How Time Flies...

So here's the thing about November: I don't think it actually happened.  I can look back at our calendar and see what we did, and there are even some pictures to prove it.  But if you asked what the date was two weeks ago from today, I would probably say some time in October.  Because these past couple months have flown by, I don't think I can even attempt to share stories in any coherent manner; instead, I will just share some ways that you can pray for Kristen and me this month, as well as some of the things you can join us in praising the Father for.

First of all, homesickness has hit pretty hard this month.  With the holiday season upon us, it's particularly hard being a world away from our families.  We are thankful for our new friends and family here in Madagascar, but we sure do miss snow, Christmas services at church, and my mom's breakfast casserole she only makes on Christmas morning.

The next thing you can pray for with us is our work.  We are continually trying to learn and adapt in order to be the most effective, but it can be difficult at times.  However, all of the villages we are visiting are welcoming (some more than others), and we are excited to see how God works in these places.  Pray that we would be motivated, observant, and good listeners, and that the people we speak with are open and honest.

One thing that makes our work possible is the help of national partners.  There are a couple of young guys who help us out already, and there are a couple more who are considering going to villages with me to help with language.  Pray that God would send us the right people, and thank him for the help he has already provided.

Of course, despite how difficult things can seem at times, there is plenty for us to be thankful for.  For example, our language is getting better.  One milestone is that we are able to see when people are trying to rip us off, but more importantly, we are able to have deeper conversations with the people we meet.  We were also able to begin going to an orphanage nearby.  There is not much work there yet, but we are happy to be involved with the kids.

And finally, we are thankful for all of our support back home.  Your prayers mean the world to us, and the support you give through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is valuable beyond just the number behind the dollar sign.

Again, thank you for you prayers, love, and support.  Kristen and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Six Months In

In just a week and a half (Sept. 26), we will have been here for six months.  Sometimes, it feels like we haven't done much considering it's already been half of a year since we got to Madagascar.  But as I think back over these last six months, I begin to realize how much we have done, and how much things have changed.

For example, while we are nowhere near fluent, Kristen and I have become competent enough in a new language to survive in town, to make friends, and to have (simple) conversations.  It's definitely not easy.  As we were just beginning to get a grasp on the official language, we had to start learning the Tanosy dialect, which made me feel like a two year old all over again.  The point, though, is that six months ago, I didn't even know what Malagasy sounded like, and now we are having daily conversations with the people we meet.

Along with how we speak, another thing that has changed is our standard for what is normal and acceptable for everyday life.  We have to wear shoes when we use our computer when it is plugged in so it doesn't shock us.  We have been served a hunk of boiled pig fat with the hide and hair still on it (It was pretty terrible, by the way.  But our Malagasy friend was more than happy to eat ours for us).  And just the other day, Kristen said, "Wow, that guy was peeing in the dumpster instead of on the street.  How polite."  And she was serious.  A box of cereal is $8, but two pounds of vegetables at the market is 75 cents.  There are good things and bad things, but what they all have in common is that they are becoming "normal."

Thankfully, one thing that is becoming more normal is our schedule.  We are studying language three days a week, attending a Bible study with some people we go to church with, and are regularly teaching a Bible study at the English Center in town.  It is so great to see so many people at the English Center ready to learn, both about the English language and the Bible.  Many of them have been strongly influenced by false religions, and believe things about the Father and His word that simply are not true.  They ask difficult questions, and for the most part, are eager to learn what Scripture really says.  We have begun sharing the Bible as a story, from creation to the resurrection of Christ.  The students were fascinated and excited, because for most, it is the first time they are hearing someone speak about the Bible as more than just a religious book full of rules.

Please pray for Kristen and me as we continue to adapt to what is now "normal," and as we teach at the English Center.  Also pray as we begin to visit rural villages more frequently.  Our primary job during our time here is to learn about the Tanosy people: their dialect, their customs, their beliefs.  In order to do this, we will be visiting different villages, asking questions, and getting to know the people.  The information that we gather and the relationships that we build will help those who will be living here longer than us.  Up to this point, we have been doing a lot of preparation and planning as we get ready to visit these villages.  We have a few national partners who are willing and excited to go with us, which is a huge answer to prayer.  We have a list of areas that we plan to visit, in order to find the villages we are looking for.  Please pray as we finish up our preparations, work with our national partners, and begin to to travel more often.  Pray for safety, wisdom, and that the people's hearts will be open to our questions and the message we will share.

