Tulear Scavenger Hunt

The Waller’s have come up with a scavenger hunt to help new arrivals to Tulear get better acquainted with the town…all while having fun of course!  Ryleigh stayed with Jodie & the boys while Steve and I hit the town via the local transport!

One of the necessary stops (thankfully) was the local “Baskin Robbins” – it’s delicious!

We checked out the local "internet cafe"

We tried to learn our way around town

AND we beat the journeyguys’ time (you know if you keep up with that competition stuff!)

Looking forward to living for and serving Him in Tulear!

Proverbs 31

Our 1^st Saturday in Tulear, I was able to go with Jodie & Tessa to a ladies’ Bible study that they lead at their church.  They have just finished up a study on the Fruit of the Spirit and are now studying Proverbs 31. 

A Bible study here is a little different than what you might imagine in the states for a variety of reasons.  They can’t meet at night because there is no electricity.  They can’t watch Beth Moore videos because there is no TV/electricity and there’s always the fact that she speaks in English!  They also have a hard time understanding that they should open up and share.  Usually Bible studies here are very similar to a preacher/congregation setting in the states.  Jodie & Tessa have done a fantastic job in teaching the girls how to study the Bible for themselves, to read the Scripture and ask questions/gather truth from it.  I thoroughly enjoyed my 1^st Bible study with these Malagasy ladies and look forward to the day when my language is fluent enough to be able to discuss the wonderful truths found in His word.

As we were studying on Saturday, I couldn’t help but think about how much closer these women exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman than I could ever hope to…

 "She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "

Proverbs 31:24-28

Getting Ready

I may fall into the “stereotypical” girl genre here but I love getting ready to go somewhere.  I’ve always thought it was fun to get dressed up, fix my hair, and spray on my favorite body spray.  I get excited over finding earrings that match an outfit perfectly and I do love a new pair of shoes.  However, I knew before moving to Madagascar that some of this would indeed change – no high heels were even brought over the ocean J!  I don’t know if I was prepared for what the Lord would teach me through it though…  

    

It’s Sunday morning here in our new home of Tulear.  Imagine not even desiring to turn on the hot water in the shower because you’re already hotter than you’ve ever wanted to be.  Once you get out of the shower, you start sweating and the only time you stop is if you happen to be sitting in front of a fan somewhere.   After almost a week here, I’ve learned that it’s not even worth wasting the makeup to attempt to put some on my face.  I’ve also learned that a ponytail/bun is definitely the way to go – all the hair up – all the time – only way to do it here!  In regards to Ryleigh, I’m also figuring out that pretty white dresses are probably not going to work – considering the churches have dirt floors.    In actuality, anything that she wears is going to have dirt stains on it no matter how careful I could try to be.  I say all of this because it’s truthfully what was going through my head Sunday morning as we were trying to “get ready” for church.

As we sat on the wooden benches, with our 1 year old daughter playing on the dirt floor, listening to beautiful Malagasy worship songs, the Lord spoke to me.  He started showing me how I truly need to be paying more attention to getting my heart ready for worship – not my outward appearance (or my daughter’s).  Of course it’s nice to be dressed up and to feel good about yourself but that’s not what going to church is for – it’s for worship with a body of believers, it’s for the glory of Him.

It’s easy for me sometimes (okay maybe more than just sometimes) to get caught up in small details that truly don’t matter.  Instead of being frustrated about the heat or thinking about how I won’t be wearing my hair down to church…ever…I’ll be spending that time with my family preparing our hearts for church.  I found myself thanking Him for the heat and all of the differences church in Tulear brings to our family…these things have helped me focus on Him.  He has a way of teaching me lately about all the things I try to make about me…about Him.

The heat will take some getting used to, and I feel confident there are quite a few more adjustments we’ll be making in the days to come…but perhaps that’s exactly what I need – I have a Father who makes sure I’m looking more and more like Him every day.

I look forward to teaching my daughter what “getting ready” for church should really look like.