Mission Trip Highlight: Mali
1. Lost but will be found 迷失但終將被尋見
This trip to Mali was truly a journey of growing in faith—learning to let go, to entrust everything to God, and to rejoice in hope. After 22 hours of travel, we finally arrived only to discover that six of our pieces of luggage were missing. Some held our teammates’ personal belongings, but others contained the gifts and toys we had carefully prepared for the local pastors, co-workers, and children. At first, we laughed it off, saying we could buy some African clothes to wear! But as the third day passed with no sign of our bags, the laughter faded. My initial worry was about myself—not having clothes to wear—but soon my heart grew heavy at the thought of visiting the village children on the fifth day with empty hands, unable to carry out the games and activities we had planned for them. In those anxious moments, God gently reminded me that He is greater than all of this. His work is beyond what we can see or imagine. “Trust Me. I am in control.” When I finally let go and placed everything in His hands, my heart shifted. I began to feel His love for the people of Mali more deeply than before.
And just as He promised, on the fourth morning all of our luggage appeared, safe and intact. What seemed like a delay was, in truth, another reminder that our God never fails, never comes late, and never makes mistakes.
這次的馬里之行就像是一個提升信心、學習放手交託、在指望中喜樂的一段過程。當我們一行人風塵僕僕飛了22個小時終於抵達馬里之後，發現竟然掉了六個行李，裡面除了有我們部分團員的個人用品外，還有幾箱是要送給當地牧者同工、孩童的禮物和玩具，當下我們雖然還開玩笑說可以去採買非洲服飾，但到第三天行李都還沒到的時候真的是笑不太出來了....一開始我承認我還是在擔心我自己沒衣服穿(笑)，但到後來，我開始擔心之後第五天去村落的時候沒有禮物玩具送給孩童們;我們準備的遊戲就派不上用場，但神馬上提醒我，祂是比這些東西還要大的神! 祂做的事是超乎我們所求所想的! 放心讓我來, 我掌權! 而當我真的放下在神手中，不再擔憂的時候，神反而讓我更多感受到祂對當地人民的愛! 感謝主我們的行李完好無缺的在第四天早上平安出現，雖然是經過一番折騰，但我們的神再一次證明祂是不誤事的神!
2. Walk in faith and miracle 憑信心行走，奇蹟將至
Since we arrived in Mali early in the morning, our first day’s schedule was originally meant for rest and adjusting to the time difference. But in the afternoon, on a sudden impulse, we decided to step out of the hotel and do a prayer walk toward the Independence Monument. Yet, a “city walk” in Bamako was nothing like what we imagined. Stepping out of the hotel meant passing through armed guards and gates, and outside was another world—red earth, crowded streets full of motorbikes and pedestrians. We even found ourselves walking against traffic on the highway! Children ran up to us asking for things or wanting photos. When we reached a small grocery store, hoping to buy fruit, it was dark and sparsely stocked. Just as we wondered what to do, the owner’s daughter, a Muslim girl learning Chinese, offered to guide us to a fruit stand. By God’s providence, we met her and were able to invite her to our upcoming Youth Conference.
On the way back, we passed a government building and boldly prayed for Mali. Suddenly, strong winds rose up, turning into a storm of sand and dust. We rushed back to the hotel—and to our surprise, heavy rain poured down. Later, Pastor Alassane messaged: “Miracle! Heavy rain in April in Mali!” It was no ordinary storm, but a reminder that God hears prayer and strengthens our faith.
因為我們抵達馬里的時間是清晨，第一天的行程預定就是讓我們自由活動調整時差，但我們下午臨時起意決定冒險出飯店走到附近的獨立紀念碑兼做走禱祝福這個城市，但所謂的city walk 和我們認知的非常不一樣，首先出飯店就要經過層層配槍警衛和大閘門，出去之後就是另外一個世界：紅土、滿街密密麻麻的機車和行人，我們還誤打誤撞逆向走上高速公路，路上小孩看到我們這些外來客紛紛奔上來向我們伸手要東西、拍照。當我們照著google map指示到了一間雜貨店，原本是打算去買些水果，但店裡一片漆黑，擺設的也是很簡單的雜貨並沒有我們要的水果，正在猶豫下一步該怎麼辦的時候，老闆的女兒主動和我們說他在學中文，也好心的說要帶我們去附近的水果攤，感謝神的帶領讓我們因緣際會認識這位穆斯林少女，並且有機會邀請她來參加之後的Youth Conference. 之後回飯店的路上經過馬里的一個行政機關，雖然門口有警衛駐足但我們還是大膽的為這機關和馬里祝福禱告，結果就在回程的路上，突然起了大風，原本以為只是天黑轉涼，但這風開始轉強並帶著砂石如沙塵暴般，我們逃命般的回到飯店後發現外面竟然下雨了！之後馬里牧師Pastor Alassane 傳來訊息說：Miracle! Heavy Rain in April in Mali! 原來這不是一個平常的風雨，這是超自然的風雨！神回應我們的禱告也讓我們的信心加增！
3. Pray with Holy Spirit 與聖靈同行禱告
On the final day of our three-day Youth Conference, we encouraged the local young people to go out into the streets—to share the gospel and pray for those in need. In a country where over 95% of the population is Muslim, I braced myself for rejection or hostility. But walking into the marketplace with a group of these young believers, I was struck by their boldness and passion. Even more, I was surprised by the locals’ openness—many accepted prayer and blessing without hesitation. We met a group of young men drinking tea under a tree. When they learned we were Christians, they began to discuss the identity and power of Jesus. Though I only understood parts of the conversation through translation, I could clearly sense that these young believers were already being equipped as soldiers for God’s kingdom. At the same time, I could feel the deep hunger for truth in the hearts of the people.
