Monday, November 15, 2010
Back to Toliara
We thank God that after two months of support raising and visiting with family and friends in his home of Nairobi, Kenya, Victor returned to Madagascar in June 2010. Please continue to pray for his ministry in Toliara as he conducts English classes and services, disciples young believers, coordinate music and youth ministries, and reaches out to the community with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Below: Victor with two of the young men he meets with regularly for prayer and discipleship.
Highlights from The First Two Years
Below is a timeline and summary of Duncan and Victor's highlights from their first two years in Madagsacar as missionaries:
2008
May
Arrived in Madagascar
Started SOMA mission
Engaged in Saturday services at St. Luke’s
June
Began teaching English classes
July
Mission to Morondava
Church planting in Morondava
Sept
First Youth Rally
Dec Open Air Outreach
2009
Jan
Music team records first album
Feb
Conducted Men’s Conference
April
Evangelism training
Planted Ft. Dolphin Church
May Teaching in Bible School
Held Youth Music Concert
Aug
Mission to Andranomena
Sept
Mission to Arkotutu
Conducted Youth Conference
Oct
Mission to Betaola
English classes grow to different levels
Nov
Mission to Andranomena
Regional Youth Conference (Morondava)
Sunday School Teacher’s Training Seminar
First Open Air Preaching in Malagasy
Dec
Malagasy Christmas Musical
2010
Jan
Youth Leaders’ Training
Evangelists Training
Feb
Second Men’s Retreat
Mar
New Church Plant in Betania
Discipleship Training
Apr
Return to Nairobi for furlough
2008
May
Arrived in Madagascar
Started SOMA mission
Engaged in Saturday services at St. Luke’s
June
Began teaching English classes
July
Mission to Morondava
Church planting in Morondava
Sept
First Youth Rally
Dec Open Air Outreach
2009
Jan
Music team records first album
Feb
Conducted Men’s Conference
April
Evangelism training
Planted Ft. Dolphin Church
May Teaching in Bible School
Held Youth Music Concert
Aug
Mission to Andranomena
Sept
Mission to Arkotutu
Conducted Youth Conference
Oct
Mission to Betaola
English classes grow to different levels
Nov
Mission to Andranomena
Regional Youth Conference (Morondava)
Sunday School Teacher’s Training Seminar
First Open Air Preaching in Malagasy
Dec
Malagasy Christmas Musical
2010
Jan
Youth Leaders’ Training
Evangelists Training
Feb
Second Men’s Retreat
Mar
New Church Plant in Betania
Discipleship Training
Apr
Return to Nairobi for furlough
Question and Answer with Victor
Victor Osoro is among the very few young men who have pioneered international missions in Africa. He has been called to serve as a missionary in Toliara, Madagascar, a neglected region in the Southwest of Madagascar. Later on in the year, he hopes to be ordained as a full time minister in the Anglican Church of Madagascar. Below is a summary of a short question/answer session held with Victor during his furlough in Nairobi during May 2010.
C.A: Now that you are home how do you feel?
V.O: (Gives a long sigh…”home sweet home… I manage to read his thoughts…”) I am excited to be back home. It feels good to speak Swahili once again.
C.A: What do you like most about your mission work?
V.O: (Smiling slyly…) It‟s an exiting adventure, a journey of faith. I handle each day as it comes...cyclones, tornados...once we traveled on water for three hours...holding our hearts close to our beings we sailed through...swimming was a skill we had not acquired while in Kenya. Mmmhhh...talk about what faith can do!!
C.A: What is your favorite Malagasy food?
V.O: Mmmmhhhh….ravin‟toto. It‟s a mixture of crushed potatoe leaves and pork as stew with rice...nothing tastes better!!
C.A: With the much success, there sure are challenges, tell us more about that.
V.O: At the beginning language barrier was a mountainous challenge. People come and pour out their hearts to you in Malagasy and you are left in the dark, expected to offer a solu-
tion to a problem you have not heard. The climate is extremely hot, hotter than famous Mombasa. The sun there is definitely closer to earth than any other place. Lately there was a coup. Politically, the country is drained. As missionaries we don't have a say as much. Prayer and emotional support is the much we can offer these people. (Victor looks extremely depressed…”this must be hard for him…” I think as I prepare to focus on a much lighter topic…)
tion to a problem you have not heard. The climate is extremely hot, hotter than famous Mombasa. The sun there is definitely closer to earth than any other place. Lately there was a coup. Politically, the country is drained. As missionaries we don't have a say as much. Prayer and emotional support is the much we can offer these people. (Victor looks extremely depressed…”this must be hard for him…” I think as I prepare to focus on a much lighter topic…)
C.A: So… any parting shot? A comment perhaps?
