David and Judy in Madagascar

2010-03-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

LAST BLOG ENTRY FOR OUR MISSION!!!

Dear family and friends,

Our last blog is dedicated to all of you that made many wonderful things happen for some people in Madagascar. Without your donations we could not have accomplished the many projects that came our way. You have been a blessing in their lives and ours also.

Donations came from family, a Bee Hive class, friends, missionaries families, and strangers. We tried to spend your money as wisely as we could. We had over 14,000,000 ariarys donated which is over $7,000.

The blog below will show where some of that money went. There was money spent on getting Malagasy missionaries ready for their missions. Back packs, luggage, white shirts, passports, dental work and immunizations. Some how we never took a picture of them. We also passed out rice and beans in Christmas 2008.

As you have helped some of the least in the world, may Heavenly Father's blessings be with you.
We love you and look forward to being with you in the future.

Love,

David & Judy

New school roofs.

2010-03-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

We provided food and kitchen equipment for this school.

10 soccer balls were donated.

New roofs for 2 schools where before class had to be cancelled for rain.

School desks

2010-03-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Many new desks were given to this school

These kids were so happy with new desks and benches.

4 young ladies sponsored for school for the year.

Schools

2010-03-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

150 kids were fed lunch for 10 weeks during the poorest time of year.

Some of the kids that got a new roof on their school.

An education for this smiley lady.

Special assistance.

2010-03-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

This young women received tuition for her beauty college education. Many young adults were helped with university expenses.

Our drivers: assisted them with funeral expenses for family members, medical expenses, new glasses and other emergencies.

Youth camp: Our branch youth were helped with camp costs.

Special fund set up to help couples get married and then be ready for baptism.

Temple assistance.

2010-03-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Many families helped to the temple with passports.

Major medical assistance for baby Veronique.

Her father's heart softened and they listened to the missionaires.

A new sewing machine for this industrious woman and also, another one for the branch.

5 Home teaching families.

2010-03-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

A new bike for a worthy farmer.

Seeds and farm supplies plus education for the kids.

Formula and bottles for this baby that was not thriving.

Education and medical assistance for this wonderful family.

Safari

2010-03-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

You round the bend in the road and there is a huge elephant staring at you!!! One of the Big 5. We saw 150 of them.

We saw over 2,000 animals, comprising 26 species, on our 7 day safari.

Safari

2010-03-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

King of the beasts!! He is a young male just starting to grow his mane. He is a rare sighting and one of the Big 5.

Yes he is big and intimidating and kept us from traveling on for 30 mintues! This rhino is one of the coveted Big 5 and we saw 8 of them!

Look closely and you will see a large spotted leopard in the tree. Later in the day he killed an impala and drug it back into the tree for dinner!! He is one of the Big 5!!

The buffalo, a Big 5 animal, grazing in the rain. There are 16,000 in the park and we saw about 150 of them.

Safari

2010-03-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

There are thousands of these graceful animals in the park.

Here is one of the cute bungalows we stayed in. We stayed 6 nights in the park in 3 different locations and put 1,700km on our rental car!!

Wildebeest

spend time with the impalas and zebras. They all stay close to protect them selves from predators at night! We saw about 40 out of31,000!

A crazy baboon taking junior for a ride. They run in packs of about 30-50.

Safari

2010-03-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Notice the bird eating bugs out of the ear of this kudu!!

There are 23,000 zebras in the park. They hang out with the impalas for protection.

This guys is still wet after coming out of the lake to begin feeding!

Are these warthogs ugly? There were 8 with me on the golf course!

Safari

2010-03-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

There are 130,000 of these beautiful impalas at the park. We saw hundreds and watched them up close running and jumping.

We saw 50 of these large animals. At night the hippos come out of the water and feed.

From the largest hippo

to the smallest dung beattle it was fascinating. If you look closely you will see one riding while the other does all of the pushing this piece of elephant dung!

Such a sleepy looking hyena but it does hunt all night long!

Safari

2010-03-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

My golf games sufers anyway without wart hogs on the fairway!!

Three nights in this cozy raised tent next to the Lower Sabie river. All night long the cries of hippos and other wild beasts let us know we were on a Safari!!

Safari

2010-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

You have seen 20 out of 350 pictures, but this is really...

THE END!!!

