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| Becca, Nate, Tammy, Dona, Kenny, Allysha, Jon & Cassie |
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| Our team! |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 8...our last day in Madagascar
We got up Sunday morning and headed to Pastor Parami's church. It was a rustic building on another very rough road. We could hear the congregation singing as we drove up. It was a wonderful sound! They had reserved a spot in the front row for us and we joined in their worship. It was easy to clap along, but we didn't know any of the words, although you could recognize some of the music. Then they sang a song in French, English & Malagasy. That was wonderful and we were so thankful to be able to put words to our worship. Pastor Jon spoke with Pastor Parami translating (with help from Nate as needed). It was very good message and I felt so blessed to be a part.
After the message Pastor Parami had us visitors stand and several members of the congregation came dancing up the aisle with gifts for us! And then they made us dance with them...it was really was a wonderful experience (although a little out of our comfort zone!). God is good and you could tell these people love the Lord and want to serve them. Pastor Parami is an exceptional pastor and leads with such love excitement! It was a privilege to be a part of their service.
After a tasty lunch at a french restaurant we headed to the Artisan Market. Nate & Tammy told us we had to negotiate with the vendors there. They will ask a high price and it's our job to get down to half! Oh my...not easy for me! But I actually did pretty well on a small painting and some other gifts I wanted. I had Nate help with a few things, but I was able to get fairly good prices on my purchases...Now Kenny on the other hand might not have gotten the best price...Oh well, we all enjoyed the experience!
Back at the house Tammy was setting up for an SEF service (speaking english families). There were missionaries, pilots, helicopter mechanics and others there with their children from many different denominations gathering for a service together in english! Nate & Jon lead worship and I loved singing in engilish and knowing the songs! We focused on the kids (who were sooo excited!), and had an amazing time. We were able to present our little skit on "God's Love" being the greatest treasure in all the world. They loved it and we loved their enthusiasm! The parents were so thankful that we were able to share with the kids. It was fun visiting and listening to what God had called so many to do in Madagascar. What a great way to end our time in Madagascar.
After everyone left we headed to our house for a little rest and to pack up. We would be leaving for the airport about 10 p.m. for our flight around 1 a.m. Back at our house I had to laugh out loud when I tried to pack my suitcase...it was bulging open so bad I couldn't close it! I tried repacking a couple of times and ended up rearranging and adding more to my carryon, which worked out well. Praying all the while that my bag wouldn't bust open on the trip home!
Off to Paris for two days...exciting!
After the message Pastor Parami had us visitors stand and several members of the congregation came dancing up the aisle with gifts for us! And then they made us dance with them...it was really was a wonderful experience (although a little out of our comfort zone!). God is good and you could tell these people love the Lord and want to serve them. Pastor Parami is an exceptional pastor and leads with such love excitement! It was a privilege to be a part of their service.
After a tasty lunch at a french restaurant we headed to the Artisan Market. Nate & Tammy told us we had to negotiate with the vendors there. They will ask a high price and it's our job to get down to half! Oh my...not easy for me! But I actually did pretty well on a small painting and some other gifts I wanted. I had Nate help with a few things, but I was able to get fairly good prices on my purchases...Now Kenny on the other hand might not have gotten the best price...Oh well, we all enjoyed the experience!
Back at the house Tammy was setting up for an SEF service (speaking english families). There were missionaries, pilots, helicopter mechanics and others there with their children from many different denominations gathering for a service together in english! Nate & Jon lead worship and I loved singing in engilish and knowing the songs! We focused on the kids (who were sooo excited!), and had an amazing time. We were able to present our little skit on "God's Love" being the greatest treasure in all the world. They loved it and we loved their enthusiasm! The parents were so thankful that we were able to share with the kids. It was fun visiting and listening to what God had called so many to do in Madagascar. What a great way to end our time in Madagascar.
After everyone left we headed to our house for a little rest and to pack up. We would be leaving for the airport about 10 p.m. for our flight around 1 a.m. Back at our house I had to laugh out loud when I tried to pack my suitcase...it was bulging open so bad I couldn't close it! I tried repacking a couple of times and ended up rearranging and adding more to my carryon, which worked out well. Praying all the while that my bag wouldn't bust open on the trip home!
Off to Paris for two days...exciting!
Day 6 in the Rain Forest
Four of us headed off in the morning for our trip to the Rain Forest (Nate, Cassie, Jon and myself). It was a little drizzly when we left, but fairly warm. As we approached the entrance, Nate had our driver shut off the van so we could hear the Indri (Big Lemurs whose calls sound like whales). It was so cool listening to them! We checked in at the park entrance and headed down the trail with our guide. He did a great job of finding the lemurs and pointing out other creatures along the way. We came to one spot on the trail with so many different birds...they were beautiful. Nate knew what they were and was able to get some good shots. I couldn't get a good picture of any though. It was an great experience trekking through the forest and listening to all the sounds of the Indri when they called.
We all met up again at Vakona for lunch and headed back to Tana. Another long drive, but worth it!
We all met up again at Vakona for lunch and headed back to Tana. Another long drive, but worth it!
Rain Forest
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| Chameleon in the wild. |
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| Cassie & Jon in the Rain forest. |
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| Dona in the Rain forest. |
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| the trail |
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| Cassie |
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| Termite Nest! |
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| Lemurs in the wild! |
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| Jon, Nate & Cassie walking through the forest. |
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| Look what our guide found. |
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| Beautiful creatures! |
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| Leaping to another tree. |
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| Green lake at the end of our trail in the Rain forest. |
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| My room with the misquito netting. |
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| View from my room at Vakona Resort. |
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| Countryside on the way back to Tana. |
Dona's Post Day 4 & 5
So bummed I deleted my last couple of posts without getting them posted! Oh well. I wanted to try and complete our blog today, but it might take a couple of days.
