We started our day with morning devotion with the hospital staff followed by a wonderful tour of the hospital led by Dr. Harison. We saw the 2 operating rooms, the maternity unit, the pediatric unit (funds were generously donated by LCMS/US), the dental clinic, and more. It was great to see the patients recovering from their various procedures surrounded by their families smiling and waving as our group passed.

Narindra always has a friendly smile!

Dental clinic

Our first stop was at the prison in Antsirabe. Our mission team, along with Dr. Harison and Domoina, visited the women’s side of the prison. We prayed together before distributing toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to each of the women (some with their children) and the staff members. We also provided medications to their pharmacy for the women. The women appeared to be grateful for the visit, and we were blessed to be able to show them God’s love through this outreach!

Leaving the prison. No cell phones were allowed inside.

Our next stop was at a school for deaf children. The boys were out playing soccer when we arrived,  and the girls made their entrance dressed in their Sunday finest. We thoroughly enjoyed learning to sign to communicate with them, and we watched several of the girls and boys put on a dance show.

It was a beautiful day, so we took a pit stop at beautiful Lake Andraikiba. We were able to relax and have a cold drink, and Grace and Veronica went horseback riding. 

The last stop of the day was a visit to Dr. Harison’s and Domoina’s church. Just as we pulled into the parking lot, a wedding party gathered in the parking lot. The Pastor of the church who performed the wedding ceremony also happens to be the father of one of our talented translators. 

Back at the hospital a 17 year old girl who had been seen at our clinic the previous day was patiently waiting to be seen by Dr.Harison, a bracing specialist from Tana, and mission team members and physical therapists Erin and Kris who were invited to give their input during a consult for leg bracing. They completed a detailed physical therapy assessment and spent 2 hours educating Faratiana and her family in home exercise program, pressure relieving techniques and more with the incredible assistance of translator Elenore. She was also found to have an open wound, so wound care was provided by our wound care and EMT team member Grace. Her mother was given medications, wound care supplies and instructions on how to care for her daughter.

Back at the mission house, Domoina and Dr. Harison hosted an evening cookout for the American and Malagasy teams to celebrate a mission that fulfilled its objectives. The food consisted of zebu (beef) and chicken skewers, rice, pasta salad, nem (egg rolls), samosas, veggies, salad and more. Email addresses were exchanged, Facebook friends were made, there was dancing and laughter, and there was love. To top it off, we celebrated the birthday of the chef who was responsible for all of our wonderful meals (he is also Domoina’s brother Nyaina) Besides a birthday cake there were lots of decadent pastries.