Denkundi - Baby Naming Ceremony

I’m excited to share with you this really fun cultural experience.

Last week we went to the village our team has been involved with for several years, for the denkundi of the baby of one of Karim's and Salimata's sons. Awa is the second wife of their second son. His first wife is Batoma, for whom I am named. 

A denkundi is the baby naming ceremony that takes place on the 7th day after the baby was born. In the morning the father publicly told everyone the baby's name is Suliman. The men from our team were there for that. 

In the afternoon, all the women from the HUB went for what was like a baby shower. Many gifts and money were presented to the mother. 

When we got there, Awa was already fixed up. She had beautiful makeup on, beautiful clothes, and her musoro (head covering) was absolutely amazing. Batoma was still in the process of getting her makeup and musoro done. A man was the makeup and musoro artist.

They had a canopy up in the courtyard and chairs all around. People were beginning to gather. They had mats on the ground under the canopy. We had to be careful not to walk on the mats.  

We first went into a room where we were introduced to the baby. He was so little and cute. Salimata brought him out and gave him to me. This is because I am togoma (name sake) with Batoma. When one wife has a baby, it
belongs to all the wives. So in a sense, the baby was mine too. They paint the baby's eyebrows dark. It looks a little
strange. 

Then we were called to go eat. We were the last to eat. Everyone else had eaten before we got there. We had rice and meat. Not sure what kind of meat it was. After washing our hands in a community bowl of water, we ate with our right hand, which is the custom here. No utensils. The rice is good. The meat, a little tough.

Then we came back to the courtyard, greeted people and sat down. It was almost time to start. 

Someone put a blanket on the mat and the mother came and sat down. Then many ladies all dressed beautifully, sat down with her. Batoma (in red) sat beside Awa (in blue). 

They hired singers to sing about the ladies and the people giving gifts. Someone presents each gift, telling what was given and how much money was given. We, the HUB ladies, gave her 2 pieces of material for dresses for herself, some socks and clothes for the baby, and some baby soap and perfume. The ladies seemed to be pretty stoic through it all. Karen said they had to be. It is considered prideful to be too happy about it. 

Toward the end of things, Salimata brought us more food. This time it was pasta. We again washed our hands and then ate around the community bowl of food, using only our right hands. 

As the evening came to a close, we were saying goodbye. Salimata told me that Batoma was pregnant. I went right over and gave Batoma a hug and congratulated her. She said something to me that I didn't understand, so I asked Karen to come interpret for me. Batoma told me, "when a baby comes to me, it comes to you too." How neat!  It would be fun to go to her denkundi and be a part of the ceremony. But, unless she's pretty far along already, I
probably will not be in Africa. 

I thank God for these opportunities to become a part of this family and culture.

Break Fast

Break Fast

During Ramadan Muslims fast for 30 days from sun up to sun down. At sundown they ”break fast". They have a certain ritual they follow. We were encouraged to "break fast" with a Malian family if possible. 

Well, I didn't have any contacts particularly that I felt I could get an invitation to "break fast" with. But Brittany, my roommate, came home and told me that a family we both had met a few weeks ago, had invited her, Nathan, who just came the last of June, and me to "break fast" with them Saturday night. I was excited about this. 

About 5 pm, on Saturday, we walked to their house and met Jeneba just walking out of her house. She immediately greeted us and invited us to sit down outside her house. We sat down in the chairs they provided and talked a little bit with her, with our limited Bambara. Brittany is much better talking than me and Nathan doesn't know any Bambara yet. So the talking was very little. Everyone greeted us. Everyone is so welcoming. 

A bit later Jeneba invited us to go inside the house. There were lots of people inside the courtyard. Everyone was dressed in their finest. We greeted everyone and they greeted us. We were taken inside one of the small rooms. They were taking pictures. They had us sit down beside this beautiful young lady dressed in white with yellow trim. Her hair was done up special with silver madalions in it. And her face was beautifully made up with glittery makeup. Brittany and I sat on either side of her and Nathan beside Brittany and they took our picture. This was unusual and we slowly realized this was a wedding and the beautiful lady was the bride. 