V.O: (suddenly, with a defiant stare he looks at me.) People will always need you, but you go where people need you most. (I slowly nod in agreement, quickly doodling down the point..) I look back up. (At this point, Victor is looking away.) In Kenya there are about 20,000 missionaries, in Madagascar there are about 200 missionaries… (a hundred fold indeed !!! I think as I jot that down.) I go where people don't want to go.
A Toolbox For Serving Christ
Exodus 4:2, The Lord said to him “What is that in your hand?” He said “A rod.” God used Moses rod to perform miracles. He wants to use what is in your hand too.
Silence, speech, talent are all great tools God has given us. Duncan and Victor have their own tools for ministry in Madagascar too. One means they are using to share Christ is the English language. To them, English is not only a means of communication, but a also a highly useful tool to proclaim Christ.
Going to church on Sunday is very rare in Toliara. For most Malagasy, Sunday is a day to do house chores, relax, and spend time with friends. To reach those who would not normally enter a church, Duncan and Victor have started Saturday services. These services are led in English and all who attend Duncan and Victor's English classes are encouraged to attend. Therefore, on Saturdays people not only learn English but also get an opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
Music Sweeps Malagasy Off Their Feet
The Malagasy find music irresistible. They adore it. As long as there is a rhythm, dancing goes on automatically. A strategy had to be developed to ensure that music meets the needs of the people and is also used to share the Good News of Jesus.. Fortunately eve-ryone seemed to have an idea on how to play the guitar here, and as missionaries we found this quite a stepping stone.
Knowing the keyboard worked to my advantage. I have trained a few people and now we are working on the drums and the violin...glory to God a great band is coming up! This acts as an ave-nue for people to identify and explore their talents as well as to grow and their gifts and use music to praise the Lord and reach out to oth-ers. A good blend of Malagasy, Swahili, and English songs fill the air during our worship services on Saturdays and Sundays, said Victor. Thanks to music many have come to know Christ and are eager to attend our services.
Four Women Snatched from Satan's Snare
On 14th March, 2010 four women were saved from a satanic bondage. Three were addicted alcoholics and one was a chain smoker. I had gone for house to house evangelism in the area, and when I met these four women, something in my heart just told me that God was as at work. Through rigorous evangelism and prayer God broke them free from their oppression.
“Pastor please teach me how to read the Bible so I will be totally strong to fight this evil spirit” one of the women pleaded. I gladly invited her over but on one condition….she should come
with at least five friends for the lessons. That was the beginning of a new church and the Sunday Services in Betania.
“Pastor please teach me how to read the Bible so I will be totally strong to fight this evil spirit” one of the women pleaded. I gladly invited her over but on one condition….she should come
with at least five friends for the lessons. That was the beginning of a new church and the Sunday Services in Betania.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A PRAYER FOR MADAGASCAR
Victor 3rd March, 2010 Update
Greetings,
The year 2010 is picking up well and we are grateful for what God is doing. At the moment,we are enjoying cool weather of around 25 degrees Celsius contrary to the normal 32 degrees Celsius. During the stay there were several cyclone alerts. Gracefully, the hit was not as strong as last year's. Thanks for holding us in prayers.
Prayer points:
Serving Christ together,
Victor.
Greetings,
The year 2010 is picking up well and we are grateful for what God is doing. At the moment,we are enjoying cool weather of around 25 degrees Celsius contrary to the normal 32 degrees Celsius. During the stay there were several cyclone alerts. Gracefully, the hit was not as strong as last year's. Thanks for holding us in prayers.
Prayer points:
- Pray for the Malagasy elections that are due later this month
- Pray that the Lord may be glorified in the process of making Toliara a diocese.
- Pray that the Lord may continue to sustain and strengthen us in our ministry here.
- Pray that the Lord will raise more partners to pray and support the work in Madagascar financially.
- Pray for journey mercies during our home visit and support raising next month- April 2010
- Thank God for the success of the youth leaders' training and the men's conference that were held in previous months.
- Thanks for standing in the gap.
Serving Christ together,
Victor.
Monday, March 22, 2010
DUNCAN'S JOURNAL
March 1, 2010 Update-Duncan
It's now a year and ten months since I moved to Madagascar to serve as an evangelist.
At the beginning learning Malagasy was a major challenge. Not being a linguist, I have been quite slow to pick up Malagasy, the main language here. My experience in communication has been a total comedy and disaster too. I am however, progressing on my improvement scale.Last month, I started a new service in Betania West where I have been preaching in Malagasy. It gets interestingly miraculous, when someone who has been speaking English, Swahili and Kikuyu all his life, is suddenly speaking hesitantly and haltingly in a foreign language. It is here in Madagascar, that I have come to realize how useless English is!