Thank you all for your prayers and support during these first six months.  It amazes me how half a year can seem so short, while at the same time make it feel like it has been an eternity since Kristen and I have been with you back in the states (or wherever you may be).  I can only imagine how quickly the next several months will fly by; I just hope I don't blink and miss it.

The Drive

Kristen and I have finally made it to Fort Dauphin. We've been here for a couple weeks, and are almost settled into our house.  For those of you that don't know, Fort Dauphin is our "final destination," so to speak, in Madagascar. It is our home base of ministry, where we will live and work among the Antanosy people in town and in the surrounding villages. 

It wasn't easy getting here. Usually that phrase is figurative, as in, "it was a long process to get to where we are."  While that definitely applies in this case, what I mean is that it literally wasn't easy to get here.  The roads (I use that word generously) were terrible. In a few months, during the rainy season, they will be impassable, so it's a good thing we got here when we did.  Just take look at what can pass as roads around here:

Along with the rough roads, there were also ten rivers that we had to cross by ferry.  Some of them were motorized, and others were hand cranked.  To be honest, the ferries were a nice break from driving; all we had to do was drive up onto them, and enjoy a leisurely boat ride.

The trip from Antsirabe (where we were living while in language school) to Fort Dauphin took us three days.  The first day was twelve hours of paved roads, so it wasn't bad at all.  We got to drive through the rain forest, which was cool, and we spent the night in bungalows right on the Indian Ocean, which was also cool.  The second day, we left at 5:30 in the morning on a paved road, and by 6:30, the road had all but disappeared.  Around 5 that evening, we checked in to a hotel.  The word "hotel," of course, means a collection of shacks with no electricity or running water, and a giant scorpion in the outhouse.  But hey, it only cost us $4.  

The last day was not quite as long, and we rolled in to Fort Dauphin around 2:30.  My truck no longer had a brush guard, and the other truck was missing a runner on top (from tying the brush guard to it).  We were tired, bruised, and sore, but mostly relieved.  It was a long and frustrating three days, but we were finally to our new home, and there were paved roads and wonderful views to welcome us!

As you can see, the trip was tough.  But you can also see just how gorgeous and diverse the scenery was.

Pictured above: gorgeous scenery

Seeing the sharp contrast between the terrible roads and the fantastic views of virtually untouched land, I am reminded of how flawed the things are that we try to create on our own.  Even the most awe-inspiring feats done by men are imperfect and will eventually pass away.  On the other hand, our Father's majesty, which is revealed through His creation, will never fade.  His love is unfailing, and far greater than anything on this earth.  

If you ask me, three days of tough roads and $4 hotels is worth it to share that message with those who haven't heard.      

Lessons Learned

So the past couple of months have been a little bit of the same: church and rest on Sunday, language class Monday through Thursday, and whatever shenanigans we get ourselves into on the weekends.  And by "shenanigans," I mean "everyday things like buying food and paying bills, because nothing is easy here."  Don't get me wrong-- it's not all bad.  Just interesting.

Here's an example of how not straight forward things can be.  I typically prefer walking. It's a great way to interact with people, and its better for your health and the environment. But sometimes, you just have to get in the car and drive to get things done. And let me tell you, you learn a lot about a town and the people in it when you drive. Most of the time, driving here feels like a game of "how small of a space can I fit my car through," mixed with "dodge the people on bikes who had to have swerved in front of me on purpose."  Because really, no one is that unaware of their surroundings. You also learn a lot about the roads and traffic laws when you drive. For instance, I learned that if you miss a traffic circle that's not marked very well, it's very possible you get sent to pay a ticket that doesn't actually exist.  In fact, that's exactly what happened -- I was pulled over on a Friday night for accidentally bypassing a traffic circle (in my defense, it looks more like the main road stays straight.  Maybe I'm just making excuses, though.). The officer told me to go to the police station to pay the ticket on Monday. So, a friend and coworker who is more competent in the language went with me, and after two days and driving to 4 different offices, we were told that I must not have been given a ticket, and that I need to watch out for traffic circles. Lesson learned, I guess. 

