Care Packages

I am coming to understand why parcels that are sent from one area to another have been deemed "care" packages.

Over the last 9 months I have been the very grateful recipient of many of these "care" packages and let me tell you, it is weird the mood and the excitement that comes from a parcel slip arriving at ones home, then the journey into town and the expense of paying for it again just to see what random and beloved treasures lay inside.

I have been blessed most times to be able to pick up a parcel soon after it arrives and be in a great mood or have a wonderful experience doing it. However the longer that I am here the more the packages mean to me when they arrive. It is so much more than the contents inside, it is the thought that someone way back in the states, took the time, collected the items, went through the hassle at the post office/and pocket book to send said parcel and lastly waiting so very long for a response or thank you from me.
I am more than blessed, more than grateful and humbled at the great generosity that people all over are showing me, by sending little reminders that I have not been forgotten, that they still remember and think not only of me but some of the needs or luxuries that I could be missing out on.

I thought I would share here a few of the catagories and things that have come to mind while writing this note. This is in NO way inclusive of each thing that has been sent. Everything that has arrived so far has been used, enjoyed and loved. Thanks for sharing with me.

Most practical: Flea spray, bug/mosquito spray, bible studies, sermon tapes, coffee mug, medicated hair shampoo, malaria tablets, itching ointments, vitamins and toilet paper. OXI CLEAN!!!

Most luxurious: Tub pillow and bath bubbles, Mary K perfumes & makeup, honey and lemon stirring sticks, over the door hooks. Cake/ muffin and cookie mixes... OXI CLEAN

Most memorable so far: Notes and CARDS with personal sentiments (from nieces and nephews too!). Flea spray (meant that people were reading my blogs)

Most aromatic: Moldy Banana bread, thanks Mom! Plumeria packets OXI CLEAN

Most treasured food items: ALL FOOD ITEMS refried beans, black olives (mexican foods) anything lemon! French Vanilla coffee creamer Powder, spices

Best gifts for others: Bibles, calendars, coloring books, crayons, chocolates, small hard candies and pens. (Most of the time when I collect my parcel, I have to open it there at the post and show the contents, then the worker either takes what they want or asks kindly. This last week he took and tried to make it look like it was HIS - sorry man, the writing on the pen gave you away! )

BEST oops: Nutmeg that broke in transit and was all over the other items. I think that my friends car smelled of Nutmeg for weeks.

LONGEST in TRANSIT: 8 months! My mom is the winner on this... Sent sept 11, 2009 / arrived May 26, 2010
Shortest in transit: 10 days thanks to my friend April (loved the gingerbread Tshirt, book and movie!)

Thanks to all the great friends, family, supporters and generous participants of TEAM MADAGASCAR that reach out through the sending of care packages filled with all sorts of things. What blessings these packages are! I know that I am loved not only by the arrival of a package but by the thoughts and time that went into making that package happen,,, even when it takes weeks to arrive.

Making the treasures last that are inside of the boxes is a little more of a journey but one that I love all the same. Sometimes rationing out dessert mixes or spices or finding someone to bless with my abundance! God is so good and through that I must share!

Thanks for the CARE you share with me!

Traffic Jam

Well, I have officially caused a crazy traffic Jam here in Madagascar. YES, it was all completely my fault and the people in my truck with me were a bit horrified. They actually sank down in their seats so that the people on the outside and in the street would not see them.

Looking back it was quite the funny day or experience but while it was happening and while I was causing the back up it was horrifying and such an incredibly terrible situation to sit through.

Traffic Jam (One Way)

Clogged the streets in 4 directions because I missed a one way sign. You see the one way streets are in abundance here. Even two way streets should really be one way streets many times. Well, I missed the sign and we were traveling during high traffic time down a very narrow street in the wrong direction. At first I asked the others that were with me if I had gone the wrong way and should turn around. They hesitated and told me to keep going in the same direction, so I did. The issue was down the road, it became very narrow, so narrow that my large and magnificiant truck would scratch on the walls around me when I tried to get over so that the oncoming cars could pass me. This worked for a little bit, only until a truck my size tried to pass me and started digging into the crude brick wall to his right side. He was less than a 1/2 inch from my fender and from there I could only imagine that we would become one Truck in a matter of seconds and then NO ONE would be getting around either of us.

Finally with much pleading, I was able to get the Malagasy friend that was with me get into the drivers seat by climbing over the seat to get me out of this crazy mess. So, when this happened some of the Malagasy people on the road started yelling at him in Malagasy. I kept telling everyone that I was so very sorry but that was not going very far. After some talking, apologizing and some great driving on my friends part we were out of the narrow opening and moving toward the junction.

Traffic in 4 directions was backed up, horns were honking and people were shouting and gesturing all in Malagasy. I guess this is one of the times that I have to be very glad that I don't fully understand the language.

I know for a fact that I will not miss that junction again! I am still timid when I drive on that street and from now on I know that there is another sign to look for when it comes to a one way street. If I can't laugh at myself then I guess I should just go back to the States!