15th June Update
I do believe that the Lord is giving you new energy even as you begin this new week with its challenges, setbacks and of course victories!
I am well kept of the Lord and continue to abide in his love and faithfulness that are new every morning.
To describe our church planting mission at Fort Dauphin in one word I would say it was adventurous! This is because from the start to the end of the mission the devil has been fighting and opposing the work but we saw the Lord winning every battle. That describes who He is - mighty in battle. Well, our journey that was scheduled for Friday was postponed to Saturday because they had few passengers traveling on that day (and this being only a few hours before departure time!) During the journey we had 6-breakdowns! We had four tyre bursts, one around 100km from Toliara and on one occasion we ran out of fuel in the middle of the jungle. Normally the journey takes 2-3 days due to the deplorable state of the road. During rainy seasons it takes up to a week or 2 on the way! And so in most cases there are no vehicles traveling to Fort Dauphin at that time.
On arrival we were well received and we set for work. It was indeed a busy week of door to door, open air preaching and films. The message was well received and we had people making commitments to walk with Jesus. It was evident that Duncan and Rev Donne who worked on the ground work did a wonderful job. As at now there is a church at Fort Dauphin with around 40 congregants, most of who were Anglicans who had 'no church.' the town is growing fast mostly because there are a lot of South Africans and Canadians due to the big mining company that is there.
Thanks so much for your prayers and continual support.
Blessings,
Victor.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
May Flashback
Duncan – June 6th Update
May was a fantastic monthly since first and foremost I celebrated my first anniversary of serving as a missionary in Madagascar; this was on 1st May. At that time I was in Fort dauphin doing church-planting from19th April to 25th May.
Generally, the first two weeks of May, Rev Donne and I were looking for church-land almost daily but the pieces of land that we saw were too small and so up to this moment the search continues and I request for prayers for land. We were also looking for a house for over 10 evangelists that we were to host for a week from 19th May as well as trying to furnish it.
We were advertising almost every week in a local radio station about the new church as well as the evangelism week slated for 19th to 23rd May. On the Sundays of 2nd, 9th and 16th May we had 24, 22 and 31 adults respectively attending the new church. The church had an international angle with me as a Kenyan there and I befriended an American who also came, one of those Sundays. I preached on Sunday 16th May on why the Church evangelizes to prepare the Christians for the week of evangelism that was to begin on 19th May. We managed in those two or so weeks to get a house for the evangelists as well as bedding and utensils.
We got authorization from the local government to preach and show the Jesus film every evening from 19th to 23rd May and also secured a public address system. The evangelists arrived on Monday 18th May having traveled 619km from Toliara where I live and a Christian fetched them from the bus station and drove them to their residence.
From 19th to 23rd we did house to house evangelism in the mornings and ministered and showed the Jesus film in the evenings. I preached on the 19th which was the first day of the evening program and it went well. Many people came to listen to this fazaha from Kenya. Fazaha is the word here for a foreigner. Many people prayed the prayer of salvation.
I deliberately preached on that first day because many of the evangelists who were there had never done mass evangelism before and needed to learn how to do it. It was not easy for me and Victor during this mission because the Bishop entrusted the mission funds to us yet there were three Reverends with us but the evangelism week went well. On Sunday 24th, 49 people were in the Sunday service which was a big disappointment to me since many people were gathering daily for the evening program and there was lunch provided by one of the Christians for all who came for the service.
So pray for that new church that it may grow in every way.
I am still developing an evangelism program for the year and continue to ask for prayer. I am now back in Toliara and reveling in what God did in fort dauphin. We have an evangelist in charge of that new church temporarily, since we have only four priests and they are tied-up. The evangelists are also few. The evangelist that was sent there serves in another church. We need new evangelists and missionaries to come here. Is God calling you?
May was a fantastic monthly since first and foremost I celebrated my first anniversary of serving as a missionary in Madagascar; this was on 1st May. At that time I was in Fort dauphin doing church-planting from19th April to 25th May.
Generally, the first two weeks of May, Rev Donne and I were looking for church-land almost daily but the pieces of land that we saw were too small and so up to this moment the search continues and I request for prayers for land. We were also looking for a house for over 10 evangelists that we were to host for a week from 19th May as well as trying to furnish it.
We were advertising almost every week in a local radio station about the new church as well as the evangelism week slated for 19th to 23rd May. On the Sundays of 2nd, 9th and 16th May we had 24, 22 and 31 adults respectively attending the new church. The church had an international angle with me as a Kenyan there and I befriended an American who also came, one of those Sundays. I preached on Sunday 16th May on why the Church evangelizes to prepare the Christians for the week of evangelism that was to begin on 19th May. We managed in those two or so weeks to get a house for the evangelists as well as bedding and utensils.
