Mali's done WAWA'd my heart away!

Believe it or not (I don't), I'm down to the home stretch here in Mali.  On Thursday morning we'll be driving from Koutiala to Bamako, then fly out of Bamako on Friday evening.  I'll be back in Ohio by Saturday evening - that would be this Saturday, in fact.

I definitely want to go home.  I want to see my family, to process all the things I've learned and seen and done here, to seek the Lord's plan for my next step.

But I am so not ready to leave.  I don't want to leave this land, this life, or these people behind.  I will never leave them totally behind, I suppose.  I will carry them around in my heart forever.  But that's nothing compared to being here - to seeing them, to walking here, to getting its dirt under my fingernails.

Lord willing, there's always next time.  One of the Malienne "Papa"s asked me today what my "last impression" of Mali was.  

To which I replied, "When can I come back?"

It's true.  I want like crazy to burn my passport and miss the van to Bamako.  This girl's been WAWA'd in the worst (best?) way, and I'll never be the same.  And I haven't even left yet!

For those who would like to know, WAWA stands for West Africa Wins Again.  It's a term the missionaries use to describe the way West African countries, with their [comparably] rough circumstances, tend to do their best to challenge the physical, mental, and moral  endurance of anyone not native to their arid lands.  At this stage, the WAWA factor is kind of endearing to me - sort of like a really adorable, soft little puppy.  

That would be the same cute creature that barks all night long and leaves you aromatic gifts on the carpet, right?

Yes - and this would be the same West Africa that blows out your tire and dumps your 5-gallon water cooler in your truck on your way to a village, where you find two demon-possessed people you're expected to treat as medical patients.

Nice doggy.....

For this and other true stories, I'm inviting you to join me at Lodi Community Church on Friday, March 14, at 6:30 pm.  My church is hosting a potluck, at which I'll share some of my experiences here.  We're opening the dinner up to anyone interested in hearing more about my time in Mali.  We do ask that everyone RSVP (to me - in the comments here or via email, Facebook, phone call, text, or whatever mode of communication works for you) and bring a main dish and a dessert to share.  We'd love to have you!

So long for now!  See y'all soon!!