Sunday, May 23, 2010

April 1, 2010

Yesterday, March 31, 2010, was the last day of service for Elder David and Sister Judy Peterson. Today we take them to the airport. They will be returning home to the US and first on the list is the wedding of a grandchild. Second, they are relocating to Utah and need to find a house. They have been a tremendous help to both of us and we wish them well. There was a surprise celebration that all the missionaries planned and attended. Judy knew everything that went on in the mission, but this time she was surprised. There was a tribute to their efforts by President Donnelly, presentation of lays to them from Elder and Sister Bennett from Tahaiti and a French song of farewell, a guitar and song presentation by the local drivers in Malagasy accompanied by the Malagasy missionaries, then confessions of the missionaries. That was really enjoyable. We had to leave but appreciated the love and heartfelt outpouring of that event.

The Ridges and we attended the open house tour-of the American Embassy. It is located near the airport and is an enormous building surrounded by a high wall. Inside the grounds are beautiful. It is set up for two to three times the current personnel. At the end of the tour the construction manager gave a slide overview of many of the new building throughout the world. Explained the detail in construction to keep the compound safe from outside disturbance should there be any. There is a good distance from the road to the compound wall to the road. Very large rocks are lining the outer limit to prevent taxibes (busses) or other vehicles from going up on the grass or approaching the wall. It is a "green" building complete with filtration systems, recycling of waste water, air conditioning, reserve energy resources and hi-tech security. It is a lovely building. For me the most impressive was his complement to the Malagasy people. There were always a contingent of 1200 or more Malagasys working on various parts of the building. They were trained on the job since the technology was beyond anything they were familiar with. For example, there is no copper in Madagascar. They are unfamiliar with it as a plumbing material. Workers were taught on site how to sweat a joint and every other plumbing skill that was needed. Then they were put on the job. He expressed surprise and respect for their work ethic. They never complained and worked tirelessly. They were an inspiration to the project manager. The building was completed four and a half months early and considerably under budget. I am sure the Malagasy had a lot to do with that particular success. It confirmed to me what we have seen in the character of the people. They want to work and improve themselves and take every opportunity to do so. The ambassador expressed his hope that this country would grow and flourish. The US position remains the same, that the two factions in government must come to consensus and work together toward open elections opening the way for the economy to grow and bless the people. One of the embassy staff in answer to a question said that the US involvement in helping the country continues. Only the humanitarian part was restricted. However, that is not reflected in the US press. We thought that all aid was cut off from Madagascar.

Right now the situation is like that in many places. Those in power protect themselves. There is no money to really make a difference in maintaining and improving the country. The people do the best they can. Last week we saw a crew scrubbing the tile walls of a short tunnel into the center of the city from our part of town. The other tunnel to the airport has not yet been cleaned. It is a struggling country. Humanitarian projects are carried out by other organizations including our church. American citizens in the country were invited to the open house.
We met a man involved with study abroad, a young man from Philadelphia working toward opening a toothpaste factory with the goal of selling at an affordable product and targeting children. He hopes to encourage oral hygiene. Right now toothpaste is too expensive. The local people brush their teeth with charcoal and salt. This would make toothpaste at 1 cent and toothbrushes at 2 cents within their reach.
A third person I met was a French journalist (US citizen) who was covering the humanitarian efforts of a catholic organization working here in Madagascar. Both of these young man were very interesting to talk with.

Well water for washing clothes


Wash Station


Waiting


Steep rock stairs to top


Rinsing the clothes


Posing for the camera


"Please take my picture too!"


