Merry Christmas from Madagascar
Here in Nosy Be the rainy season has come early. January is normally the month when we start to receive daily downpours, but we have had rain each day now for the past three weeks. December is one of the hottest months here, so we welcome the cooler temperatures that come with the rain. But for most of our neighbors, this is just one more unexpected disruption in a year full of unexpected disruptions. Those that grow rice plan for January rain, and so this very early flooding is coming too soon; and those that are traveling for Christmas and New Year’s must deal with muddy, flooded, and washed-out roads. One thing about Madagascar that is hard to properly describe to someone who has never been here is the roads… they are just the worst. There is a beautiful area on the mainland that we would love to visit over the Christmas break. It is up in the mountains, the air is cool and crisp, there are pine trees everywhere and a beautiful lake. And the distance from my doorstep to the wonderful cabin I can see in mind is not far. On a good highway our family could be there in six to eight hours. But the reality here is that it would take us three days! And that’s all-day driving on roads that turn your kids’ stomachs into rock tumblers. I love this country and I wish I could see more of it, but the roads make it almost impossible.

The roads that connect our village to neighboring villages where we have established ministries are just as difficult, but that didn’t stop everyone from coming together this past Sunday to celebrate Christmas. The churches in Ambatozavavy and Bemonondrohely, together with a large group from our church plant in Andrafia, were able to worship together for the first time in over a year. And while I helped Jean prepare his sermon, this was the first time that I had nothing to do with the planning or leading of a large gathering like this. Rebe and I watched with joy as the church matured before our eyes. We are blessed to be able to see God at work here amongst the Sakalava people. Please continue to pray for all of these new believers, and for the church leadership and Malagasy missionaries that we work with.

Merry Christmas from all seven of us here in Madagascar. It’s amazing to think about that night so long ago when Christ came into the world to be with us, and even more amazing to think ahead to that day when he will return to make all things new. May the joy that comes with faith in these truths be with you during this season.

As this year comes to a close, please remember us in your end-of-year giving. In addition to giving to our family’s ministry, you can also give towards our church land/building project.
Click here to give to our family’s ministry
Click here to give to the church building project
– Bryan
Thanks for the update, Bryan. We (Town North Pres.) are sending a $400 special gift this month to your MTW acct in addition to our regular $600 monthly gift.
Merry Christmas!
Kirk
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Good to hear from you guys. May God bless you in the year ahead. We are praying for you and your family.
Don and Barb Cole
Town North Presbyterian
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May God bless you as well, Don and Barb! Thank you for being our work partners here in Nosy Be.
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Merry Christmas, Kirk! Please greet Beverly and everyone at Town North. And thank you!
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Great news! Continuing to pray for you all and everything there. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Love The Mayles
On Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 2:27 PM The McReynolds Tribe wrote:
> McReynolds Tribe posted: ” Here in Nosy Be the rainy season has come > early. January is normally the month when we start to receive daily > downpours, but we have had rain each day now for the past three weeks. > December is one of the hottest months here, so we welcome the cooler temp” >
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Thanks, Mayles! Have a Merry Christmas!
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I know we’ve never met, but I am happy to pray for your family in Madagascar. Thank you for sharing about the roads and rainy seasons. It puts our “inconveniences” in a much better perspective. As I sit at my computer and type this email, I look at the crystal snowflake ornament my children gave me last year as I began a battle with breast cancer. It represents many battles: cancer treatments, a broken wrist, my father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and my parents recent diagnosis with COVID. My husband also recently stepped down from his position as senior pastor. But the beauty of the snowflake crystal reminds me of the beauty of the star that led the wisemen to Jesus. We know that God uses our suffering to draw us closer to Him. As Paul says in Philippians “I want to know the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings….” May God bless you this Christmas as you follow where He leads. Becky Sinclair
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Thank you for your kind words, Becky. I will pray right now as well for you and your family.
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This is awesome Bryan!
FYI, I’m putting you guys into the G+P budget and sending a check this week. It’s not much at this point, but I’d like for you guys to stay in the budget even as we get a true missions committee rolling in 2021. I think you guys are the best!
Benjie
On Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 2:27 PM The McReynolds Tribe wrote:
> McReynolds Tribe posted: ” Here in Nosy Be the rainy season has come > early. January is normally the month when we start to receive daily > downpours, but we have had rain each day now for the past three weeks. > December is one of the hottest months here, so we welcome the cooler temp” >
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