My Loves

I am devoting a blog specifically to my dear friends Marzette and Solange. They have become my best friends here and they mean the world to me. 

They live at ILOFAV, in the basement of the building next to me. Whenever I want to talk to them, I just holler down at them to get their attention. Or I’ll sing to them. Usually in an operatic tone. They were students here, learning sewing and cooking, but didn’t want to leave after their year was done. So they stayed. And I’m so glad they did. 

Marzette and Solange. A fitting "personality photo"

I first met Marzette when I was participating in the sewing class here and I was finishing up a skirt I had been working on. Marzette made fun of my work, saying that my “straight lines” looked like a snake. I laughed with her because, well, it was true. I happened to be very tired that day and found myself yawning a lot. She was convinced that I was just lazy and didn’t know how to sew. I was interested to find out more about this little fire ball who reminded me of myself. 

So a couple days later, I asked her to help me manasa lamba (wash clothes). This gave her another opportunity to make fun of me. I clearly didn’t know what I was doing. “How do you wash clothes in America?” I told her we use a machine. She holds out her hands and says “THESE are your machine”. I was amazed by her speed and efficiency for washing clothes. During that time, I let out a casual burp (I closed mouth and said excuse me, don’t worry) and Marzette stares at me with wide eyes and said “repeat again!” From then on I knew I needed to keep her around! 

Solange is an absolute SWEETHEART! It’s an interesting contrast, those two sisters. When Stephanie was here and we would spend time with them, she noted how Marzette was like me and Solange was like our sister Mary, who has a calmer, quieter, more peaceful character than mine. [However, don’t be fooled by Mary’s shy demeanor. When we’re at home, she’s just as crazy as me…if not, more!]

Graceful and Beautiful Solange

We started off just by taking walks together after English class (they are my most devoted students coming to ALL of my classes - beginner, intermediate, and advanced). They laugh at my attempt at Malagasy and I laugh at my inability to understand their English. But it was on these walks that I found comfort and love in them. 

Marzette is very mozoto (diligent) at studying english. Here, she is copying words out of a Malgasy-English dictionary at lunch

Let me just say I could go on and on about them... I have so many stories about them and I honestly don't know what I would do without them here. 

Friendship Photo :)

Marzette loves wearing my "vazah (foreigner) bag"

Playing on the rocks

Hanging out with Lee, the other YAGM in Tana

They took care of me when I was sick, they shared in my excitement when I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my sister, Stephanie (Marzette and I even made up a little ditty about it), and they comforted me and smothered me with love when I was balling my eyes out at 12:30am. 

Marzette, Solange, and Flaviette came to drop Stephanie off at the airport with me at 10:30pm

They know every member of my family and were very happy to be able to talk to them on Christmas day. (The fam called my phone from skype). The LOVED Stephanie (who doesn't, honestly) and it was so special for me to share them with her. Their sister, Flaviette, just arrived to ILOFAV early December to study there as well. Flaviette is very shy and quiet, but she really liked Steph... she's still warming up to me.

They are always welcome to my loft, where I usually have snacks or coke for them - I always enjoy being in their company and want them to feel comfortable in my home too. When Flaviette arrived, I hung out in their room that night. Marzette offered me fruit and orange soda, but I wasn't hungry and not a huge fan of the drink so I kindly turned down both of them. Marzette was not happy about that. "SARAHA! (she adds an extra "ah" to my name, which I love) I come to your house and eat your food and drink your water and coke. And you come here and do not take ANYTHING! Now EAT!" I could tell that Marzette wants me to feel comfortable in their house as well. And it meant so much to me to have her fuss at me like that :)

There will be many more stories of my loves, Marzette and Solange (and yes, Flaviette too). I am so blessed to have them in my life. And if you are willing, please send up a little prayer for them. Nothing in particular, mostly just in thanksgiving for them. 

Love ya, mean it!

~Saraha

Characters of My Story

I don’t remember what day it was, or what we were doing, but it was at worship service during orientation in Chicago when Heidi Torgeson-Martinez, the awesome head honcho of YAGM, was allowing time to offer up thoughts or prayers or something to “loved ones we have not met”. And by golly, those words struck at my heart strings! Oh wow! I will have loved ones in Madagascar. And I don’t even know who they ARE yet! That concept amazed me and I sat in my chair in tears excited for the opportunity to fall in love with Madagascar and the people there. So now, as I get used to being more open about my story here, I feel it fitting to introduce you to some key characters while I’m here. 

Mama

Mama holds the title of site supervisor, community development person, confidant, host mother, master chef, super woman… you get the idea. 

Her name is Helene but everyone on the compound at this women’s center calls her “mama”. It’s a perfect title for her because of all the care and love she’s shown me since I’ve been here.

Mama and me on Christmas

Mama never ceases to amaze me. I’ve lost track of all that she’s involved in. She is the director of the women’s center (ILOFAV) where I live, she’s a president of one committee, a treasurer for another one, a world traveler (including attending Seminary in the U.S.), a teacher, a mother of five, and she recently told me that she was translating a book from Malagasy to English. And yet, she is one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. 