Of course, not everything that's happened during these couple of months has been this frustrating.  While Kristen and I have been in language school, we've had the opportunities to practice the language with kids at a Catholic school and a school for the blind.  We've had the chance to build relationships with people in town, such as young girl who begs outside of the market.  We regularly buy rice for her, and gave her a children's Bible that she reads with her family at home.  We were able to celebrate at the lake with a local congregation as new believers were baptized.  We worshipped in the grass by the lake, we celebrated with the two men who were baptized, and we shared lunch with the church afterwards.  The church members helped us find the right pages in our song books, spoke slowly as we tried to understand them, and shared their food because we didn't know to bring any with us. It was an example of true fellowship among the body of Christ, which extends beyond cultures and languages.

The church we attend, tucked away in the corner

The new church building they are working on

Basically, we have learned that every day can be quite the experience.  Sometimes it's difficult.  Sometimes it's frustrating.  But every experience is a chance to learn.  Please pray for us during these next couple of weeks as we finish up language school.  Pray that we are not only learning the language, but learning how to live in this culture in a way that reflects the character of Christ.  Hopefully we will be moving to our place of ministry soon, and I look forward to keeping you updated!

A new believer being baptized

Singing at the lake before the baptism

Kristen and some kids on our field trip to the countryside

A Day in the Life

Sorry it's been a while since the last post, but its taking a bit longer than expected to get internet at our house. That's just a part of life though, right? Speaking of parts of life -- there are a lot of things Kristen and I have been learning to live with our first few weeks here in Madagascar, and I wanted to share a few of them with you guys.

First off, no one speaks English. It's hot. Our families are 11,000 miles away. But we expected those things, and were relatively prepared for them. There are other things we expected, but had no idea how to prepare for them, though. For instance: how much harder it can be to do tasks that seem so simple in the states, such as cooking a meal. Almost everything is fresh from the market, and prepared from scratch. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just takes a lot more planning than we're used to. It also helps to have a terrific cook for a wife (although I'm not too bad myself. This morning, I made the most fantastic hash browns I've ever had. We're talking better-than-waffle-house quality here, people).

Every westerner that we've talked to that has been living on the island has told us the same thing: nothing goes as expected in Madagascar. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's bad, and other times its just hilarious. For instance, as Kristen and I were walking through town the other day, we heard a loud "POP!" followed by everyone stopping and looking around. It turns out a transformer on a utility pole blew, and was smoking and sparking right across the street. That happens though, right? The first surprise was that the utility company had workers there in a bucket truck in about 15 minutes, which we have been told just doesn't happen. "How efficient," I thought to myself. I quickly changed my mind, though, when I saw the workers back the bucket truck up to the pole, and proceed to take a rickety old ladder out to get to the transformer.

Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new way of living life day to day, I can't help but praise God for the opportunity to live among the Malagasy people. Even though our main focus right now is language school (we won't move to our place of ministry for a few more months), I see people living without the hope of the Gospel, and am eager to join in the work that God is already doing here. Please pray that Kristen and I are able to learn the language quickly, and that we continue to settle in and adjust to the pace of island life.

Of course, there are some things that are not all that different from what we are used to. As we were driving down a major highway on the island a couple of weeks ago, we had to swerve around dozens of cows walking alongside the road. I know that's not a terribly common occurrence in the states, but if you're familiar with my home town in South Carolina, you know what I'm talking about. It's the little things that remind you of home...

Greetings from Madagascar!

Greetings from Madagascar!  Here is our first post that is actually written from the other side of the world.  And it's about time, considering the name of this blog is "A & K in Madagascar."  

First of all, our flight was fantastic.  We flew from Greenville to Charlotte, then on to New York, Johannesburg, and then Madagascar.  Our bags were checked all the way through, and we only almost missed one of the flights.  Not bad, right?