Our apartment above the valley


New Construction


Mothers and Daughters washing


Mother and Chicks


More valley children


Looking up at our neighbors back wall


House construction in the valley


Church with outside WC (water closet-bathroom)


Children in the valley


Boy looking over the end of the drain pipe


Another view of the valley

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Mother's Day in Madagascar

9 May 2010
Hello everyone. The pictures are of our apartment and environs. We live on the third floor. The laundry is above us on the patio/deck, typical of many residents in this area. There are a few photos of a house under construction below us - all brick. Also, a photo of a "wash station" where the women of the community below us wash their clothes. Water faucets and wash tubs that are high enough so you do not have to lean over to the ground to wash. It is a great help to the women. The assistants to the mission president live on the second floor and the humanitarian couple, Elder and Sister Ridges from Bountiful, Utah, live on the first floor. We are gated and one photo is with one of our guards. They work 12 hour shifts. Our car and some photos of the valley below and a neighbor's back-yard. It is easy to see the relative economic status of the people who live side by side. Each family works hard to provide. It is interesting that where ever there is a gated house, shacks are put up against the walls to provide shelter for those who cannot afford better. Recycling is big here.





The valley below us

The Ridges

Self built small homes

Our apartment (3rd Floor)

Neighboring house

Master Bedroom

Local Wash Station

Local Dwelling

Living Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Dining Room

Detlef with one of our guards

Citron- Our Car

Brick going up in the valley

AP's Lumsden and Remi




At church today I played the piano (I am grateful for simplified hymns). It went well. Then I was the first speaker. I had my talk translated into Malagasy. I read the beginning and end and a sister read the bulk of it. I shared some of my growing up experiences in the very small branch in Syracuse, New York. I was two when we moved there. There were three active families that included about 12 children and youth. My dad was the branch president. He and his counselors visited every member they could find. Over time it grew. Everyone participated because everyone was needed. I learned to lead music, make quilts, teach classes and participate in the branch activities. It did not matter what organization provided the activity, we were so small that everyone was there. We were a family. I bore my testimony that the Lord keeps his promises to those who serve him. We were blessed to learn many things together because of our service to each other.

Detlef and I sang, "I Am A Child of God," a'capella. The members joined in the third verse. 1st in English, 2nd in Malagasy and 3rd all together. I sang alto with Detlef singing the melody. It went very well. Then Detlef spoke about his experience of being baptized and his growing knowledge that he must keep the commandments. As he grew older the number of commandments increased. Fighting was one to overcome. Not initiating the fight was not an excuse to fight. Later, becoming offended or angry was the next level to overcome. He compared this to taking in the sacrament or taking in the laws of Christ. As we live them, they become a part of us. In this way Christ teaches us to become like him. The purpose of the branch is to give the members a chance to grow in their understanding of the gospel and in their ability to live it. It was a wonderful day. There were nearly as many visiting as there were members. The spirit was very strong and there was a real feeling of harmony.

Detlef has been called to be the 2nd Counselor in the branch presidency. I have been assigned to teach the sisters about Relief Society and about serving in the church. The branch was organized five weeks ago. The branch president is 56, single and a member for only six years. He has never had a leadership calling before. Detlef feels that we were assigned here to help train the leaders and members while learning patience ourselves. We are very grateful that there are several members who can speak English and who translate for us. That is a great blessing. We can understand them and they can understand us.

The missionaries are working with three families that have committed to be baptized. It would be a total of about 16 new members - three sets of parents and ten children over 8 years old. The problem is in each case that the parents are not married. Getting a license to marry requires a fee which many couples cannot afford. So they simply live together as husband and wife and have children. The mission has a fund of donated money that helps these couples get their marriage licenses so they can be married and baptized. There are several places in the mission near organized branches where families come forward and ask to be baptized. In most of these cases there has been a person - sometimes a member - who has been teaching them the gospel - including providing Books of Mormon - and the people have become converted. Last weekend there were 40 baptisms in the mission. It looks like May will be another month in which several family groups will be baptized.

We have the feeling that the Lord is really pouring out His Spirit in this land and lifting up these down-trodden people. Perhaps the greatest challenge will be to help train leaders, teaching them the gospel in depth so they can help strengthen their fellow converts in learning how to live the gospel.

More next time.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Pictures 5/1/10



(Poinsettia tree outside the office)



(Guava stand - I made delicious juice)



(Investigator Families in Ankazube)



(Tana from our apartment padio door)


(Sabotsy Namehana Branch where we attend church)



(View from our apartment)



(View from our apartment)



(Detlef and Seila are goint to serve a mission in Madagascar)