It's been a while...

Things are heating up here in Madagascar. And I'm not referring to the weather; though, it's getting rather warm here as well...

We are developing relationships with the youth, who have just arrived only a few weeks ago. We are spreading the Gospel, as Paige mentioned in our last post. And the relationships we started before the youth's arrival are only growing stronger. Things here in Madagascar are really picking up. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. We feel them. And more importantly, we see them!

I haven't blogged in what seems like ages, and so I sincerely apologize. Yesterday Kai and I went to Kianjanomby, a village we had journeyed to about a month or so ago. It's bit of an adventure. A couple who are members of the church we attend, go to this village twice a month. I think the trail is more daunting when you know what's coming. It had just rained the night before, and Kai and I both knew the trail would be more difficult than normal. And our group this time was only seven: Me, Kai and then five members from the church, including two of their youth. Because there were less people, we moved much quicker and stopped a lot less...It was rough. But, the climb was just as beautiful as I remembered it.

We reached the village right at 0900. There was no baptism this time. We went to simply have church with them. They were happy to welcome us, and we were so grateful to be there. The services run here by the Malagasy people, are a little bit different than what you would expect. The service itself is usually about two and a half to three hours long. There is a lot of singing, broken up by passages read from scripture and prayer. This is what they call "free time." Between songs, anyone can stand up and read some scripture, or share something God has been showing them that week.  Now in a church of roughly 15 people, everyone could share and we'd be done before well before lunch.  Imagine doing this at First Baptist Orlando...I thought about that yesterday, and it made me laugh. We'd be there until Jesus returned. After "free time," the pastor then speaks for about an hour or so, and then there's more singing. And the Lord's Supper is taken every week. It's a blessing every time we get to fellowship with other believers and to worship Him together.

After church we had lunch. Beans, rice, and tripe were prepared. Tripe is cow stomach,/ intestine. Despite your disbelief, it's actually quite tasty. Our last visit, I wasn't brave enough to try it, and with a servant's heart, I generously gave Kai my helping. But this time, I swallowed my fear (haha, no pun intended), and tried it. We left the village around 1400 and took a different way home. It was about another three hour walk back to our ride home. It was a long, exhausting day. But it was a good one.

Each day here in Madagascar is trying in different ways, whether it be physically like it was yesterday, or mentally, physically, or emotionally. But each day is also a blessing. We are here for only four months, and we have roughly one month left. It's crazy that the time has flown. God's work is seen evident here, but I know He's not done yet. I'm looking forward to the work He has yet to do here, the work I get to witness, and even after I'm gone. Please continue to pray for our team. That we do not lose momentum, and maximize every day we have here. Pray that our endurance only grows as we run this last leg of the race. And of course, pray for the Malagasy people. Pray for their hearts, that they would be softened and receptive. And pray that whatever seed my team and I plant here would grow and be harvested here in God's timing.

Thank you again for your love, encouragement and prayers!
Dannielle