We want to wish all of you, our partners, friends, and family a Joy- filled Merry Christmas and an even better and happier New Year! It’s hard to believe we are getting ready to say goodbye to 2021. As we reflect on this last year, we can’t help but be full of praise for the memories, time, and growth our little family has been gifted.
Madagascar’s borders started to open in November which was exciting news and had us finally in a position to specifically pray about His timing for us to return. However, as of right now, Madagascar is only allowing flights from Europe, mainly France. The restriction has almost doubled ticket prices, costing about $12,000 for our family of 5. This and the new COVID variant that has caused a lot of African countries to close again, has caused us to pause again. We are watching the situation daily and still learning patience, still holding on to His promises and still seeking His timing, not ours. Meanwhile, we are learning to enjoy every moment we have here with family and friends and friends who are family. We have been helping and serving wherever needed in the meantime. It’s been difficult and heavy we can’t deny that, but He knows all and WILL show us the path back. When our feet are finally back on that red soil, we will be able to say we have perfected waiting, right?
Waiting in the meantime
As this latest School year was approaching we felt a burden that we were not allowing our kids to commit to anything, especially as we could be heading back to Madagascar at any moment. We know they are adaptable, but it was too much for them to constantly be on hold/pause.
We have been so blessed to be able to enroll the kids at Summit Christian School this year, and though we all miss homeschooling, we can already see His hand in this provision.
Braiden, our sweet boy, launched into the teenage years this last March and is taking it in stride. He is thriving in his 8th grade year at Summit Christian School, and when we say thriving, we mean, he doesn’t have a grade below 98%! He loves to learn and has really taken to playing the piano this year, too! His most recent accomplishment being the first stanzas of Beethoven’s Fleur des Lis.
Jacy, our ladybug, just celebrated her 12th birthday and boy are we proud of the young woman of God she is becoming. She is also thriving at Summit Christian School as a 7th grader. She loves science and math and history and reading and Bible (you get the gist). She’s loving learning in an environment that challenges her both academically and spiritually. We’ve lost count of how many books she’s read this year, it’s quite impressive and boy does she love to play games. She loves her chickens and is always eager to help wherever she can.
Jolie, or “Bitty” or Sarobidy has also had an incredible year. She turned 8 in February and is in the 3rd grade at Summit. Her enthusiasm for learning is a joy to watch. Every day she has a new favorite subject. She is dabbling with the piano like brother, reads like her sister and has us all in stitches multiple times a day. She has the cutest sense of humor, and her timing is unbelievable. She cracks us up and keeps us on our toes.
Request for prayer
You might remember us asking for prayer for one of our guards this last year. Praise God, Etienne finally healed after an infection in his hand took over which eventually caused some fingers to be amputated. However, we ask for prayer now for Etienne's wife as she also has a similar infection affecting her hand. We sent her into a better medical care facility, and thankfully, has now received proper antibiotics. Unfortunately her hand still looks gangrenous and we think some parts of her hand might have to be amputated as well. Please join us in praying for healing and also protection from this dangerous infection that has been tormenting Etienne's household.
We also ask for prayer for Southern Madagascar, as there is a severe famine, due to drought conditions the last 4 years. To learn more about this growing problem, click here to watch a video about it. This is one area we hope to see where we can help once we get back on the field.
We are so honored and blessed that you all are so woven into our lives. We are so thankful for each of you and pray that as Christmas quickly approaches, that there would be pause and time to reflect on the fact that you are deeply loved. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, for you encouragement & love. May His blessings overflow through this season and into this next year!
We want to thank all of you who have continued to financially support us through these times. If you haven't heard, we have moved to a new organization, "MissionQuest" and would be honored if you would consider supporting us through them. We would also greatly appreciate any onetime, end of the year tax-deductible donations that would greatly help us prepare to get back to the field.
If you have any questions for us through this process, please contact us at nealanddanielle@gmail.com and/or we can even set up a time to talk on the phone or (skype/facetime/whatsapp/zoom/ or any other media form).
From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year!!
The Lord has opened a door for us to partner with a magnificent 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry called Mission Quest. This ministry will be our home office and will be handling all of our donations and communications with you for any donation-related questions.
As a part of Mission Quest’s family, we have the ability to receive donations made in multiple ways. Below are some of these ways:
Online Donations: We are able to receive donations via Credit Cards, Debit Card, and directly from your Bank Account. Mission Quest has implemented cutting-edge technology in their website to ensure the security and safety of your financial information, and they will never share this with anyone whatsoever. Donating online is the fastest and most efficient way to support us and to ensure that the funds get to us in a timely manner.
When you donate online you will receive a contribution receipt via your email moments after you place your donation. You can also setup a one time or recurring donation.
Later, you can go back to your online account, view your giving history and you will have the ability to edit your information, payment method, and donation details.
Offline Donations: Mission Quest is also able to process donations sent to us via checks and money orders. Donations via checks and money orders should be addressed to Mission Quest and in the memo-line, write our account number. Send your checks to:
Mission Quest P.O. Box 558191 Chicago, IL. 60655
Please do NOT write our names on the check, rather only write our account number (Carlstrom's #194). This article will show you an example of how to write the check.
With this option you can request that your bank send a recurring check to the address above to maximize the amount we receive from your donation. Most banks offer this service free of charge. Please remember to include our account number in the memo line of the check.
Instead of sending actual checks, we highly encourage you to use the direct bank transfer option found on Mission Quest website. This option is the same as sending personal checks, but it ensures that we receive your donation faster. This option does not cost you or us any extra fees. This explains how to trigger a bank draft donation.
3) Other ways: If you prefer to donate by using other methods, please contact our home office to discuss this with them in more details.
At the close of each year, Mission Quest will mail you a statement for all your contributions. This statement can be reported to the IRS for tax purposes. All donations to Mission Quest are tax-deductible to the limit allowed by law.
Mission Quest’s home office is always willing to answer your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact them for any help.
