My life, in a nutshell. Or, rather, in a suitcase.

Hello? Is this thing on? ...testing – one, two...

Oh, I think it's on now.

Hopefully you're here because you want to read about the travellings of a brown girl somewhere near Timbuktu.

Really.

If, instead, you are here for recipes, or dating advice, or movie reviews... I may provide these as well, if that's what floats your boat. In short, now that you are here and reading, please do not stop. Ever.

I'm not a diary-keeper (too many secrets, not enough hiding places) or a picture-taker (too many events, usually not enough battery power, even though I charged it last night, I swear I did, %#*&# thing...). I try to remember events, and when I forget them... I don't really notice, to tell you the truth.

(On an unrelated note, I would forget my limbs if they weren't attached quite so well.)

But here I am, alive and (hopefully) well, at a grand old age, so I guess my system isn't so bad. However, after having been in India for five months at the beginning of 2010, I discovered something I disliked even more than rushing off to write my innermost thoughts out where anyone could stumble upon them...

But before the BBQ...

This is the talk I managed to stammer out to my church community while my legs did an Irish jig behind the podium: 

Don said that I should speak after the Offertory because this is my offering to God, and when he put it that way... It just about made me rethink the whole idea!

But I guess it's true. I will be going to Mali, in West Africa, for the next few months through Avant Ministries. I'll be leaving on September 4^th, and coming back in the beginning of November or December, depending on how the Lord leads. I will be teaching ESL, and doing some counselling, as far as I understand it, but I've had a few surprises from God in the past, so I think I'll just leave it in His hands.

I was actually supposed to speak in church a couple of weeks ago, when Mary Charlotte was talking about Joseph the Dreamer. I chickened out because, I've got to confess, I haven't had any dreams about going to Africa, or about anything bowing down to me – not even, like, a turnip...

Mission Letter

Dear friends and family,

One taste of mission is never enough. If I'd have known that to begin with, I'd... probably have devoted my life to it a long time ago! In the beginning of 2010, I went to India, where I learned that makeshift shrines to various gods and goddesses could be erected on every street corner, but Christian organizations face red tape-ism and need government sanction for any buildings or schools. This year, I would like to go to Bamako, Mali in West Africa to share once again in the faith that remains even in the face of poverty and hardship.

Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and Bamako was estimated in 2006 to be the 6^th fastest-growing city in the world. With other workers of Avant Ministries, I hope to:

• Run at least one ESL class for university-level students and one English club for interested members of the community.
• Continue the design and production of a Bible story book for children with illustrations, etc. in the context of Mali
• Run health classes and counselling for women and university students
• Share God's love in a country that is around 90% Muslim, and encourage (and be encouraged by) local Christians to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Tim 4: 7)
• Reach out to women and children in the community in any way possible to share the gospel and ease burdens that arise from social status and cultural ideals

I am very excited about this opportunity that God has set before me, and I hope you understand the value and the need for this outreach. As I'm sure you know, a mission trip requires financial partners. I am looking to raise $6000 to join Bamako's community from the beginning of September to the beginning of November. If you can support me financially, I would be very grateful. If you would like to be a part of this mission by providing financial support, send a cheque to:

Avant Ministries Canada,

2121 Henderson Highway,

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R2G 1P8

Please make the cheque payable to Avant Ministries and include Mali – Sharon Philips on the Memo line. Remember that all contributions are tax deductible!

More importantly, I need constant prayer partners. This is not a small commitment I'm asking for – I need as much time in prayer as you can provide! In India, I struggled at first because I thought I could go and 'do' missions on my own steam. I know now that without fellowship in Christ and in love, I am nothing and I gain nothing. So prayers throughout the time leading up to the trip in preparation, as well as prayers for the items mentioned above, and safety during travels would be much appreciated.

When I go, I go as a part of the body of Christ – this is not a trip that I can make alone. I would like you to share in the success of this trip, so please remember me in your prayers that I may share His Word in thanksgiving and joy, to the glory of His name, with our brothers and sisters in Mali.

Until the whole world hears.

SP