Kristen and I have been here a little over a week, but we certainly haven't been in one place.  When we first landed, we were in the capital city for a couple of days.  The name of the city is -- are you ready for it? -- Antananarivo.  Go ahead and take a minute to sound it out...

Ok, now that you've tried to pronounce it, let's agree to just refer to it as Tana.  We landed in Tana last Wednesday, and spent two days there.  We then traveled a few hours south to Antsirabe, which is where we will be studying the language.  We spent four days being shown around town and introduced to the culture, then headed right back to Tana for a few more days.  After this week, though, we will finally be able to settle into our house for a few months while we study the language.  

I am so excited to start learning the language, and it is encouraging to see the work that God is already doing here on the island.  Up to this point, however, we've mostly been spending time traveling and getting to know our teammates.  As Kristen and I begin to dive into language study next week, we'll keep you updated with all of the ridiculous mistakes we make as we begin to communicate with the locals.  Until we have some good stories, though, please pray that we would be able to settle in quickly, learn our way around the town, and that we would start off strong with language study.  Also, I hope you enjoy the pictures of lemurs here and on Facebook.  Don't try to hide it; I know that's really what you've been waiting for...

The Other Plus Side

We get to start our malaria meds next week! On the plus side, we only have to take it once a week. Also, we'll be less likely to get malaria, which is probably good. On the negative side, one of the side effects is vivid, terrifying dreams. On the other plus side, those dreams may lead to some pretty interesting posts in the near future.

So, we're supposed to start the medication two weeks before our arrival in Madagascar. That's one week from today, which means Kristen and I will be heading out in only 3 weeks! In the coming weeks, please pray:
-that Kristen and I will get everything done here at training
-that the Holy Spirit would prepare us and empower us as we get ready for traveling and language school
-and that God would begin to prepare the hearts of the people we will be ministering to.

First Step(s)

There is an old proverb that states, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  It was because of this ancient advice, however, that I was thrown for a loop when Kristen and I show up for orientation and training, and find out our journey actually begins with approximately five thousand steps at the same time.  In the midst of our preparation to leave for Madagascar, we found ourselves lost in the constant stream of schedules, curriculum, deadlines, new faces and sad goodbyes.  But what exactly is it we should be doing with this surplus of information?  Is there a goal we should be seeking out in all of this?  Our destination, perhaps?  Or a people group?  A visa?  A nap?  All of these are high on our list of things to research and acquire (some more immediately than others), but we both know that the purpose is much larger than this.

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus teaches his followers to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  My desire, then, should be to seek God's kingdom and righteousness before anything else; that seems simple enough.  Unfortunately for most of us, that's usually easier said than done.  Maybe it's because of the urgency of so many of the issues and deadlines we face.  Regardless of our excuses, though, Jesus' teaching is very clear.  So here is my commitment:  To be a seeker of the kingdom and righteousness of of our heavenly Father.  Sure, I have a lot to do here at orientation.  I have to get a visa, finish a ton of assignments (Literally a ton.  I weighed it.), and research the people group I will be working with.  And all of these things serve the purpose of getting Kristen and me to Madagascar by the end of March.  But I'm going to do all of it with a Kingdom-focused heart, because it is all God's work in the first place.  When we are seeking the kingdom of God, he will guide us and provide all that we need (Mt. 6:33-34).

Kristen and I would like you to join us on this journey to southern Africa to share the Gospel. One way to do that is to follow this blog and leave us comments; I'll try my best to make it informative (definitely), make it insightful (maybe), update it regularly (maybe), and make it funny and enjoyable (probably not.  I will try, though).   However, the best way you can partner with us is through prayer.  Please pray:

• That we can be efficient and get everything done to prepare to leave.
• That God will prepare us for the task ahead.
• That we will be healthy and rested during training.  It's harder than it sounds!
• That we will have joyful hearts in all circumstances.

This commitment isn't just for us, though.  We want to support YOU as you seek the kingdom and righteousness of God.  Earlier in Matthew 6, when Jesus taught his followers how to pray, he asked that our Father's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  And this isn't just a prayer for preachers, pastors and missionaries; this should be the prayer of all followers of Christ.

If you or your congregation would like to partner with us in any way, let me know!