We've arrived safely in Koutiala, Mali. It's a long way from home. Travels included 9.5 hour flight to Paris, 8 hour layover, 5 hour flight to Bamako. From landing and throughout our time here, the missionaries have been outstanding - so gracious! The organized chaos at the airport was manageable and we were lucky to get ALL our luggage and quickly. We were escorted to the guest house and crashed. The next day was full - breakfast with the local missionaries, change our money, drive to Segou for lunch on Niger river (very beautiful) and then off to Koutiala (total 5 hour drive).
The drive was fascinating - in general it's very dry, red soil, with some areas a little more green. The baobob tree is bare at this time and most fields have been harvested, and dry. Not a lot of 'wildlife', but tons of goats on the roadside... everywhere. They were grazing on the harvested cotton (seed) that would fall on the roads when the cotton is transported for processing. They would move off the road quickly with the sound of the horn. The sheep were just not as bright.
There are several groups of teams at the guest house in Koutiala - an IT group (from Omaha, NE), a warehouse/building team and us, the medical team. Dr.Richard Wong (Ob/Gyn), Jeannie Russ (neonatal nurse), Paula Berry (our cook) and Dr. Marks and me.
We had a lovely celebration and potluck, with 55 people over shortly after we arrived - what fun to meet the missionaries and their families. They are amazing people.
What a fantastic blog and even more fantastic the work you all are doing! Blessing for all of you for your continued efforts.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is great to follow and learn so much about the work and Mali - what great fun to read! You are being read by all of the Vermont Buckleys and more!