Christmas Dinner and a Baptism!

2010-01-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

5 turkeys, dressing, mashed potatoes and no RICE! The missionaries loved it and we enjoyed serving them on Christmas Day.

They all had a great time and finished the dinner off with watching "It's a Wonderful Life"!

I look pretty good in white! I baptized Celestine the son in law of BeBe.

The live in a one room upstairs and take care of BeBe. He just hopes 2010 will be as good for them as 2009!!

Home Teaching and delivering gifts.

2010-01-02T07:14:00.000-08:00

Tina's baby. Thank you for all of your clothes donations. Our families loved the new outfits.

Visiting Celestine and Maria's home right after their baptism. Yes, you have to climb that ladder and that is where BeBe lives also.

This is called a small and humble home where 10 people live. Yes, the ceiling is about 5' high.

Home Teaching always has its perils. Several neighbors just lifted up the front end and put bricks under the Berlingo!

2010-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Edmond with his new bike! He was speechless. Thank you for your donations.

He and his family moved off the mountain down into a small village. That is called progress!

Legends Going Home!

2010-01-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

Elder Mahina and Elder Gorringe, 2 wonderful missionaries completing their missions.

We can't wait to see Elder Mahina and his friend Elder Fuga playing for BYU. Mahina is the one on the right!!

The Bennetts settle in Antsirabe

2010-01-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Elder and Sister Bennett from Tahiti and now in Mada on a leadership mission. They speak French, Tahitian and some English. They will be working with 5 new branches training new leaders.

She picked out her apartment which was actually a villa with 6 bedrooms! But it was only 1,000,000 ariarys or $500 per month. They are doing a wonderful job.

Rice fields planted and growing. It is absolutely a gorgeous country side.

Just some cute kids in Fianarantsoa, our newest branch.

BeBe's Baptism

2010-01-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

She is the Matriarch of a very large family with many of them living on the island where we home teach.

This is part of her family, many already baptized. They are just the most humble people you would ever meet and we love them all.

Staff Thank You Party

2010-01-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

We invited our drivers, guardians and cleaners with their families to a special dinner and party thanking them for their service. We had 72 in attendance.

This is our cleaner Evelyn and her family. She is on the right in purple. They were all so proud to introduce us to their families.

Marcellin's kids performing. These people love to sing and it continued from 6-9pm. We all really enjoyed it.

John, one of our drivers playing his quitar and singing. The audience also joined in on many of the songs.

La Reunion Trip

2010-01-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

We had a great time with the Donnellys on this wonderful 1st world island. We are standing in front of one of their chapels on this French possession which is part of our mission.

A beach party for all of the missionaries.

No swimming for Judy and Sister Donnelly, just running to get out of the waves.

We have a great missionary crew that operates very well with no adult supervision. The President visits them every six weeks.

Baobabs, a strange tree!

2009-10-02T03:40:00.000-07:00

These trees are hundreds of years old and most species are found only in Madagascar.

Lover Baobabs with this "lover" missionary couple!

Cute kids along the way.

We forgot to tell you about the Fussa in our camp ground. After this big yawn he fell asleep. He has a tracking device around his neck, but he is wild and a predator to the Lemurs.

Primitive camping!

2009-10-02T03:34:00.000-07:00

This cabin got too small with us and the Mouse Lemur during the night! Big mistake leaving candy on the night stand. No bathrooms, toilets or showers!

Check out the black socks, but he's ready for an adventure! This is the hotels restaurant, but the food was delicious.

The next night was a step up. No Mouse Lemurs to bother us. Great weather and a wonderful cabin on the beach in Morandova.

Yes, these are missionaries! We swam in the Mozambique Channel in 80 degree water.

Beautiful rice fields.

2009-10-02T03:25:00.000-07:00

Look at that large river and we are not in our rainy season yet.
The people spend so much of their time cultivating this rice crop.

They till the soil by hand, then flood the paddy and break up the clods.

The new plants turn the country side into a lush color of green.

When the fields are not growing rice, they grow bricks! I mean make bricks out of the mud to build houses.

Judy at camp!

2009-10-02T03:18:00.000-07:00

400 kids camped on top of a mountain. We had 14 tents with 30 in a tent including boys and girls (in separate tents). We are on top of a mountain overlooking a larger mountain. Absolutely spectacular!

