each day brings new opportunities which in turn open up into new friendships with each of those having new stories all as individual each other. we have now successfully shared the full extent of the four modules of the 'Leadership for Life' to over 150 people, ranging from local teachers and health care workers, prison inmates and the members of a large church here in Toamasina. it is a magical experience as we see the eyes of those attending the modules come to life as they realise that they are in fact leaders and by laying down new mindsets they can change their lives and the lives of their families, their finances and their wider communities.
we are trying to maintain a work, spiritual and life learning balance which we found hard to find in South Africa, our days start with some fitness work-out routines which keep our bodies strong but that are quite challenging due to the heat and humidity. it has been important to take some time to meditate on the things going on around us, our daily readings of Father Richard Rohr's emails along with books and podcasts extending our knowledge especially around the worlds psycho-social needs has also been important to us (as well as reading some less taxing material!).
we eat out most days at local establishments, this is simply due to the relatively inexpensive food and the fact that its so fresh and wholesome. we buy locally produced fruit and veg from the street vendors which line the roadsides and although we do have access of a vehicle (thanks Love'nCare) we do use the local tuk tuks to get around quite often.
each of the 'Leadership for Life' modules run for around three hours but with the set up and take down of material which Maz has so expertly drawn up and had translated means that these draw out to near on four hours and even if we aren't running morning and afternoon modules on the same day we are still exhausted by the end of it.
the feedback we are receiving from those taking part is the highlight of each module, to hear the stories of how people have applied their new thinking into real life situations is showing us (and them) that this is really working and is applicable to the lives of those we are sharing with. we are really looking forward to this coming Wednesday when we will have an opportunity to spend a couple of hours with the prison inmates to hear how they have got on (not gotten on, gotten isn't a real word!) since the last module we shared with them three weeks ago.
we did enjoy a night away in Foule Point which although sits only 40 miles to the north of Toamasina took over one and a half hours to reach due to the shocking road conditions of the 'national road' RN5, which has was featured on a BBC web page as one of the most challenging roads in the world. apparently it gets much worse the further north you travel and we are going to venture that way again in a few weeks time!...have a look here for an idea of what we are talking about, remember this is a 'national road' not some off road experience!
anyways it was great to get away and Maz spent time snorkeling, with a mask and tube borrowed from a local fisherman!, whilst I stood as still as a statue on the coral to afraid to move in what was such clear and warm water and got sun burnt on my back!
we are now mastering 'night driving' which we equate to some sort of crazy computer game where everything else is set to cause you to 'fail the level', what with the huge unmarked potholes, no street lighting, even in the middle of the town, other cars or motorised vehicles coming towards you with their headlights a blaze truly blinding you as you watch out for the small scooters and motorbikes who dart in an out of the unlit rickshaws that are being ridden or pushed by black men who are also trying to avoid the same hazards as you is a somewhat draining. that said it keeps you on your toes and is quite fun (at times).
every Sunday we have the chance to 'bring a word' to either the church held at Bethany school or in the prison, this is always a time of joy and celebration and even if we don't know what's going on for most of the time (a bit like the night driving) it's great to be part of these moments. yesterday we had over 170 prisoners join us, men, women and children in the small church set inside the prison grounds which was awesome.
during the last few weeks we have also met up with some incredible people who have a heart to serve the least, the last and the lost here in Madagascar, we have already posted about Mercy Ministries but they hosted a workshop with a couple from England who were sharing about 'effective community development' and we had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Mercy Ships ship that is providing medical care during their ten months docked at the port in Toamasina.
this ship is manned by over 400 volunteers, ranging from surgeons who perform life changing and other wise unavailable operations to men, women and children who have been screened and bought to the ship to have treatment in one of the five operating theaters, to cooks and cleaners who ensure that everyone is feed and good hygiene standards are maintained. the ship is also fitted out with x-ray machines and even has a CT scanner, unheard of in Madagascar, we want to thank Keith Brinkman and his team for allowing us a business visit to what was a truly awesome facility.
it's great to see the strong relationships that Cho has built with local, national and international organisations and by the time we post again we will have been into the 'bush' areas along the Pangalange canal to the south of Toamasina where we are going to stop for two nights (including our 28th wedding anniversary) to share the 'Leadership for Life' modules to the teams working in the remote villages in that region.
we are truly blessed to be here and although there are daily challenges with electricity and slow internet etc we are thankful to have a good meal each day and the freedom to come and have an impact into some of the vulnerable people of the world.
P.S no photos again due to slow upload speed (sorry), LORD GIVE ME STRENGTH!
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