Spaghetti, stars, and Ankililaoka

Last night we had the girls from the youth group over for a spaghetti dinner.  It was so much fun to hang out with them and play games.  As I have said before, they are all just so warm and fun and the language barrier just adds so much to the merriment!  I got to do some serious star gazing from the bed of the truck when we drove them all home, a great end to the evening, I’ll have to get a picture of the stars up here soon. 

Tessa and I are heading out tomorrow morning for a week working out in the ‘bush’ in a village called Ankililaoka.  We will be there Monday thru Friday staying in a hotel of sorts and hiking to the village everyday.  I’m really excited to see this more rural part of Mada and of course, the more rural the area, the better you can see the stars!  I have always loved to look at stars but I have never in my life been anywhere where you can see so many as here.  Just look up and spot the Milkyway or the Southern Cross, easy as a wink!  I know that this trip will stretch comfort and clean loving me, I look forward to it with both excitement and trepidation and will let you know how it all shakes out at the end of the week :D Please be praying that I look with eyes ready to see God at work around me and focus on Glory, not on comfort, as well of course, as a safe trip.  Also, my parents are coming at the end of the week! YAY! Please be praying for safe travels for them.

As a parting note, check out Psalm 44:1-3

O God, we have heard with our ears,

   our fathers have told us,

what deeds you performed in their days,

   in the days of old:

you with your own hand drove out the nations,

   but them you planted;

you afflicted the peoples,

   but them you set free;

for not by their own sword did they win the land,

   nor did their own arm save them,

but your right hand and your arm,

   and the light of your face,

   for you delighted in them.

We have not the strength to fight for ourselves, but He fights for us because He delights in us....Wow! This is something that I know I need to think about and truly realize more, such a humbling, encouraging, glorious truth. I pray that it encourages you today!