Judy taught some camp skills. The old campcrafter never dies.

This is dirt camping at its best! 14 fires and they cooked their favorite food, RICE!

Some poor little urchins from our branch. Judy really had fun with them and all of the kids loved her classes.

Trip to Toamasina

2009-10-02T03:08:00.000-07:00

13 Baptized in the Indian Ocean.

What a thrill for these Elders.

These people are so humble and ready for the gospel.

Our newest chapel in Antananarivo. It kind of looks like a temple doesn't it? We sure wish it was. It is one of the 4 church owned buildings in Madagascar. Our branch meets in a very, very humble rented building.

A baptism in Ampitatafika

2009-07-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the baptism to begin.

Elder Nielsen and Elder Davis help Roger, our home teaching brother, perform the baptism.

A proud grandma with her 3 grandchildren and yes he is 8.

Our new mission President.

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Eating out with Pres. and Sister Donnelly.

A beautiful display of fruits and vegetables in a produce market.

Looks like ducks to me or maybe a chicken.

Our "dirt path" gang!

2009-07-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

We passed out knit stocking caps to some of them.

This little guy loves to have us swing him every morning.

Notice the dirt path in the background. We walk up this path every morning.

2009-07-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

Our newest Elders. 11 excited missionaries ready to go to work.

2009-07-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our hike to our Home Teaching Family.

They are always happy to see us. Yes, they all live in that house.

Many tears were shed at the airport saying good bye to this great group of 10.

Rice Pounding in Manandona

2009-07-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

She lives in the country village. Isn't she cute?

Pounding rice for dinner. It is so much work.

David tries his hand at it and it's not easy.

Lets go to the Temple!

2009-07-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Toamasina Temple trip was a great success. Most of the Malagasy people have never seen an airplane, let alone to fly in one.

Back home from the Johannesburg Temple and so very happy to be able to be sealed together as families.

They're heading home to Toamasina, a 9 hour trip on a small taxi bus.

Farewell to Gayas

2009-07-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

Manandona Branch in front of their tent "building" wishing the Gayas good bye.

One very cute kid who did not like me holding her!

A tearful farewell dinner to the Gayas.

Trip to Antsirabe

2009-05-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's us riding bikes in Antsirabe before the open house.

Where we stayed for $15 per night!

It was a fun weekend and we enjoyed the members of the branch soon to be divided.

One of our home teaching mothers and her new sewing machine. Thanks for all of your donations.

We are preparing for our new Pres.

2009-05-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to get the Elders to clean their apartments!

3 new missionaries are welcomed. In June we will welcome 10 on the same day!

We starting to look very comfortable going to our home teaching visits!

Winter in Madagascar!

2009-05-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, its almost June and we are entering into our cold season with beautiful poinsettas everywhere.

Lemur Park with all of the missionarys

2009-04-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

He's on me! We were in the rain forest and of course it was raining!

Everyone loved seeing Sister Peterson with Lemurs!

Yes, he wants to climb on top of her head and she let him!

They are really cute and everyone loved them and had a great time.

Andasabe Lemur Park

2009-04-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

The missionarys loved to feed them bananas!

Sister missionary with turtle at the park.

On the highway to the park. Yes, they have about 500lbs going down a very steep road with trucks and cars. Its crazy dangerous!

Sister Peterson wading in the Indian Ocean! Reminded us so much of San Diego!

Trip to Tamatave

2009-04-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

We stayed one night in Foul's Beach at a fabulous cottage on the Indian Ocean. and then a wonderful lobster dinner cooked for us on the beach.

After lunch in Tamatave. We have way to much fun!

The open house had 500 in attendance and about 100 referrals.

Some kids along the road. They are so cute and fun see.

Lunch with Pres. George and family

2009-04-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

A wonderful family in our Branch and a wonderful malagasy lunch!

He has a lovely 3 story house and his own well, and a very nice "out house".

The Georges, Gayas and us in their back yard.

His 2 cute daughters, one in college and one in high school. He is a realtor in town.

Home Teachin - We love it!

2009-04-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

Judy is a little concerned about the captain of the canoe.

Elder Clark helping her in. What an amazing companion!

Roger and Vo and family. Members for 2 months and doing great.

