prayer request

Hi everyone. This last week has brought some very sad news. On Sunday I had lunch with Shelly (Rich and Bonnie's daughter) She told me they found more cancer in her mother. They had a PET scan on Wednesday and found the breast cancer spread to her bones. They also found that it is possibly in her lungs also. At this point they do not know what the future holds. They believe it is terminal. please keep her in your prayers.

At this point I do not know what will happen to the ministry here in Madagascar. I am just trusting in God to show me the way. There is a new volunteer arriving next Wednesday. She will stay here in the capital city with me for a few weeks then another volunteer that has been her previously for 2 years will return towards the end of October and they will both go to Mahajunga together. I am excited to host this new volunteer and help her get acquainted here in Madagascar.

Now about me. I have been working hard at my Malagasy studies. I can hold a simple conversation. for about 1/2 hour. I started attending a bible study by Beth Moore on the Fruit of the Spirit (my life verse) Gal 5:22,23. God really has been speaking to me through this study. I was hesitant to join, because I wanted to start an outreach Bible study myself, however I am so glad I did join. I am still preparing to host an outreach Bible study starting the third Thursday in October. Please be in prayer for the ladies that will join and for my preparation for the study.

I pray you are all well and I thank you all for all your prayers and engorgement.

sydonie

Who is Sydonie? She is a little 5 year old Malagasy girl that wants to go to school very badly. Last year a missionary from NY sponsored her to go to a school near her house. This missionary returned home in July. Last Saturday she went by the missionary's home to see if she could go to school again this year only to find out the missionary left Madagascar. She had a list of school supplies and a book that needed to be taken to the school on Monday. I was approched to help keep her in school. I agreed by faith that maybe someone on my prayer team would like to partner with me and her. I got all her school supplies and paid the fee until December it cost me almost $75.00. About $50.00 for the school fees and $25.oo for books a pair of shoes 1 pair of socks 1 pair of shorts for gym, and material for the uniform. (her teacher is a seamstrest and offered to make the shorts and uniform). Here is a picture of Sydonie. Please pray someone would like to help this little girl. Her mother is a single mother and operates a little shop on the road. she makes enough to provide rice for 3 meals a day. I am praying with your help to be able to provide some fruit and milk for breakfast along with the rice. I am thinking $15 or $20 a month will pay the fees and provide some food for her. Do you want to help?

Im Back in Madagascar

Hi everyone, well, I have been back for just over a week now. When I arrived the couple that stayed at my home while I was away picked me up with my car. When we got home I had a surprise to find a few of my good friends there waiting for me. It is good to be home. I had a lot of things to arrange when I got back, but think it is now time to get down to business with my language studies.

I've had a chance to see almost all my friends and was glad to see them. Some however have moved on to either different locations or returned to their home country. They say that is the life of missionaries. I went to the school on Tuesday to see all the teachers and on Wednesday to see the students. It was a real joy to see the kids I taught last year. Sadiyah and Sharmine both contacted me on facebook and were excited to see me. I still pray Sadiyah will come to accept the Lord as her God. I also think Wendy (the teacher) is very close to accepting Christ. She has a beautiful little baby boy. She is just the happiest mother you can imagine. She came to visit again on Saturday. It was a joy to be able to visit with her.

God really does have a sense of humor, He really wanted to see how I would deal with seeing Gavin upon my return and put him in my path twice. First when I went to see the teachers he showed up and I had to ask God to take my hand and help me through it. He did and it was fine, the second time was Sunday I went to the English Chapel and guess who the guest preacher was? You probably guessed Gavin. He preached on God's love and how you don't have to like everyone, but you are commanded to love them. It was a good sermon and God spoke to me through it. I pray Gavin listens to his own words and follows them.

Today Miora the student that quit last year will come to visit. I am excited to hear what is happening in her life. I pray she is back to school.

Well until next time May God be with you all.