Hi everyone, Well, here is the latest news from Madagascar. We had a volunteer arrive 3 weeks ago. Her name is Alison Fowler. She will be here until the end of January. She is a college student with a major in Missions. We have another volunteer that arrived this week. She was here previously for 2 years teaching at Fitiavana school in Mahajunga. She and Alison will go there after she recovers from the long trip.

I will be returning to the States for 2 months beginning November 13 until January 17th. As you know my mother has recently had a very hard time. She is in a nursing home at the present time and hopefully will return home within the next month or so. My Dad really misses her and wants her back home with him. I pray God will use me when I am home to help prepare for her return and help my Dad get things ready. Mom is now in a wheel chair so Dad is having a ramp put on the front of the house. I really feel God led me to believe this is the right time to be back there. Please keep us in your prayers. I will try to find tickets that I can afford back to Tucson for 10 days, this might mean arriving and leaving from Phx. If I do that I will probably rent a car for the short stay and just drive down. If anyone has a discount on rental cars please let me know.

Now on a lighter note. 6 ladies went to the rain forest this weekend. We had such a good time. We played with the lemurs, feed them, petted them, and even had them climb on our shoulders. It was a lot of fun. I will try to attach a picture.

I started a bible study on Thursday nights. The group is all Malagasy except me. We have had an average of 8 people in attendence. The group is presented in English with my Malagasy teacher in attendance if someone doesn't understand and needs it translated. One very intersting topic we discussed and I did some research on is 1John 5:17. This is the verse that says there is a sin that does not lead to death. If anyone has insite on this verse please send it to me. I looked on the internet and saw there are many theories on this topic. I will miss the group when I am back in the states, but will resume upon my return.

Well I must get ready for my Malagasy lesson now, so Veloma vetivety (good bye for now)

October 15, 2008

I'm still praying for the health of my mother. I am seriously looking into getting a ticket back to America. I really need all the prayer support I can get at this time. I was planning to start a bible study this Thursday, but am not sure if I should postpone it for now. I am praying for God's timing on this. I think this may be the time. If I return now it will probably be for a couple of months at least through the holidays. Thanks for praying

another prayer request

I have a couple of prayer requests.
1st please pray for my parents. My mother is in the hospital with blood on her brain. The Doctors have been waiting to see if it will disappear without surgery, but it has been a week with no change. They have moved her to a rehab section of the hospital and will transport her back and forth for further CT scans. Please pray that God will make it disappear with the need for surgery. Also, please pray for my Father. He has been working hard at taking care of my mother, but they both are struggling with health issues and this latest with my mother has been very hard on him. Please keep them both in your prayers.

2ND I will be starting a new bible study "Having a real relationship with God" with about 10 Malagasy people. Some will be attending just because it is in English. Please keep this opportunity to share the Gospel in your prayers. Pray for me as I lead them and for them to have an open heart to hear the word.

I am continuing in my participation in the woman's bible study about the Fruit of the Spirit. It really has been good for me. I am finding myself spending the hour in the study, but then wanting to be in the Word more. Praise God for this strength. This week we are studying Peace. Isn't it wonderful that if we let God be God he can give us strength and peace even during difficult times. Yesterday's lesson was on Job and how he lost his peace. Please don't let the devil rob you of your peace.

Until next time, may you never allow your peace through Jesus Christ leave you.

Your sister in Christ
Sandi