The long overdue post

As I lay in bed this morning I started dreaming about what I should say in my post.  I guess this can only mean I better get to it.  I can’t remember the post I had all worked out in my dream, but I will do my best to give you an update.

This past year has been a very good year for me spiritually and emotionally.  I really feel God is using me where he has planted me.  6 years ago this month I retired from the position of probation officer.  It really seems like a lifetime.  I was so blessed during the next few months with the sale of my house, the sale of all my things (except the few things I packed to ship to Madagascar) and preparation for the journey.  Well, as you all know there have been many ups and downs over the last 6 years, but this last year has been mostly ups. 

In January 2012 I started a 2^nd English club at my house.  The previous group moved to intermediate and the new group was beginners.  At the end of 2012 these 2 groups had moved to the next level.  The now advanced group is getting smaller, but that is a good thing because several have secured jobs using their English language skills.  Of this group 5 started attending church with me.  They are now hearing the word of God on a regular basis.  The now intermediate group is doing a lot better.  We are now working on pronunciation.  This is hard since they have never made some of the sounds used in the English language.  We have fun by making them try to stick their tongue outside their teeth for the sound of th as in three.  We laugh at the way they say “third” sounds like turd. 

Starting this January I began another club.  This is now the beginner club and the class is so big I had to put a limit on the number of participants.  No more than 25 students are allowed.  I prepared a grammar English book and am using it with this group.  Some of the advanced group members are taking turns helping with the beginners club.  They enjoy helping and can explain things in Malagasy when I get stuck.  We try the “only English rule” but sometimes I don’t know how to draw a picture or make a gesture for some words.  I really enjoy their help.  The members of the advanced group have become more like friends now. 

The next thing that started last year was helping with children’s ministry at my church.  I am working with the 3 to 6 year old children.  It really reminds me of when I helped with AWANA cubbies at Craycroft Baptist Church.  I love the kids this age.  They are so egger to learn about Christ.   Now we are doing the Armor of God.  This is really a fun lesson.  Since supplies are limited here I have to use my imagination to come up with crafts for the kids to make.  Tracy Marcantonio has sent me some supplies that we can’t get here like glitter, wiggly eyes crayons, markers scissors ect.  Thanks Tracy. 

Next about my work in the office.  There are three of us working in the office.  It is located in my house so I am never late.  Things have been going smoothly over the past year.  In January 2013 we changed our accounting program from Excel to Quick Books.  This has been (and continues to be) a learning curve.  To top it off a week ago my computer crashed and I had to reformat it.  I needed to re-install all the old programs.  I lost my copy of Microsoft word and had to get a new copy.  I tried to re-install quick books and got an error message each time.  I spent several days trying to get it to install.  After 3 tries with skype calls to intuit, the help desk was able to get it to install.  The last time I was on the phone (skype) with them from 4pm until 2am.  (They are only open 6am to 6pm PST) . So finally success and I am back up and working on the new program.  Praise God I save all my work on a flash drive and only lost some pictures.  Not a lot though because many are saved on facebook. 

While in the states last year I shared about some of the children in my neighborhood in need of help.  Through donations 8 children were helped to go to school.  I want to thank all of you that helped. 

Personally this last year was fairly normal.  I went back to the states during September and October.  I visited with my parents in September and was in AZ during the month of October.  The visit with my Dad was nice.  His health is not the best and he is very lonesome in the house by himself.  He visits my Mom every day.  She doesn’t know me, but still knows my dad.  There are ups and downs with my mom, but overall the main problem is the Alzheimer’s.  My dad however has trouble with his back and legs which limits his activity.  His hearing is getting worse and it makes it hard to talk to him over the phone. 

My time is Arizona was nice.  However the return trip was anything but calm.  I was scheduled to leave AZ on Sunday; however my flight was canceled due to hurricane Sandy.  I finally reached NY on Thursday night (Friday morning about 2am) and my flight back to Madagascar was scheduled for Friday afternoon.  And, as fate would have it my luggage didn’t arrive with me.  I guess it stayed in San Francisco.  It did arrive about noon on Friday.  I met up with Tracy and my luggage about 2pm to prepare for our trip to Madagascar.  After that everything went smooth.  Tracy came for a month to see what God was speaking to her about.  She now really feels God is leading her into missions full time.  She can tell you more about that herself.  We had a great month and she got to see a little glimpse of live here in Madagascar.

After that the rest of the year flew by.  In January some of my club members gave me new years gifts.  Here in Madagascar it is customary to give gifts for new years, not Christmas.  Thinking about this makes me feel good.  I like the idea of Christmas being about Christ and not what gifts you get.  Oh what a lesson to learn. 

I will close for now.  Thanking each of you for the prayers and support you give me on a regular basis.  I could not do it without you. 

With all my Love

Blessings

Sandi Horen

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