In February, I was trying to establish a new fellowship in Betania West and it was not butter and bread. I preached in all the services there and since I did not know the people there I focused on evangelistic messages followed by alter-calls for salvation. The responce was always good.
The fellowship is a roller-coaster I must say. One sunday the locals are ten then the next five and so on and so forth. Many are adults. We however, attract a good number of teenagers and children too.
When not too busy, the youth normally accompany me to minister. The congregation there enjoys gospel music and Bible questions. From March I intend to make the preaching open to all. Shortage of seats is a major handicap there. Yesterday I was excited when a mother there committed herslf to attend our main service in our church on Sundays. Every Friday or Saturday I, with a team, do person-to-person evangelism in the area.
In February I had been looking for a place to plant a fellowship. The task was a tough one. In this past week I have however, identified an area known as Betania Tanambao where starting 2nd of March, I will begin evangelizing in the area with a view of starting a church there. I hence ask for your prayers.
In February we also started a Sunday Service in Motombe, a fellowship I started last November.
It is a relatively stable fellowship that mainly costitutes mothers, vis-a-vis the one in Betania West.
Personally, my desire this year is that when the Christians I work with see me, they may see a church planter.
It's now a year and ten months since I moved to Madagascar to serve as an evangelist.
At the beginning learning Malagasy was a major challenge. Not being a linguist, I have been quite slow to pick up Malagasy, the main language here. My experience in communication has been a total comedy and disaster too. I am however, progressing on my improvement scale.Last month, I started a new service in Betania West where I have been preaching in Malagasy. It gets interestingly miraculous, when someone who has been speaking English, Swahili and Kikuyu all his life, is suddenly speaking hesitantly and haltingly in a foreign language. It is here in Madagascar, that I have come to realize how useless English is!
In February, I was trying to establish a new fellowship in Betania West and it was not butter and bread. I preached in all the services there and since I did not know the people there I focused on evangelistic messages followed by alter-calls for salvation. The responce was always good.
The fellowship is a roller-coaster I must say. One sunday the locals are ten then the next five and so on and so forth. Many are adults. We however, attract a good number of teenagers and children too.
When not too busy, the youth normally accompany me to minister. The congregation there enjoys gospel music and Bible questions. From March I intend to make the preaching open to all. Shortage of seats is a major handicap there. Yesterday I was excited when a mother there committed herslf to attend our main service in our church on Sundays. Every Friday or Saturday I, with a team, do person-to-person evangelism in the area.
In February I had been looking for a place to plant a fellowship. The task was a tough one. In this past week I have however, identified an area known as Betania Tanambao where starting 2nd of March, I will begin evangelizing in the area with a view of starting a church there. I hence ask for your prayers.
In February we also started a Sunday Service in Motombe, a fellowship I started last November.
It is a relatively stable fellowship that mainly costitutes mothers, vis-a-vis the one in Betania West.
Personally, my desire this year is that when the Christians I work with see me, they may see a church planter.
WORKING HARD IN MADAGASCAR
It has been a year and nine months since I left Kenya to serve as a missionary in Madagascar.
On the 14th of January, 2010 my friend and I started a house-to-house campaign, from Tuesday to Friday at an area known as Jirama. This was done wit a view to starting anew fellowship in the place since we do not ave a church there. On the 14th we scrutinized the area. We found three major streets there and we decided to prioritize the houses in one of the streets. We were especially looking for people who hardly go to church on Sundays.
Being a foreigner, I was well received. I had the chance of presenting the gospel to many people and some received Christ. At te same time I was trusting God to guide me on where I could start afellowship. Whenever we visited a house we revisited them in subsequent days to continue sharing God's word and developing ties with people from that region. One day, an elderly woman who had been an alcohol addict for five years received Christ in tears; I was deeply moved and overjoyed.
Sunday, the 31st January, after two weeks of evangelism I started a fellowship in that region tha will be held every sunday from 3 to 4pm. I will continue to evangelize in the area to strenghthen the fellowship. On the other hand thre is a Friday fellowship we started in Motombe last November. In regards to the Bishop's instructions, I will start a sunday afternoon service next sunday.
In February I will start evangelizing in an area known as Magro with a view of starting a Sunday service. I hereby request prayers and your support as I seek to start churches and fellowships in Madagascar in this present year 2010. In Madagascar, after a long summer the rains have now come and in this season cyclones are commonly expected, so pray for God's divine protection as we serve as missionaries in Madagascar.
On the 14th of January, 2010 my friend and I started a house-to-house campaign, from Tuesday to Friday at an area known as Jirama. This was done wit a view to starting anew fellowship in the place since we do not ave a church there. On the 14th we scrutinized the area. We found three major streets there and we decided to prioritize the houses in one of the streets. We were especially looking for people who hardly go to church on Sundays.
