Africans for Africa (Victor's May - June Report)

The charge:

Our arrival in Madagascar on May 1 was a long awaited for dream to come to pass both in the history of the Anglican church in Madagascar, Kenya and the entire Church Army community. The reaching out and making disciples of all nations as in Matthew 28:19-20 came to a reality.

Strategic people:

We were received by Bishop Todd who is the Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Antananarivo based in Toliara in the Southwest of Madagascar and the Provincial Secretary Rev. Samitiana Razaf. Our host, Vicar Rev. Stephane Raharajuona was more than happy to receive us as well. We also had a chance to meet with the SOMA team of which there was Alice Wangui from Vanguard-Kenya, Rev. Musaasizi, Missions Coordinator of Mityana Diocese in Uganda, and Rev. Don Brewin. We were happy to also meet one Rev. Kingsley Ogbanda who is a Nigerian missionary in Toliara too. All these people we met at a provincial SOMA conference at IFLA in east of Antananarivo.

The transition:

We were based in the capital city for about 7days, living at the bishop’s apartment as we prepared to go to Toliara. The journey to Toliara took us 17 hours by road though it was an exciting experience. We travelled with 3 members of the SOMA team as well (the bishop joined us later). We were involved in teaching and praying with them for one week then they left us. The following week the bishop also had to leave us. Our only rescue by now in terms of the language was Rev. Stephane who could speak English and help in interpretation, but he also had to go to the city to participate in the election of the new bishop! That put us in a tight corner and forced us to learn Malagasy in the shortest time possible so that we can communicate with the people. That was a good problem.

Identity crisis:

By the complexion of their skin and type of hair the people around actually do not consider themselves as Africans! We guys from the mainland are the Africans so we are getting used to being called “the Africans.”

The work:

In St. Luke’s parish (where we are based) there are 7 churches quite far apart, like 120-160km. All these churches apparently need the attention of this one priest. At the moment we are concentrating at the town church as we learn the language. Duncan is in charge of Christian Education and I am in charge of Creative Worship and Music. We already have started English classes and we have 2 classes of 12 students each! As we learn Malagasy songs, both new Swahili and English songs are filling the air as well, and people are excited to see this. Our number has doubled in two weeks! One English teacher came with all her students in our Saturday service and they commited to be coming every Saturday. Word is still going around. I have prayerfully selected three young men who I will disciple for at least one year and train them to also train others in the subsequent years. Realising the great task ahead we have developed a prayer guide map of the Toliara town. So, once every week we go for a prayer walk in the city to claim it for God. Surely the Lord is at work in Toliara and we are happy to be a part of what he is doing.

Praises:

• Safe arrival in Madagascar
• Warm reception by the people
• Started Malagasy lessons
• We already have residential waiting cards

Prayer requests:

• Quick processing of our documents for residence.
• Quick learning of the Malagasy language.
• The Lord to grant us favour with the people of Toliara.
• The Lord of the harvest to draw people unto himself.

Upcoming events:

• A youth evangelistic mission to Antananarivo.
• The consecration of our new bishop.