We walked back out of the room into the courtyard and were offered chairs. We sat down and Jeneba sat down with us. We all just sat there. Every once in awhile Brittany would say something to her. Even though we couldn't talk much, Jeneba stayed right there with us. Even though she had lots of company, she stayed with us. We were honored guests. 

The family went about preparations for their meal. Two ladies were cooking fish. The fish was deep fried in oil...whole...with the head and all. 

Jeneba asked if Nathan had a Malian name, and proceeded to give him a name. Sedou Sidibé. (Say do, see dee bay). Come to find out this is her husband's name. Brittany and I had been given names when we first came to Mali. Brittany is Salimata. (Sally ma tah). And I'm Batoma. (Baa toe mah). 

Each time someone new came into the area, they greeted us with a warm smile and handshake. Sometimes we exchanged names and sometimes we didn't. 

After a bit I realized all the people sitting in the courtyard had gone. The men started to come in. Jeneba's husband came in and greeted Nathan and us, and then sat down beside Nathan. 

Then it was time to break fast. They gave us a tea they made called kencaliba and 3 dates. This is what is generally used to break fast. Then they gave us a cold juice and a pastry. Very good. Then they gave us some of the fish they had been cooking. After eating some of that, Jeneba asked if we were going to pray. We said yes. They took us into a room, gave us a prayer mat, told us which way was east and put a head covering on Brittany and I. And then left us to pray. Of course, we didn't pray to Allah, but we did pray to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. We ended our prayer with praying the Lord's Prayer together. 

The idea behind this is to let them know we are people of prayer. Ramadan is a time of increased prayer, seeking for God's favor. We need to be respected by them before we can present Jesus to them.  

After praying, we went back out and sat down. They brought out a large container of rice and a tomato, onion sauce. Jeneba put the rice over the fish we hadn't eaten earlier and then spooned the sauce over the rice. They gave us spoons, so we didn't have to use our hands. (They eat with their right hand). We ate our fill and then said, "a barika." Meaning I've had enough. Jeneba said, " I fara?" (Are you full?" And we said "awo". (Yes). 

They took the food away. We sat with them awhile longer. Brittany attempted to tell them the story of Adam and Eve, which they knew and helped her tell it. Brittany told them that when we see the stars and moon we are reminded of the God who made us. She did a good job. 

Then we left. We said thank you and I hugged Jeneba. I said "Allah Ka duba i ye" (God bless you). They said "Amina." (The proper response to any Allah Ka blessings that are said). 

As we walked home we reflected on this amazing night. I feel I have made a friend - A family of friends. I have learned a little more about their culture. I pray that the love of Jesus reflected in my face. I pray that His love will penetrate the barriers in their lives so they can know Jesus as their Savior. 

Please pray with me that I will be able to communicate more and more with my neighbors and that the love of Jesus flows through me. Christ above me, Christ below me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ all around me. Christ in every eye that sees me. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Visit to my Nurturer's Home

Dear Friends, 

Another month is gone. Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How  unsearchable are his judgements and how fathomless his ways!

I give him all the glory for what he is doing here in Africa. 

The first part of May I spent a day with Kadiatou, one of our language nurturers, at her home.  I wanted to learn how she makes the coconut strips she has brought to the team flat several times. She met me at the team flat and we walked about 3-4 city blocks to get a sotrama (bus like local transportation) to go to the sugu (market). 

When we got to the sugu, we walked a good distance into it to find the man who sold coconuts. He chopped the outer shell off using a big knife, holding the coconut in his left hand and swinging the knife with his right hand. (See YouTube video)

https://youtu.be/op1CxUoZGtA

He was pretty good at it but I wondered how he did that without cutting his hand. I'm sure I would have cut mine. 

Then he peeled the brown skin off the coconut. 

(I'm sorry I can't get the pictures to post.)

Cut it open and drained out the milk. Then he used the peeler to slice thin strips about 2" long. 

After doing all five coconuts we had about half a bucket full. 

We got some other things from the market and then walked across the street to a boutique where Kadiatou's sister, Mariam, was. This boutique sold beauty products. Mariam showed me the glue on nails they had there. I told her I'd like some, so she glued red nails on my hands. It was quite interesting to watch her. It was like a backward French manicure. The color was on the end of the nail. They looked nice. But there was a lot of glue left under the nail and it was rough. If anything would get under my nail, I couldn't clean it out. I would have to use a scrub brush or tooth brush to get the dirt out. About two days later, I cut them shorter. (I have a hard time with long nails) and then the next weekend I soaked them in polish remover and took them all off. Glad to have my regular nails back again. 

