Typewriters bound for Madagascar

BEMIDJI (AP) -- The bouncing lemurs of Madagascar could soon be startled by the tat-tat of typewriters donated to pastors there by congregations in the Bemidji area.

About 100 manual typewriters already have been shipped to the island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, which is populated by the furry, tree-hopping primates.

Arriving three to four months after being shipped, the typewriters are distributed to Malagasy Lutheran Church pastors and seminary students.

"Each one has a destination to a person," Lois Stensland said. She and her husband, Arlen, oversee the project.

The Stenslands served as missionaries with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association for 22 years in Madagascar.

"We know the people who are getting them," said Arlen Stensland, who has been collecting typewriters for three years.

He said Malagasy pastors really need the typewriters.