Mad. 60

8-26-10

Today was fairly eventful- it felt long! This morning I got a stomach ache, but I was kind of expecting it because I ate cream of wheat for breakfast. This was the third time I've gotten a stomach ache after eating this, so I'm beginning to think I do have a slight intolerance for wheat.

This afternoon Stacy and I kept busy making cookies, roasting peanuts, and doing dishes. Then, my malagasy friend Vero showed up and I went with her to deliver her mother's "gift from the road" to some friends. She also helped me purchase some hair extensions- her sister is going to braid my hair tomorrow before I leave.

Less than a week and I will be home- Lord willing! Funny, despite the fact we're going to see each other very soon, John and I talked for 50 minutes tonight!

Mad. 59

8-25-10

I went to market for the last time with Stacy, today. I have mixed feelings about it. I'm thankful it's the end of being stared at constantly, but I have a feeling I'm going to miss observing all the beautiful Malagasy. 

I'm also going to miss the Niles a lot. I'll miss waking up to Isaac and Maria's cute little faces peeking in my door each morning, watching them giggle at each other, listening to Isaac's bizarre stories of what he's going to do when he grows up, hearing Maria say "tota" every time she falls down... I'll also miss talking with Stacy one-on-one about life and hearing her advice about missions while cooking or cleaning. I'll miss game nights with Marc and Stacy and meals with the whole family. I'll miss hearing all Marc and Stacy's stories and taking walks with the family. You can really become attached to a family in two months!

I'm thankful I have things to look forward to when I go back home because otherwise, leaving here would be extremely difficult.

Mad. 58

8-24-10

It was strange waking up to Karilosy's family's empty home. Stacy took it really hard today- she said she felt as though her closest friend had just died (and her family along with her). :-(

On a brighter note, I finished two books today and spent more time with my friend Vero. I'm said that we're spending time with each other so late into my trip, but thankful for our new friendship. There's possibility we may write to each other in the future. But today I walked to and from market with her and then we spent time in her bedroom communicating the best we could. In that time I discovered she has a boyfriend who gave her a red card that says, "Aok' Aloha!" Marc and Stacy informed me that it translates, "Wait!" or something to that affect. Vero explained that when other guys flirt with her she holds of the card and it's a way of saying, "I'm taken!" 

It's so interesting learning about how Malagasy date. I think she may stop by again tomorrow and I'm going to show her the pictures I brought of my family and John.

Mad. 57

Later on 8-23-10...

Karilosy and his family have completely moved out and are gone... Above me I can hear Isaac crying and I think it's because he's just lost his best friend, Rodzo. Every time he prays he thanks God "for the fun time playing with Rodzo." It's so hard... for everyone. I myself am on the verge of tears and I haven't even known this family for two months!

Why Lord? Why does it have to come to this? They're such a nice family and the Niles have so many fond memories with them. I guess it just goes to show that everybody sins and when they do, they affect not only themselves, but everybody else around them, as well. 

It could have been so different... I'm especially disheartened that this has taken place so close to my departure. I didn't even say goodbye to them... I hope they realize we still love them and they can still confess before God...

Lord, please work in their lives and let Your will be done. Thank you for the good memories I have of them and with them.

Mad. 56

8-23-10

Today was an extremely difficult day for the Niles. When Marc and Stacy used Matthew 18 as their guideline for confronting Narina's sin, she refused to repent this morning. They first gave her the chance to confess between them and Karilosy, but when she denied her sin, they brought in Pastor Manwely to talk to her. Still, she denied it. This left Marc and Stacy no choice but to fire them; if they cannot trust her in this small thing, how can they trust her with Isaac and Maria and other bigger matters?

It's so hard to see their friendship end in such a way. Marc and Stacy didn't want it to end on such terms and they were really praying she'd repent and they could have come up with a better solution or a compromise...

It's situations like this in which you see the ugly results of sin. Life would be so much easier if people were perfect! Or as I've heard a few preachers say, "Life would be so much easier if it wasn't for people." This is exactly the kind of thing Satan loves, but thankfully God is ultimately in control and turns all things to good for those who love Him. Marc and Stacy must cling to this truth in this time of difficulty and heartache.

Mad. 55

8-22-10

I spent a good amount of the afternoon shelling peanuts to take back home with me. Since peanuts are so cheap here and it's not difficult to make your own peanut butter, I am going to attempt it when I get back to the States. 

Church was the same as every other week. Since I don't understand the language at all, when I return home I feel as though I've just fulfilled a weekly obligation. I do try to pray during the service, but it just doesn't even come close to feeding me spiritually like going to Church or chapel at home. No wonder it is so important to hear the Gospel in your heart language! You can feel so connected to the Lord when you read the Bible, listen to a sermon, or sing songs in your first language. That has got to be difficult for overseas missionaries...

Marc and Stacy talked about the stress that comes with health concerns here in Madagascar- especially when you have small children. Not only do you have the illnesses U.S. children are prone to, but on top of those you have risks of malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, and all the other illnesses associated with Africa.

I must admit, when I first got here I had thoughts that Stacy was too cautious and worrisome over making sure Isaac and Maria washed their hands every time they came inside, making sure they always wore their shoes when they were outside, etc. But I'm beginning to understand why she takes all these precautions. I guess Isaac and Maria have been sick a lot in the past and with Marc and Stacy's past illness experiences you can never be too careful. I can imagine dealing with constant sickness (whether you own, your kids' or your spouses') would be extremely draining.

Then they told me stories of the very first missionaries to Africa and how the majority of them all died within their first months or years on the mission field. Marc made the comment that it really gives meaning to the words, "counting the cost." It is a good question to consider: If I knew going overseas as a missionary would inevitably lead to my death, would I go? Would you?

Mad. 54

8-21-10

The days are becoming much warmer which leads me to believe Betroky's winter is slowly coming to an end. It's been between 27-30 degrees Celsius the past few days. It's kind of nice because I missed the majority of "summer" in Vermont. But I am thankful for the cooler weather since Betroky's summer heat is unbearable I'm told. 

Stacy, Isaac, and I went to the market for a few items this morning. Saturday mornings at the market are busy!! Perhaps it was just more crowded than usual or perhaps it was because Isaac was with us, but people were especially glued to us today, watching our every move. On several occasions Malagasy made comments about "vasa" (foreigners). For some reason it was beginning to really bother me... it never bothered me when people in Uganda referred to my group as "mzungus," but perhaps it's because I've been here for almost two months and Stacy has lived here for a couple years. You would think people would stop referring to you as "foreigners" after you've lived here for awhile. I don't know, it just strikes me as a little rude...

Mad. 53

8-20-10

It's funny how time passes so quickly when you invest time into others. It can be so much fun! Today I spent the later part of the afternoon playing with Isaac, Maria, and Rodzo (the guard's youngest daughter). We played hide-and-seek, I taught them a few CEF songs, and we pretended we were fish in an ocean. At first when Isaac begged me to play hide-and-seek I dreaded it, but I decided to go along with it for a while. It's amazing how long you can play one simple game without getting sick of it! I think I was tired of it long before they were, but it still kept me preoccupied for a long time. Kids are so much fun! 

God has been convicting me of my lack of prayer life... I wish I spent more time presenting my requests to Him and even more so just listening to Him. I underestimate the power of prayer so much. :-(

I read this in Thomas Hale's book today and it hits upon the subject of doubting and second-guessing in regards to missions: "We Christians are too calculating today. We calculate how much risk we're willing to take, how much sacrifice we're willing to make. We seem to forget that the highest and most glorious privilege in the world is to have the chance to suffer for Christ."