We are home now. After our time in Madagascar we were able to spend a couple of days in Paris before heading back to the US.
Orphanage Visit: We spent the morning of our 4th day at the Orphanage. I have never been to an orphanage and wasn't sure what to expect. The kids were wonderful! They were so excited to have us there. Most of them did not speak english so we had fun trying to comunicate with them! As you can see by the pictures and Kenny's post we spent our time painting, playing, and performing for them. It was a great day! Nate said they are thinking through how to restructure the way they do things there. The children need to be prepared for "real life" in Madagascar and able to cope with the poverty that is so real. These children are fed so much better than the average Malagasy. They get to go to school, have running water, electricity, clothing and an opportunity to continue their education. One of the newest staff members is a "Social Worker" who will help direct how to help these kids in the best way posible. So pray with us as they make the decisions that will impact lives there.
Leaving Tana: On day 5 we got up early and drove to Vakona Resort near the Rainforest and Lemur Island. The drive was supposed to take about 3 hours, but I think we were in the car more like 4 hours. We rented a van and had a driver so we could all just relax and visit. The driver did a good job, but took us a different route through the city (which added more time) to get to the main road heading to the countryside. Lots of stop and go...and lots of people. We were stopped a few times by the police who were checking to make sure our driver had all his paper (and looking for a bribe). It was a little uncomfortable when they come to your window with machine guns slung on their shoulders. Nate says the guns may look scary, but they don't have any bullets, so not to worry!! The countryside was beautiful but so curvy. Most of us took a dramamine so we did fine on the drive. I think Jon was the one who had the hardest time and Cassie slept on and off. I tried to take a few pictures, but they didn't turn out very well. We stopped at the Gecko & Chameleon zoo on the way (pictures posted already). We got to the Resort and wow, beautiful! Nice to find such a lovely place way back in the woods. We dropped our bags in the room, had lunch and headed to Lemur Island, where you see the pictures we posted. That night at dinner I tried a "traditional malagasy meal". It was like a stew with rice...very tasty! Off to bed and the rain forest in the morning to see the Lemurs in the wild!
We are home now. After our time in Madagascar we were able to spend a couple of days in Paris before heading back to the US.
Orphanage Visit: We spent the morning of our 4th day at the Orphanage. I have never been to an orphanage and wasn't sure what to expect. The kids were wonderful! They were so excited to have us there. Most of them did not speak english so we had fun trying to comunicate with them! As you can see by the pictures and Kenny's post we spent our time painting, playing, and performing for them. It was a great day! Nate said they are thinking through how to restructure the way they do things there. The children need to be prepared for "real life" in Madagascar and able to cope with the poverty that is so real. These children are fed so much better than the average Malagasy. They get to go to school, have running water, electricity, clothing and an opportunity to continue their education. One of the newest staff members is a "Social Worker" who will help direct how to help these kids in the best way posible. So pray with us as they make the decisions that will impact lives there.
Leaving Tana: On day 5 we got up early and drove to Vakona Resort near the Rainforest and Lemur Island. The drive was supposed to take about 3 hours, but I think we were in the car more like 4 hours. We rented a van and had a driver so we could all just relax and visit. The driver did a good job, but took us a different route through the city (which added more time) to get to the main road heading to the countryside. Lots of stop and go...and lots of people. We were stopped a few times by the police who were checking to make sure our driver had all his paper (and looking for a bribe). It was a little uncomfortable when they come to your window with machine guns slung on their shoulders. Nate says the guns may look scary, but they don't have any bullets, so not to worry!! The countryside was beautiful but so curvy. Most of us took a dramamine so we did fine on the drive. I think Jon was the one who had the hardest time and Cassie slept on and off. I tried to take a few pictures, but they didn't turn out very well. We stopped at the Gecko & Chameleon zoo on the way (pictures posted already). We got to the Resort and wow, beautiful! Nice to find such a lovely place way back in the woods. We dropped our bags in the room, had lunch and headed to Lemur Island, where you see the pictures we posted. That night at dinner I tried a "traditional malagasy meal". It was like a stew with rice...very tasty! Off to bed and the rain forest in the morning to see the Lemurs in the wild!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Chameleons, Geckos & Lemurs
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| Jon and a Parsons Chameleon |
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| Kenny & Nate |
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| Allysha |
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| Cassie & a Parsons Chameleon. |
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| Nate with a green Chameleon. |
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| Catching a grass hopper. |
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| Eating a grass hopper. |
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| Nate & Becca with a Hognose snake! |
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| Kenny & a Tree Boa |
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| Fruit Bat |
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| Can you find the Leaftail Gecko. |
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| Allysha & Kenny with Black & White Ruffed Lemurs. |
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| Jon, Cassie & a Black & White Ruffed Lemur. |
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| Dona with a friendly Black & White Ruffed Lemur. |
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| Tammy feeding a banana. |
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| Allysha & Kenny with Brown Lemurs. |
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| Dona with a Brown Lemur. |
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| Allysha and her friend. |
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| Kenny with a Lemur hat. |
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| Cassie & Jon with a Brown Lemur. |
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| Winter time flower in Madagascar! |
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