Exploring Madagascar
We have been busy the last few weeks! First, we took a trip as a team to Mahajanga, a city on the west coast of Madagascar, where we met up with other AIM missionaries for a retreat. It was great to meet brothers and sisters from all over the world serving in Madagascar. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we arrived home and within a week received some exciting news. First, some background information:
– Rosina, our Malagasy team leader, owns a villa (“sweet house” in French) on the beach of Nosy Be
– Dion, a South African Christian/husband/father/contractor/surfer/fisherman has brought a catamaran yacht to Nosy Be to be used for missions and business.
– This catamaran is anchored in the bay in front of Rosina’s villa and Dion: is awesome/loves to fish/loves to explore/wants to get to know our team.
– We have a Malagasy friend, Gerdenie, who built our house, and our chicken’s house, and who teaches us language, who is currently living on Nosy Mitsio, which is several miles away. Although you won’t see it on Google maps, Nosy Mitsio is actually the largest island of an incredible archipelago just northeast of Nosy Be.
– The island of Nosy Mitsio will have a team of missionaries living there next year, much like our team, except much more remote and rustic.
– Rebe and I want to: see everything/visit Gerdenie/see Nosy Mitsio/go fishing/explore the world.
Well, everything came together and Dion took us on a trip to Nosy Mitsio to: fish/snorkel/surf/visit Gerdenie and villagers/explore/fish some more…please enjoy this photo blog of our last few weeks, but first, a story that must be told.
On day 3 of our voyage, we anchored near a beach on the main island of Nosy Mitsio. It was 2pm, and everyone was tired from exploring/snorkeling/fishing/swimming the whole day. That being said, Camden saw some nice waves and wanted to build on his new-found surfing skills. He also wanted me to go with him to the beach (100 yards away) because there was a village nearby and he wanted to make sure it was O.K. to play on the beach there. I finally gave in and said I would go with him, and both Myla and Keely immediately said they wanted to go too. So, we jumped in, Camden on his surf board and the girls and I in a 2-man kayak. About 20 yards in, we all immediately regretted our decision. We were tired, the waves were strong, and my kayaking skills are limited. In front of us: large waves, coral, and rocks. The result: rolling our kayak, crying kids, frustrated dad, and the realization that it is going to be HARD to get back.
I immediately see an old man from the village walking toward me. By now I can speak enough of the local language to get by, so we start talking, and he says that I need to move to the other end of the beach (200 yards away) because there are too many rocks where we are now. He proceeds to pick up the front of my kayak, and I pick up the back, and we start walking… only I soon realize that this plan is no good because I will only have to move the kayak back when I want to return to the catamaran. 50 yards into our journey, I tell him to stop. He then asks for money, which I have none. Then he says in Sakalava, “Can I have your shirt?” I don’t want to give him my shirt because it is the only Longhorn shirt that I brought! He seems equal parts frustrated and intrigued that I can speak his language, and walks back to the village.
30 minutes later (although it seems like 3 days) we are still trying to figure out how we are going to get back to the boat. Meanwhile, I notice that the people of the village are trying to move their one, huge, communal lakana, to an area above the tide line. A lakana is a canoe with an outrigger, and this particular one is extremely large. In fact, the entire (small) village is out trying to move it before the tide comes in, women and children included. Most likely, it is in need of repair, as the lakanas in my village are always leaking. I see that they are struggling, and I decide to walk over and introduce myself to the village. They receive me warmly, and I ask if I can help them bring their canoe in (FYI-I am about twice the size of the nearest villager). They immediately say yes, and we proceed to haul in the giant canoe to an area where they can fix the problem without the fear of it rolling into the sea. When everything is complete, I casually walk over to the old man from the beginning of the story and say, “Can I have YOUR shirt?” He looks at me with a wry smile and starts laughing so hard, I have to hold him up. Apparently sarcasm crosses cultures…
The catamaran is kind of awesome…

Day 2-Camden checking out the archipelago of Nosy Mitsio…luckily for us it was archipelago week in our home-school curriculum.

This is Gerdenie, our friend and the man who built our hut, in front of his temporary house on Nosy Mitsio. It was great to visit and pray with him.

The temporary house for the missionaries who are preparing the way for the Nosy Mitsio TIMO team next year.

The Antakarana tribe came to this island to escape the Merina tribe who were trying to take over Madagascar. The king of the Antakarana planted this tree in celebration of reaching the island and avoiding capture.

Dona has grown up on the sea…but this is his first fish on a rod and reel and the smile didn’t come off his face for hours.

Yes, Dion is South African and yes, we did have a grill on the boat, and yes, those are Wahoo steaks…
Here are a few photos from our team retreat in Mahajanga…

My last thought before we board the taxis, “Are we really about to take a 15 hour van ride with 6 kids through the night on these dark and bumpy roads?” “Yes…yes you are.”

The ladies from our team sang karaoke the night before the retreat began. They dared to try some Malagasy songs as well. our waiter. Yes, that is our waiter with them singing Dancing Queen.
Awesome!!!!! Love that God is giving you these adventures!!!! Thanks for taking precious time to take picture and write.
xoxo Glenn & Jill
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We love these newsletters and pictures! I share them with many friends. May God continue to bless and use you in the Kingdom. The Hulls in St. Louis.
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Alright. This post is so stinkin’ awesome. What a treat and an adventure — a waving whale? Keep the pictures coming! We loved every single one and it makes our joy complete to see you thriving and smiling and enjoying all that God has made. Lots of love. xoxox
All the Halls
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Kim…it’s good to hear from you. You would have loved this adventure! We miss you all….Rebe
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We love reading your posts! Wonderful photos and stories!
Love,
The Bells
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We never got a chance to really properly meet or get to know you guys but I have been reading all your newsletters and just loving getting to share in your wild adventures! God is so good and it blesses me to see Him blessing The McReynolds Tribe in such amazing ways. Our prayers are with you. Dennis & Dianne Blackburn Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 06:12:58 +0000 To: dianneinaustin@hotmail.com
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Hi Dianne, yes, I remember meeting you in the membership class at All Saints. It’s encouraging to hear that you are keeping up with our adventures. God is good and we are thankful for the opportunity we have to be here taking part in God’s mission in Madagascar.
Peace of Christ sister, Rebe
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Funny story! Love your updates.
Amy Glass
[cid:image001.png@01CEB2D0.5487CA10]
http://www.mtw.org
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Believe me! You were in my prayers day and night as you entered the waters of the Indian Ocean and the uninhabited islands and as you prayed for future workers and present builders. Incredible life the grace of God has given you, not forgetting its sacrifices. I could not do it, but thanks for letting us see the islands God created through your eyes. Love to ALL, Mom Gray
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Mom, thank you for praying for us. I praise the LORD that we did not get sick from the rolling waves. Our eyes were opened to many things and we certainly have a better idea of the islands around us, and where the next TIMO team will be placed. We are praying for the team members who will be living on one of those remote islands, among the Antakarana people, next year.
Miss you…Rebe
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Love your pictures of our future home. We are always excited for any pictures or info on Nosy Mitsio. Hopefully we will see you guys at AIM conference next year!
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Hi Steven, we look forward to meeting you at the Unit Retreat in October. We are praying for your team as you prepare to make a huge transition. Let us know if we can help with anything. We would love for you to visit our family and you are welcome anytime…Grace and peace, Rebe
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