Mercy Ships in Madagascar!

I am so excited that Mercy Ships has arrived in Madagascar this weekend.  I believe they are scheduled to be here for about 8 months!  Below is a screenshot from their Twitter account (@mercyships).  Their tag for their stay here is #MSMadagascar.  Other Mercy Ships tweeters include (subscribe here: https://twitter.com/FAOFUUO/lists/mercy/members)

Here's a great tear-jerker of a video showing what Mercy Ships is all about:


For those in Madagascar--you can download the poster below and print out some copies to keep in your car.  I see someone who could benefit from one of these life-changing surgeries at least once a week during my daily commute.  All it takes is stopping your car and passing them a flyer.  Currently they only have a screening center set up in Tamatave but they should have a one set up in Tana in the coming month.  In the meantime, potential patients can email: selection.patient.mg@mercyships.org 
with a photo and brief description of their ailment.

Aces, Deuces and Love: Tennis in Tana

We checked out Max Sport Club today.  It's tucked back behind Jumbo and Tour Zital.  We've lived here a year and never noticed it before.  It was only when Jack had a meeting recently at the Tour Zital that he looked down from his colleagues 10th floor balcony and noticed the courts.

Like many things here in Tana--some things you just accidentally discover (for better or worse).  

We have our first lesson there this Friday so we will write an update on how it actually is playing there.  But the price is right--16,000Ar for a lesson or 11,000Ar for a court reservation.  One of the great things about tennis here is that the prices always include a ballboy (or 'ramasseur' from the french verbe ramasser--to pick up, or collect).  With neither of us having ever played on clay before it should be quite an experience.  

Unfortunately, these courts (like most here in Tana) don't have lights.  The other courts/clubs we have checked out here include Le Country Club, ITEC and COT.  Only the ITEC has lights but they don't light them due to complaints about the wattage.  This is really too bad--these clubs could charge extra to let people play at night on lighted courts.