After finishing with my nails, Kadiatou and I got a taxi to her house. We went into a compound area and then back to a two room building that was her house. She and her husband and 3 children live there. There is a bed in each room. A television in the first room. And the kitchen is outside. She had two little charcoal stoves on which she would put her pots for cooking. 

First she put a mat out on the ground in the sun, and a piece of cloth on that. She washed the coconut good and then spread it out on the cloth to dry in the sun. 

Then she gave me a chair to sit on and got some water for me. She had 3 small bags of ice that she took out of the bags and put in a small cooler. Then she got a cup full of water from their pot of water in the house and put it in the cooler. She sloshed it around to get the water cold and poured it into a cup for me. It was so good. Of course the cup is a community cup and everyone uses the same cup. 

Then she started cooking. She had two charcoal cookers (fruna) that she cooks on. Here is a picture of a small one. This one is the size the men use to make tea with. The women cook on much bigger ones. 

She put some red oil in one pot and put it on the hot charcoal. She cut up the very fatty beef and put it in the oil, along with some salt, maybe a teaspoonful. She cut up 2 small tomatoes to put in with the beef. 

Then she peeled about 7 garlic cloves, a bunch of celery leaves, and a green pepper and put it in a wooden bowl and handed me a mallet. It's kind of like a mortar and pestle. I pound this until it became a paste. And she added it to the meat. 

Next she put the rice in a large bowl and inspected it carefully taking out hints that shouldn't be there. I'm not sure what she was looking for, but she would pick something out and throw it on the ground. When it was cleaned she washed it and put it in a strainer over boiling water on the other charcoal stove. After steaming it for awhile she put it in the water and cooked it for awhile. 

While the rice was cooking, she added several kinds of seasonings to the meat mixture and okra cut into small pieces. I can't remember how long it all cooked. 

When it was ready to eat, we all went inside her house. I sat on the bed while they sat on the floor. There was one bowl of rice which she put some of the meat okra sauce on it. They brought me a bowl of water to wash my hands. Everyone else washed after I did. They eat with their right hand, scooping up the food and forming it into a oblong ball and put it into their mouth. Kadiatou offered me a spoon and I accepted it. I have eaten with my hand, but I really prefer a utensil. I would have never asked for it, but since she offered, I accepted. 

When we had finished the rice dish, she put some pieces of meat in the bowl for everyone. It was like she saved the best till last. But I had a hard time chewing up the meat. It was so grizzly. I didn't want to be disrespectful, so I just kept it in my mouth until no one was looking and I spit it into my hand. Then what to do with it? I could throw it on the ground, but they would know I didn't eat it. I finally remembered I had a small Baggie in my purse and I discreetly put it in there. I threw it away after I came home. 

After eating, it was time to finish the coconut. She put some water in a large pot, maybe 1 cup, and put it on the charcoal. When it was boiling she added about 1 cup of sugar to it and stirred it until it became a syrup. Then she brought the dried coconut over and put it in the pot and stirred it to coat it good with the syrup. She kept stirring and cooking it until it actually turned a little brown. It became very dry. Then she put it on a flat pan for it to cool. It was finished. 

I helped Kadiatou wash up the dishes. She washed them in a big basin on the ground in soapy water. She had a bucket with clean water that she rinsed the soap off the dishes and then put them on a chest to dry. I started rinsing them for her and putting them on the chest. 

Kadiatou has three children. Fatoumata - 11 years old. Ami - 8 years old. And Baru - 4 years old. Ami and Baru were there all day along with other children playing with them. Fatoumata came home from school about mid day and then when back again after lunch. 

I wanted to get a picture of the family, but didn't know Fatoumata was leaving again. She had to go back to school.  So she was gone when I took these pictures. 

This is Baru. He was taking my picture with his mom's phone, so I took one of him. 