Judy taught a lesson on choosing the right and then gave them all a CTR ring! This is Angie and Tinas kids.

Sabotsy Mahenia - Our new Branch

2009-04-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

For now they are just a group, but are growing very fast. We split our time between the 2 branches.

Some of the women in the Branch. The lady in the black dress owns the house we use.

A brand new home where we meet. Her daughter is serving in our mission.

Just a couple of cute kids!

School Donations.

2009-04-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

These roof have been leaking for 3 years. Thank you for helping to reroof the school.

These kids are so grateful for any small donation.

Some of the staff.

Thank you for your donations!

2009-04-05T23:13:00.000-07:00

some of the 30 tables built with your donations. Thank you!

The children were so happy for these beautiful tables.

If you want to donate... make out checks to David Peterson and mail them to Paul Peterson, 13256 Cicero Way, Poway Ca 92064 and he will deposit them in my account and we will let you know how your donation is spent.

4 beautiful girls that Bailey's class paid for their schooling for the rest of this year.

Weekend Trip to Antsirabe

2009-03-31T02:35:00.000-07:00

About a 3hr drive through some beautiful country.

The hotel in a quaint little artisan town.

Beautiful inlayed wood work with the most primitive tools. This is a jig saw with a blade from a car tire.

They are having to much fun and the kids love them!

2009-03-31T02:22:00.000-07:00

Pres. Gaya with some of the workers.

Such a fun loving people.

This is the little girl sitting on my lap carrying her little brother on her back.

Service Project

2009-03-31T02:19:00.000-07:00

Actually the girls worked the hardest and looked the best!

In the chapel with its dirt floor this Elder finishes making a cement pad for the sacrament table.

The man in charge of this group is adding on another house for his sister. They are very industrious and hard working people.

This event was like a time warp back to the 1800s.

Service Project in Monondona

2009-03-31T02:12:00.000-07:00

About 50 to work on the road, have lunch, and visit.

This little girl was quite afraid of us, but I snatched her up for this picture.

Typicla Malagasy couple that faithfully walks to the "tent" for church services.

Cute feet.... Most of these country folks are barefoot.

Antsirabe Trip

2009-03-31T01:44:00.000-07:00

It almost looks like Southern Utah, but with rice paddies.

This is an awesome missionary team that is really building the kingdom.

Marcellin trying to make us look like a taxi bay. He knows we will be buying lots of stuff on the way home.

These taxi bays are cramed with about 20 people plus lots of luggage.

2009-03-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Just a quick update on our status in this very unstable country. We have a new President thanks to military intervention and most everyone thinks this new leadership will be good for the country. All of the missionaries are very safe and follow Pres. Gayas direction exactly.

The missionary work is going forward at an unbelievable pace with many joining and being reacitvated. We love being part of all of this activity and are doing our part home teaching and teaching an institute class.

Our assistance in helping out these 2 schools is moving forward but we still need donations. Thanks to all of you who have donated.

We love all of you and are amazed that we are close to completing 7 months.

Love,

David and Judy

Enough Lemurs yet?

2009-03-23T02:14:00.000-07:00

They would hold your hand as you fed them peanuts.

They loved peanuts and when we tried to feed them carrots, they would throw them away!

This Lemur park only had a few, but they were very tame.

Mom had this one standing on its hind legs.

We love these Malagasy people.

2009-03-23T01:52:00.000-07:00

Another soccer ball given to the kids in front of our house.

Our new home teaching family, they are so cute.

A classic manual Singer, donated to our Branch.

Yes, it's kite season and the kids are flying them everywhere!

Babies for sale.... not really!

2009-03-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

This baby was sopping wet, but It didn't bother Judy at all!

I think these 2 babys are cousins! After we purchased pineapples, the Moms let us hold their babys.

This is Grandma with her new baby.

This is her daughter with her new baby!

A fun Lemur Park.

2009-03-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Still happy and in love after soooo many years!

These Lemurs are so cute you just want to hold them.

"This is so booooring"

"See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil"

A trip to the country.

2009-03-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

One year in the church and they have a temple recommend!

Heading up the river to see the Lemurs.

Look closely, yes its a tv antenna!

A slumbering zebu!

"Pot holes" in Madagascar!

2009-02-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

This is the kind of roads we traveled on to visit the schools.

