Family Edition: Madagascar Bucket List…
Our kids have spent the majority of their lives in Madagascar– they have a deep love for this beautiful island nation. The people, the language, the nuances of the culture, the sights, smells, and sounds that have permeated their hearts and minds since before even their earliest memories.
We’ve now been in Kenya for three years– living and serving at Rift Valley Academy. This was never the plan, and yet, in God’s sovereignty, He knew what was best for our family. Despite this, Kenya still hasn’t become home. Therefore, when we do return to Madagascar during term breaks, the time is sweetly anticipated.
Eliana, our middle daughter is now 17 years old and in the last term of her junior year. As time does with kids, it’s passing too fast. Her senior year is looming and her eventual move off the continent of Africa is just 14 short months away. As we were preparing to travel back to Madagascar for the recent term break, Eliana created a bucket list, in no particular order, of all she wanted to do while there.
Time at the Sarobidy Maternity Center
Quad surf along the coast
Plant in the mangroves with the Red Island staff
Surf behind the boat
Go to the friperie (used clothing market)
See friends
Attend a birth at the Sarobidy Maternity Center
Study for upcoming SAT and AP exams
Spearfish
Our time in Madagascar is always exquisitely intense… for better or worse. Nonetheless, we seek to balance the tasks, teaching, site visits, meetings and the demands of daily life, with being with Malagasy friends, enjoying extra time with our kids, and incorporating some dedicated days of rest.
In the few short weeks we were in Madagascar, Eliana (with Gavin by her side for the majority of the time) was able to check off all of her bucket list items.
Holding babies is one of the great joys of postpartum day at the Sarobidy Maternity Center.
Quad Surfing: quad, rope, surfboard.
We were thankful to borrow a quad during our time home and surfing is even better with a sunset backdrop!
So many memories over the years for our kids planting beside the Malagasy in the mangroves.
This time was no different.
Celebrating Eliana’s 17th birthday with surfing behind a borrowed boat in the mangrove channel.
The Friperie– it’s hot, humid, sweat pours out of your eyeballs, it runs parallel to the open and stinky sewage… and has absolutely the best deals on used clothes!
Sadly, we didn’t manage to get a picture of Eliana and friends but we loved being together with long time family friends. Maman’i Aby and Dina, represented my family when Jamie and I had our Malagasy wedding (November 2002) and are Malagasy grandparents to our kids.
Not only did Eliana see her first birth at the Sarobidy Maternity Center, she also saw a newborn resuscitation. She was calm throughout as we observed (and prayed) from the door. Mom and baby are healthy, thriving and bonding. Eliana later shared, “It showed me just how important the maternity center is and opened my eyes to the reality that most likely that baby would have died if not born at the center.” In a country where even basic neonatal resuscitation equipment is lacking, her statement is true.
Studying for the SAT and AP exams definitely called for breaks of getting out and having fun!
The everyday contrasts are not lost on us.
This bad boy gave Eliana quite the challenge, but in the end, she was victorious!
And it was a delicious dinner!
Gap Program in South Africa…
“Every day, we dive into God’s Word together, grow through teaching on theology, leadership, and spiritual formation, worship as a community, serve the people around us, and go on epic adventures that stretch our faith and friendships. It’s not just a program. It’s a tribe. A launchpad.” CSALT, Jeffrey’s Bay.
Our oldest, Isabella, graduated from Rift Valley Academy last July. While in a holding pattern for her gap program, she worked and took a few college courses in Santa Barbara. In January, she began her much anticipated gap program with Christian Surfers in South Africa. The CSALT program (Christian Surfers Advanced Leadership Training) is an intense 3 or 5-month Biblically based leadership, discipleship, personal growth, and outreach program. The backdrop, beautiful Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa and a world class wave!
Six weeks into the program, Isabella shared that she was eager to extend for the full 5-month program, sensing the Lord had more for her in South Africa. More for her in this time of deep spiritual growth, in falling more in love with Jesus, in healing, in community building, in seeking Him for her next steps. And in His faithfulness and sovereignty, He is doing so much in her heart, mind, and soul.
Isabella was recently asked to share at a large Christian Surfers camp where chapters from all over South Africa came to gather, worship, and grow. She shared of her childhood in Madagascar, her lostness as a third culture kid, and her home in Christ. You can read the beginning of her talk below…
The Essence of a Hidden Immigrant
It is enticing how a question as simple as “Where are you from?” can spark the most confusing and elaborate conversations. Amid casual small talk, inquiring about an individual’s background, ethnicity, home country, and culture, seems perfectly reasonable. Typically, people have one straightforward answer, one soil they call their own. Yet, I have never felt comfortable answering this question. I find myself constantly tuning my response in my head. “I am American, born in California, raised in Madagascar, but I studied in Kenya and am currently in a constant state of moving between all three countries.” Somehow my answer always ends in, “its complicated”, as I gesture to imply that I have no definitive answer.
To continue reading, click here…
Isabella has a deep passion for missions, for justice, and for the Lord. Her time in South Africa has only further grown this fire in her heart. She worked hard in the fall to save for her time in South Africa, however, that didn’t include the additional $1800 for the extra two months. Would you be willing to partner with Isabella in both continued prayer for her remaining 6 weeks in South Africa as well as consider giving a financial gift of $25, $50, or even $100? You can donate via Venmo and we’ll get the money to South Africa! Thank you for considering coming alongside and encouraging our girl in this tangible way!
When we first moved our little family back to Madagascar, our kids were 4 years, 2 years, and 6 months. So many of you have been a part of our and their journey since then, if not longer! Thank you for loving and praying for our family through the years!! We are so grateful!
With love,
Jamie and Alissa, Isabella, Eliana and Gavin
*** To read this newsletter in it’s original format, click here. ***
Recent Comments