This is Kadiatou and her two children on her right, Ami and Baru. The other two are friends. You can see the finished coconut in the pan on the chair. This is the kitchen, and you can see the ramp going up to the first of two rooms. Amazing, they have a TV on the wall in that room. And it worked. The kids watched it some. 

I played a little "ring around the rosies" with the kids that were there. They enjoyed that. 

Then it was time for me to go home. I told her I needed to go home and she called a taxi for me. While we were waiting, her daughter, Ami, started to take a bath. She had brought a bucket of water out into the courtyard, along with a small bucket of soapy water and a cloth and started washing herself. She only had on her panties. I thought, how is she going to wash her back?  I can do that. So I took the cloth and washed her back. Then I rinsed it off for her. 

Baru saw this and decided he needed a bath too. He stripped down to his birthday suit and I washed him completely and rinsed him off. That was fun for me to act like Nana and they seemed to like it. 

When the taxi came I went home after hugging everyone goodbye. It was a great day. 

Going into their homes is how we can get to know them well enough to be able to share Jesus with them. Pray that God will soften their hearts to hear about Jesus who loves them so much he died for them. 

Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you all so much. 

Now may the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Blessings!

Joyce

joyce@rijoyce.com

Dogotoroso

One of our assignments as nomads is to connect with one of the participants at the English Cafe. This is where English students come together to practice their English. They play games and then have assignments to discuss different topics in English. Only English is allowed to be used. We are supposed to connect with someone and then do something with them outside of the cafe. I didn't have any idea how I'd accomplish that. But the first night someone pointed out a lady and said she was a doctor. I immediately decided I needed to talk to her. So after class I made my way to her and introduced myself using my African name.  Batoma Sangare. I told her I was a nurse. I got her name and that was it.
The next week I spoke with her again and asked her about her work and said I'd like to visit her hospital some time. She seemed open to it. Then the the 3rd week we made arrangements for me to go to her clinic on Wednesday. 030216. She said she went to lunch at 1. So I asked if I could come at 2. She was fine with it.

The day came I was to meet Mariam Kane at her hospital, dogotoroso. It was a little scary to go in the taxi by myself not really knowing where I am going. But I gave him the information Mariam gave me.

Medina coura.