2009-02-15T02:27:00.000-08:00

This 70 yr old woman is the principal of the private school. Her family helps her run it.

Two classrooms each about 12 x 12' with 50 kids in each classroom. Very crowded.

Nothing like a new soccer ball to get the kids riled up.

Off they go runnning in the mud after the ball!

2009-02-15T02:15:00.000-08:00

This boy and his brother below walk about 5 miles each way to get to school.

Education is very important to them.

One of the teachers looke at the ball to see where it was made. When she saw it was made in the USA and not China she said, "It is good!"

A few kids needing sponsorship.

2009-02-15T01:56:00.000-08:00

This private school has taken in these kids without parent financial aid. The cost per year per child is about $40.

Bailey's class is sponsoring 4 girls for the year and raised money to replace several classroom tables. Way to go Bailey and friends!

Future leaders of Madagascar?

Young children in need of donations.

Kitchen at the private school.

2009-02-15T01:48:00.000-08:00

We take a look at the kitchen facility where they feed 100 kids.

Food preparation underway for lunch.
We have a list of kitchen equipment they need.

Rice is their daily staple. We delivered 200lbs of rice thanks to the Huffs generosity.

How can you not want to help these kids? A small contribution goes a very long way!

A very poor school in great need!

2009-02-15T01:39:00.000-08:00

Over crowded classrooms and a very leaky roof that needs attention.

Bathrooms for 100 kids, in need of repair.

Happy kids everywhere you turn. A small donation from many of our dear friends will go a very long way.

Leaving on a rainy day and there's always Zebos to contend with.

All Malagasys are concerned!

2009-02-09T04:02:00.000-08:00

On Sunday a church across our valley kneeling in prayer for safety.

The Beautiful Land of Madagascar!

2009-02-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

Family below us in one of the shacks has to move. This is all of their earthly possesions.

A land of beautiful sunsets.

The palace.

"OUR GANG"

2009-02-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

They play in front of our apartment and always want their picture taken.

Wouldn't you just like to take one of these "runny noses" home with you?

If the big boys won't let you in, just stick your face between their legs and smile.

Heres the girls.

Our walk to the office.

2009-01-23T04:55:00.000-08:00

We never know what we will find on the road besides lots of cars. Notice the umbrella. We never know when its going to rain!

Judy and her cows! Actually there is a herder down the road and he herds them with a willow with a string on the end of it. Where are the cowboys?

2009-01-23T04:51:00.000-08:00

These are some of the children waiting for us every morning. They know theres a piece of candy for them.

2009-01-23T01:27:00.000-08:00

We get a smile if they can't see the camera, but oh do they love the candy.

All he could see was the camera.

Is she cute or what? Actually they are all so cute you just want to give the dirty little kids a hug.

This is serious business and they are waiting for us every morning. We love bringing a little joy into their lives and I wonder if we can keep it up for the next year.

2009-01-23T01:21:00.000-08:00

A piece of candy for her sleeping baby. Isn't she pretty?

This is her vegetable stand where she also cooks a biscuit to sell.

A shy boy who wants to hang on to his mom, but still wants the candy.

One of the many children we meet on the street that we give candy to. Their moms always smile and thank us. The kids are many times a little scared because we are "vasas", and white people.

Interesting people on our path to the office

2009-01-23T01:16:00.000-08:00

A delightful shoe repair man. This is his shop and he is here everyday. Elders have him
repair their shoes.

There is a retirement home and we see many lonely people on our way. They always greet us with a "bonjour" and a smile. They also like a piece of candy.

Entertaining the kids!

2009-01-19T01:26:00.000-08:00

Thumb wrestling, after you teach them, is a favorite

Fahley the champ of the thumb wrestle.

Kids love to have the "fist" shake. They think its good luck with a "vasa", white foreigner.
Doesn't Melanie have a cute smile?

Other Animals at the Croc farm.

2009-01-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

How close can you get without getting pecked?

Yes kids, that's grandmas's hand letting the lemur take a bannana.

They were really trying to get her food. Arn't they cute?

This guy was really stretching for food from grandma. They also have many other kinds of animals at the farm. I hope their not grooming them for the crocs.

The Croc Farm

2009-01-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

We saw about 1,000 crocs. These were being fed.

After eating its nap time with the mouth wide open.

