A National Holiday and welcome day of break

Sleeping in for the first time this trip all the way until 8:45, we were much more alert this morning. We walked over to a missionary couple's house who invited us for the Malian holiday today. Upon arriving, we were welcomed into a beautiful bungalow nestled behind the traditional high wall and lounging guard. A parrot greeted us with a cheerful whistle as we made ourselves comfortable in one of the most cozy, welcoming, and comforting houses we have ever been in. We were given a tour of the marketplace and then we filed back to the house to learn about folk islam: a mix of pure islam and traditional beliefs that most Malian people practice. Although they will pray to Allah, they will still make animal sacrifices for blessings to their spirit ancestors in order to gain favor for the coming year.

Just when we finished learning this, we were delighted with the announcement of a meal--a familiar american meal--hamburgers, fries, cole slaw, ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. We have been fed VERY well by our Malian cook, Francoise, but it is always nice to come back to our well known and loved American foods, especially when they are prepared so well. We swapped stories until Levy, a mechanic working for the project, arrived.

We relocated back to our base and organized many things for future artisan workshops, fairs and projects. It ended with much success and satisfaction. Levy has so much initiative. After a shared dinner of chicken in tomatoe veggie sauce and rice, we did devotions, played a few games, and retired for the night.