education in not only math and science and language, but steeped
in the Gospels that will produce hopeful, confident, joy-filled young adults.
I go to Mali bringing items from his simple wish list for
the school including maps, soccer balls, pens and printer ink. More importantly I go as a representative of
Grace Missions. To remind Ibrahima that
we are here for him and for the school. That despite limitations and long gaps
in communication we are here praying and working for his family, the Grace
students, their parents, the town of Koro and the country of Mali.
I will bring back news, stories and pictures to share. Any amount
that you can contribute to Grace Missions is appreciated and goes directly to
help support Grace Private School.
Peace,
Brandon
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| Malian children at refugee camp near Djibo, Burkina Faso |
