My Car (Thomas)

Thomas was always known as the car that would.... This car has been a blessing to many people here in Madagascar. Well, some of you have been following the story of my car. I have a 1992 Daihatsu Charade. Recently I have been having a lot of problems with it. In January it just stopped working. I was on my way to church one Sunday and couldn't get up the driveway. So sad Thomas just lost his get up and go. I got it fixed and was back on my way again a few hundred dollars later. Then in February the timing belt broke. At first they thought because I stopped as soon as I heard the noise it would be an easy fix. NOT!!! Well it took about a month to fix it. First they had to re-seat the valves then plane the head. (I really don't know what this is, but they said it). They couldn't get the things to fit well but thought it would work. I had the car about 10 min before it stopped in the middle of the road. (lots of honking of horns) The staff at the garage came and rescued me it seems like a cable was loose and just needed to be tightened down. I was almost home and the horn started honking on it's own for about 10 min. It finally died. Yea. the next day I returned to the shop and they fixed the horn. The next day I got in the car and it wouldn't start. It seems the battery was loose and the mechanic came and had me back on the road. The next day on my way to do some errands the car started missing (a lot) so back to the garage (this was a Saturday and the garage is closed, but the mechanic is a friend and met me there) there was a lot of oil in the spark plugs. He cleaned them and I was back on the road. A couple days later the same thing happened. This time they kept the car at the shop. After three times sending the engine to the machine shop they (hoped) it was fixed again. I went the next day to the dentist and again the problem was starting on my way home. Back to the garage. (sounding like a pattern?) They again cleaned the spark plug. I have been driving it now for 2 weeks and praying each time I drive it. We looked for a new head and it costs 2,500,000 ariary (about 1,250.00) for a new one. The car isn't worth more than about 3,000,000 ariary. The bill for the second repair was over 1,000,000 ($500.00).

Anyway after this story this is my request. I am praying for help raising funds for a newer vehicle. I am afraid Thomas will need to be put to rest.

If you can help with a one time gift for a vehicle for me I would be very blessedl. Here is how you can help: You can go to the WorldVenture web site look for my name and make a donation by credit card for me. http://www.worldventure.com/ . Another way is to send a check or money order to WorldVenture 1501 W. Mineral Ave, Littleton CO 80120. Please note the account number 6154-855. An the 3rd way is to make a donation at Craycroft Baptist Church and enter short term missions on the note line. They will get the donation to my account.

I send my blessings to you all and welcome any prayer requests you may have. Please let me know.

New water well Ambatokely

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending the ceremony celebrating the opening of the water wells in the village of Ambatokely. The dedication started around 10 am and lasted for a couple of hours. The Mayor, the head of the fokantany and the head of the firaisana were present and made short speeches of thanks to the church that in cooperation with a team from Spain, helped make this possible.

Prior to these wells the people had to walk more than a kilometer to get their water from the foot of the mountain. A team of workers began clearing the land for the laying of the pipes. On day one they came upon 5 snakes. The villagers wanted to perform rituals to rid the area of the snakes, but the pastor of the church said "NO" we will pray but if you perform the rituals we will stop the project. They prayed and the next and following days there were no more snakes. (A great witness to the people of this village about God's power)

The team from Spain came over to Madagascar and saw the need. They returned home and organized a sports event. At this event they sold t-shirts and all the proceeds went for the water project.

At the end of the dedication the adults from the village received a gift of a bucket to carry their water and a kilo of rice. The children received some candy. All went home happy.