The Shortest/Longest Month

All my life, I remember thinking that February felt like the longest month.  After Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year, winter always changes from a "magical winter wonderland" to a "long, gray, dreary, miserably cold precursor to spring."  Add to that the fact that February only has 28 days, and you have the simultaneously longest and shortest month of the year.

Surprisingly, February is not much different here in the southern hemisphere.  The reasons, though, are much different.  It can be terribly hot some days.  One embarrassing example of how hot it can get is how much I sweat doing normal things.  I know I'm not in the best shape, but I really don't think I should break a sweat from eating lunch.

Also, work has slowed down a little bit due to all of the rain.  Some of the roads become impassable when they're wet, and several of our trips to the countryside had to be postponed because of unexpected day-long showers.

But the number one reason for this month going so slowly is that at the end of the month, Kristen and I will get to see our families again!  We are fortunate enough to be able to spend a month traveling around different parts of the world with each of our families.  And as we prepare and the anticipation builds, the best way I can think to describe how we feel is like a child before Christmas (or me before Christmas...), or like a case of "senior-itis" before high school graduation.  

Even though I can sometimes become overwhelmed with anticipation, and the consistent rain can be a bit discouraging, and the heat can make me drag my feet a little, I push forward because I know that the Father is still working here in Fort Dauphin.  Kristen and I may not get out to visit villages as much as we would like right now, but it has given us time to work in town and encourage the believers here.  So as we finish up our first year on the field, please rejoice and pray with us for these things:

• Sandy Springs Baptist Church sent us an incredible 8 boxes, filled with t-shirts, soccer balls, and hand-made skirts.  It was such a blessing for all involved as we gave them out at a local orphanage.
• We have found a regular place to meet for our Sunday night Bible study with some of the teachers from the English Center in town.  
• One of our friends from the Bible study has decided to be baptized.  He has realized that his traditional infant baptism is not in line with what the Bible teaches.  Please pray for another friend who is struggling with the same issue.
• Please pray for motivation as we continue to learn Malagasy.

Kristen handing out skirts

Taking a break from playing with the new soccer ball

Some of the older girls showing off their skirts

And just for fun, here's a video of Kristen feeding a lemur: