Sakalava woman with child
These past couple of months in Madagascar have been dominated by political turmoil and unrest. The problems began in December 2008 with disagreements between the Mayor of the Capital city and the President. At the end of January 2009, things came to a head when riots, protests and destruction of many buildings and markets took place. Many grocery stores, as well as T.V and radio stations were robbed, looted and burned. Throughout the month of February, many more protests and riots were held. So far over 100 people have lost their lives. The primary focus of much of the protesting and destruction occurred in the Capital city of Antananarivo, but has also been taking place throughout the rest of the country as well. The situation is still not resolved, and it seems as though it may go for on for some time.
Continue reading ‘Madagascar Needs Your Prayers - Sakalava Update Spring 09′
Much is happening in Pahi with the outreach to the Rangi people. The work there has continued faithfully with those that have taken over since Peter and Paul and their families have left. What a testimony to God’s enabling power to use those willing to serve him.
Paul, who had visited there Christmas time, relates, “The multiple services were so refreshing for me, to see the believers sharing their joy and expressing their lives openly before each other. Christmas day was packed. What a joy to see. The Kinyasi fellowship (Church plant) was also able to join us for this day. The service was 6 1/2 hours long, and once it was over, no one wanted to leave. All stayed around for the meal, and then most stayed even longer. It was close to dark when things started to settle down. But what an excitement to see Rangi believers worshiping Jesus and celebrating his birth.” The different ministries continue to grow and be effective. Dr. Samson Chanji continues to press forward with the clinic and it will soon be upgraded to the status of Health Center. He also wants to open a second clinic in a village about 45 min. away. Mission Aviation Fellowship came and surveyed for an airstrip that would potentially help service this more remote area. Do pray for wisdom that we do not push too much and stretch ourselves too thin. Ultimately we want to follow where the Lord is leading. Continue reading ‘“The Girls’ High School is going to face some challenges.” - Rangi Update Spring 09′
Dear friends,
- Radio tower
Greetings from Macomia, where we are overjoyed to tell you that the radio mast is now in place! We watched God do a marvellous thing for us on the day we poured the cement (5,874 lbs mixed by 12 men!) for the foundation of the tower…beginning at 5am and continuing throughout the following 12 hours, we heard God’s voice in the thunderclouds hovering over the grove of mango trees next door to our compound. He knew that we needed to pour the entire foundation in one day so that the base could cure all at the same time. Rain would have made that impossible! There is no other way to describe it other than to say that it was
“COOL” to watch His care for us, as He continually kept the dark clouds away, but not so far away that we couldn’t see what He was doing, for just on the other side of the ridge, it was thundering and lightening throughout the day! Every other day during the time that Anton, the engineer from South Africa, was working, it rained…but not THAT day!
Continue reading ‘“God’s voice thunders in marvellous ways: He does great things beyond our understanding.” (Job 37:5) - Mwani Update Spring 09 ’
Team members with injured woman
We must work while it is day… Sometimes people ask us what a typical day looks like. There is no such thing as a “typical day,” really. What I plan to do in a day may be completely different from what actually happens. I never dreamed I would do some of the things that I now do and consider as part of my daily life. Today, for example, I had planned to prepare team curriculum, but a good Didinga friend asked if I would go see a boy who had been badly burned. I snatched my “doctoring” kit and went. I’ve never seen anything like what I saw, but with the team absent, I was the only “doctor” around. Beginning shortly, though, we will have a regular clinic with our two nurses and I will be relieved of this particular extra-curricular work.
Relationships always come first, though, and you never know who will drop in to visit, completely altering the day’s plan.
Clinic work is our most important inroad into the community because it is their primary felt need. The nearest medical help other than basic first aid is an eight-hour walk away. A few weeks ago, a drunken man had entered a woman’s compound and cut into her skull with a machete. Her family brought her to our compound. Fortunately, our team nurses were here, yet even for them this stitching was a new experience.
Continue reading ‘“The implements of war all around us remind us to be diligent in our mission.” - Didinga Update Spring 09′
Ali said, “If it is God’s will for me to live, I will live. If I die, I will just go to heaven. If I live, I will just keep serving Him.” Last year, I told you about Ali, a young Borana Christian, who had been diagnosed with metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer. His prognosis for recovery was less than 30%.
As we shared this prayer request with our supporters, so many people prayed and gave generously towards Ali’s treatment. We saw the Lord provide for Ali’s needs in so many ways: a place to live in Nairobi, someone to translate at doctor’s appointments & to act as caregiver on his post-chemo days, money to pay for all his treatments. It was a long road, but Ali bore it well. He had a minimum of side-effects, which was a real blessing. Continue reading ‘“Stop looking at the doctor and look to God.” - Borana Update Spring 2009′
Bara Kids
We have been discouraged by the recent political unrest in Madagascar. The saga continues to unfold daily and we are not sure what the future holds for the country. In short, the mayor of Antananarivo has called the president a dictator, criticized his exploitation of the Malagasy people, and incited many to join him in overthrowing the government. Over the past few weeks, he has been working at establishing his own government with himself as the leader. This has resulted in riots, looting, and violence leading to over 100 deaths, many more wounded and widespread damage to stores and government offices. Prices for the basic necessities continue to climb in Madagascar and life for the Malagasy people is getting extremely difficult.
Please pray that the situation would be resolved quickly and that there would be no further loss of life. Continue reading ‘“We know God is in control, even when we don’t understand His ways” - Bara Update Spring 09′
