Tami Wade
An observer of people, places and things, I am an introvert, a stranger in someone else's land; these are my reflections on Mali.

For me, this trip touched me in a different light than the previous trip I made 2 years ago.  I am now part of a medical team which meant a greater role in patient care.  I was asked to be the team leader, a role I found to be way "outside" of my comfort zone.  I am a shy person who prefers to be in the background, a "behind the scenes" person and naturally awkward with public speaking.  My mind was focused elsewhere and the concerns of home made it apparent in the way I led my team.  Why the displacement of my attention? Why allow my thoughts to be entertained by anything else but what I am sent here to do? It was revealed to me after our first clinic of what will soon be asked of my husband and I, another God adventure awaits us I thought to myself...

All of my insecurities and hang-ups were given up to God in prayer.  I felt a sense of relief knowing that missions are about God at work in our world and not about my imperfections or doubts.  Should I trust and obey, I may discern His will for my life in a greater way.

Ultimately, for me, this is not about a trip or a local, but about the journey to a point where one finds "truth" in missions.  I found truth in the smiles of Malian children.  I found truth in the healing and hard-working hands of doctors, nurses and medical staff.  I found truth in the pastors and missionaries whose tireless efforts are not made in vain.  I found truth in a people who long and hunger to know more, evident by the crowds that hovered in the hundreds to view a film about Jesus and salvation.  I found a greater truth in my faith, my Jesus and my God.

I found truth in watching each of my team members immerse themselves in their professional roles.  I saw the hands and feet of Jesus through an elementary school teacher's welcoming efforts to make strangers her friends.  I saw a focused man with gifts of leadership, show such vulnerability when he shared his thoughts with our group.  I saw the relationship of a young couple develop greater depths of respect and tenderness from this shared experience.  I saw a pediatrician whose strengths under pressure were revealed and whose laughter is contagious. Finally, I saw the youngest member of our team whose actions speak volumes bridging barriers of language and culture.  Her fearlessness is inspirational and with a smile, showed love to children that I am certain will leave indelible memories for them for years to come.

I found truth in a question asked of my husband and I, to serve long term? Let's see where this journey leads us...oh by the way come as you are. He can use you just as you are.


N. "Tami" Wade
Mali Medical Mission Member 2012

An email message from Dr. John

Good morning Vaughan! 

I'm sorry I missed you Sunday.  We had an emergency C-section at just before 9 AM and I didn't leave the hospital until almost 11.  I know that Carol told you we used the aprons Sunday morning. They worked great! Not a drop of blood on me for a change.  Please tell your wife she did an excellent job with them.  I'm sure they'll protect us for many surgeries to come. 

I was up at 2:30 AM this morning for a forceps delivery.  Praise God, mom and baby are fine. I got back in bed at about 3:45 but unfortunately, couldn't go back to sleep.  I'm on first call tonight as Rebecca (one of the Malian docs) is on vacation.  We have a full day ahead and I'm praying the night will be calm.  That's not highly likely though. 

Yesterday morning, Yohana admitted a 30 y.o. woman with abdominal pain.  By afternoon her condition had deteriorated and she was delirious and vomiting.  Dan and I examined her and an ultrasound revealed copious amounts of free, particulate fluid in her abdomen, consistent with a bowel perforation.  In addition, her liver was nodular and she had a mass in her pelvis - ? cancer.  Her lab results from late morning revealed a platelet count of 4,000.  I don't think I've ever seen one so low.  We repeated the test, hoping it was falsely low, and it was at 1000 with a hematocrit of 15%.  Obviously, we couldn't risk taking her to the bloc as she was very likely to bleed excessively.  She had already formed two large hematomas on her arm from IV sticks and blood draws.  Amazingly, as the blood and fluids poured in, she became lucid again.  I talked to her about Christ and she told me she accepted Him a year ago after attending a crusade.  Please pray for a miraculous healing and/or for her platelets to increase so that we can take her to surgery.  

We thoroughly enjoyed having you and your team here! May God bless you in the coming year and bring you back here again. 

John 

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Matthew 10:29 

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." (Jim Elliot) 

"Il n'est pas un imbécile qui donne ce qu'il ne peut pas garder à gagner ce qu'il ne peut pas perdre."

