9/28/11

Taboo

I used to think I was pretty decent at playing the game Taboo. A group of people are divided into two teams, and people from the teams go back and forth drawing cards and trying to get the other members of their team to say the word on the card but they can’t say four or five words that are listed on the card that would usually be used to describe the word. Basically you have to be creative with how you explain the word and talk fast.
Madagascar has taken Taboo to a whole new level. So you don’t know a word, no problem. You just need to find a way to describe it using words you do know. For example, as it is becoming warm outside, I often take advantage of the sun rays in an attempt work on the tan, so that I don’t feel like I glow quite so much. No one seems to understand why I am sitting in the sun, and as they cower in the shade, they often ask why are you sitting in the sun?? Aren’t you hot?? Is there a word for ‘tanning’ in Malagasy? I’m not sure, but if there is I don’t know it. So my response is, “Mila maka loko aho” (I need to get some color). This always makes everyone laugh, and some people even offer to trade skin colors with me. I still haven’t learned the word for tanning, but “Mila maka loko” has become common knowledge and they even use it to explain to others why I am sitting in the sun.
Next time I play Taboo with you, I am pretty sure I’ll beat your socks off, unless of course you are another missionary in a similar situation…then game on!

9/12/11

The Latest News Headlines

The New Visa has Arrived!
The new five year visa has arrived! After putting in the application, it was done within days. Thank you so much for your prayers, it was definitely a God thing since I have heard many stories of people here in Madagascar having a hard time getting a visa.



Sunday School Picnic
On Saturday I went along with about 100 kids and teachers from church on a picnic. We all piled into two vehicles and were on our way. At first I was met with shy smiles, as I haven’t had a chance to get to know any of the kids. As soon as ten of the teens and I started playing a rambunctious game of Uno that all changed. By the end of the day I was constantly surrounded by a crowd of kids who where teaching me Malagasy games and trying to teach me new words. Now whenever I walk through the neighborhood, they call my name and say hello, even if I am on one bridge and they are on another.  The problem is I don’t recognize which of the kids were on the picnic and which ones I am suppose to know, so my solution has been to be extra friendly to all the kids just in case…. J

Is Laughter Good or Bad?
This is the question I am still trying to figure out. Today while working with Haja on Malagasy he couldn’t keep from laughing whenever I said two of the words. I finally asked what in the world I was doing wrong and he explained that my accent when I said those words was just like the accent from the countryside he is from. He assured me this wasn’t a bad thing, but he still couldn’t keep from laughing every time which made me slightly nervous.