Makoroba

Pharmaci. Badji

I asked him if he wanted me to call Mariam and he said no problem. So I didn't. When we got to the  bridge he said to call her. My problem being my phone was dying. Not sure why it was out so early in  the day. I tried to call her and got no response a couple of times.  Then she said "hallo?"  And I  started talking. But it was like the phone had gone dead. I kept calling her name but she didn't answer.  I did this about 3-4 times, when I realized it had gone on to voice mail. I told the taxi driver I couldn't reach her and showed him the information again and he went on. He took me to a place called Medina coura, and dropped me off at a place that he said was the dogotoroso. Just at this time Mariam called me and I told her I was there.
I went inside and it looked like I was going into the courtyard of someone's house. There were several ladies sitting around. I approached one and asked for Mariam Kane. They didn't know her. I showed her where I was trying to go and said pharmaci badji. They pointed me down the road. So I started walking. When I got to the cross road, I couldn't see anything that looked like a place of business. Just a long wall. So I went back. This time she walked with me to the crossroad and pointed me down  the road and told me to turn right and go left. So I went. When I turned right I passed a building with   many people sitting around outside, but there was no wording or signage there to indicate anything.  So I kept walking. I got to the main road and found a pharmacy with the word badji on it. I went in there and waited my turn. Shortly a man came up from behind me and greeted me. I asked him for Mariam Kane. He didn't know her. By this time he was speaking to me in English. I gave him the info she had given me and he pointed me back the way I had come. Then he said he'd have someone take me. He got a young man to show me. He took me back to that place with all the people sitting outside. I walked in the door and there was Mariam waiting for me. I was glad to finally be where I was supposed to be.
Mariam took me into a little room that wasn't any bigger than my clothes closet back home. There were two other ladies, Mariam and me in there and sometimes another doctor. There was AC in there and that is why everyone was piled in there. Mariam told me the ladies were nurses. She introduced me to the doctor who was so very friendly. He only spoke French and Bambara. So Mariam had to interpret for us. And Mariam's English is rather poor. But we made it through. I asked questions and he asked questions. I asked to see an exam room. Most of the patients had already come and gone so we were waiting for someone to come in.
Finally the doctor asks Mariam and me to go into his office. He sat behind his desk with a large computer screen on on side and a large box on the other side. So there was only a narrow window to see him. We talked a bit more and then a patient came in. A mom with her young baby about 6 months old. He had the baby sit on the exam table on the other side of the room. The baby cried for her mama. He tried to listen to her lungs but she was crying too much. So he had mama hold her. Then he could listen to her back. He said she had a lung infection. I asked if she had pneumonia but he said it was bronchitis. He said he gave her an antibiotic and a anti cough medicine. She had to go to the pharmacy to get it.
During my time with these gracious people, the doctor shared a picture of his 4 month old daughter. I told him I was a musocoroba (I thought grandmother, but found out later it just means old woman) and he said no. I said, Yes I am. I have 6 grandchildren. I showed him my family pictures.
After the patient visit, the doctor said he'd like Mariam and me to come to his house to meet his family some Saturday. I was very surprised, and told him I'd love to. I told him Mariam has my number.  He gave me his business card with his telephone number on it. 
He asked me if I wanted a drink, but I thought he was asking if I wanted drinks when I went to his house. I said, sure.  So I was ready to leave, but Mariam said to wait. Pretty soon he gave me a Coke to drink. It was so thoughtful of him. I don't usually drink soda, but I did this time. I wouldn't be disrespectful for anything in the world, at least not if I know what I'm doing. I had already gone outside, so Mariam had me sit in the shade until I finished my Coke.
I left it that I would come back some Wednesday in the morning when the patients are there so I can see how things are handled. They seemed happy for me to do that.
I asked Mariam what time the clinic closed. She said it didn't close. People stayed there all night. I asked her when she got off work. She said usually 1 pm. I didn't get there until 2 pm. I said, "You stayed here just special for me?"  She nodded her head. It was a matter of miscommunication. That was so sweet of her.
She walked me out to the road to get a taxi and hailed it and told the driver where to take me. I gave her a hug goodbye.
God is good. Pray that this relationship continues to grow. 

And She's Off!

Well this is amazing. I'm actually doing it. It has seemed like a dream, something way off in the future for so long. But now it's here. I'm in Washington, D.C. For the night, to meet with my teammates in the morning to fly to Africa. It is exciting to think of what God has in store.

It was so hard to say goodbye to Erin and family on Sunday 012416. I cried off and on all the way home. Those babies are going to have grown so much by the time I get back. I hope they don't forget me. I've got to Skype with them often.

Then today, Mara cried when she had to go to school and knew I was leaving. She just clung to me. She and Cade are staying at my house this week. I'm so thankful for Cade to be able to look after my house for me while I'm gone.

Then Cheryl and family came to pick me up to go out for lunch and then to the airport. Since Tamara was flying to Houston today for a work related conference, she met us there and rode to the restaurant and airport with us. We ate at Captain Tom's. Very nice lunch.

At the airport, I didn't have any trouble checking in. All my checked bag s were under 50 lbs. Praise the Lord!  We looked at family pictures together on my computer. Then we said good bye. Another teary time. Cheryl cried. Emma cried. I cried. We hugged all around.

Then Cheryl and Jeremy and family had to go while Tamara and I went down to the gate. It was so nice having her wait at the gate with me.

Tamara was able to get pictures of me getting on this tiny little prop plane.


It took awhile for them to get all the luggage loaded. We sat there for quite awhile. But we had an uneventful flight to Dulles. When we landed, it sounded like the plane was going to fall apart. The whole thing rattled badly. But it didn't.

I was supposed to call the hotel to let them know I was in and needed the shuttle to come pick me up. But for some reason the phone was busy. We tried and tried for over an hour. The service desk lady helped me and she couldn't get anywhere. Finally she suggested I take a cab and get the hotel to pay
for it. I finally got to the embassy suites about 6:30. I ask d the desk clerk first thing. Why aren't you answering the phone?  He said they didn't realize the phones were down. He said he pay for my cab
and he did. He was so very nice. I got my bags in the room and them went down to get supper. Got on their internet access. Got into my pjs and started calling people back that had tried to call me earlier
but I was unable to take the call.

