3 Years ago…
April 2009, I remember celebrating Easter for the very first time in our Malian village we called Archenland. It goes down in my books as one of my most memorable Easter celebrations yet. For too long I got used to seeing Easter as any other holiday, or even just any other day, but on that all night / all day celebration (it started Saturday evening till about 4am then continued again around 9am till later Sunday evening), being around those believers reminded me of its significance. Those Malian believers had a lot to lose in choosing to follow Jesus, but it gave them a much greater reason to celebrate the hope and life they found in Him
2 Years ago…
April 7, 2010, Kacy and I said goodbye to what was our home for four years and returned to America. We decided whatever day we would leave it would have to be after the 5th, we wanted to spend another Easter with our Malian church. That Easter Sunday we said goodbye to Andrew (our story crafter) as he went back up the mountain to his village after celebrating with us. The following day, Pastor and the family saw us off after one last word from the Bible, and prayer time with the family. Goodbyes are never easy.
1 Year ago…
April 2011, I was in a completely different environment, not in Mali, and not even in Michigan. A year ago I was celebrating Easter in San Francisco, with a group of people I was just getting to know, a group that was just starting to form a church.
This year…
April 2012, that group of people I now consider as my church family, and San Francisco is gradually becoming my new home. This year we celebrated Easter as a church community with new friends and families added to the group.
As far as Mali, it is in a very different state than when I left it. It wasn’t an entirely easy place to live in, but the most recent situations make it even harder. With the coup, famine, and all the unrest going on, my heart breaks for them. I can’t help but think of those believers gathered around during Easter Sunday. Whether they gathered in public or in secret, I pray they were able to celebrate the Risen Savior.
As I reflect on the past I’m aware of how things haven’t always turned out like I expected. Life has been full of surprises that either made me laugh or cry, but no matter what was going on, God has never let me down, always trustworthy, always there with me on this journey.
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