A day with Helimission 

The hangar next door to MAF belongs to Helimission, a Swiss company that uses helicopters to reach people in remote and inaccessible places. Like MAF, they support local missionaries and pastors and bring medical assistance in the form of personnel, supplies and evacuations. One of the pilots, Chris Niederhäuser offered me the chance to come with him into the bush, so I offloaded Bethan to the first willing person, which happened to be her mum, and gratefully accepted the invitation.

Bethan spent the day "helping" in the MAF office 

I was joining a flight to Androrangavola-tsienta (a small village near Marolambo, in amongst the rainforest) with a lady called Leonie who was visiting her team of bible translators and bringing them some food supplies and instruction for their work. It was expected that we would fly in, have lunch (if they could provide it) and fly back after an hour or two. Leonie first came to Madagascar in 1996 and first visited this village in 2006. She recruited the local pastor and other elders in the community to start translating the bible into the local language and Leonie herself, spent a lot of time in the village. After a while, Leonie felt uncomfortable about the pastor and his family moving out so she could stay in their house (wooden hut) each time she visited, so she built her own house in the village!

Androrangavola-tsienta

I was kindly given the front seat in the helicopter and given a few safety tips in the case of an emergency. Although I knew that helicopters take off vertically, it still took me by surprise as we lifted up into the air. I scanned all the dials and watched Chris expertly fly it, with worst-case scenarios of me having to take over flashing through my mind. I'm not a nervous flyer but the helicopter didn't look like it would glide very well so an engine failure would surely cause it to drop out the sky like a very heavy stone. Perhaps Chris is good at mind reading but once we were clear of Tana he reduced the altitude and showed us what would happen if the engine did fail. I was very impressed as he chose a nearby field and did a controlled (near) landing in front of some very surprised villagers. We flew over the edge of the “high plateau”, which covers a large portion of central Madagascar, after which the landscape changed from undulating red-brown barren land to dense rainforest and impressive waterfalls. 50 minutes after leaving Tana, we reached our destination and Chris landed the helicopter in front of the excited crowd of villagers.

Flying over the edge of the "high central plateau"

Local people watching the helicopter land

Leonie went to greet the people that know her so well and she was quickly made aware of the people who needed medical care. A lady with a very swollen abdomen (looked heavily pregnant but wasn't), a grandmother who had been unwell for a while and is caring for her young grandchild (her mother died in childbirth) and a young baby whose head was twice the size as you would expect, for her body size. Chris went off in search of high ground to try and phone MAF to arrange picking up these people from nearby Marolambo on their next visit. Leonie was very concerned about the baby so she, along with her parents would be accompanying us back to Tana later in the day.

Leonie and Chris speaking to the villagers

Leonie and I were made very welcome in the home of the pastor of the village and were joined by the men (identified by their smart but oversized suits) leading the team of translators. As we drank coffee, they discussed (in Malagasy) the bible translations that they had done and would do next and problems that had arisen.For lunch we sat on the floor of the hut and shared rice, a tasty but unidentified green sauce and an omelette/pancake. Chris had told me that he really likes the Malagasy food that he eats when staying out in the bush and I can see why. Leonie gave out the food supplies that she had brought from Tana and we returned to the helicopter. As we came with Leonie, who they know and respect, the people here know that “we” want to help them but I wondered how people in other remote villages feel when foreigners arrive in their strange flying machine!

Flying out of the village

At the helicopter Chris had employed some bouncers to keep the crowds away during take-off after a scary previous experience of children running under the helicopter just as it lifted off the ground. We got away safely and flew back to Tana with the sick child and her parents and an extra teenager who needed a lift! Apparently, extra journeys and extra passengers are all in a day's work for a Helimission pilot. It was a privilege to witness the great work that Leonie and Helimission were able to accomplish together for the people in this isolated place. And of course, it was great fun to ride in the helicopter!

Passengers squeezed into the back of the helicopter, going to Tana

Overnighting in Mananara

When passengers want to go somewhere for 2-3 days I often fly them up and stay overnight to fly them back again. This halves the cost of getting them to and from their destination.

