Well, we have decided to start looking for a new house. The one we are in is very small for 2 people and the office. The other thing is there was an incident this past Tuesday when we came home from our Bible group we found the door to the house open. Both Nicole and I know we locked and checked both doors. We think someone has a key that we don't know about. So, yesterday we bought another lock for the door and we now only have 3 keys one for me one for Nicole and one for the office. We also have had a guard at night for the last week. We hopefully have a new one starting tonight. He is one of Shelly's guards she has used for a long time. We hope to borrow him until we find a new one and then we have discussed having a full time guard at the house.
Yesterday we looked at 2 houses, one was so big and great. (it would be a wonderful guest house) and it had an in-ground pool. I call this one the mansion. There were 8 or 9 bedrooms 5 bathrooms besides the kitchen living room etc. 3 stories. It was way out of our budget, but it is nice to dream. The second one was nice, but there were some problems one was the location. about 1k from the bus line which means for Francisca after taking the bus 1 hour plus she would have to walk the rest of the way into the house. The other problems was the ceiling there were many holes denoting probably the roof needed to be replaced. Well, that was just day one so I will keep you posted.
Please pray God will show us just the right place for us that we can afford and feel safe again.
I praise God Nicole is here and we will be sharing a home. It is very comforting to know I am not alone.
Until Next time
May the love of God be with you
Friday, August 21, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Nicole arrived
On July 31st Nicole Rauch arrived. Other than being very tired her trip was uneventful. She brought with her my new laptop and camera. Her being able to bring these things was such a blessing. You don't know how many times I wanted to take a picture, but didn't have a camera. One time was when a friend gave me a very large stuffed Winnie the pooh to give to Sydonie. You should have seen her face when I gave it to her. I don't think she has ever had anything so cool in her lifetime. Last week I got the list of things for this coming school year. Yesterday when Nicole and I were at the cloth store I bought the material to make her a new blouse and skirt and gym shorts. It is a start. On Tuesday I have a meeting with her teacher, mother and the school principle. It appears the teacher thinks she should repeat the previous grade. Her mother wants her moved ahead because she doesn't want to disappoint me. I need to let her know my interest is for her to get the best education she can get and if that means repeating the same class that is what I want for her. I hope to get a new picture of her on Tuesday. She is getting very tall.
Last week on Tuesday Nicole and I went to Mahajanga for a week. We met with some of the teachers at BAO (Rich's school of Bible English and computers), with the leader of Fitiavana and I took some pictures of that school. There is a possibility that a supporter might built 2 or three new class rooms for that school. I pray it works out. We also spent time with Kathy she is our other team member that lives there. It was a joyful time meeting new Malagasy and making new friends. We stayed with Kathy and was very blessed by her hospitality. On the way to Mahajanga we had a little car problems. Not much to worry about and when we arrived in the city there was no problems. It wasn't until Saturday when we were getting ready to leave on Monday that we thought more about the problem. I called Germain's daughter, but Germain was out of town on church business and wouldn't be back until Thursday. His son is a mechanic in training at MAF and offered to take a bus to us and fix the car and drive back with us. That too was a blessing. He found some problems on Monday morning and we thought the problem was fixed. It was after lunch before we got to this point so we decided since it is a 10 hour drive to wait until morning and leave at 4am. So, Tuesday morning at 4am we packed the car and left for home. We didn't have any problems for about the first 4 hours, but then we reached the hills (mountains). Every time we got almost to the top of a hill the car would choke and then almost stall (about 5 times it did stall). Germain's son was driving so he was able to keep the car running and we arrived home about 8 hours later. 12 hours on the road for a trip that should have taken less than 10. It was a long day. Bandit was in his container in the back seat. Nicole shared a little of the back seat with him. For such a little dog he had the most comfort. On Wednesday I took the car to the garage and they fixed the carburetor, plugs and other small things they found. Praise God the car is fixed and running well.
Upon arrival at our house we found a new problem. The toilet that was supposed to be fixed while we were gone was not only not fixed, but worse. That evening we had a flood that went all the way down the hall. The only way to stop the flood was to leave the water running with the plunger up all night. Ugh!!! The plumber returned everyday this week and still today (Saturday) there are problems. I think I could fix it myself, but the landlord said we paid the plumber and he must fix it properly.
My language classes are going pretty well. Upon my return from Mahajanga I was able to tell her all we did while on vacation and she wrote it down. There was only a handful of things she had to correct. One of my biggest problems is forgetting the subject since it is at the end of the sentence. I hope that comes more natural with time.
I think that is all the news for now. I will write more soon.
May the Peace and Love of Jesus Christ be with you always.
