Merry Christmas

At the staff Christmas party, We are well entertained by our three Mission drivers, Roger, Jean(John), Marcellin and Elder Bennett, a native Tahitian and newly arrived senior missionary. These people really know how to party.

President and Sister Donnelly, with Elders Mahina and Gorringe who are now departing for home at the conclusion of their missions. The Donnellys are from South Africa and arrived here in July. Elder Gorringe is the step-grandson of my cousin, Jay Harmer. Elder Mahina will be on the gridiron for BYU next year.

Elder and Sister Bennett, our new senior couple missionaries. They arrived here in October and are living in Antsirabe, a nice town about three hours drive south of Tana. They are warm, wonderful Tahitians.

The People and the Projects

We are at a preliminary meeting in Ambohipandrano with the Maire and the water committees of several villages discussing the possibility of future clean water projects for their people. The need is so great all throughout the country and yet, most areas have good clean springs in the mountains above their villages. By the time the water runs on the surface for any distance it is contaminated.

This is a well protective structure being built as a part of one of our local Area initiatives, in the Village of Ambohimanambola. A total of 14 wells in the Commune will receive similar protective structures as part of this project.

At the river bank, all of the women are busy doing their laundry except one, who is having fun fishing. I can't blame her, I would much rather be fishing than doing laundry!! Right, Roger?

Ceremony At Morarano

The closing ceremony for the clean water project at Morarano was held on Dec. 21st. It marked the conclusion or our second major clean water project. There were five villages as part of this project. This village alone contains 6,400 people. Maire Anaclet is giving the concluding speech.

Sister Bird and Maire Anaclet cut the ribbon, officially opening the water system to the public. This water is more clean and pure than anything the public utility company in Tana can provide. One leader, in his speech at the ceremony stated, "we are saying goodbye to stomach ache and doctors". We hope that is true.

Sister Bird and Maire Anaclet doing the Malagasy Jig. This was quite the party.

Sarety Garages

One of the primary modes of transportation out in the country villages is the "Sarety" or "Zebu Cart". It is used to haul everything from the family to manure and everything in between. They prize them and protect them as we do our automobiles. This is one of the more substantial garages.

A detached Sarety Port.

An attached Sarety Port.

New Chapel Open House

This is the new Ampifiloha Chapel which was recently completed. It has been under construction since before we arrived here. It was dedicated by Elder Dale Renlund, a new Seventy and Councilor to the Area President, on the 6th of Dec. We participated in the open house on the 12th and 19th, in which we set up a Humanitarian Services display in one of the rooms. We had many curious visitors come to see what was inside the beautiful new building. We think it looks like it could become a temple one day.

This cute little guy came in off the street to the open house and he was so dirty and smelly. He had a tremendous personality and we immediately fell in love with him. He was very fond of the slide show we had on our lap top and he kept coming back to our room every few minutes to see more. We affectionately named him "Little Kingfish".

Nosy Tanikely Island

The color of the water at this beautiful little island is almost unreal. A coral reef surrounds the island and makes a very nice place to snorkel, swim or just relax.

We had a most delightful beach lunch with this couple from France, who were staying at the same hotel that we were. Sister Bird is showing what she thinks of having her picture taken.

Sister Bird strolls along the beach in her color coordinated beach attire.

Nosy Tanikely from Google Earth.

Nosy Komba Island

The small beach village on Nosy Komba (Lemur Island) is where we stopped to see the sights of this beautiful tropical island. This is like a trip back in time.

While souvenir hunting, Sister Bird stopped to try on this live boa necklace. I think it looks good on her. What do you think??

The Market area on the island.

On the beach at Nosy Komba.

Nosy Be Working Vacation

This is at the Nosy Be Hotel where we stayed while on Nosy Be Island. Sister Bird and Gaby are enjoying the poolside area on their way to the beach.

Outside our room, we posed with two of the largest pineapple we have ever seen. We bought them off some women walking along the beach with large fruit baskets in their heads. We brought them back to Tana for show-and-tell.

This is the highest point on the island and is where we came to view the sunset. It is supposed to be one of the best spots in the world to see fantastic sunsets.

Relaxing after a long arduous day in the sun. We both look and feel like boiled lobsters.

Dental Week Ceremony @ Nosy Be

The closing ceremony for the 2009 "Dental Week" campaign was held at this school in Nosy Be. This is a public school sponsored by a wonderful woman from Italy. There is 1200 kids in this school, many of whom went home with one less tooth.

Our friend and guide, Gaby, Dr. Lucie from the Health Ministry and the two of us relax prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

This is Madame Marnina with Sister Bird. She is a retired college professor from Italy. She came to Madagascar over 10 years ago, and seeing the state of the poor people, decided to return and use her resources to build schools in the area for all children. She has funded the building of 5 schools serving around 12,000 poor kids around this area of Nosy Be.

One of the classrooms served as the work area for the dentists who just mainly pulled teeth. These kids showed amazing courage.

Springtime in Madagascar

When we first arrived in Madagascar a little over a year ago, it was springtime, and we were greeted by these beautiful Jacaranda trees. They are especially beautiful this year. We love their wonderful lavender blooms that last for well over a month before finally giving way to the summer leaves.

This is the view outside of our office. The Jacaranda can be seen all over the city. They add much to the beauty of the city.

We found this beautiful tree on the Island of Nosy Be. After some research, we think this is a Poinciana or sometimes called Flamboyant tree, which is native to Madagascar, but has been exported and can be grown in other tropical climates around the world. We were really struck with the profusion of bright orange blossoms.

The Ambalavao Water Project Ceremony

Colorful costumes and lively dancing add spice and variety to these wonderful turn-over ceremonies.

All ceremonies are highlighted with the ribbon cutting at one of the water fountains. The young man to the right is the Commune Maire.

It is customary for us to put our lives on the line by taking the first drink of water from the new system. If we are still standing at the end of the ceremony, they deem the water to be safe for the rest of the community.

Here we are with the rest of the dignitaries. This is a very happy day for all. One we always look forward to.

Sister Bird and Friends

Sister Bird, with her fair skin, is always a hit with the village women. You would never know that these women had never before seen a white woman the way they take to her.

Sister Bird loves teaching the kids the "Hokey Pokey". They are really getting into it.

Sister Bird with some of her friends from our Branch and Njara at the water project ceremony in Ambalavao.

One version of the Malagasy Taxi. Yahoo !!!