We got authorization from the local government to preach and show the Jesus film every evening from 19th to 23rd May and also secured a public address system. The evangelists arrived on Monday 18th May having traveled 619km from Toliara where I live and a Christian fetched them from the bus station and drove them to their residence.
From 19th to 23rd we did house to house evangelism in the mornings and ministered and showed the Jesus film in the evenings. I preached on the 19th which was the first day of the evening program and it went well. Many people came to listen to this fazaha from Kenya. Fazaha is the word here for a foreigner. Many people prayed the prayer of salvation.
I deliberately preached on that first day because many of the evangelists who were there had never done mass evangelism before and needed to learn how to do it. It was not easy for me and Victor during this mission because the Bishop entrusted the mission funds to us yet there were three Reverends with us but the evangelism week went well. On Sunday 24th, 49 people were in the Sunday service which was a big disappointment to me since many people were gathering daily for the evening program and there was lunch provided by one of the Christians for all who came for the service.
So pray for that new church that it may grow in every way.
I am still developing an evangelism program for the year and continue to ask for prayer. I am now back in Toliara and reveling in what God did in fort dauphin. We have an evangelist in charge of that new church temporarily, since we have only four priests and they are tied-up. The evangelists are also few. The evangelist that was sent there serves in another church. We need new evangelists and missionaries to come here. Is God calling you?
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Celebrating one year in Madagascar amidst spiritual battles
It is now one year since I came to Madagascar and the past one month was an eventful one. During the first two weeks of April I was in Toliara where I’m based. In the first week I preached in the Saturday English service while in the second I led the service.
During April a challenge emerged in the church when satanic manifestations developed. Two ladies from the church become demonically possessed in a span of three days. Prayers were made and one of them gradually recovered, but later on she relapsed while the other’s case has been deteriorating. So please pray for the two ladies recovery.
On April 17th I traveled to Fort Dauphin along with a clergy called Rev.Donne to plant the new church. We will be staying in Fort Daulphin for one month. Last Sunday we started the church with 17 adults and 9 children. Please pray for the growth of new church and also for:
PRAYER REQUESTS
· Thank God for our good health and pray it continues.
· Thank God as we celebrate one year in the mission field.
· Pray for safe journeys to Fort Dauphin.
· Pray for Duncan to get an affordable place for us to stay in Fort Daulphin.
· Pray for a successful church plant in May.
· Thank God that our deacon was unharmed and pray that the Lord will give him and his family peace now that he is going to Fort Dauphin.
· Pray for security in Sakaraha.
· Pray that justice and righteousness may prevail in the land of Madagascar.
· Pray for the men’s discipleship groups and the English centre Bible Study that Lord may work uniquely in the lives of his people.
. A site for mass evangelism.
. Availability of a good public address system as well as musical instruments and players.
· Thank God as we celebrate one year in the mission field.
· Pray for safe journeys to Fort Dauphin.
· Pray for Duncan to get an affordable place for us to stay in Fort Daulphin.
· Pray for a successful church plant in May.
· Thank God that our deacon was unharmed and pray that the Lord will give him and his family peace now that he is going to Fort Dauphin.
· Pray for security in Sakaraha.
· Pray that justice and righteousness may prevail in the land of Madagascar.
· Pray for the men’s discipleship groups and the English centre Bible Study that Lord may work uniquely in the lives of his people.
. A site for mass evangelism.
. Availability of a good public address system as well as musical instruments and players.
HAPPINESS IN CHRIST
This is the most recent picture of Victor relaxing after a team of evangelists payed them a visit
A SERVANT LEADER
You call me teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor his messenger greater than one who sent him. Now that you know this things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
REFLECTIONS FROM CAPT.MACHARIA
It is now one year since I arrived here in Madagascar from Kenya to work as a missionary. I love this country despite the chaos that currently rocks it.
The month of March was especially good since my health improved tremendously. Since January I stayed in the house most of the time with a big gaping wound at the rear of my head that looked horrible after my surgery! Not to mention that whenever I went out I had to constantly wear a hat to repel the attention I was drawing from people. Since March, however, I’ve been operating without wearing a hat and the wound is now healed! Thank you for your prayers.
I am now developing an evangelistic strategy for South Madagascar and I request for prayers that God may give me guidance on this.