Love Sandi
Last week on Tuesday Nicole and I went to Mahajanga for a week. We met with some of the teachers at BAO (Rich's school of Bible English and computers), with the leader of Fitiavana and I took some pictures of that school. There is a possibility that a supporter might built 2 or three new class rooms for that school. I pray it works out. We also spent time with Kathy she is our other team member that lives there. It was a joyful time meeting new Malagasy and making new friends. We stayed with Kathy and was very blessed by her hospitality. On the way to Mahajanga we had a little car problems. Not much to worry about and when we arrived in the city there was no problems. It wasn't until Saturday when we were getting ready to leave on Monday that we thought more about the problem. I called Germain's daughter, but Germain was out of town on church business and wouldn't be back until Thursday. His son is a mechanic in training at MAF and offered to take a bus to us and fix the car and drive back with us. That too was a blessing. He found some problems on Monday morning and we thought the problem was fixed. It was after lunch before we got to this point so we decided since it is a 10 hour drive to wait until morning and leave at 4am. So, Tuesday morning at 4am we packed the car and left for home. We didn't have any problems for about the first 4 hours, but then we reached the hills (mountains). Every time we got almost to the top of a hill the car would choke and then almost stall (about 5 times it did stall). Germain's son was driving so he was able to keep the car running and we arrived home about 8 hours later. 12 hours on the road for a trip that should have taken less than 10. It was a long day. Bandit was in his container in the back seat. Nicole shared a little of the back seat with him. For such a little dog he had the most comfort. On Wednesday I took the car to the garage and they fixed the carburetor, plugs and other small things they found. Praise God the car is fixed and running well.
Upon arrival at our house we found a new problem. The toilet that was supposed to be fixed while we were gone was not only not fixed, but worse. That evening we had a flood that went all the way down the hall. The only way to stop the flood was to leave the water running with the plunger up all night. Ugh!!! The plumber returned everyday this week and still today (Saturday) there are problems. I think I could fix it myself, but the landlord said we paid the plumber and he must fix it properly.
My language classes are going pretty well. Upon my return from Mahajanga I was able to tell her all we did while on vacation and she wrote it down. There was only a handful of things she had to correct. One of my biggest problems is forgetting the subject since it is at the end of the sentence. I hope that comes more natural with time.
I think that is all the news for now. I will write more soon.
May the Peace and Love of Jesus Christ be with you always.
Love Sandi
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The peace only God can give
Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to my newest member of my family. His name is Bandit. He came to live with me after my home was robbed in the middle of the night. God is so good he gave me a friend and a protector ( well maybe when he gets a little older he will be the protector). As many of you already know I had a burglary 2 weeks ago. The robber only took things and did not harm me in any way. Matter of fact I slept through the entire event. I don't think the robber entered any other parts of the house but the living room because nothing else appeared disturbed. My landlord has raised the wall about 5 bricks higher and did other things to make my house more secure. I have a bar and slide lock along with a new door lock for my front door and another slide lock for the kitchen door. I only had one night of restlessness. I felt God telling me He was my peace and I could rest in Him. The second night I slept well. Bandit came to live here a week after the incident. Now he wakes me up in the night because he needs to go outside but last night he slept until 5:30 and only woke up when I got up myself. There have been other robberies in my neighborhood so the president of the neighborhood association gave each of us his phone number and said to call as soon as we found something amiss and he would sound the neighborhood alarm. We, the neighborhood, will talk again if more security is needed. On that good side we are getting a proper brick road in front of my house. This will be so welcome during the rainy season. Our cost for the project is to provide water to the workers. I think that is do able.Many of you know my friend Nicole. She had her commissioning last Saturday. She is now ready to enter the "Madagascar" mission field. She leaves the states on the 29Th and will arrive on the 31st. She has been a blessing to me in that she has agreed to bring a new laptop computer and camera and my drivers license and credit card with her.
My sister and her family have experienced a tough year beginning last June when her nephew was in an accident and has been in a coma since then. He just recently passed on. They also felt the loss of both of her husband's parents. I pray God will give them peace and rest during the storm.
Last but not least the situation here in Madagascar is still a political crisis. Just this last weekend there were 3 more deaths. One from a bomb that went bad, the other 2 guards of the transitional president. The American government however felt the situation for Americans was not a danger at this time. On July 7 they lifted the travel alert and restriction for Americans traveling to Madagascar. I will continue to attend the monthly meetings hosted by the embassy. Many Malagasy people are effected by this political crisis and really have nothing to do with the fighting. Many have lost jobs and support for their family. Banks are reporting people are coming to them for loans so they can buy food for their family. This is very sad you realize their average income is less than $100 a month. Most live without the convenience we Americans take for granted. Running water in their homes, electricity and heating or cooling. Now to not even be able to put food on their tables is a tragedy.
Praise
1. Praise God protected me from the robbers
2. I now have a new friend Bandit
3. Nicole was commissioned and released to enter the "Madagascar" mission field
4. The prayers and support of my family and friends.
Prayer requests
1. Pray for safety and protection for my neighborhood and this country
2. Pray for Nicole and her travels later this month. Also for her one time support.
3. Pray for my sister and her family for the Peace that surpasses all understanding
4. Pray for Bonnie that the new chemo will work.
5. Pray my credit card will arrive at my sisters house in time for her to send it to Nicole before she leaves.
Thank you all for your continual prayers and support. Please let me know if there is anything I can pray for you. I know I am a long way away but there is no distance when it comes to prayers.
I love you all
Sandi
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