Last week two doctors, along with their son wanted to go to Mananara for two days of appointments in Mananara's medical dispensary. Often, in the harder-to-reach areas, the dispensary only opens when the doctor comes into town! Meanwhile, I was left with a day and a half in Mananara. Mananara is a town in the North of Madagascar, situated on the east coast. Half of the (roughly) 30,000 population are farmers, producing cloves, vanilla and coffee. Fishing is another common job for the people in Mananara. So what does the pilot do until its time to take the passengers back to Tana? This particular flight worked nicely because there were people in Mananara who needed to get to Mandritsara (a 30 minute flight) and others who wanted to come back, so the first morning was spent flying back and forth. For the flight back, the three passengers had been told that they would only be able to carry the bare minimum in terms of luggage as the Cessna 182 can only carry 220kg, which includes their bodyweight. They turned up with bags weighing 116 kg! Among their essentials were 15kg of rice, 8 kg tomatoes, bedding, and many hats - 'vondalana' (gifts for the people back home). Most of it got left behind!

James the Air Traffic Assistant

The air traffic assistant at Mananara in keen to practice his English whenever I arrive and as I was sticking around town he also took the opportunity to check out the aircraft (normally we drop off and collect with a short turnaround so there is no time for socialising). He also mentioned he attends an English class in town and took me along to meet them.

Mananara English class

Of course when the sun is shining and you're stuck in a seaside town it would be a crime not to visit the beach. This time it was a lovely experience, walking along the shore and listening to the waves. A far cry from the beach at Fort Dauphin, where I was constantly harassed by people trying to sell me something, steal something or inviting me to their house to ''show me a good time''! I also thought after a year in Madagascar it was about time I built a dolphin out of sand, which the local children loved.

Mananara Nord Beach

Dolphin in the sand

For the last 6 months I have been meaning to have my hair cut so while I had time to kill and was staying next door to Coffuire Ania, I thought "why not?". This hairdressing experience, in a small hut in Mananara, was somewhat different from a hair cut in the UK. There's a water shortage at this time of year so it was a dry cut only. It seems that brushing is not necessary here, you just pull at the part of the customer's hair that you need regardless of how much pain you are causing. Then they cut your hair without worrying too much about how straight it is or isn't!! Next time I'll go to the more sophisticated salon in Tana!

Not quite the same length either side!

Home Assignment Week 4 and a half!

Saturday morning we didn't have any appointments planned so took the opportunity to spend a bit more time enjoying Dartmoor. We set out to explore Bellever, walking through the woods and then venturing across the stepping stones to sit on the uncrowded side of the river to enjoy stone throwing and running around the grass.

Newly acquired 'Leonard the Lion' got to see some Dartmoor ponies

Beautiful view at Bellever

Later in the afternoon we went to the Vicarage in Buckland Monachorum to enjoy a BBQ and catch up with friends from our home church, St Andrew's. It was lovely to see everyone again and Bethan enjoyed having so many people to sneakily ask for more ketchup and crisps while her parents were distracted!

BBQ at the Vicarage

The next morning was an early start, as we packed up our belongings in Princetown and drove down the road to Milton Combe, ready for the 9:15 service. Milton Combe is a small, friendly church so after I (Becki) had given a presentation (without the power point, video or even a microphone!) there was time for a Q&A session. This was a lovely part of the service because it allowed us to share about aspects of our work and life that we had not included in our presentation but that were interesting to the congregation.

At the end of the service Bethan was not very impressed when we informed her we were heading straight to church for service number 2! We arrived part way through the 10:30 service, just in time to give another presentation. Due to refurbishment work going on at the church, it was also without our powerpoint and video! Thankfully Bethan's Godparents were on hand to keep her entertained during this service as both of us did the presentation. It was wonderful to be worshipping again in our home church and have the opportunity to catch up with so many people who have followed us on our MAF journey over the years. The only downside was there was not enough time! Next year we will definitely spend longer in Buckland!

St Andrew's Church (from Pinterest)

After church we spent a lovely afternoon with our friends in Tavistock, visiting the Gruffalo's House (more traditionally known as the Pimple), enjoying the sunshine and company!

The Pimple

Playing catch with friends 

On Monday morning we went back to where we used to live, where Kate had kindly organised a picnic in the park to catch up with Bethan's friends and their parents! It was really nice to spend time with friends who we used to see at baby groups and play dates!

Some of Bethan's friends. These three all met when they were bumps!

How cute are these two?! 

Afterwards we went back to Kate & Grace's house so the girls could play together and make the most of the short time we had to see them. We also went for a short walk across the estate to show Bethan our old house and small park, which she has no recollection of!

