Tsiky

[Update: our team in the rain forest saw Tisky on Sunday.. The swelling has significantly decreased, but he is still not feeling well. He slept most of Saturday and did not eat. He still has pain in his face and he lets you know by continual crying. Please keep praying for Tsiky’s eye infection.]


Remember this sweet boy? He is Lolo's son, the one who had the broken arm last year (http://carainmadagascar.blogspot.com/2011/09/doctor-doctor.html).

According to different doctors with differing views, Tsiky has developed a severe tooth or eye infection. They placed him on antibiotics a few days ago, but his swelling has not decreased and he is still running a high fever. The doctors changed his antibiotics today. Please pray that Tsiky will be fully and quickly healed to the glory of God our Father!

(Happy Tsiky last year with his cast)

Why I Still Need My Mother

"What on earth, Cara? You're twenty-seven years old and you still need your mommy?!"

While that may be your incredulous thought, the answer is yes, I do. :-) After a long and very good day in the ER, I came home to find this in my room:


[the note reads "TRADE: You must toss at least one formally white tee]

I was confused for a moment. I already have two white long-sleeved shirts, right? Why would I need new ones? Then I started laughing.

The long-sleeved white tee I wore last shift to work had no problems anywhere a person could see, but the body of it had mold stains from Mada that wouldn't come out even when washed with bleach. I figured it was okay because only the sleeves showed - everything else was under my scrubs. Upon closer inspection, I saw that white tee #2 was white...but only compared to dirt. After two years in Madagascar, that one wasn't turning white any day soon, either. :P I really just don't think about these things until someone tells me!

Also the chocolate + pretzels shows how well she knows me. *grin*

I'm glad I have a person in my life willing to step up and tell me "What Not to Wear," and spoil me rotten with treats. :D

Currently Reading...

I have had MUCH fun being back in a land where books are in English are readily accessible. Fiction, non-fiction, medical, missional, books I can turn off my brain and read and books that require concentration have all made it into my collection of the last few months.

[edited]

Malagasy Students

“My tribe has a taboo against eating pig, so I don’t eat pig.” The girl informs those of us at her table.

“Did you know hot dogs have pig in them? I didn’t know that until I had lived here in America for a couple years.” Responds a Malagasy guy.

“Hot dogs have pig?! Oh dear – I eat hot dogs sometimes!” The girl looks slightly troubled.

“Yeah – another one I learned was ham. Ham is pig, too!” The boy puts his arms wide in the ‘who knew?!’ position.

“Oh no – I eat ham sandwiches every day!!!” The girl says with a look of horror on her face.

It has been a blast getting to meet some of the Malagasy students here in town. I have been especially amused by their initial thoughts of and adjustments to America. They arrived at the university a mere week before classes began (in English, of course), barely knowing the language! They said the first month they were here they just hoped to get in line at the cafeteria behind someone who wanted a yummy meal, because all they knew how to say was, “The same!”

My family very sweetly went along with my idea to invite all of the students over (we had about 20 people for supper) to our house. It was fun showing them my pictures from Mada because I have been to several of their home towns and they were excited to show their friends where they lived. One guy also knew one of my Malagasy friends in my photos (the one above)!

Some of the students want to head back to Madagascar upon graduation, others want to visit then return, and still others want to stay in America. They are a diverse group, but all agreed that, for Madagascar to develop well, people (especially in government) need to have a heart and mind change.

Thanks for praying for my language ability. A bunch of vocab came flooding back as I was speaking with them, and several of them complimented my language skills (following the normal pleasant Malagasy culture they would have regardless, but hey, I’m choosing to believe some of them were sincere!), so I could tell you guys were lifting me up. :)