I started the month of March on a high note after I preached the gospel in an English institute to mostly university students and virtually everyone there accepted Christ. The challenge here in Madagascar is the discipleship of new converts. People here seem to accept Christ so as not to embarrass the evangelist but when you try to follow-up they are not interested! So pray for people here to be convicted by the Holy Spirit to make genuine decisions for Christ!
The month of March was especially good since my health improved tremendously. Since January I stayed in the house most of the time with a big gaping wound at the rear of my head that looked horrible after my surgery! Not to mention that whenever I went out I had to constantly wear a hat to repel the attention I was drawing from people. Since March, however, I’ve been operating without wearing a hat and the wound is now healed! Thank you for your prayers.
I am now developing an evangelistic strategy for South Madagascar and I request for prayers that God may give me guidance on this.
I started the month of March on a high note after I preached the gospel in an English institute to mostly university students and virtually everyone there accepted Christ. The challenge here in Madagascar is the discipleship of new converts. People here seem to accept Christ so as not to embarrass the evangelist but when you try to follow-up they are not interested! So pray for people here to be convicted by the Holy Spirit to make genuine decisions for Christ!
A MYSTERIOUS SICKNESS
The year 2009 began in style in Toliara with the New Year’s message shared by Captain Macharia. All went well until the 10th of January when things took an opposite direction. Duncan had an infection at the back of his head that required a minor operation to be done. It did not seem anything to be alarmed about until I took him to a local hospital. I still can remember that day when the doctor said, “Thanks for coming with him, so could you please wait for him out there?” I did as was requested, but I got a bit nervous when it took longer than I expected. While still there, I saw Duncan brought out on a stretcher! He looked tired and had to rest for around thirty or so before he could gain some strength. Surprisingly he was unable to walk! The operation left a wound at his nape that took a long time to heal. Then, in early February I also got attacked by a mysterious sickness -- a stomach illness they said, which was probably caused by water or food that was not well cooked. By then Duncan had not yet recovered and I got also sick. This was a very hard time for us, but by the grace and mercy of God we have recovered. We thank God for giving us good health once again as we continue to serve him in Madagascar.
THE LAND OF GEMS
Sakaraha is a small town that is approximately 2-hours drive from Toliara. It is a land that is known for its precious stones. It is also identified for its potential to produce quality peanuts, but on the other hand, dreaded for its high insecurity and crime. Actually our deacon who is stationed there has been attacked and robbed on several occasions.
I was there recently and worked with the youth for a few days in the areas of music and bible study. We had a wonderful picnic together and shared in creative games and bible lessons. It was then that I preached in pure Malagasy for the second time in my life.
- Capt. Victor Osoro
I was there recently and worked with the youth for a few days in the areas of music and bible study. We had a wonderful picnic together and shared in creative games and bible lessons. It was then that I preached in pure Malagasy for the second time in my life.
- Capt. Victor Osoro
A VOYAGE
Toliara is mainly a land of the Masikoro who are mainly farmers and the Vezo who are primarily fishermen. So we had this journey to a place known as Soalary which is predominantly Vezo. To get to Vezo we had to go by a dug-out canoe over the Indian Ocean for 2 hours! That was my first time to travel for that long in water.
On our way to Vezo the journey was quite well since the water was fairly calm. But when we were returning home from Vezo the trip was not enjoyable because we were battling our way through the strong waves. The experience was so horrifying, that I had a cold chill down my spine, wondering when we are going to get to the land.
In the water the big fish seemed like they were singing hallelujah and praising God for the waves because that is their best time to play in the water and celebrate the beauty of God! But that reminded me that sometimes we trust so much on the Lord of the land and forget that he is also the Lord of the sea and air as well, and that the very way he protects us on land is the very way he will protect us in the sea.
For the first time I understood the kind of a situation the disciples were in when they were in the middle of a storm battling with the waves and Jesus was sleeping.
On our way to Vezo the journey was quite well since the water was fairly calm. But when we were returning home from Vezo the trip was not enjoyable because we were battling our way through the strong waves. The experience was so horrifying, that I had a cold chill down my spine, wondering when we are going to get to the land.
In the water the big fish seemed like they were singing hallelujah and praising God for the waves because that is their best time to play in the water and celebrate the beauty of God! But that reminded me that sometimes we trust so much on the Lord of the land and forget that he is also the Lord of the sea and air as well, and that the very way he protects us on land is the very way he will protect us in the sea.
For the first time I understood the kind of a situation the disciples were in when they were in the middle of a storm battling with the waves and Jesus was sleeping.
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