Madagascar Update

Words from our Madagascar Team (based on a Moment for Mission written by Lilly Nichols)

Madagascar has entered a period of turmoil. Tensions that have been escalating for years have finally reached a pinnacle. There is social, political, and economic discord between the citizens of Madagascar and the government. The origins of this discord are grounded in deteriorating living conditions, pervasive poverty, corruption, and impediments to democratic freedoms.

One of the gifts of our time in Madagascar was the opportunity to build relationships with Mbola and Laza. Mbola is a college student studying tourism. Laza is a high school student working toward university studies. Our lines of communication with Mbola and Laza are invaluable; it provides us with their firsthand experiences and perspectives in ways that keep our memories fresh and our hearts, minds and spirits in-touch with the daily reality of living in a struggling country.

Back to the turmoil: Mbola attended one of the many protests taking place in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. He was arrested. Thankfully, we received news directly from him that he was released and is currently okay.

The work of Elizabeth and Dan Turk is much more important in the face of Madagascar’s troubles. Their areas of expertise – public health and sustainable agriculture – have become indispensable pillars of support for the Malagasy people. Their mission covers an astonishingly vast area, ranging a span of hundreds of miles from Antananarivo to Ranomofana. It reaches past that, even, as the impact of their hard work expands through all the people they have supported. We saw just how essential Elizabeth and Dan are to their community when we visited.  The time we spent there, however brief in the grand scheme of things, has irrevocably and entirely shifted the direction of our lives.

Madagascar is staring down the barrel of a long road ahead – there is much reform, restoration, and necessary trust to be established, but we believe that through the combined effort and energy of so many people (including YOU), a better future for the Malagasy people is not so distant after all.

Following worship on Sunday, October 19^th, we will have our first all-church presentation about our trip to Madagascar. We will walk through the trip day-by-day and share the stories of our favorite pictures. WRPC’s amazing Hospitality & Fellowship (H&F) team will provide fried chicken. Everyone is invited to bring a side or dessert to share. We hope you will join us. 

And stay tuned! In the coming months, we will have an opportunity to support development in Madagascar by joining efforts to build a primary school. We met many of the children and their families when we gathered to hear their hopes and dreams: hopes and dreams we share as people committed to education for all children.