This afternoon we (Stacy, Isaac, Maria, and I) went for a walk. On the way we met up with one of many of Marc and Stacy's Bebes (grandmothers). This particular woman who name is Alvid is a devout Christian who has been a huge encouragement to Stacy. Whenever Isaac or Maria is sick Alvid is led by the Lord to visit and she lays her hands on them and prays for them. She has nine children of her own (three of which are married). Currently there are 17 individuals living in her home. It is Malagasy custom for the newly married wife to leave her family and go live with her husband's family. So rather than losing children when they marry, you gain children (unless you only have daughters, of course). I cannot imagine living with quite that many people... but Alvid says even though it's difficult to provide food for everybody in her household (her husband is merely a pastor), Jesus always gets them through; He is faithful.
Marc left this afternoon to go to Andriry, a village over the mountains, with some pastors. He'll probably be home by Wednesday. I guess their purpose for going is to oversee the school that is being built. One of the Lutheran churches has raised money for it to be built with the ulterior motive of it being used for a church some day.
At dinner Stacy told me more about the Bara. I also learned that she speaks mainly Bara- even to Karilosy's family- and that they respond in a different dialect. No wonder it's so confusing to pick up on language...
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