January 2009 Mali Team

January 17th - 31st, we had a 6 member medical team that went to Bamako, Mali. The team members were: Franklin Spotts, Hollis and Mary Chandler, Michael Kimmerly, Susan Sopha, and Diana Taylor. We did not have an American Dr. but we did have Dr. Jacques who is one of the nationals.

One of the projects that is near and dear to Susan Sopha's heart is the Rice/Millett Fund. Susan heads up that project in order to raise money for Rice/Millet for the pastors and other people that need it. This year Susan was able to buy 23 (120 lbs.) bags of rice and millet thanks to some generous people. Some of the team were able to deliver the rice to some of the pastors. One of the pastor's wife did not know where she was going to get food for her family.


The medical team plus some of the nationals were able to see around 1500 people in two different villages and a Christian school. The nationals translated for us and were a huge help. We treated for malaria, worms, eye infections, headaches, back pain, bad wounds, etc. We were also able to fit glasses to some of the Malians who were having eye problems. One man jumped up and praise the Lord that he could see.

















Some of the team were able to work on the pit that has been continually being filled that is on the school property. The pit covered about one third of the property that the government gave in order to build the school. There is just a small part of it left. In the background is the high school that is still being worked on in Mali.
























When the team travels to Mali they are equiped with lots of literature with the Good News that is in French and many other languages. The team passes out the literature to the students in the classrooms and the students in turn take it home to their parents.



















There is still lots of work to be done on the highschool. The blocks for the ceiling on the second floor needs to be put in, the windows need to be bought and installed, and the stuccoing needs to be done. The goal right now is for the team this August to be able to finish the high school so they can hold classes on the second floor.