We spent Tuesday morning relaxing on the farm owned by Philip and Antonia, who we had stayed with for two nights. The farm was paradise for Bethan as she got to feed the chickens, play with the cats, feed and cuddle the lambs, play on the slide and in the sand pit... oh and go for a ride on Violet! After lunch we drove to Matt's parents, which for Bethan at least would be the final bed she slept in before heading back to Madagascar.

Even an Exmoor pony seemed big when Bethan is riding it

Having fun with Grandpa

On Wednesday we relaxed! Matt and I took a back seat as Bethan demanded her Grandma's attention. She had a lovely time making things, baking cakes and fixing Grandpa's car. Meanwhile we caught up on emails, did some internet shopping and searched the house for the things we had left behind last year but now had room to take back to Madagascar.

Bethan has spent 12 months talking about fixing this car!

Early on Thursday we got up and ready for the 4 hour drive to Folkestone. After finding out Bethan did not need to attend a medical examination the next day, we decided it would be nicer for Bethan to spend the day (and night) in the sole care of her grandparents! We spent the day having meetings with HR, filling in forms, giving a presentation to the staff at MAF UK and popping in to say a quick hello at MAF International in Ashford. We then had a lovely, relaxing evening at Matt's aunt where I got a rare early night and Matt got a rare chance to watch his football team on TV!

Next morning we took the train into the big city for our blood tests and psychological assessments. Our journey back to Dorset should have been a quick 2 hour drive, but an accident on the M25, Friday traffic and a sunbather closing the M27 meant it was nearly double that. Yes you read that correctly, a sunbather on the motorway!

On Saturday we had a lazy start to the morning as Bethan was shattered from 2 days of wearing out her grandparents. Then we drove a couple of miles down the road to see some family friends that have known me since I was a baby! In the afternoon we then went to Matt's other Aunt's for her 60th birthday celebrations and a chance to see the whole of that side of the family (including relatives over from America).

Enjoying having second cousins to entertain her

Unfortunately the rain started just as we tried to take a family photo so the gazebo was needed!

Another Sunday, another church presentation! This time we left Bethan behind with her grandparents, so she didn't have to sit quietly in the pews again. Martock Christian Fellowship asked us to give a presentation before we left for Madagascar last year and have been in contact the whole time we have been away so it was really nice to meet the people we have been emailing for the last 12 months! It was also our longest service, with a children's talk, MAF presentation and personal testimony at various points in the service. We really enjoyed our time at Martock church and we were then invited by the mission team for a BBQ lunch.

Our last few days in England were spent preparing to return to Madagascar, with dentist appointments for all the family and an aviation medical for me. A bit of last minute shopping, a quick stop at Tesco to stock up on Cadbury's and a lot of packing. Thankfully we were quite organised, so with everything being ready on Tuesday evening, we took advantage of a break in the rain for a half hour walk/play at Moors Valley Park. Bethan met the Gruffalo and saw a steam train before a somewhat scary taxi ride to Heathrow.

Visiting the dentist

Home Assignment Week 3

Our journey south took us to Devon where we have 2 supporting churches and lots of supporters. We were staying in a cottage close to Becki's parents for the week, so we had to remember how to cook for ourselves again, having spent the first two weeks in B&B's or staying in friends' houses. It was a lovely cottage on the edge of Dartmoor, the only drawback being the WiFi didn't work so our plan of catching up on emails and internet shopping had to be abandoned. No worries, we've lived in Madagascar for a year so we're just happy that water comes out the taps!

Our lovely 500 year old cottage

Saturday was a glorious day for Becki's birthday picnic at Mount Edgcombe. We were joined by her parents, brother (with his new wife and dog) and friends Anne and David. Bethan loved taking the ferry across from Plymouth and had a lot of fun building piles of stones by the water's edge.

Birthday cake

On Sunday we went back to Bovey Baptist Church where Becki gave a presentation and showed a videoabout some of her flights. Becki coped well with some technical problems during her presentation and then we were lucky enough to listen to an excellent sermon. The church has been very supportive of us while we've been in Madagascar and it was a pleasure to go back and to be able to chat to people over a great lunch afterwards.

Fellowship lunch at Bovey Baptist

Becki grew up in Bovey and knows some nice places to go for a day out, so we took Bethan out to Yarner wood. She really enjoyed watching the birds from the hides and playing pooh sticks whenever she found a bridge. Becki went to meet up with an MAF prayer group in Exeter who have been praying for us over the last few years and have even sent letters out to us, which are always a pleasure to receive.

