Week 18 & 19: One Visitor, Many Goodbyes

Well it certainly has been an interesting two weeks. Last week started off pretty slow, just getting things ready to leave and finishing off work stuff. Then my mom arrived and I was able to show her all around the ship and Toamasina. Unfortunately it rained the whole time she was here, but we made it work! She sang karaoke for the first time – we sang ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon and some Bob Marley songs. We rented a quad and went north, exploring different areas and getting soaked on the way back. That led to us having to return the quad dressed in our Sunday best and with a flat tire. She experienced Malagasy church and a Mercy Ships service. We had spontaneous adventures, such as discovering a buffet breakfast and being given a full tour of a palm plantation (including the factory), when all we wanted was to see the furry palm trees. But it was so amazing, and the guide took us up a mountain with an unreal view, and through a village to a bridge overlooking the river. She spent some time with my friends going to the bazaar and buying souvenirs, while I worked the thank you reception for the ship, which they hold to thank all the government, business and NGO partners who helped us while we were here.

I was in charge of the visiting media, making sure they didn’t bother our distinguished guests too much, and I would say that went pretty well! I was also helping hand out the name badges – it was fun to see the day crew in charge, and they did an awesome job. At one point I was trying to organize the name badges in alphabetical order, and that was so difficult! So many last names start with Ra (which I learned means blood), and then go on for another 15 or so letters. But I did it! My friend also gave me the challenge of naming ten Malagasy words (nailed it!) and then our medical photographer took some pictures of us. I’ve been really unmotivated lately – I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person so I struggle when things are slow. I was really wondering if I would be able to come back and feel purposeful if work was like this, but then when we were getting ready for the event, I was so happy and filled with energy! My friend pointed out that I was glowing – I was so excited to have something to do. I think if I can continue to find things to do and ways to serve, than I will be okay. But I know I also need to work on feeling purposeful outside of my assigned work, finding purpose in doing His work – loving and serving each person I meet. That work never ends, so I should never find myself with nothing to do.

Some of the beautiful ladies I had to
say goodbye to at church.

After the reception came the hardest part – goodbye. I had been kind of sneaky and didn’t tell many people when I was leaving because I hate goodbyes. I very much live in the moment so I have a hard time comprehending that this is a permanent goodbye. I ran around saying as many goodbyes as I could and tried to keep it together. I am so excited to see what all the amazing ladies that I met will do. They are such Godly women, and I have learned so much from them. Saying goodbye to the day crew was also really hard – I pray that God would bless them and open up doors for them when the ship leaves because I know they want to serve Him!

Then my mom and I were off to see a little bit more of Madagascar before we left. We stopped one night in Andasibe, stayed in a beautiful guest lodge and got to walk through the rainforest and see some lemurs. Randomly we ran into a Canadian guy from Toronto who was there with Projects Abroad, studying how poverty impacts the environment. There were 9 of them staying in that small village, doing various things from ecology to social work. It’s pretty amazing. Then we headed up to Antananarivo, the capital, and had a crazy long taxi ride to the guest house. At some points, the driver didn’t even turn his engine on, he just coasted downhill for a km or so. Today, we explored Tana on foot, starting with the old palace, which is the highest point and provides an absolutely breath taking view. This entire country is insanely beautiful – I couldn’t stop praising God, the creator of all of this. We then walked through high town, which really resembles vieux Quebec with its cobblestone streets, steep roads and architecture. I had no idea that Tana had a city centre like this.

After our lovely walk, we went to visit Akany Avoko, the orphanage which sent 50 girls to come visit us at Easter. It was so good to get to see where they live and to see the girls again. They remembered me and there was lots of hugs and kisses. The compound is basically self-sustaining, growing their own vegetables, they have cows and chickens, and they have solar power and some wind power. They do so much with so little, it’s really encouraging. And they teach the girls so many things, such as sewing, cooking, hairdressing, weaving, languages, reading and writing, etc. There are around 160 girls who stay there because they have been removed from their homes for various reasons or abandoned, and the government puts them there but provides no financial aid. That place is filled with beautiful girls, who have started to flourish thanks to the love that is poured out on them.

And now, we get ready to leave. In a few hours, we will fly out of Madagascar and return home. I pray that this would not be goodbye forever, that somehow I would find my way back here, if God wills it. Madagascar has absolutely stolen my heart and I don’t want to leave. I feel like I have so much more I can learn from these people and so much more to give. However God put this verse on my heart today: But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard (Isaiah 52:12). What an encouragement. God goes before me to determine my path and He comes behind me to support me. I will walk forward on the path He has set, filled with a joy and peace that can only come from Him.