Coming home separately

We arrived safely in Paris - Eva and Kristen had to get back to work and caught a connecting flight, but the others are spending a little extra time in Paris (at our own expense of course) and will follow soon. Eva and Kristen should be back in Omaha about 7PM.

We're in Bamako.  Been to dinner and dessert and are heading for the airport.  Our flight to Paris leaves at 11:40pm (-6hr CST) and arrives at 6:10am.  See you then.


Vaughan

More thoughts from the Team

We had a remarkable Sunday at the Bethel Seminary Services.   I was pleased to once again send warm greetings from Pastor Mark, the staff and the congregations of believers at Christ Community Church to our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Bethel Seminary Church.  This was at 9am in Koutiala.  I reminded them that in about 6 hours their own Seminary Director, Daniel Dialio, would be bringing their greetings to our church in Omaha.  The ramifications of this exchange in the Kingdom of God here on Earth, and the Global Impact that CCC is having, goes on and on. 

We received an impressive tour of the seminary and the progress being made there to improve living and academic conditions for the students.  The team went back to the hospital where Ed Bonvillian 'tapped' us for a unit of blood each.  Then we went to Dan and Marcy Nesselroad's home for a wonderful brunch.  Continue to watch for photos and videos of these topics in the days to come when a faster WiFi becomes available. 

We are packing up for the long trip home.  You can check on our progress by going to the "Locator Tab."  Pray for safety and good connections.

 - Vaughan Wenzel

The church service at Bethel (the 3-year Seminary sponsored our church) was awesome!  They first had several songs that praised the Lord. The music sounds so beautiful!  The church has no AC, but has tons of fans.  It was so hot & the fans never got turned on!  I'm thinking the Malians are so used to the heat & it's not hot to them, but it's hot to us!  The service was about the importance of prayer and how God answers our prayers.  One person speaks in French and another person will translate into Bombara, then someone sitting next to us translated it into English for us.  The service was powerful and inspiring.  

Please pray for us as we are packing our bags and heading home.  Pray for a safe arrival.  Also pray for the Koutiala Hospital staff as they work so hard and have such a loving heart!  I know this trip will stay close to my heart.  I hope I will visit Mali again.

 - Elosia Robinson

The power of actions

Throughout the whole trip I have been constantly reminded of the power of actions. Actions truly do speak louder than words.  I was able to show and express God's love to the people of Mali without saying a word.  It was amazing how God could use bubbles.  Just start blowing bubbles and the crowds will come.   The curiosity gets the best of them and even shy kids start to break out of their shell and trust a complete stranger.  From there it turned into dancing the Hokey Pokey, African dancing, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and giving out high fives.  The kids' smiles and laughs will be forever in my memories.  They were so excited to have an adult play with them.  When I went to leave to go to another spot the kids all started following me clapping their hands, so we did "The Train" while clapping through the village.  We grabbed the attention of many.  I then noticed the mothers watching us and the smiles they had while watching us interact.  Through all the smiles I knew that they understood we truly cared for them and they could feel God's love.  Through it all though, the kids have touched me with the trust they had by following me, walking up and grabbing my hand while I was walking, to sitting on my lap.  All of this occurred without saying a word.  I truly believe the best way to start leading people to Christ is through our actions.

 - Kristin Corey

Thoughts from the Team

Photos to see are coming...  but til then, please click here to view the VILLAGE CLINICS page to hear about what God is already doing here, and about what happened on the first night of our village clinics.

Vauaghan <><

Missionary Families - Elosia

The families here from all over the world are amazing! They all are so welcoming and truly enjoy what they do. Some are medical staff, tag-a-longs (like kids and some wives), teachers and some focus on sharing the gospel but help out in any way possible. God has defiantly called them to thier career. Also, these people are a jack of all trades. For example, an OB GYN doctor has done tons of general surgeries b/c that is what is needed. This doctor has molded his role for the

good of the people. Everyone on the hospital staff has multiple hats. It just depends on the need and God's calling. What a special group of people. I feel blessed just knowing them.  

1st day in Mali - Elosia

Walking off the plane & into the dry, dusty air of Mali was an experience I will

never forget. Not only was I a minority but just a few people in the airport

spoke English. The language barrier was frustrating. Then getting through

customs & grabbing our luggage was a process! One thing I noticed right away was

the eagerness the Malians have to help you, yet there is only one speed in

Africa...slow. Well slow compared to American's crazy life style.

