Children School support.

It's that time again when kids in Madagascar get ready to return to school.  In the past some of you have supported some of the children in my neighborhood be able to go to school.  If you are one of those who already help.  I thank you so much.  There are several children on my heart hoping someone can help support them.

1. Sydonie: A little girl 9 years old we have been supporting for 4 years now.  Her school fees are 130,000 for the year and school supplies about 100,000.  This is more than in previous years because the cost of everything is going higher.  In USD that is about $ 104.54  This includes school fees, stationary books, pencils, general supplies and uniform and shoes for the year. 

2.  Heriniana:  He too is 9 years old.  We have been supporting him for 2 years already.  He is deaf and was not able to attend school before our help.  Because he is deaf he needs to go to a special school.  His school fees and supplies are about $150.00 a year plus $20.00, 3 times a year when he comes home for school holiday.



3. Malala and Lanto:  They are sisters here near my house.  These girls age 8 and 12 do not go to school.  Their mother has put them to work as prostitutes. I would love to see them in school and not on the streets.  They can go to the public school near my house for a very minimal cost.  Their school fees are less than the others at $30.00 a year and supplies of about $50.00 I hope to be able to give them rice each week so they have something to eat. Thus, $100.00 for each of these 2 girls. I try to feed them when ever I see them, but don't always have extra money.  One day I bought the one girl some bread and meat for lunch and 2 days later she came to me saying she was very sick because she was hungry.  I ask when she last ate and she said on Tuesday when I gave her the bread and meat.  I brought her to my house and gave her a big plate of food.  When they are not with their mother they go to their grandfather's house where they are beat until leaving bruising.  I really hope to be able to find someone to help me with these two girls.  They also don't have much clothes.  Mostly rags.

4. Antonny: he is about 12 years old.  His grandmother is a hard working cleaning lady who cares for him because his parents are both dead.  She is caring for 3 grandchildren by herself because 2 of her children have died and her husband too.  This little boy previously went to the public school, but because he didn't pass his 5th grade exam he can not return to public school.  Without help he will end his education at grade 5.  To return to the private school his fees are $110.00 a year and supplies and uniforms will cost about $50.00.  His yearly expense is $160.00

5.  A widow in my English club is trying to learn English so she can get a good job to support her 3 children.  Her husband died this past year suddenly of an aneurism.  Their fees are a total of $100 per child per year.  Her desire is for them to continue with their music lessons of and extra $100 per child.  However this is not a priority.

If you have any desire to help with any of these children or support completely one child please send donations to World Venture at 1501 W. Mineral Ave, Littleton, CO 80120-5612 on the memo line put the number 6401.900.  Or you can give online by going to www.worldventure.com go to the donate page and then give to a project, then give to unlisted ministry or project, enter the number 6401-900 it is the Madagascar misc project. 
 

What makes my heart sore and soar

Today when I was coming home from a meeting in town I realized there are many things that make my heart sore and also many things the make my heart soar.

Lets start with the things that make my heart soar.  Today as I neared my house there were a bunch of children out playing.  When they saw my car they started yelling "Sand(e) emphasis on the e.  They come to the care just to say hi and shake hands.  On Sunday night we had a fellowship with other missionaries here in Tana and when I arrived several of the children came to me saying "Aunt Sandi" and giving me a hug. On Sunday mornings when I head out to teach children's ministry when they all want to grab my hand to walk with them.  Oh and how eager they are to hear the story of the week.  2 weeks ago we were making faith cross necklaces and I couldn't find the same size black bead so I had to get one size bigger, one of the 4 year old girls came and said "Aunt Sandi I know why the black bead is bigger" I said "Why?" she said "Because our sins are bigger."  Oh how I love the little children.  Jesus tells his disciples to let the little ones come to him.  I know how much I love them and can only imagine the love Jesus has for them.  Another thing that makes my heart soar is the young adults in the English club.  Today we started with them making presentations so they can earn an advanced certificate.  I am so happy to see the progress they have made over the past year.  I know how hard it is to learn language and give them my hats off.  Well done. The class I taught the first year I was in Madagascar graduated this year.  I am so proud of these young adults.  All are planning to continue their education abroad.  Hats off to Vision Valley 2012 graduates.

