Sunday worship had just finished.  The children went racing back to their Bible school classrooms.  They seemed more excited than usual.  I stowed my Bibles back into my bag, stood up, and began to stack chairs.  Some of the Betikara lambs were collecting songbooks and Bibles, other adults were stacking chairs beside me, several women had brooms in hand ready to sweep the common room floor, another few of the Betikara children were patiently waiting to set up their common room with chairs and tables so they could eat lunch.  I turned to pick up my bag and found Rivo with my bag in his hand.  With a big grin on his face, he grabbed me by the elbow and propelled me towards the Bible school classroom.  He knew I would just argue with him so he didn’t give me that opportunity.  Just inside the door of the classroom, stood our 70 or more Bible school attendees anxiously waiting.  As soon as they saw me they began to sing.  Even if I would have argued about the occasion, I always love to hear them sing and watch them perform, so they knew they had me in the trap and they all grinned delightedly.  The women who give themselves weekly to teaching these children God’s Word stood in a row off to the side.  Front and center of the children’s group stood the smallest child of the group, beautifully wrapped gift in hand.  I resigned myself to yet another Malagasy must-do ceremony wondering why I was being honored this time.  Christmas and New Year’s were already over and it wasn’t my birthday.  I had just recently received a dozen or more tokens of Malagasy respect for the standard holidays.  What could it be this time?
          As soon as the song finished, one of the smaller, but already budding Malagasy speech givers, stepped forward and plunged into the cutest little speech anyone could imagine.  It’s an art in Malagasy, this speech giving.  Designated children from each family have to attend a special course for learning how to make proper Malagasy speeches.  Speech making is a custom in this country, a tradition, a deeply ingrained part of the Malagasy heart.  This little tyke was getting an opportunity to practice his art today, and he was doing a fine job. 
 “You came all the way to Madagascar (That much is true.)  You built this building for us (I built this building? Now we are getting into the questionable.)   You made this church (This is getting embarrassing, and I’m formulating my rebuttal at this point.)  You write and prepare our Bible lessons each Sunday (Well, that much is true, but I don’t stand in front of your class like these women do each week.  They deserve this so much more than me.)  AND, you give us milk!  (Oh me!  Now they have gotten to the point and I feel really guilty.  It’s not me who gives the milk but all my friends back home because they serve a Savior who was the ultimate example!  Not me!!!)”  The littlest one steps forward, presents the gift, and I have to get down on my knees to give him the customary kiss on each cheek.  I love doing that, but not when I feel so unworthy.  They are all clapping. 
          My response is mumbled as I try to hide my embarrassment,  “Thank you for the gift.  Gifts are very nice.  But what is more important to me, even more important than the milk, is that you come and hear about God the Father and His Son, Jesus. It’s your teachers who should get a gift, and the best gift is children who are obedient and who want to know Jesus.  So . . . let’s all clap for our teachers.”  They clap again and are all wiggling at this point, getting ready to rush the milk box.  The first one breaks line and I’m almost knocked over in the rush for milk. 
 Here’s the greatest gift of all.  Every time we have a visitor from the States or Europe, they all comment on how well the children sit in church and how quiet they are!  Milk is part of it, but not all.
 

Special Thanks
This thank you is late, but it takes time to prepare and recover from Christmas with and for 25 Betikara lambs.  The Rosie family, all four, would like to say a special thanks to those of you who deposited Christmas cheer in our personal stateside account or sent it to Fraley’s Chapel to be deposited in our account.  You have been so generous to us through the years with monthly support, emotional support, and prayerful support.  We feel your love all over again each Christmas, and it does not go unnoticed.  Thank you so much for loving and for caring.  We love you too, and we are praying for you throughout this new year. 

Reasons to celebrate a reason to grieve
There were times when I never thought I would see the day.  Two of our dearest friends here in Madagascar are getting married (one this weekend and the other next weekend).  Malagasy wait so long to get married.  They seem to take longer to grow up.  Barry is at Elia’s wedding today.  Elia gave her life to Christ nine years ago and has been faithful ever since.  She is marrying another young Christian adult.  Dinand has worked for both the church and the orphanage and has been as faithful to Christ as the day is long.  We rejoice for all four of these young people who live for Christ.  On a sad note, Nivo, wife of Romain Rakotomalala and dear co-worker in Christ, lost her mother this week.  She had been taking care of her mother for the last year and this has taken a toll on her energy, health and emotions.  Please pray for Nivo as she grieves, that the Father may comfort her and restore her health and energy.

• Pray for the Ambohimarina congregation and all of the children that come to Sunday School classes each week.  Pray that they can learn about the Savior and give their lives in service to Him.
• Pray for the two newly married couples.  Pray that they can remain strong in the Savior and that they can be encouraging examples to their families that are not members of His church in Madagascar.
• Pray for the family of Nivo, and for us as we minister to them in their time of need.  Pray that we can always be ready to serve and reach out a helping hand in times of need.  Pray that our example can help win others to Christ as they seek the Lord in their time of need.