This has been a good day. I've been seeing all the comments on FaceBook. I'm so amazed of all the
people who are praying for me.

God called me, he provided the financial support, and he has provided the prayer support. It must be he wants me to go to Africa. I can't wait to see what he is going to do over there. I'm a little nervous about it all. But I know God will enable me to do his bidding. I know that he will make a way for me.

Oh. Somehow I lost an earring. I'm so sad. It was one that I'd gotten from my trip in Israel in 1998. I
really don't understand, since it hooks on so very securely. This was the pair I was going to wear most of the time. What am I going to do?  I guess I'll just have to find others over in Africa.

012816

Today is the day. We actually boarded the plane for Africa. I met Brittany and Brittany at the gate. We boarded the plane, the three of us in the middle section.

We are ready to go. So excited.

We've watched movies. Me - three of them. Little Boy, The Martian, and The Intern. In between we've eaten. The meals have been very good. Beef tips for lunch, a chicken sandwich for supper. Played candy crush some and solitaire. It's been a long flight. 13 hrs. Will be glad to be on the ground again for about 2.5 hrs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Then we climb back in a plane to go on to my  permanent country. About 24hrs total travel. It will be Friday when we get there.

What a surprise. They served us breakfast. Omelet, croissant, fruit, roll. The sun is up and it is morning coming into Ethiopia.  I haven't slept. But then it is 10:43 pm home time. I'm going to want to sleep the entire flight.


012916

We arrived at Addis Ababa. About 12 mm. EST. Friday morning. it is 8 am here. I have only dosed. It looks like our next flight is going to be 7 hrs. They are supposed to feed us on this plane. I hope I get to sleep a good bit.

It is Interesting watching the people in the Ethiopian airport. Many different kinds of dress. It's 59-60 degrees here. Some people are all bundled up. Others are in regular shirt sleeves. You see African dress, Muslim dress, American dress. Anything goes. Mamas with their toddlers and carrying their babies on their backs. Men in long dresses. Men in neat suits. And many people in jeans. There was one little lady walking with a quad cane, walking up and down the concourse. I think she may have had a stroke. Maybe she was walking for exercise.

There are quite a few wyfi's available here but they needed a password. So I went into a store to ask
for the password. He said I needed to buy something for him to give me the password, so I asked for bottled water. It was $2. I gave him a dollar bill and 4 quarters. He said he needed paper money. All I
had  was a 20. I asked him if he had change and he said yes. So I gave it to him.  He sauntered away with it very slowly. Then I didn't see him. After a little while he came back with my change. $18. But he wouldn't give me the password for the wyfi. Said it had to be at least $10. So I never got wyfi access.

10:10 am. We are boarded and ready to take off for our last leg of the trip. We are on a smaller plane. 3 seats on each side. We are in the front of the economy section. We were able to spread out and are quite comfortable.

We slept a good portion of this 7 hr trip. Woke up enough to eat the lunch they provided. Glad to be able to sleep.

We arrived in at our destination about 2:30 pm Friday. Local time. That would be about 9:30 am est. it took some time to fill out the customs form and then get out luggage. We went to get a cart to carry our bags on and were told it would cost $10 a cart. The cart came with a man to grab it off the belt and put it on the cart and push it out of the terminal. Then we were told we had to pay extra because we had food in our luggage. I told them there was no food in my luggage. It was in my carry on. They didn't pay any attention to that. We had to take our luggage back to a room where the opened it to look for the food. What they had seen in mine was my vitamins. When I explained what it was the let me go. We were finally allowed to leave the terminal.

Glen and Karen met us at the airport. He loaded our bags into his truck, we claimed in and we were off to our new living quarters.

We got to our room and unpacked. There is still much organizing to do. Brittany Hickman and I are sharing an apartment underneath Glen and Karen's apartment. It is nicely furnished with the necessities.

We went to the team flat where we had supper with the team. Glen and Karen Smith, Dean and Emily Hartsel and their daughter Lilly May, Craig and Liz Corbin, Natali Williams, and Sandra Gomez. Who just got here from Columbia, S America last Saturday. We had a nice meal of pizza and fresh veggies.

Now it's bedtime.