Now to the sore part.  There are 2 little girls in the neighborhood that are street kids.  They have parents, but the parents don't provide or care for them.  Last Tuesday one of them was in the parking lot of the supermarket and went in the store with me.  After I got the cheese I wanted I got some bread and meat for her to make a big sandwich.  On Thursday I saw her again close to the same place.  She looked very sick.  I ask her what was wrong she said she was OK.  I ask if she was hungry she said yes very.  I brought her to my house and gave her some rice and laoka (meat sauce)that we had for lunch.  She came in and when she was talking to me while eating I ask when was her last meal she said on Tuesday when I gave her the bread and meat.  The next day the sister came to my door and I gave them some rice to take home and cook and some fruit.  I see these girls often and try to buy them food when I see them.  Another thing that makes my heart sore is the corner on the way to my house at night.  It is like an open area bar.  Every night there are many people on the corner drinking and drunk.  Some times you can't even get through the street because there are so many standing there drinking.  How can one little girl go 2 days without food and others have money to drink every night.  It also makes me sad to see people sleeping on the side of the road because they have no home.  Poverty is great here and many have lost their jobs since the presidential take over in 2009.  For many there are no jobs to be found, not that they don't want to work or try to find work.  There just isn't work for all.

Thanks for reading my post.  Sorry for the play on words.  It just seemed so right for the title.

Blessings
Sandi Horen


Serving Christ in Madagascar

Family and friends in Arizona

I will be back in the states from Sept 6 to Nov 3, 2012 this year.  I will be in AZ from Oct 1 to 29th.  While I am there I am in need of a vehicle to use.  If you have a vehicle to loan while I am in Arizona I would be ever so thankful.  If I don't find one to use during my stay I will need to rent one.  Does anyone know a good place (affordable) to rent one?  I am on a limited budget since I am mostly 95% self supported, and my Madagascar expenses continue while I am in the states.  I pray someone out there can help me. 

If you would like to meet with me while I am in the states send me an e-mail sunlady2@aol.com or facebook Sandra Horen.  I am looking forward to seeing as many friends as possible during the short time there. 

Blessings.  Your friend Sandi Horen serving Christ in Madagascar.

I am doing a bible study about revival.  Today's lesson has led me to believe I should ask this question of God and all my family and friends.

 If there is anyone I have wronged or offended I would like to make amends.  Please be honest with me and allow me to right a wrong.

It is my desire to have a clear conscience  between God and men as Paul said in Acts 24:16

Blessings to you all.  Your sister in Christ Sandi

Fun times with friends

The week that started horrible but ended blessed

This week started really bad. First I am having problems with flooding in my bathroom. So I woke up Monday morning to step in water all over the floor. UGH! After cleaning that up and getting my shower and dressed, I headed out the door to go meet my co-worker to certify some papers. I tried to lock the door to the house and my key went in circles. ( I have a door that you have to use a key to open it once it closes) For security reasons I have a paddle lock on the back door, so getting in by that door wasn't an option. All my windows have security bars on them. I was stuck out of my house. So, I went to get the papers certified and my colleagues went to town to try to find someone to come fix the lock. The only place that knew how to fix it had all their workers out on other jobs. We were told to come back at 2:00. We got there at 1:30 and picked up a lock smith. When we arrived he had to break the lock off the door and manipulate the lock to open the door. We found you can't just replace the lock. They had to take the door off and take it to a welder to remove the old lock and then get another lock and have it re-welded. Finally about 5pm it was finished. Praise God I had a door and lock before dark.

Tuesday I was taking a friends daughter to her therapy, she is only 3 years old, she was crying for her mom and I wanted to comfort her so I attempted to give her an "altoid" mint and I hit a pot hole the entire tin of mints flew in the air and all over the car.

