A new home

I left Louisville about 3:30 on Wed, Oct 7 and arrived in Mali sometime after 8 pm on Thurs, Oct 8. We (a group of 5 of us traveling together from the States) each went separate directions getting settled into our new homes. For one in our group it's his temporary home, he'll be traveling on Monday to his new home in a village about 3 hours from here.

It has been a whirlwind since our arrival. Friday morning the 4 of us staying in Bamako began our orientation. We started with basic knowledge about our supervisors and Bamako, then went out to a grocery store and to a birthday party that evening where we were able to meet other folks working in our company.

Saturday morning we started out by going to the market to buy some veggies and fruit and practing French and Bambara greetings. Sights, smells, and sounds found at African markets cannot be replicated. It is a world of dirt floors, open sky, tables set one next to the other, colorful clothing, small children running, fruits, veggies, and other items lying everywhere just waiting to be bought by someone.

Greetings are the primary part of market life and are heard on every side..."How is your morning?" "How is your family?" "How is your day?" From the greetings, friendships blossom. Friendships that hopefully will result in the sharing of the good news, the most important news that we can share.

I am thankful to be settling in and getting to know more about my new home.