back in the swing of things.

Well, I have been back here for a week now. My luggage arrived one piece at a time. The first one on Saturday afternoon and the Second on Sunday night. Nothing was missing so I guess it was just a matter of a little inconvenience. I went to the grocery store and fruit veggie market on Saturday and found everything I was looking for. Some things a little higher priced then what I remember, but if you were willing to pay the price you could get it.

The missionary Kathy that was evacuated the same time as I was, returned on Wednesday and is spending a couple days here in Tana before returning to Mahajanga where she teaches at Fitiavana. That is the school for the disabled and disadvantaged children. The word Fitivana in Malagasy means Love. This is one of the projects world venture has working on the island.

On Thursday we had our first conference call with the team Madagascar. Kathy and I were on skype here in Madagascar, Nicole, Jamie and Alissa in CA, Johnathan, Mandy and Crystal were in Alaska, Rich and Bonnie in AZ and Jerry Suits in Colorado. It was a great time talking about our feelings and dreams for the future. Kathy and I had problems with the microphone no one could hear us so we typed to Nicole and she responded for us. That was kinda funny at times. We here in Mada were also disconnected for a few min and had to re-boot the system. However, all's well that ends well. It was very good to meet over the computer as a team.

I went to a town hall meeting with the US embassy Wednesday night and they said we should still be vigilant, but at the present time it is safe to move about the city and the island. The talks were suspended to let the parties think about their demands and try to come up with a compromise. Who knows if that will ever happen. Crime and especially theft has increased since so many have lost their jobs and income.

I will return to my classes in Malagasy next week. If you could please pray I haven't lost too much and will soon be able to speak the language fluently.

Thank you all for your support, prayerfully and financially. It really means a lot to have you there for me.

With all my Love
God Bless
Sandi

Return to Madagascar

Well, the time has come again that I will make my way back to Madagascar. I am very excited. Not just because I am returning to the place I call home at this time in my life, but because of what Christ has done with and through me while I was stateside. Today I was doing a bible lesson on Luke 10 when he sends the workers out in groups of 2. I was just praising God that Nicole is now ready to join me in the field. It tells us in
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

I am glad to have a friend and partner in her. So please add her to your prayer list.

I have some not so good news I would like to share. 1st one of our Malagasy workers lost a daughter to cancer last week. Please keep Germain and his family in your prayers. 2nd We just received news that Bonnie Shattenburg (my leaders wife)has a 2cm mass on her liver. You may recall she had breast cancer that spread to her spine. She continues to be treated for that and went through 12 radiation treatments and now gets chemo through injections monthly. This new news is a hard blow to her and her family. Please keep them in your prayers.

Ok now to end on a positive note. Here are my plans. I will leave Jeannie and Jerry's home in Tucson (this has been such a blessing) on Sunday June 7th after church sometime. I will stay with them Sunday and Monday night and they will have me at the Phoenix airport by 5:30 on Tuesday morning. I will fly through the night of the 9th and spend the 10th in South Africa. I will arrive in Madagascar in the afternoon of the 11th. I would appreciate your prayers for the pilot and airplane.

This time back in the states has been a blessing. I was able to connect with my family in Arizona and in Michigan. I spent about a month with my Dad and was able to visit my Mother daily(please keep her in your prayers). It was nice to see my brothers and sisters and their family's. I was also able to spend time with my sister in Arizona and her family. This time with family is very rewarding. While in Arizona I connected with my church family and was blessed by their loving kindness and support of my mission. I also have a new church family in Michigan and was blessed to spend time with them also.

Praise God for the blessings he has given me.
God Bless you ALL