2nd day in Mali - Elosia

Our host family was so welcoming! Which was exactly what I needed after feeling incredibly uncomfortable at the airport. I woke up ready to hit the ground running! We had a 2 1/2 hour drive to Segou to stop for lunch. The driving is crazy here! The one rule of the road: the bigger vehicle has the right away. I stop counting the number of people I thought were going to hit us.  Segou was really the first day I actually interacted with the people of Mali.  When you get out of the van they swarm around you trying to sell you their stuff.  First they speak French, but when they realize we don't understand, they switch to English. They know just enough to try and sell you stuff. This was very overwhelming! At first I felt pity and I wanted to give them everything I had. Then I felt a little angry that they won't leave me alone and won't stop staring at me.  The poverty and trash that covers they dirt is hard to take in. I felt so discombobulated. Up to now, I have been praying a lot about God providing us a healthy, strong, positive, and well communicated team. However, I think I'm going to start focusing on adjusting to the culture and touching the Malian's hearts.

3rd day in Mali - Elosia

We got a tour of the women's & children's hospital. It's amazing how the Lord

can heal & provide! The kids & adults love to stare at us. If you get a camera

out...they LOVE it! They really like to see themselves in the pic. I still felt

uncomfortable here. Defiantly out of my comfort zone. All I want to do is play

with the kids but don't know how.

After the tour I was able to watch a couple surgeries. The hospital doesn't have

all the equipment, supplies & man power compared to the USA. However, they are

able to get by and provide passionate care to these people. I noticed right away

that the medical staff comprises a lot but they never back down on the quality

of care they provide. The staff is a blessing from God. They are all so very

nice too!

I have been praying more about overcoming the uncomfortable feeling I have been

having here (the jet lag & lack of decent sleep doesn't help) and asking God to

lead the way. I will follow & obey.

From Jason

I have been completely blown away by the people that work and serve here in Mali. Every person I have talked to, worked with, and observed has a smile on their face. You can tell they love what they are doing and it shows  The nurses here practice in a way in which we all strive for and envision nursing to be and they have a deep love for the women and children they care for.  Even though they are pulled in many directions they love what they are doing and serve diligently. The Malian people are extremely welcoming and gracious and even though we speak different languages a smile and a wave hello are universal. 

Blessings from Mali, from Jennifer

The Malian people have so touched my heart.  They will wait days to be seen and not complain.  They are ready with a smile, a laugh, and are eager to see their picture after you take it.  They are all God's children.  The two year olds cry when they see you, the three year olds hide, and the older kids are very respectful no matter what is asked of them.  No complaining about opening their mouths, take pills as soon as they eat solids, and are always looking to help out.  They have blessed me.

I thank God for preparing me for this blessing and pray He will continue to show me his way.

Take care and God bless.

Team Reflections

By Eva Rhoades


     About six months ago, I felt a strong calling to apply for the Medical Mission trip to Mali. Many people asked and wondered what I, as a non-medical team member would do.  It was difficult for me not to be able to answer them. Before the trip, there were times I felt inferior to the other team members due to their training in the medical field and their "assurance" of what they would be doing on the trip.  Doubting myself, I, at times, allowed Satan to creep into my thoughts and discourage me.  However, I still felt a strong calling and desire to be a member of this team.  Thank goodness God is bigger than me!  


     I have had multiple opportunities to be of use on the trip.  However, it is not what I have been able to do for the Malians or my teammates that have made the biggest impression, been the most influential and most heart-changing for me.  It has been seeing the faith of the Malians and pastors here...who need and trust Jesus for everything.  They know He is in control.  Coming from a culture where we don't have to have faith that God will provide food, shelter and an income, I selfishly think that I am in control and can take care of myself and my needs.  Obviously, this is far from the truth! I am grateful to God and His people for reminding me of this. 


     God has also been working on my heart in terms of my self worth.  Not being of the medical field has been a struggle for me at different times on this journey.  I, selfishly, want to feel worthy and needed.  God has been reminding me that in His eyes my works don't equal my worth.  I do not want to take away from my team members or the other doctors and nurses at the hospital, because what they do is amazing and they work tirelessly to serve others.  However, when God sees me, He sees Jesus!  I do not need to work for His approval.  I am not worthy, but Jesus is!  


     We have three more days in Mali before our journey back to the States.  I look forward to seeing what God has in store!