The team has had a busy week. Here are just some of the highlights. Much more on Facebook and Instagram. Here is a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DniZCh3tt/ or you can search for The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less on your Facebook account.
Editor's note, Sue seems recovered from her overnight illness. Thank you for your prayers.
Sue's Lucky Day!!
Fashion Statements: Sue's crocheted hats have become the new winter uniform at Berenty reserve!!
Co-Pilot: Sue got to be co-pilot for a Mission Aviation Flight! Maggie practicing kumihimo.
Upgraded Room: Because Simon and Sue's room safe didn't work they got a free upgrade to the VIP suite. "We can eat team lunches and have meetings here as we have a 6 seater dining table! Working well as the restaurant is very slow at service and we would otherwise not be able to get food in the short time we have."
Feline Visitor: Cat therapy was included at no extra charge!
Rainbow, symbol of God's faithfulness: A rainbow over the cathedral closed out a very special day!
Water Filter Deliveries
Water filter systems were delivered to the primary school in Andranomena where the need was first highlighted to the team.
Water filter system for Motombe primary school. Note we drilled a hole in the clean bucket lid to allow the lid to stay on and prevent contamination.
The buckets are locally sourced. Paul drilled the holes with a hand drill.
Days for Girls
DfG sewing women discovering the washable diapers Sue had made. They were fascinated by the snap/popper system for adjusting the size.
Simon's Useful Accounting System!
The bishop and I met with the external auditor, M Norbert. He is encouraged with the progress of the diocese's procedures. He asked if there is a system to track whether donations are used for the purposes set by the donors. I was happy to answer "yes" — auditors always like that! I went on to explain the system I developed several years ago. It combines information about donations in several countries and currencies, allows for currency conversion costs, and is then compared with expenditure by the diocese project by project. M Norbert approved (phew!).
Later I continued working with the diocesan accountant on the nitty gritty details, with a local teacher acting as translator.
Mangrove Preservation
Paul is working with local mangrove association leaders to help with conservation and preservation. They have lost a lot of trees due to charcoal makers who sell it in Toliara. Here is the mangrove sea front at Belaza.
Josh Leads Music Conference
Josh is working with local musicians who compose music and harmonize on the spot.
Reverend Lisa Senuta's Greeting
"Hello Sue! I'm praying for you while you get to be in Madagascar again!!! Send my love to everyone. I'm full of fond memories and at the same time the overwhelming reality of doing so much every day. You are in my prayers."
From Maggie – Recap of the Week
Dear friends,
We have had an exciting week. Attempts to teach English country dancing to over 100 adults and children ended in chaos, but the lesson still stood on how we need to follow God's instructions and the Holy Spirit for life to work better just as we had to follow the instructions for the dance to work well! The first time was at the church in Amboasary, followed by group Bible study for adults and colouring for the children.
On Tuesday the church leaders and children joined us at Berenty nature reserve where we were staying and were delighted to see the lemurs in the forest, especially the Verreaux Sifaka. If you haven't seen a video of them jumping through the spiny forest and along the ground, look them up on the web; they are truly remarkable (and endangered).
The MAF plane brought us safely to Toliara on Wednesday after driving through several fords on the dirt track leading from town to the airfield. It had rained quite heavily overnight!
Arriving in Toliara we have been working with the Bishop and Diocesan staff on a number of projects: a workshop on developing indigenous Malagasy Christian music (Josh), Education and child sponsorship (Maggie), cloth crafts (Sue and Maggie), water filters (Paul), mangrove restoration (Paul) and getting the diocese accounts in order (Simon).
Although many projects have not gone according to plan, we've known God's hand over us and His plans being worked out.
Prayers for the mangrove project which is very exciting, but there could be many minefields ahead. Water filter training and distribution is going well, pray that continues.
The sewing women are receptive to new ideas and we've been encouraged by their feedback. Pray for energy for Sue as she continues teaching them.
Josh is delighted with the sharing of new songs amongst the musicians and the rapidity of learning, although adding solfa notation may prove challenging. Pray for wisdom as he teaches and works alongside them.
Simon has met the auditor and accountant and worked well with both – pray for continuing cooperation.
Thank you for supporting us.
Maggie and Paul
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