In charge of the route around Yarner

Another group, who have been exceptionally supportive of us has been one of the house groups at Bovey Baptist church, who have adopted us and kept in regular email contact. We have got to know each other quite well despite not meeting (most of) them. This changed on Tuesday as they organised a BBQ for us and we had a great evening in their company. Earlier in the day we met up with friends in Paignton and then Bethan built a sandcastle at the beach, completing her list of "things to do while I'm in England". Luckily they weren't too difficult to arrange!

Sharing our video

Building sandcastles at Paignton seafront

The following day Bethan had a day in Seaton with her grandparents while we went shopping in Exeter.

With the tram

Thursday was a "weekend day" for us so we met up with Bethan's best friend Grace and her mum, Kate and visited the House of Marbles to see some impressive glass blowing. We then took the girls to feed the ducks, which was going well until Bethan scared the ducks away by throwing sticks for them. For once, we were able to invite someone to dinner at our house so we spent the evening with Tom, who has known Becki since college. Hopefully we convinced him to visit us in Madagascar next year.

The large marble run

Reading 'Fix-it Duck' to Grace

Story time with Tom

The next day we re-packed our overloaded car and headed to Princetown, where we had been offered a bed for the 2 days that we hadn't managed to arrange accommodation for. En-route we stopped for cake with a supporter. We chatted with her about life in Madagascar while her dogs were given a lesson in sharing by Bethan! Another house, another dog (or four in this case) for Bethan to play with at Ann and David's. They were so kind to let us use them as a B&B while we went to visit other people in the area. That evening we had dinner with a lovely family from church.

Home Assignment Week 2

I think week 2 has gone even faster than the first one, here is a quick catch up of our travels...

On Saturday we travelled from Northampton to Stroud to have a quick catch up with an old uni friend, Becky. She was busy renovating her house so we also met the extended family, who were there to help! After a delicious lunch we sat on the M5 for a few hours due to a 5 car pile up then made it to Weston-Super-Mare, our home for a few nights.

Making the most of Amelia's toys at Becky's house

So much traffic it's like being back in Madagascar!

  We gave our first MAF presentation at Bristol Road Baptist Church on Sunday morning. It was lovely to go back to such a friendly church and give them an update about what we've been doing over the last year. In the afternoon we had a relaxed day with family in Weston.

Bristol Road Baptist

On Monday we were up early and excited about a visit to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor near Birmingham. Bethan is mad about Thomas the Tank Engine so we were looking forward to taking her there to see her reaction, but mostly we were excited to reunite her with her best friend Grace. After initial apprehension the two girls spent the day hugging and laughing as they went on the rides.

The two girls enjoying themselves

Tuesday was spent with friends in Bath where Bethan had one of her best days of furlough in the company of Emily, Katie and Ben. We saw a new side to our daughter as she became an outrageous flirt with Ben. I expect most teenagers would have locked themselves in their room but Ben played with her all afternoon and we had a great day catching up with the whole family.

Enjoying the trampoline

Poor Ben wasn't given a moments peace!

After spending the night in someone's shed (renovated to be a nice B&B)  we visited family in Calne and Bethan met her third cousin twice removed who was staying with her grandparents. Then it was back to Bath to spend the afternoon with another family who we are very close to. You have to work for your dinner at the Goaters' but Bethan was happy to squeeze her little body into a gap to get a missing sock and Matt delighted Colin by fixing the TV! We also squeezed in a quick trip to Bath city farm with Ruth and Colin. It is hard saying goodbye when its followed by "see you next year" but the few hours we get to spend with people is very enjoyable.

Playing with her 3rd cousin twice removed!

Feeling very British in Calne!

Feeding the pigs

Always happy to be with Ruth

On Thursday we woke up in another B&B, this one with a pool and hot tub so we took advantaged an had a quick dip before setting out for the day. We then headed across the bridge to Wales to see Matt's brother (Chris) and his girlfriend, Beth. We were also treated to a surprise visitor as Bethan got to see her Grandma for the first time since we left for Madagascar. Then we headed onto the house of another supporter in Cardiff for dinner and an evening meeting with people they knew, who are interested in the work of MAF in Madagascar. Bethan chose this evening as one where she wouldn't go to sleep until 10pm so Matt missed most of the meeting!

Quick dip in the hot tub (the pool was too cold for Bethan!)

Mini beasts in Cardiff

After a trip to feed the ducks and visit the park, we headed to Bovey Tracey in Devon on Friday, where we had been kindly given a cottage to stay in for a week.

Feeding the ducks, geese and swans