Friday June 15th, 2007

We have learned a lot about what missionaries do. One interesting thing I never thought about is deciding where the support money will go. Rich was telling us today about one of the students who wants to go to the university next year. She is very bright. For a whole year, the cost is only $700 U.S. Her family is not helping her out at all with the cost- her dad said he is “all out of money”. Rich said that since her family is not helping at all, he is not going to either. She is very good at speaking and writing English- she might be able to teach at BAO or a different school, to raise the money to go to the university. This was a very difficult decision for him. Rich and Bonnie help out many of the pastors around Madagascar with training and sometimes financial needs as well. It is interesting to know that although the Malagasy will come to hear a non-Malagasy speak, it is usually out of curiosity or want for money, but not out of real interest. That is why it is so important to train Nationals and then support them by keeping up the training and encouragement.

A big Nickolas update for Grandma and Grandpa-
Nick is now a little over 7 months old. He is sitting on his own really well, and also likes to pull himself up and stand next to Dad’s leg and grab on. (Dad’s lost a bit of leg hair because of it  ) Nick’s first tooth poked through on Brad’s birthday- June 11. He loves to clap with the music when we are at song time. He also started waving today.