Sangy

On Monday evening I answered a knock at my door.  One of the teens had stopped by with a basket that was pinned closed. Inside was a new addition to my house. When the basket was opened, a little gray/brown tabby kitten crawled out. There hasn’t been a dull moment here since. He has endless energy and is either busy getting into everything imaginable or he is sleeping on someone’s lap. His favorite antic so far has been climbing up anyone’s pants who is cooking or doing the dishes to get a good view. He digs his claws in and just hangs there watching what is going on. His name is Sangy, which means messing around in Malagasy. J

Last night a few of the boys came over to meet him. We went to the market to get veggies and some meat for dinner. At the first market, we couldn’t get the meat we wanted so we walked to a different one. On the way, one of the boys mentioned that we needed to find some meat because we have Sangy. I thought he said if we couldn’t find any meat then at least we have Sangy….like to eat…. After my horrified reaction, thankfully, we got the miscommunication straightened out. J

More Then Just a Song

Have you ever worshiped God in a language that wasn’t even your own?  I don’t mean have you sung a song about God in another language. I mean have you ever connected with God, spilling out your heart in a language other then your own?

In the often crazy world of going through the process of learning a new culture and language, God has been reminding me over and over to cling to Him and run to Him. He alone is more then able to hold my world in His hands. Isaiah 40 and Psalm 90 are favorite chapters that get read often.

A few of the teens came over last night and we begin discussing music, and the fact that I really need to work on learning some songs…more then just the songs we sing with the kid. As I enjoyed having an actual conversation in Malagasy, I asked them to write the words to a song they often sing at Bible Study on Sunday nights since it isn’t in my hymn book and I love the tune. I figured I would learn a few new words and be able to sing along next time they sing it. My plan was to have them write the words so that I could ask Haja the meaning the next day. Sitting down together, I decided to ask them about the meaning of one of the words, since they know some English. To my great thrill, they explained the meaning of each of the words I didn’t know to me in Malagasy, and the exciting part was that I understood! Even more amazing was the meaning behind the song. It talks about God being our dwelling place forever, our shelter during storms, and how he carries us. The end of the song professes trust in God and a declaration to live under His shelter forever. It was truly a God thing as we sat there discussing this amazing song that was an expression of what God had been doing in my heart. Being able to sing from my heart to God in this language that each day I strain to learn and comprehend, made me fall in love with Malagasy all over again and increased my desire that this beautiful language becomes my heart language.

They let me record them singing it so that I can practice and learn it by heart. What amazing kids. J I wish you could hear it and sing it along with me, but I figure you might at least like to see what it looks like.

Efa fonenanay hatrizay hatrizay ianao Tompo o

Fialofanay amin’ oram-pahavanatra ianao

Fan a inona hiseho sy izay ho entin’ny hapitso

Efa fonenanay hatrizay hatrizay ianao hatrizay ka hatramin’ izao

                Tompo o matoky anao foana aho

                Mialoka aminao foana aho

                Efa fonenanay ianao hatrizay ka hatramin’izao