We are now settling slowly in our houses with a few repairs here and there. The compound is fine with very lovely neighbours around us. Everyone wants to come and see who these "black vazahas" (the term for foreigners)are, that can dare to come and live with them here! But they discover that we are just human beings like them doing everything normally.
Along the streets and the market a few guys try to gossip only to get the shock of their lives when they discover that I understood a bit of what they said and I respond in Malagasy! That breaks my ribs. Its just so funny.
Right now there is a long school holiday and most children have gone to visit their relatives and friends. So, I’m using the opportunity from now until September to spend one hour everyday to bring together all the kids around, both the visitors and the residents. Normally they are just playing around and I have begun teaching them slowly the names of things in English, because I also know a number of them in Gasy by now. I am amazed by the speed they catch things. Interestingly, because I have memorised some of my favorite scriptures in Gasy and Gasy favorite songs, we have a time of singing and in the middle of our lesson they must learn the verse as well. Truly, I see they are enjoying themselves and I believe that the Lord will minister in their hearts in a special way. That also made me begin a special lesson working alongside some of the Sunday school teachers whereby we have a short-bible passage, One Gasy song, learning a new Swahili or English song designed to reach the children as well in our church that runs for 2days a week for 2hrs.
-Victor
Friday, August 1, 2008
Prayers for Health and Security
It is now three months since I came to Madagascar and I am very much focused on my mission here.
This past month I have been sickly. I thought I had symptons of malaria or typhoid but that was not confirmed by blood tests in the hospital. So, I was treated for the symptoms that I described and now am okay. Pray for our health as we serve here.
I was happy recently, when I read a biblical text in Malagasy in a Sunday service for the first time since I came here and the locals thought I really tried. I am slowly getting to know the language.
Pray for our security since as foreigners it is assumed we are rich and are likely to be targets of thugs. Actually, my mobile was stolen recently by someone who entered the house when I had gone to church.
Otherwise we continue to learn Malagasy (Gasy), teach English and handle the Saturday English service. Indeed we are fully using the English students, who are not church members, in the English service thereby transforming the face of the church. Now other Anglican churches want a similar program in their churches.
-Duncan
This past month I have been sickly. I thought I had symptons of malaria or typhoid but that was not confirmed by blood tests in the hospital. So, I was treated for the symptoms that I described and now am okay. Pray for our health as we serve here.
I was happy recently, when I read a biblical text in Malagasy in a Sunday service for the first time since I came here and the locals thought I really tried. I am slowly getting to know the language.
Pray for our security since as foreigners it is assumed we are rich and are likely to be targets of thugs. Actually, my mobile was stolen recently by someone who entered the house when I had gone to church.
Otherwise we continue to learn Malagasy (Gasy), teach English and handle the Saturday English service. Indeed we are fully using the English students, who are not church members, in the English service thereby transforming the face of the church. Now other Anglican churches want a similar program in their churches.
-Duncan
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