For me, it was the first time experiencing evangelism so tangibly in a Muslim country. And in that moment, I realized again that God loves them deeply. Thousands of years ago, they too were His people. My prayer is that the veil would be lifted from their hearts, so that they would truly encounter the Savior-Jesus.
在為期三天的青年特會最後一天，我們鼓勵當地的年輕人走上街頭，去傳福音，並為有需要的人禱告。馬里是一個超過 95% 人口是穆斯林的國家，原本我心裡難免有些預期：可能會遇到冷臉、拒絕，甚至敵意。但當我與其中一群年輕人一起走到市集時，首先震撼我的是他們的勇氣與熱情；接著讓我驚訝的是，當地人的反應竟是那麼溫和，甚至慷慨地接受祝福與禱告。我們還遇見一群在樹下喝茶的年輕人，當他們知道我們是基督徒後，便開啟了關於耶穌身份與能力的討論。雖然我只能透過翻譯大略明白他們的對話，但我深深感受到，這些年輕人已經被神裝備，正要成為神國的精兵；同時也看見當地人心中那份對真理的渴慕。這是我第一次如此真實地經歷在穆斯林國家傳福音，也更清楚看見：神仍然愛他們。幾千年前，他們原本也是神的子民。願神親自挪去他們心中的帕子，使他們能真實遇見這位救主！
4. Let the children come to me 讓孩子們到我這裡來
On the fifth day, we traveled five hours north of Bamako to a small village where the tribal chief was preparing to gift a piece of land to our daughter church in Mali. As we left the city behind, the vast African savannah opened before us—dotted with majestic baobab trees. Their towering, solitary presence felt like a symbol of God’s unique calling and destiny for this land. When we arrived, we were told to expect many children, but nothing prepared us for the sight of over a hundred rushing toward us all at once! After exchanging greetings and gifts with the chief, we gathered in the village square with the children. With the help of translators and counselors, we played games, danced, and finally taught them to say in unison: “Jesus loves you.” Though we spoke different languages, the moment those young voices rang out together, it was as if seeds of the gospel were being planted deep in their hearts. I believe even the small gifts, like the gospel bracelets, will one day remind them of God’s love and kindness—drawing them to the Savior.
我們在行程的第五日出發前往距離Bamako(馬里首都)車程五個小時的一個北方小村落，當地的部落酋長準備要贈送一塊土地給我們在馬里的分堂。此行的目的除了是去探望這位部落酋長，也同時饋贈當地村民福音禮物。隨著車子慢慢駛離Bamako市區，映入眼簾的是一大片非洲莽原，在莽原上有著非洲特產：麵包樹。麵包樹巨大的枝幹和獨立與眾不同的身形，似乎象徵著神在這片土地獨有的使命和命定。經過炎熱又漫長的車程，我們終於抵達村莊，雖然在抵達前已經被告知該村落有數量眾多的小朋友等待著我們，但當我們抵達時依然被一口氣一兩百位小朋友湧上來的畫面震撼到。在經過與部落酋長交換禮物與採訪過後，我們與上百位小朋友一起在村落的集會廣場，透過翻譯與輔導員的幫助一起玩遊戲和跳舞，並在最後教導他們說“耶穌愛你”。雖然有著語言的隔閡，但當小朋友們賣力地喊出“耶穌愛你”的時候，我彷彿看見了神的種子正在種下。相信那福音手環的小禮物會在他們未來生命中的某一刻再次觸動他們的心田，讓神的光與愛照亮他們，帶領他們歸向主耶穌!
5. Reborn with Christ 與基督一同重生
On the final day of our mission, which happened to be Easter Sunday, Pastor Alassane arranged a very special moment the day before: baptisms along the Niger River—the largest river in West Africa. Across the river, local women carried on their daily chores, washing clothes in the river. But on this side, eleven brothers and sisters chose to put their faith in Jesus, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and being reborn as Christians. In God’s eyes, what a beautiful moment this was!
The next day, on Easter Sunday, we celebrated together at Mali River of Life Church. We received communion, danced, and rejoiced in the resurrection of Jesus. Even though we were drenched in sweat from dancing, I was deeply moved by the pure joy and trust in God that radiated from the believers there.
“Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.” (Job 8:7)
May God’s heart continue to be revealed in Mali, and may this faithful community grow strong to accomplish great things for His kingdom!
短宣的最後一天是復活節主日，馬里牧師特別安排前一天在西非最大河流-尼日河岸為11位弟兄姊妹受洗! 河的對岸是當地婦女如日常般的用河水洗衣服，而河的這岸有一群堅定的馬里人選擇相信跟隨耶穌，接受聖靈的洗重生成為基督徒，在神的眼中這是何等美麗的時刻! 隔天的復活節主日，我們也一同在馬里生命河靈糧堂領受聖餐、跳舞歡慶耶穌的復活! 雖然跳到滿身大汗，但看到當地信徒們如此單純的喜樂和對神的信靠便深受激勵!
「你起初雖然微小，終久必甚發達。」(伯 8:7) 願神的心意持續在馬里彰顯! 願神繼續祝福這群在馬里為主持守的信徒，終久必能為神成就大事!