Being a foreigner, I was well received. I had the chance of presenting the gospel to many people and some received Christ. At te same time I was trusting God to guide me on where I could start afellowship. Whenever we visited a house we revisited them in subsequent days to continue sharing God's word and developing ties with people from that region. One day, an elderly woman who had been an alcohol addict for five years received Christ in tears; I was deeply moved and overjoyed.
Sunday, the 31st January, after two weeks of evangelism I started a fellowship in that region tha will be held every sunday from 3 to 4pm. I will continue to evangelize in the area to strenghthen the fellowship. On the other hand thre is a Friday fellowship we started in Motombe last November. In regards to the Bishop's instructions, I will start a sunday afternoon service next sunday.
In February I will start evangelizing in an area known as Magro with a view of starting a Sunday service. I hereby request prayers and your support as I seek to start churches and fellowships in Madagascar in this present year 2010. In Madagascar, after a long summer the rains have now come and in this season cyclones are commonly expected, so pray for God's divine protection as we serve as missionaries in Madagascar.
Monday, January 11, 2010
2010 Ministry Plans
Victor's Ministry Plans for 2010
Youth start of year party & evaluation January 3, 2010
Youth leaders seminar (Madio rano) January 16
Annual Men’s Retreat February 12 &13
English class vacation March
Diocesan mission week March
Support raising and home visit (Kenya) April-May
Annual youth music concert (Ankilifaly) May
Sunday school teachers’ workshop (Ankilifaly) June
English class resumes June
Diocesan staff training and retreat July
Children’s Vacation Bible school (Toliara) August
Annual Youth camp September
Youth leaders training (Sakaraha parish) October
Preparation for Christmas Events November
English class vacation November
Christmas concert (Ankilifaly) December
Youth start of year party & evaluation January 3, 2010
Youth leaders seminar (Madio rano) January 16
Annual Men’s Retreat February 12 &13
English class vacation March
Diocesan mission week March
Support raising and home visit (Kenya) April-May
Annual youth music concert (Ankilifaly) May
Sunday school teachers’ workshop (Ankilifaly) June
English class resumes June
Diocesan staff training and retreat July
Children’s Vacation Bible school (Toliara) August
Annual Youth camp September
Youth leaders training (Sakaraha parish) October
Preparation for Christmas Events November
English class vacation November
Christmas concert (Ankilifaly) December
Victor's New Year's Message
Happy 2010!
Every new year comes with its surprises, challenges, upsets and of course good tidings and successes! I do believe that this time round, holding on to Jesus, He will uphold us in all righteousness and keep us from hunger during famine and most of all hunger and thirst for Him and desire to become more like Him.
Personally I am doing really well and looking forward to an exciting year with the Lord. This year my ministry is more focused on trainings, with the first youth leaders training being held this Saturday and a men's workshop in the coming month.
We are hoping to visit Kenya around March - May. Keep us in prayer that the Lord may provide the finance required for that to happen. Thanks for your continual support and prayer.
In Christ,
Victor.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Church Planting Plans for the New Year
Happy New Year!
It is now one year and eight months since I came to Madagascar to work as an evangelist focusing on evangelistic missions and church-planting. I have established myself as a major organiser of evangelistic missions in the diocese of Toliara and last November I started a Friday fellowship in a place called Motombe which is doing well and is a major part of my quest to become a top church -planter in this diocese.
In church-planting, my plan initially is to start Sunday - services around Toliara and mid-week fellowships to feed existing churches with new Christians. As far as January is concerned I am trusting God to start two new mid-week services in two different places. In one of those places I wanted to start a church but the place is too near to an existing church.
What can I say except that I covet prayers since starting new fellowships and churches takes the grace of God but also besides that I also request for monthly-support through Church Army Africa in Nairobi. We urgently need funds to facilitate the work that we are doing here in Madagascar.
God bless you and have a great 2010.
It is now one year and eight months since I came to Madagascar to work as an evangelist focusing on evangelistic missions and church-planting. I have established myself as a major organiser of evangelistic missions in the diocese of Toliara and last November I started a Friday fellowship in a place called Motombe which is doing well and is a major part of my quest to become a top church -planter in this diocese.
In church-planting, my plan initially is to start Sunday - services around Toliara and mid-week fellowships to feed existing churches with new Christians. As far as January is concerned I am trusting God to start two new mid-week services in two different places. In one of those places I wanted to start a church but the place is too near to an existing church.
What can I say except that I covet prayers since starting new fellowships and churches takes the grace of God but also besides that I also request for monthly-support through Church Army Africa in Nairobi. We urgently need funds to facilitate the work that we are doing here in Madagascar.
God bless you and have a great 2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)