Madagascar More Like… Coming to an End…Car

Another full day of work! The team continued to battle against the sun and lay down the second and third layer of blocks. At the same time some of the team was hauling sand to the work site from across the base, the strength of this team continues to astonish us daily, they know how to fight!

Friday, July 18th

The end of the weekdays closed with the team’s last Sunday school. The morning consisted of practice and fine tuning our songs, puppets, and dramas for the afternoon. We laughed as we prepared for the ministry we would share with the kids. When we arrived there were a handful of smiling kids but by the time we were done the group had grown to a large crowd of giggling excited kids. The team had the opportunity to hand out Bible story coloring books, wordless bracelets and other EV materials which the little kids took with much enthusiasm!

Saturday, July 19th

Another mixed day, starting with hard work in the morning. Half the team finished block laying while the other half carried 500 cinder blocks from one point to another and they moved all 500 in 2 hours!! How strong are these kids?! In the afternoon during our presentation practice we were blessed with the opportunity to learn some Malagasy dances and dramas. We all watched as the Malagasy TMI students showed us captivating dances and impactful dramas that they use for EV. Then they begin to teach us one of their dances. We laughed and smiled as the Malagasy students outshined us in their dancing skills and we begin to learn the moves. Our fellowship continued with the Malagasies deeper into the afternoon as we joined them once again for their chapel, finishing our day worshiping with them.

Sunday, July 20th

Our last Sunday in Madagascar! And it started with an adventure. Since there is only one big truck to transport us, we split up the team and traveled to the church in two groups. The first group consisted of 8 team members and 2 leaders. When they arrived the church was already worshipping, when suddenly… they asked us to sing some songs for them. So while missing about half their team, the 8 team members went up, and sang two songs, it was amazing to watch them step up to the surprised thrown on them. Shortly later the rest of the team arrived and we enjoyed the rest of the service. After we arrived back at the base we quickly turned around and went out to go out to the back again! The adventure that was this day continued as the truck carrying all the team members didn’t know the directions, I wouldn’t say we were lost, just taking the “scenic route”. The truck did eventually arrive and we had a glorious and cheerful time. The icing on top of the cake was the bus ride back, the team and the Malagasy students sang and worshipped, taking turns singing English songs and then Malagasy songs, it’s going to be hard to leave in a few days but we’ve been so immeasurably blessed here!

Testimonies from the Team:

Yo wassup everybody the Madagascar trip is going really great and we’re making lots of progress on our work projects here. We’ve gone to multiple different Sunday schools around Mahajanga, and all of them have gone really well. Shout out to Tammy Winter, and all the other moms of the other teammates. -Oliver W.

What’s up big dawgs! The Madagascar trip is going very well. It’s been really fun hanging out with the Malagasy people and playing basketball with them. Our work project has been going very smoothly and it’s been a lot of fun. The Sunday schools have also been very fun and it’s cool to see the Malagasy and how they live. Shoutout to Ms. Christina Ono. - Ethan T.

Hello friends and family, Madagascar has been amazing so far. It is such a beautiful country and the people are so joyful. This week we’ve been blessed to have been able to go to have much fellowship with the Malagasies at their church service, the TMI chapel, Sunday schools, and while working with the staff here at the base. Yesterday we got the opportunity to go to the beach with some Malagasy staff and students which was really fun. Shoutout to Mindy Popp and Kristy Tucker - Maddie S.

Hello friends and family, I really been enjoying the work projects as well as doing the Sunday schools. It’s been a real blessing being able to play sports with the Malagasy people almost every day. I really miss the work project as that’s been one of my most favorite parts here. Shoutout to Ms. Carrie Ellis and as well as my mom. - Luke O.