Soon, I will be home and get to see all of you in person, so I am going to take a break with my blog and resume it once I get to Texas for on boarding!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. – Ezekiel 36:26-28

Week 17: The Not So Secret Church

This week has felt like that bittersweet moment where you stand on the edge of the cliff and are getting ready to jump into another new crazy adventure. I am so excited to see what God has planned in the coming weeks and months, but at the same time, I am sad to be leaving this place. I have learned so much in my time here in Madagascar, and have cherished every moment with these wonderful people. It always amazes me how adaptable humans are. The time here has gone by so fast and this very much feels like ‘normal’ to me. Greeting everyone you see, tuktuk rides, karaoke nights, walks on the beach, lemon ice cream, smiling patients, late night talks with the bunkmate, hikes in the middle of nowhere, and a constant stream of new people.

The next few months will be a crazy whirlwind. 5 countries in 3 months – Madagascar, Canada, USA, South Africa, Benin. With all the excitement of my mom coming to visit (she’s on her way here now!), I’ve barely thought about actually being home and now that I think about it, I can’t wait to see everyone! I couldn’t do this without all the love, prayer and support I get from my family, friends and church back home J

One new thing: This weekend, we participated in Secret Church, which was really cool for me because I knew my church back home was also watching at the same time. Mercy Ships got a shout out! Well-deserved because we got up at 1:30am to participate. There were about 60 of us, and we really enjoyed it! David Platt had a lot of wisdom to share (baby making anyone?) and hearing the testimonies from India was really moving. I think what struck me that most about what he said, was when he talked about knowing we have rights, but giving up those rights to God and saying God use me however you want. I think that’s a really powerful thing to think about. We have the right to speak our mind, but are we willing to move to a culture where we aren’t quite as free in our words, but are living out His Word through our actions? What about a culture where we aren’t considered equal, whether that’s because of our race or gender? What about the right to being alone, to privacy? Would we give that up, if He asked? Or the ‘right’ to eat what we want, what if reaching out to other peoples meant giving up eating meat? Paul gave up his physical freedom and went to jail, to show people the love of Christ. How far are we willing to go to reach all those unreached peoples David Platt talked about? Will we give God everything?

One thing I observed: I love when people organize ship wide events that allow the day crew and crew to come together. One of the crew organized a soccer tournament and divided the departments up into various teams. Every Saturday there are two games and people come out to cheer on their departments. It’s neat to see the crew playing soccer with day crew, and to see the day crew really in their element. Soccer is definitely an area where they excel. The food services team lost 8-0 last week and so when they scored this week, their fans went crazy. They had pot lids that they were banging together and they ran onto the field screaming. It was hilarious. The games are held at a compound that houses an orphanage and the kids were all running around, coming to take pictures with us, and just being silly. We played some keep away with them afterwards. Lots of fun all around!

One thing I felt God was telling me: I’m not sure if this is God talking to me through other people, or just other people telling me this, but lately I feel like I’m being hit over the head with the fact that I am a passionate person. Countless people have pointed out that I am passionate about this ship, about this country, these people, this work, joy, God’s Word, etc. I really have to pause and think when people who I’ve had like 2 conversations with, tell me they thought I’ve been a Christian forever because of my passion. I don’t even feel like they’ve seen me be passionate yet! Maybe my idea of normal Renée is passionate to people and my idea of passionate Renée is overwhelming to people. I am very grateful for this gift, and that God has opened up my eyes to this. It amazes me that even when I don’t feel on fire, or very passionate, I can still come across that way to people. That just confirms that it is all the Holy Spirit working through me. I pray that I would continue to use my passion for His kingdom, to continue to encourage others, especially those who may be feeling ‘lukewarm’. I hope that He would continue to use me, even when I’m not necessarily cooperating, or selfishly focused on myself. I’ve realized that the best blessing in the world is to bless others. God's plans are always good, and they involve us loving and helping our neighbours. This is good, not only for them, but also for us, because we are so blessed and filled up when we serve others. May we be a people that find joy in being the least of these.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

The little girl that stole my heart has had her cleft lip fixed! Praying for her and
her beautiful mama, that they would walk with the Lord and dream big dreams.