Saturday, September 17, 2011

Madagascar trip July 2011

As part of the Missions Training Program at CCBCE, one of the requirements is to spend 30 days "on the field." I decided to go back to Madagascar on a 2nd scouting trip as part of that time.

The Lord lay on my heart to invite Walter Kohrs of Calvary Chapel Cape Town along with on the trip. he was a real support and prayer warrior on the trip.

We flew into Nosy Be, an island off teh Northern tip of Madagascar. We slept the night and then headed off to Diego Suarez the following day. We chose to use public transport.

This was an adventure in its own. Lets just say it was a rough ride and not for the faint hearted.

Our aim was to visit our two American missionary friends and bless them with a time of fellowship which is rare out in the sticks. We made the journey in one piece and enjoyed hospitality and fellowship of yester year. We also gleened valuable missions experiences as we got to "shadow" the couple for our few days stay - going into local villages, fellowship, ministering, Bible study etc

An added bonus was a day trip into one of the many nature parks. We hired a local tour guide and went on a hike into the forest. We were blessed to see Lemurs, rare gecko's, chamelions, rare plant secies etc.

You might notice lots of photos of chamelions. Thats because Madagascar has 3/4 of the world's population of chamelions. There are literally millions of them. Not easy to spot because they chamoflague themselves. we had a good laugh on our 1st day we arrived. I told Wlter to give me 5 minutes to find a chamelion. I found one within 4 minutes. He said it was all fluke. I said give me another 5 minutes. I returned with another one.

The enemy tried to thwart our plans. Melissah and Kiarah developed high temperatures with none of the usual flu symptoms. They were bed ridden and couldnt come say farewell at the airport. When I kissed them goodbye their temperature had dropped to 36.66 degree celcius (for those who know my testimony) and it shot up to 40. Cindy also got bed ridden for a few days and had to have her mom move in to take care of the kids. Walter my travel partner got ill on day 2. I had to hire a sick bed for him enroute to Diego. On the 2nd last day I woke up to six infections at once - an eye, throat, lung, ear, chest and bladder infection simultaneously. It was a concern as being in a third world country. At least you can get antibiotics at the pharmacies over the counter.

The second part of our trip was to visit / assist with the christian primary school back on Nosy Be. We helped set up their end of school year concert and joined in their annual picnic. The school concert is such a powerful witness to the local village of Hellville.

Literally it is as hot as hell and corrupt as hell. Walter and I spent the last few days in "Sodom and Gomorah", its nickname because of  its in your face prostitution and every evil under the sun. We must have been propositioned by over 1000 young lost ladies.

Here are a few of my good and bad moments in Madagascar:

Almost getting arrested because of a corrupt taxi driver over charging us.
My favourite hym being played in concert.
10 hour taxi ride with 28/30 people in the combi.
Air Madagascar departing and arriving on time.
A rainbow in the sky over Hellville - showing God's promises are true.

Prayer requests:
Please pray for teh missionaries in Madagascar: Michael and Michelle Badon and Dries and Lynette de Jager. The Lord to protect, guide and fill them with the Holy Spirit to help them to misiter to the lost in a harsh physical and spiritual invironment.

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