For her, waking up at 5am is considered sleeping in. Every morning we have breakfast together around 7:15am. We eat mofo (bread) and homemade strawberry jam (sometimes made by yours truly) and sip on hot tea.  I ask her what time she woke up and she’ll ask me about my dreams. One morning I told her that I was troubled by my vivid scary dream and that night after dinner she wished me a good night and lovingly said “Don’t dream!” 

After a couple months of breakfast, she admitted that this type of breakfast wasn’t a part of her daily life before me, “I usually don’t eat breakfast. I’m just accompanying you, Sarah”. That’s literally what she said. I was dumbfounded. Coming into Madagascar I was geared up and ready to accompany the people here. I guess I never thought that they, too, would be accompanying me. I was so touched and humbled by her saying that. Like I said, she never ceases to amaze me. 

Pastor Rene

Pastor Rene is mama’s husband. There aren’t really words to accurately describe him. He’s hilarious… in random ways. He reads the English dictionary for fun. He’s always asking me hard questions about the English language and my life in the States. For example “What do you call the sign someone holds at the airport when they’re picking someone up?” I answered with something like “ummm… a sign?” He seemed disappointed with my answer. So if you know the technical term for this thing, PLEASE let me know so I can pass it on to him. 

He likes to make things up sometimes. He calls my water bottle a “breast bottle” because I suck water through the straw. He was very proud of that name. “Are you a baby??” he asks. I just smile and say “yes”. And he’s convinced that people wear braces because they eat too much sugar. And no matter what I say, he won’t believe me. 

He always has a proverb for things. “You know the proverb says….” I’m not sure if these proverbs are true, but I smile and nod. 

Needless to say, he makes dinner very entertaining. He usually chats the whole time while mama is fighting to stay awake and Ana, their daughter, rolls her eyes with everything he says. And I love it!

Pastora and mama on Christmas. Looks like neither of them were ready for the photo... oops.

Ana

Ana is their oldest daughter. She works at the hospital nearby (the one I teach English at). She’s in her early thirties but not married yet, so she still lives with the parents. She’s a sweetheart and she’s amused by my jokes, so that’s a bonus! We joke about her father’s rambling (because sometimes even though he’s speaking English, I have no idea what he’s saying) and it’s so comforting to have someone at the table who’s thinking the same things as me. 

There was one time when Ana made a delicious dish of zucchini and beef. She was very proud that I loved it so much so we decided to create a name for it. It is officially called “zoobeefa” – zucchini and beef, made by Ana. 

Fetra

Fetra is their son who attends University. He’s very shy and quiet. He usually whispers to me whenever he talks to me, in English or Malagasy. And I usually whisper in response to him, and get a little chuckle out of him. But whenever he leaves the room, he surprisingly belts whatever song that’s stuck in his head and it’s beautiful. 

The other three children live outside the house. One daughter, Heliosoa, is actually the supervisor of Lee, the other YAGM in Tana. Small world. 

Heliasoa, me, Fetra, and Ana on Christmas

Me and Diamondra at the Zoo, making friends with a camel

Then there's Pastor  Haja, his wife Janet, daughter Diamondra, and nephew Fetra. They also live at ILOFAV and I find myself over at their house jamming on guitars and singing every once in a while. Fetra (who is also shy - what is it with shy Fetra's here?) has been helping me learn guitar. Kind of. I'm not a very good student. I would much rather sit back and watch him work his magic than struggle through a simple chord progression. But he is patient with me, and I am very appreciative. 

Sthela

Sthela is an AMAZING 21 year old. She is mature far beyond her years. She was one of the main people who got YAGM up and running in Madagascar - traveling around the country with Heidi (YAGM head honcho) and again with country coordinators, Austin and Tanya. And I feel SO lucky to call her my friend. She has been so helpful to have here in Tana, especially because she shares one of my deepest loves... KARAOKE!!!

Sthela and I ready to FEAST. Getting ready to sing out hearts out.

There are more characters in my story, but those are the some of the main Malagasy ones. As time goes on, I'll be sure to let you in on my other loved ones that I'm meeting.

Thank you for reading. 
Love ya, mean it!
~Sarah

Azafady! (Sorry)

I want to apologize for not writing a blog post in a while. My bad. There are several reasons as to why I haven’t taken the time to write one:

First off, it’s been a busy couple of months. I went on retreat with the rest of the Wafferherd. Then my sister came to visit. And I went on a getaway for the New Year’s holiday. 

I also avoid going to cyber cafes. It takes time, money, and lots of patience that I usually don’t like to invest in. 

Finally, I’ve been hesitant about writing blogs because of my insecurity with “passing on the story”. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested in what I had to say, so why put it out there. Also, my life here isn’t extravagant or glamorous, it’s simple. Beautiful, but simple. So I wasn’t sure if I had “blog worthy” material. I suppose I should write something… it’s been two months. What should I say? Does anyone even read this anyways? And then my beautiful friend, Krysten Knecht writes on my facebook wall and says something along the lines of “Girl! Where yo blog posts be at!!!” (ok, that’s not exactly how she said it, but you get the idea). 

And then I figured, whoever does read this blog – at least they’ll have a reference point when I get back. I suppose it’s better to throw things out there, despite my insecurities of how “good” my stories will be. 

So I’m making it a new year’s resolution to do at least 2 blog posts a month. Maybe more.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. And a special thanks to you, Teetah – for kicking my butt all the way from Ohio. 

Love ya, mean it!