Mali 5

Today we took a break from IES work to go to the local Corps. First it was a trip to ACI2000 Corps where I was the guest preacher. I was prepared for translation into French, but didn't realise that I would also be translated into Bambako. Working with two translaters can ruin your train of thought, not to mention making your message really long if you're not careful.

The meeting at ACI2000 was a typical Salvation Army meeting, except that much of the congregation enjoyed dancing to everything, and everyone danced forward for the offering.  The hall was outdoors - their original building is not safe enough to meet in. We were under an iron-roofed shelter with generator power. And it was hot. By the time I got up to speak the theromometer on the platform clock (yes there was one) was reading 40.7 Celcius. And that was before 11 in the morning. It was dusty, too, with the Niger's red dust blowing around us.

In the afternoon we went to Sogonoko Corps where we had an official welcome to our team. Again I was asked to speak, this time just in response to the welcome message. I tried to keep it short becuase there was also an introduction to the Region's annual theme, and another Bible message from the regional commander. If I thought it was dusty in the morning, it certainly was this afternoon as we met in the Corps hall which is next to a trucking depot.

As an observation on African culture - timing is less important that an event. This afternoon we were an hour late in starting the meeting, and even then sat around waiting for a generator (there was no power in the hall due to an outage - a regular occurance). But no-one was phased. All that mattered was that the people had gathered and we were welcomed. When doesn't matter. Just the event. There's a lot to learn in that for us Westerners.

I was impressed by how much this small region has grown in only five years. The three Corps that gathered for the combined welcome meeting are quite obviously vibrant and growing. They are assimilating the gospel well with the vibrant music, drum and dance culture of the Malian people.