I am sure that many of you have heard or used the above expression at one time or another. Whenever someone is unchanging in their ways, or dead set that their way is the right and only way, it is easy to say, "talking to them is like running into a brick wall." Many times this expression has been used to express the way someone feels even about missionaries. Being a missionary for the last sixteen plus years has provided us with an insight into the lives of other missionaries and cultures that you will never be able to understand.

Missionaries have a job to do. And in carrying out the job of going into all the world (Matt. 28:19-20), missionaries are often viewed as unchanging or dead set in their ways. Of course, when it comes to the Bible, God’s word cannot be changed. But many times this unchanging attitude carries over into other aspects of the missionaries life.

Now, here in Madagascar, we are trying to decide just how unchanging or dead set in our ways we should be. The problem we are coming up against is the Malagasy custom of burying their dead. For many years the Malagasy have buried their dead in stone tombs. In the past these stone tombs were under the ground. Now the tombs are built above the ground, and some of them have become quite elaborate in the way they are dressed up to honor the dead.

For many years the Malagasy people have built these tombs exclusively out of stone. Even their own homes are not made of stone. The traditional Malagasy home is made of reeds or dirt. The more recent homes are made out of wood, and around the Antananarivo area, most homes are made out of brick. But the Malagasy home is NEVER made out of stone! Stone is reserved for the revered ancestors.

Since the introduction of "Christianity" to Madagascar many years ago (by "religious" people), we understand that for the most part, the denominations did not "rock the boat" when it came to the Malagasy beliefs concerning their ancestors. In fact, many denominations encourage the ancestral worship and integrate the ancestor worship into the church in some shape or form. However, the Bible needs to be followed if we are going to be able to change the lives of the Malagasy from ancestral worship to worshipping God the Father in heaven above. The verse in Colossians 2: 8 states clearly, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." This is exactly what is happening here in Madagascar. Christ is being put on the back burner, in order to promote ancestor worship in many of the practicing denominations of Madagascar. It has even been said by some Malagasy people that the Malagasy receive their blessings from God, through their ancestors.

Here is a picture of a family tomb, so that you can see what one looks like. Notice the cross on the top of this particular tomb. There is no end to the different things you can find on top of a Malagasy tomb. Many times what is on top of the tomb reveals the interest of those already departed from this life. We even know of one tomb that has quite a large model of an airplane (about ten feet in length) on its top.

But you can always tell the structure is a tomb due to four unchanging items. First, there is always only one door. Second, there are never any windows in a tomb. Third, a tomb is a one room structure that has many cement shelves for placing the ancestors. And fourth, a tomb is the only Malagasy structure that is built out of stone.

This Malagasy custom is so engrained into the lives of the Malagasy people that there can be no exceptions to the custom as far as we can determine. I have tried to question quite extensively concerning the use of stone for tombs. The reason being, we feel that God has blessed us richly, with enough stone to construct the new home for the Betikara Lambs totally out of STONE! Upon asking in depth, it does not seem to matter that there will be many different rooms, doors, and windows in the Betikarabuilding. In the Malagasy mindset, the structure is being made of stone, therefore it is a TOMB! I have even tried to point out that the temple that was built during the reign of king Solomon was constructed out of hewn stone (2 Kings 22:6; 2 Chronicles 34:10,11; 2 Samuel 7:5 to mention a few of the many verses that can be found in the bible), and that God accepted this place as a place of worship, and demanded that the Jews go to Jerusalem three times a year to worship in the temple. So far, still no success. And we do not expect the Malagasy mindset to change over night. But one thing is for sure. Change is needed if these people are ever going to put their trust in God and leave the traditional ways of ancestor worship that are still so strong here in Madagascar.

Are we doing the right thing by building out of stone? Will the Malagasy come and worship God in a stone building? Are we wasting the Lord’s money to try and build out of stone, instead of some other acceptable building material? All of these questions continue to run through our minds daily. We continue to pray and ask the Lord for guidance as we proceed with the new home for the Betikara Lambs. We have determined that if all else fails, we will be able to still use the stone building for the Lambs. We presently are planning to have hewn stone inside and out. We have checked and are assured that if all else fails we will be able to cover the inside walls of at least the main auditorium with plaster or mortar. This, however, will be a last resort. Our main goal is to teach and help the Malagasy people overcome their dependence on their ancestors, and the fear that comes along with that dependence. Please continue to pray specifically that we can overcome generations of ancestral worship and win the Malagasy people for Christ. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

First, the Malagasy allotted time for campaigning for the presidential election is limited to about one month before the date of the election. This way the Malagasy people do not have time to get tired of all of the campaigning. In the United States, on the other hand there is about one year of campaigning. And most of the time, everyone is quite tired of all the campaigning and election commercials that only try to see who can drag their opponent through more mud before the actual day of voting.

Second, since there is no computerized voting system in Madagascar (not even in the capitol city of Antananarivo), the
candidates exert a lot of effort in passing out small leaflets that contain their names and pictures. There are also posters  and other handouts, but these small leaflets play a major role in the voting process of Madagascar. The more leaflets you can get into the hands of the Malagasy people, the better your chances for being elected. The leaflets serve as a visual reminder of who you want to vote in as president.

Also, since a large portion of Malagasy people cannot read or write, the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words", carries a lot of weight in more ways than one. On voting day the local schools are used for casting votes. Just like many places in the United States. However, that is where the resemblance ends, since Malagasy schools in no way can be compared to the plush schools that can be found in many U.S. cities.

Those who are of age to vote congregate at the schools. Upon arriving each person is given one of the above mentioned leaflets for each of the candidates that is running for the office of president. This year there were six candidates, so each person that went to vote was given six different leaflets. Upon entering the area to vote, the voter then selects the picture of the candidate that they want to vote for. Once this selection is made, the picture of that candidate is put into an envelope and sealed. The voter then leaves, concealing in their hand the other five leaflets.

Once in a while the envelopes are collected, opened, and the workers start the process of sorting the pictures (leaflets) of the candidates into six different piles. Without even having to count, most of the time it is easy to see just who the favored candidate for president is. Presently The incumbent is behind in the count, and is not being a very good sport about his plight. So, please pray that if the voting necessitates a change of person in office, it can be accomplished peacefully.

• Please pray for the church of God in Madagascar as we prepare to enter into a new year of service for Him in Antananarivo.
• Please pray for guidance for our family as we endeavor to reach out and change the lives of the Malagasy people.
• Please pray for the Malagasy people that are so set in their traditions that prevent them from worshipping the true God in spirit and in truth.
• Please pray for the group of 12 people from France that are preparing to come visit and work together with the churches here in Antananarivo.
• Pray for the presidential election that took place on the 16th of December as the Malagasy people await the final outcome. 

The miniature missionaries have enjoyed their 9 week break from school. The miniature missionaries spent a lot of their time helping at the Betikara land, and they are presently involved in practicing for a Christmas program that will be held on Saturday, December 22nd at the center in Ankadivato.

Monday the 10th of December, marks the beginning of another school year for Kit and Havilah. This year Kit will be in 9th grade. He has elected to take two of his courses via video tapes. Last year he had one course via video tapes and one course via computer CD. Kit decided that he enjoyed the video tapes more than the computer, thus the two courses via video tapes.

Havilah will be starting 4th grade this year. She has spent the better part of her break from school asking when school will be starting again. So, Havilah is looking forward to the start of school on Monday.