Today we got up (after a very hot and muggy night) and surveyed Ambovonomby. The village has been here for about 30 years and there are about 30 people plus children. It is located in a very rich, lush valley with great grazing and awesome orchards. They had a fairly new school with a government employed teacher, so the younger people are learning to read and write. Nobody had even heard the name of Christ here, though.
I have to tell you a cute story about a married couple I surveyed here. Because they were so far out in the bush, and it wasn't the easiest place to get to, I wondered how people met and/or chose who they would marry. So I asked this couple how they met. The man had lost a zebu so he went looking for it and happened upon this village... and found his wife! He also found his zebu. I thought it was sweet, especially since most other people I talked to had arranged marriages.
Things that the chief felt were unique to his village or the Tsimihiety tribe were these: they were able to call the ancestors during the 1/2 moon and the full moon, they sacrifice to the ancestors during the summertime, and they pray to stones or trees.
While we were waiting for helimission to arrive and chatting with the villagers we passed out cross necklaces to all of them. Keep in mind that there are many children in this village wearing beaded bracelets, necklaces and belts given to them by the witch doctor to "heal" them from their sicknesses (cough, fever, etc.). We didn't want them to think that the necklace in itself had any power to heal and told them so. They wanted to know what the cross meant. So Kris was able to briefly share a bit of the gospel with nearly the whole village. I will probably always wonder if we should have shared more. Or would it not be fair to them to share it and then leave 10 minutes later when there is nobody coming behind us to tell them more?
I'm very sad to say that this was our final day in the bush. Physically, spiritually and emotionally I feel that we were prepared for the journey and I didn't feel at all exhausted. We slept well, ate well and we all got along great. Way too soon, Gerd picked us up with the helicopter and after a short ride we were back in Mahajunga.
The people of the village were very excited to see a helicopter and all gathered up to see us off. We loaded up the truck and arrived at the beach house which would be our home base for a couple of nights. It was just a few hundred yards from the beach and had a few more amenities than the tent! But hot water wasn't one of them! Kris, Byron and I went down to the beach that evening; one of the main things I wanted to do. I've never been on a beach or swam in an ocean before. It was awesome! After a few minutes of basking in its beauty and letting the waves crash against our legs, I decided that I had always wanted to swim in an ocean and this was as good of a time as any! I don't think that Kris or Byron thought I was serious... but I was!
So with the excitement of a little kid, clothes and all, I finally got to swim in an ocean! It was great. I guess the excitement was contagious because it didn't take too long for Kris to jump in too. Byron decided that he would probably drown, so he contained himself. After swimming we spent quite a bit of time collecting sea shells to take home to the kids and then watched the most amazing sunset ever!
I have to tell you a cute story about a married couple I surveyed here. Because they were so far out in the bush, and it wasn't the easiest place to get to, I wondered how people met and/or chose who they would marry. So I asked this couple how they met. The man had lost a zebu so he went looking for it and happened upon this village... and found his wife! He also found his zebu. I thought it was sweet, especially since most other people I talked to had arranged marriages.
Things that the chief felt were unique to his village or the Tsimihiety tribe were these: they were able to call the ancestors during the 1/2 moon and the full moon, they sacrifice to the ancestors during the summertime, and they pray to stones or trees. 
While we were waiting for helimission to arrive and chatting with the villagers we passed out cross necklaces to all of them. Keep in mind that there are many children in this village wearing beaded bracelets, necklaces and belts given to them by the witch doctor to "heal" them from their sicknesses (cough, fever, etc.). We didn't want them to think that the necklace in itself had any power to heal and told them so. They wanted to know what the cross meant. So Kris was able to briefly share a bit of the gospel with nearly the whole village. I will probably always wonder if we should have shared more. Or would it not be fair to them to share it and then leave 10 minutes later when there is nobody coming behind us to tell them more?
I'm very sad to say that this was our final day in the bush. Physically, spiritually and emotionally I feel that we were prepared for the journey and I didn't feel at all exhausted. We slept well, ate well and we all got along great. Way too soon, Gerd picked us up with the helicopter and after a short ride we were back in Mahajunga.
The people of the village were very excited to see a helicopter and all gathered up to see us off. We loaded up the truck and arrived at the beach house which would be our home base for a couple of nights. It was just a few hundred yards from the beach and had a few more amenities than the tent! But hot water wasn't one of them! Kris, Byron and I went down to the beach that evening; one of the main things I wanted to do. I've never been on a beach or swam in an ocean before. It was awesome! After a few minutes of basking in its beauty and letting the waves crash against our legs, I decided that I had always wanted to swim in an ocean and this was as good of a time as any! I don't think that Kris or Byron thought I was serious... but I was!
So with the excitement of a little kid, clothes and all, I finally got to swim in an ocean! It was great. I guess the excitement was contagious because it didn't take too long for Kris to jump in too. Byron decided that he would probably drown, so he contained himself. After swimming we spent quite a bit of time collecting sea shells to take home to the kids and then watched the most amazing sunset ever!
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