Mission Madagascar

Date: August 1, 2009

Time: 10:10pm

Location: the guest bedroom of Ben and Ashley’s home: Talatamaty, Antananarivo, Madagascar

I have arrived at my final destination: Madagascar. It’s almost surreal–the country for which I have prayed over, cried over, and researched. I’m here. My two-and-a-half hour flight from Joberg to Tana was uneventful, apart from my randomly falling asleep in odd contortions (no first class seat here; just two empty seats next to me).

Takeoff from Johannesburg

I even enjoyed a supper, courtesy of Air Mad, which wasn’t too bad. It consisted of roast chicken along with a slimy quiche-like stuff, and some raw fish with lime wedges and indeterminate sliced veggies. The chocolate cake you see in the lower right-hand corner was a cross between an undercooked brownie, flan, and cheesecake.

Toward the end of the flight, I heard a gasp from the girl sitting in front of me. She tugged at her friend to come look out the window. At the same time, I heard some shrieking from two children in the back of the plane. Then, I heard excited Malagasy muttering from the people sitting behind me. Since I was on a window seat, I looked. There it was: my first sight of Madagascar.

After that, it grew very dark. I didn’t see much city lights below in the darkness. Just plain darkness. Eventually, as we descended, I saw some of the lights from the capitol city. We landed and then all the passengers disembarked down a flight of stairs onto the tarmac. Pardon the blurry night shot of the airplane.

All the travelers milled into the airport to fill out visas and health forms, then pick up baggage. The airport is very small.

After that, I met my host, Ben, who drove me in his X-Terra to their house. He and his wife and their two little girls, missionaries in Madagascar for just about a year now, are extremely kind. Their generosity is nearly overwhelming. They are taking very good care of me! They even have some events planned that I’ll tell you about tomorrow.

Thank you for praying for my trip.

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009

Time: 8:24am (South African time)

Location: Terminal A, Johannesburg International Airport

Outside, it’s drab, cold, and rainy—a prototypical winter day. I’ve been in South Africa for about twelve hours—enjoying the airport. I tried to sleep—unsuccessfully (someone actually stole my favored bench when I took a restroom break). This afternoon, I fly to Madagascar, my final destination. Here are a few random shots during my airport wanderings.

This is where I worked on my computer. The coffee was pretty good.

Part of the terminal. It was very nice and modern...and warm (thankfully).

More of inside the terminal.

Outside the terminal it was not warm. It is winter in the southern hemisphere, and today, this area of South Africa is very cold and rainy.

View from a lookout area.

Lord willing, the next time I post, I will be in Madagascar.

Peaceful Pathogens Floating Through Greenville's Downtown

For Greenville’s present dwellers, erstwhile residents, or sometimes visitors, the Reedy River is a scenic cesspool. It is a place where children laugh and play, while parents cringe and desperately keep their children from plunging in, wading, or even touching the living, moving stream of death.

If you don’t have any familiarity with Greenville’s famous Reedy River, click here to find out.

This poll is intended to discern whether you think the Reedy River is worthy of your consumption. Why do I ask such a question? You will soon find out what the raging river of bacterial destruction has to do with Madagascar…

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A picture of the Mahafaly landscape, near Gogogogo.

My 17-month-old daughter has a new-found fascination with saying, “GO! GO! GO!” (also the title of one of her books). While doing some research among unreached areas of Madagascar this afternoon, I came across the name of this city: Gogogogo! I love that name.

Besides having a unique moniker, Gogogogo has a deep need. It is located among the Mahafaly tribe. The Mahafaly, or “those who make taboos,” consist of 300,000+ tribal peoples whose violent resistance to Western influence, and tenacious grasp of traditional animism make them a prime target for the life-changing power of the gospel. They are among the most spiritually and physically needy people groups in Madagascar.

So…if you were looking for a ’sign’ or fleece telling you to GO to Madagascar, there it is: Gogogogo.

Click here to hear Hana Kate discuss the need.