3 Years of Change

As we have entered into the month of November here in Madagascar it would be a lie to not say that we are looking forward to being back in the States to visit all of our family and friends.  It also would be a lie to say that we aren't nervous about this.  The truth of the matter is that we are not the same family that left the States over three years ago and our family and friends are not the same people we left back in the States over three years ago.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it is something that we have been praying about and asking the Lord to give us wisdom.  With that said as we look back on these last few years we have been amazed at how the Lord has moved in our lives and has worked on us and through us for His Glory.  We are also amazed at how there have been some things creep into our lives that we don't like.  It is funny you would think with our job we would come back with halos or something.  Just kidding.  The truth is that as we search deep within our souls we are a little tired and we are looking forward to some rest or at least some hugs, visits, hang out times, some good ol'cooking (Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Chocolate Pie, Banana Pudding, TexMex, get the hint) Dr. Pepper and sharing with those who have been so faithful to pray for us about what the Father has done.  With all that said here are some things of how we have changed:

  • We have grown in our dependency on the Lord and seem at times to be more bold than before
  • We have regressed in all language abilities.  We have learned Malagasy but we are still learning.  The English language has regressed and Adam's Spanish has regressed.  Thus, we have issues communicating effectively.
  • We are no longer a family of only daughters. 
  • We have a son!!!
  • We have two teenage daughters in High School.
  • We have grown a little more opinionated  but have also learned how to be more flexible
  • We have now been on more airplanes than we ever thought possible
  • Our definition for nice, important, and necessary has changed. (Roads, Church buildings, homes, hotels, sidewalks, public transportation, etc)
  • Our definition of far away or a long drive away has changed
  • Our definition of fast has changed
  • Our dependency on material possessions has lessened. (Not fully gone yet)
  • Our patience has grown in some areas and in other areas has developed a very quick fuse.
  • We honk the car horn more than we ever thought possible.
  • We are no longer shocked by people using the bathroom in public.  Keep an eye on your bushes! (JK again)
  • We have redefined the word HOT.
  • We aren't used to white people and will need a week or two to adjust to the change of seeing white people everywhere we go.
  • We need people to take time to fix our food now.  If we wait less than thirty minutes for our food to come we worry it is undercooked.
  • We don't know what it is like to not have diarrhea on a regular basis
There are many other things that have changed our lives.  However, there is a constant that has never changed.  The Lord Jesus Christ is our Rock, Savior, and Defender.  We are only here so that we can be obedient to Him.  He commanded and it is all of our duties to be obedient to Him.  So in all of these changes that have taken place we always remember the reason and the mission ahead.  We preach Christ and Him alone.  We believe that when one comes to faith in Christ Jesus, He changes that person, family and community.  He is the remedy to all of our ailments.

As always we say thank you for your prayers and support.  See you on the others side of the world here pretty soon.

Praises:
  • The vision and empowering trip went very well.
  • We have a great team and great teammates who are ready for the challenges ahead
  • Phoebe and Emma are doing well in school.
  • We did okay on our language evaluations
Prayer Request:
  • Safety in all of our travels
  • Strength and encouragement as we face the bittersweet moments of hello and good bye
  • Phoebe and Emma to finish this trimester well.
  • All of the details of our travels to work out well.
Adam- River Plate player, River- his River Plate soccer ball, Suzie- Queen Esther, Baylee- Princess Pirate

Adam preaching at CEIM Church plant in Tsihombe


Walk to the village Andovoke with Willy and Robisette (12km walk turned into 20km--we were so busy talking, we got lost)

Sharing in Andovoke

Saying "Mandra-piohana" in Beloha

Checking out the village of Lavanono & finding some R&R

Driving up the cliff from Lavanono

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