Then later that day I was going out to help a friend who was trying to get a new home due to her hose not being secure, I started out the door only to see another dog that my dog does not like and will fight with every time. Well, when trying to keep him in and let me out I fell off the step and bruised my knee, arm and bottom. I was sore all over.

On Wednesday I helped my friend move into her new house. She had been staying with me for the past 2 weeks after an attempted burglary in the middle of the night. 4 burglars pulled the security bars out of the wall at her bedroom window. So this day was a blessing for her.

Thursday was a public holiday here and I didn't do anything in the morning. Afternoon I had Ladies Bible Study. It is a small intimate group studying about how to have a revival with God in your heart. I am really enjoying this study and the opportunity to get to know these other women more intimately.

Now it is Friday and I am at work with time to update my blog.

Sorry no pictures for this post.

English club

I've talked a lot about my English Club. They are really progressing quickly. Most are at intermediate level. 4 of the boys from the club are now attending church at Tana City Church (where I attend). One boy in particular is asking a lot of questions and growing quickly in the Lord. It is amazing how God can use the English club to help someone grow deeper in Him. On an average there is 20 to 24 students each week. I really look forward to Thursday mornings.

The young man in the picture introduced me to a project being offered by the Ministry of Population. This project is to teach English to the poor all over the city. They have 20 schools to teach English at a cost of 300 ariary a month. (that is about .15). The Ministry of Population ask for my help in training the teachers and helping them with their English. I will meet with them beginning in April they also requested I attend the opening of some of the schools. I will co-sign the certificate with the Ministry of Population, at the end of the 3 month course. Last Saturday I attended one of these schools. It is exciting to see the excitement in the students to learn English.


The Lord led me to start another English Club but this time for beginners. It is more like a lesson than a school, however I have high hopes they will progress quickly. I had to put a cap on the number of students at 20 because it is too hard to get them talking when it is too big. I am glad I have a big living room and can host them all.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was a joyful time. 1 year ago I was feeling lonesome and homesick, but this year was much different. The Saturday before Christmas, my friend and I hosted a Christmas Dinner for about 20 people. After dinner we enjoyed a gift exchange and Christmas carols.

The English Club I host at my house also enjoyed a celebration of Christmas. Everyone brought something and we all enjoyed a time of fun fellowship.

My Ladies Bible study group celebrated our last session of the series just before Christmas so we also had a time of fellowship in the form of a cookie exchange. Everyone brought their favorite cookie and the recipe. It was a nice fun day. We played the snowball fight. Since we have no snow here we used old paper as snowballs and had fun with 2 teams trying to throw the most to the other side.

On Christmas day after church my friend and I attended a Christmas dinner at another Missionaries house. I think there were 30 + at this dinner. We all brought a dish and shared. After eating we exchanged white elephant gifts. It was a lot of fun. I got a dress that was about a size 3. I don't think my arm would fit in it. LOL. It was a good gift to give to my cleaning lady along with a hat that fit her perfectly.

I ended the year by going out of town to a friends hotel. They have a beautiful hotel and nice pool. On New Years Eve there was a concert by a famous Malagasy singer "Lola". These friends are such a blessing. They offer to me as a guest any time I want to come. This is about 3 1/2 hours away and just enough to feel like a vacation.

Long overdue update

My deepest apologies for being so delayed in sending updates.

Over the next few days I hope to post several posts of what has been going on since my last post.

October 2011,

The office staff headed north to Mahajanga for a field conference. It was nice traveling in the new vehicle. It is a 10 hour drive so having something comfortable to ride in is very important. Having trouble with the A/C, but that is minor

The conference was a internet tel-conference about member care. With half of the team being new to the field, we thought member care would be an important issue. It was very good. There were times of crying, laughing and most important praying. We all walked away requesting the presenters to present another time.

The last day was a fun day where we spent time together. We had a little green friend join us for lunch.

Here are some of the pictures of the conference.