Being Salt in the City of the Big Salt (Antsirabe)

Their clothes were tattered & torn, dirt covered their bodies, snot ran down their faces, & their hands were always extended.  Whenever we went to the local grocery store in Antsirabe, we were always met by these children.  When we first got here, it was too overwhelming that we didn’t know what to say (nor knew how to say anything they could understand) or what to do so we often ignored them hoping that they would just go away.  

Then because of another missionary friend’s example, we began paying one of the children a very small amount to “guard” our car while we shopped.  We also got into the habit of buying each of them a small pack of biscuits (cookies) to help them with their hunger or to appease our guilty conscience.  

But shortly after this, we realized that many of the things that the white person (“vazaha”) has done for them has really perpetuated the enormous problem of begging in Madagascar (particularly in Antsirabe).  Sadly, Malagasy children, as soon as they are able to walk, instinctively extend their hand when they see a white person, because they have been trained by their parents that the white person is rich & will often give them money.  

Unfortunately, when we realized this we became a little hardened in our hearts toward them because many of these children are professionals at lying to get whatever they can get from the white person whether or not they have a real need.  So often we became annoyed with the constant pleas for money or food.

But then I was reminded that Jesus had compassion on the masses when they were still dead in their trangressions and sins.  So we asked ourselves, how can we help them?  Initially, we had wanted to help the many children on the streets to be able to go to school, and stop begging in the streets.  But of course, the solution to the problem was not that simple.

 After much prayer, we talked with our local Malagasy pastor (Kris), about how we could best help these children both physically & spiritually by partnering with his church.  In mid January, we invited 30 children (plus their families) to come to New Life Baptist church for a small gift but more importantly to allow them an opportunity to hear the gospel.  While all the children watched most of “The Jesus Film” in Malagasy, their parents or relatives were hearing the gospel being preached by Pastor Kris with an opportunity to respond.  

We were so blessed to have this opportunity to be a small part in introducing these children to the only One that can satisfy all their needs and give them the true riches that they are longing for!  Please take time to pray for the faces that you see that they would come to Jesus because his hand is not too short to save and He never grows weary.  If you want to know more about how you can partner with us in praying more specifically for these precious children, please email us!

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”  Matthew 19:14 

Buckeye or Disco House?

Brutus was here to welcome us to our new house

One of our two disco lights in our living room (unfortunately we don't have the disco music hooked up to come on with this awesome lighting yet;)

 We officially live in the Buckeye/ Disco house in the capital city (Antananarivo) in Mada!  Don’t knock it until you see it—it is pretty swank;) 

  

Our very buckeye kitchen (we even crated red canisters and red pots & pans!)

We have had some problems with the house since we have moved in, but we are so thankful to have a roof over our heads and a new place to call home!  We are also so thankful that we were able to bring our wonderful Malagasy day guard & his family from Antsirabe to live here & work for us!  This allows us to have a very trustworthy guard/ dog trainer and housekeeper that work for us during the week!  However, it will still take time for us to adjust to the heavy traffic and the change in the cost of living here in the capital. 

 

Oh, the Marvelous Mahoney Mayhem:  Eli is enjoying homeschooling in the mornings with Ruth.  We are glad that he is eager to learn & loves to read.

This is how I found Eli & Gee monkey after morning prayer before we started school one morning.  Gee was practicing his prayer position (a treasure I hope I will not soon forget!)

Zoey joins them for singing, science, some stories & other fun activities (below is a pic of our Roman Dinner Party).   

Eating with our hands while laying down at our Roman Dinner Party!  I am acting the part of the 'slave' like they had back then.

At the end of January, the kids started a new French school here in Tana, but this time they are only going in the afternoons for a few hours.  This allows them to have Malagasy friends as well as continue to learn French.  

            Alleluia is close to 7 months now & she always keeps us on our toes!  She surprised us when she became mobile at 5 months, but perhaps she shocked us even more when she began pulling up a little over a week after she learned how to crawl.  We were definitely not ready for her to grow up this quickly!  Boy, I am thankful that she has two little kids that adore her, and make sure that she does not get into any trouble:).  One of our greatest joys is to watch Eli make her laugh—no one can make her laugh like her Bubby!  

About a week after this pic was taken she fell head first into this basket-- bless her heart she is going to have a lot of bumps & bruises (maybe the most out of all our kids!)