These were juvenile about 6 ft and then they have the kids pool with crocs about 3 feet.

They breed them for the meat market and we had croc kabob for lunch.

Grounds and statues at the Rova

2009-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

A very historic site. She was one of the Kings mistresses.

Our tour guide giving us the low down.

A view from the Rova into the valley. You can see the rice paddies below.

Some kids on the way up to the Rova. Check out the scary doll.

The Rova - Queens Palace

2009-01-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

The Queens palace and surrounding buildings burned to the ground 1996.

Steps up to the Queens Church.

Where the Queen sat for church services.

Some of our H.T. kids

2009-01-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

This is Faley, which means happy. He is 10.

This is Melanie who is 12 and walks with a limp because of a bad leg, but is always smiling.

3 brothers, 10, 5, and 8. They love to have us H.T. They are so small for their age

Missing pictures of the baby and Violet who is 12.

2009-01-03T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Family and Friends,

We are so grateful for this time of year when we stop and think of all of our blessings and the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This Christmas week was one of service to our missionaries and members of our Ampitatafika Branch and it really touched our hearts to bring some happiness to them.

It is a thrill to see our newly baptized family, Andre and Tina, who we now home teach, embrace the gospel and let it change their lives. This Christmas season we really felt the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior for all of his children over the world and feel honored we can be of service to Him.

May this coming year bring you and your family great joy and happiness with your family and friends. We thank your for emailing us and keeping us in your prayers and wish you the best for 2009.

All of our love,

David & Judy

New Year's Day

2009-01-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

Judy does her traditional Christmas breakfast, but on New Year's Day with the Assistants, the Birds and Njarra. Notice the sausage loaf and fruit cups. Don't you just love it!

Christmas Day making our deliveries

2009-01-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

We delivered about 10 lbs of candy, and 150 lbs of rice and beans to members in our Branch. The kids were thrilled to receive the candy.

Judy loved handing out her candy bags she prepared. Many of these kids received nothing for Christmas except the candy.

Rice and beans to many members and investigators until one of the Elders yelled, FREE RICE, and it was a mob scene.

These people were desparate for a handful of rice and so grateful. It was such a Christmas of giving and helping the less fortunate.

Island Conference

2009-01-03T05:12:00.000-08:00

Island Conference with morning meetings, barbeque lunch and a party in the afternoon.

That night, spaghetti dinner for those staying overnight in our apartment building. Judy served about 18 and they loved it.

Elder Fuga, Remi, and Mahina BYU football players, (the two big ones).

Christmas morning where we served a pancake breakfast to all of the Missionaries in Tana. Here are 3 of our cute little Malagasy Missionaries.

Christmas Eve 2008

2009-01-03T05:03:00.000-08:00

A wonderful evening at the Karchners who work for the US Embassy. We loved the Christmas pageant.

The youngest Karchner who played an angel. There were 4 couples and about 8 children to help us celebrate a typical US Christmas Eve.

At 10pm we went to Gabby's home for Christmas carols and the killing of the goose.

Gabby who is one of our interperters and the goose for Christmas day dinner. We decided not to watch the goose killing and got home about midnight.

Behnsey Water Project Celebration

2009-01-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

The President's aid thanking the church for putting in clean water to the village and community bathrooms.

A government official and Elder Bird sampling the clean water which is supplied to about 5,000 and has eliminated terrible sickness.

Actual latrines, toilets and wash basins. The church has put in many of these projects with very little fan fare in communities where there are no members.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-12-26T01:25:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T01:43:00.000-08:00

Family home evening with about 22 members and investigators in an upscale home with electricity, but no running water.

Elder Hardy, past AP and Elder Locke trying to leave the country with expired Visas. Hopefully from now on all will have current Visas.

Sister Peterson getting ready to pass out Christmas packages to the Elders. She is keeping track of who is getting packages and who is not and of course we will be providing special treats to those who got nothing.

This is about half the group that we meet walking on the path to the office. They want CANDY! The little guy in the front tried to get into my back pocket to get another piece.

2008-12-14T01:34:00.000-08:00

Punch and cookies after the baptism in the Primary room.

Our new home teaching family getting baptized. 3 of their 6 kids.

Elder Ellerman and O'Day with the family they tracted out. They first had to get them married on Wed. and baptized on Saturday.

