Recycling - Malagasy Style

Dumpster diving is a profession here in Madagascar. Nothing ever goes to waste here. These dumpsters are gone through so thouroughly that by the time they are hauled off, the only thing that is left is pure compost. And we think we have a recycling program in the States.

Our Digs

Diana wanted us to send pictures of our missionary apartment, so here they are.
First our dining area. This is where Elder Bird likes to hang out when we are home.
The next favorite place is the living room on the couch reading a good book. The T.V. is there mainly for looks and comfort but is rarely used as we don't understand Malagasy. The fireplace is fake and would not be used anyway.
This is the cookie maker in her favorite room really enjoying being creative. The cookie monster is looming just around the corner.
This is our large and spacious shower. Elder Bird has to hold in his stomach just to turn around in it. Getting in and out is also a major trick with that new knee.

A Visit To Gaby's Ranch

Susan is showing Gaby how to remove weeds from a rice field. The locals are taking note.
This is Gaby's almost completed ranch house. It will be quite nice when finished.
These two happy little boys took quite a liking to us. Note the the candy in their hands. They followed us all around the village after this picture and even helped Sister Bird remove the numerous burs on her dress from the weeds. They were rewarded with gum. This is probably more sweets in one day than they get in a month.


Gaby and his prized cow.

What Is Wrong With These Photos?

A thatched roofed house with a T. V. antenna is not an uncommon sight here in Madagascar.

Chocolate-Brown River

This is the beautiful little tourist village of Andramasina. Recent heavy rains have swelled the river to very near flood stage, which turned the water a bright chocolate brown and brought more life to the rapids.

Down stream, the natives cross this rickety old foot bridge single file. Several on the left bank await their turn. The soil color on the whole island is this red-brown color, which gives the streams this same color, especially in the rainy season. That is why Madagascar is known as the Red Island.

Beautiful Bug

This is a beautiful red dragonfly that we occasionally see in the country. He must be a Ute fan. We were finally able to get one to sit still for a photo.

Hi - We're Your New Neighbors

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This is our next door neighbor. He is in the process of adding an additional floor to his already high rise apartment. When more kids come along or when relatives move in, they just tear off the roof and add another story. We felt secure before, but now the building is approaching the top of our security fence. They can just hop over the top and they're in. It has been a real sight to follow the progress of the building

Tragic Times

This ariel view shows the devastation left in the wake of this powerful category 3 cyclone that hit the West coast of Madagascar. Several cities, including Morondava and Manja, were affected as well as many other smaller villages. Twelve people died and 33 were injured. Over 14,000 were left homeless. The real tragedy is that relief efforts have been severely hampered by the riots and civil strife in Antananarivo and elsewhere in the country.

Violent Times

This shows the Government owned television station burning during the riots on Jan. 26th. Several more businesses were burned and looted. Many died on this dark, violent day in Antananarivo.