The team has hit the ground running in Antananarivo, Madagascar! Julia Ellifritt and her son, Nate, Tom and Mary Breslin and their sons, Dan and Shawn arrived safely in Tana, tucking into their accommodations in Ambatoroka around 2:30 am. Julia writes: This place is perfect for us. It’s in an impoverished area, very simple, with no hot water for showers,but we each have our own room. How they got all 17 bags through Malagasy customs is a story I’m sure we’ll hear later, but obviously they made it!
With very little rest, they jumped right in to day one of sports camp. There was the usual confusion, mix-ups and changed plans as the sponsoring school tried to figure it all out, but the team wasn’t surprised by this and just went with the flow. This school is one of the best in the country academically and excels in athletics, boasting their own outdoor basketball court. (Though without bleachers or anywhere for spectators to sit.)
Julia writes: Before the camp started, we got a tour of their beautiful campus, and Dan, Nate and Shawn visited three English classes to meet the students. One student asked “how do you find Madagascar?” Which is a formal way of asking “do you like it here?”. Shawn replied, “Um,I don’t know…..a map?” Some travel stories live on and grow richer in the re-telling for decades. This will surely be one of them:)
Finally, the camp started and the 50-strong basketball team lined up for instruction. Soccer camp starts tomorrow and to say that these kids are excited is an understatement.( The traveling team athletes look to be having a pretty good time themselves.)
While the guys are busy with basketball, soccer and lots of kids, Julia and Mary are busy with various activities and meetings, and Tom is busy planning improvements for Pastor Theophile’s church building. Tomorrow morning, Tom and Theo are off to Tana’s version of Home Depot to start hunting down pieces and parts. Julia and Mary will be out and about for their first round of AP merchandise shopping. It’s a huge job that takes several days, but it’s always fun and amazing to see the stunning handwork of this artistic people on display in the various markets. There are many story-filled days to come, so stay tuned for more updates. And please don’t forget to pray for the team and for our dear friends in Madagascar!