2008-12-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

This is so much fun! We couldn't believe this is our transportation to go home teaching.

You've got to be kidding?

2008-12-14T01:19:00.000-08:00

Elder Peterson helping to maneuver the boat after paying 100 ariarys per person (a nickel).

Anjie and Tina and their family plus a neighbor girl and her little sister in their humble home. We are sitting on the bed that 6 children sleep on.

These neighbor children waited outside their house until we finished our home teaching visit.

Just a really cute kid wiping his snooty nose.

2008-12-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

The receiving committe to greet us on our return to the other side of the river.

A multitude of kids on the sidewalk following us to our car. We felt like the Pied Piper.

Just a Mom and her baby that wanted her picture taken outside of our gate.

A three generation family in our Branch, the baby is 2 weeks old.

2008-12-07T03:18:00.000-08:00

We are on our way to Andasibe for a overnight adventure and of course are sharing the road with a few Zebus.

We stopped for a break on a very winding road for some juice and muffins.

Traffic in Moranga, a small town along our way.

After 4 hours we stopped for directions. Note David in the window.

2008-12-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

One of the sites you see in Madagascar country side is "slash and burn". All for the commodity of charcoal which they use to cook with.

A house with a panoramic view!

Our cabin in the forest where we heard Indri calling to each other at 5am.

2008-12-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

One of sights we saw on our nocturnal hike.

This is the rain forest in Andasibe National Park.

Our guide, Dezzy, he was the best. He is standing in front of a Traveler's Palm that is in the bannana family.

You think you have termite problems? This is a nest!

2008-12-07T02:51:00.000-08:00

The famous and endangered Indri Lemur of Madagascar. It is the only place in the world it can be found and in this National Park.

A family affair! Father in picture above, juvenile son to the left and Mom and baby on the right. The Mother and Father stay together for a life time. They must have read the Family Proclamation!

Baby peeking over Mom's back to get a better look at the strange animals below them. That's us!

It's big brothers time to take care of his little brother.

2008-12-07T02:42:00.000-08:00

The Common Brown Lemur. Mother and baby in a pack of about 20 in the trees directly above us.

Lemur's tend to jump with their back legs rather than swing with arms and tails.

The nocturnal Lemurs that we woke up with our flash cameras. At night you can see their red eyes glowing.

The Bamboo Lemur munching away on a stock of bamboo.

2008-12-07T02:35:00.000-08:00

Just finishing our 3 hr hike, do we look like Tarzan and Jane?

2 inch Pill bug! We touched it with our toe and it rolled up just like a Pill bug.

A very thin beautiful green Chameleon.

The last animal Dezzy found for us in the park. A 5 ft. tree Boa.

2008-12-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Madagascar! Judy decorated our apartment in 10 minutes with the decorations left here by other missionaries.

We are looking forward to this holiday season spending our time with the Missionaries and their investigators.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

2008-12-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

Our 2 Elders and their investigators. It was the first baptism they have had in this building and all because of the efforts of the Elders. They are great missionaries and on Sunday they had 31 more investigators at church!

Everyone was excited to watch the baptism with children up on the roof!

From a pretty humble font with the road 5 ft away from the wall on the right hand side. Chickens crowing the whole time and lots of road noise it was a very spiritual experience and makes us realize the purpose of why we are here.

2008-12-01T21:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving dinner at the Karchner's before all the missionaries arrived . There were about 60 people that had a wonderful turkey dinner.

The Elders ate every drop of food!

2008-12-01T05:36:00.000-08:00

Pictures of this historic hotel in Antsirabe.

By the way, this lady really loves being an office missionary mom to these Elders and they love her.

The pool area is nice even with chipped paint and tattered lounge covers.

Our favorite view from the second floor balcony.

2008-12-01T04:30:00.000-08:00

Traveling to the "tent" where they have a group meeting. It was started by the man who is now the counselor to the Branch President and got tired of riding his family by bike about 20 miles to the Branch chapel. This is the road and you can see the tent in the far distance at the end of the road.

We built this tent Chapel on his property and now they are getting 73+ members and investigators each week. You can add that to the 160 that attend in Antsirabe and see how the church is growing.

Inside where the floor is dirt but, the rain stays out and they are thrilled to have this facility.

This is his family... all wanting to have their picture taken.