14 March 2003

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Christ.

The New Year brings an end to 2002, for Madagascar a year of many crises related to the December 2001 presidential election. After weeks of peaceful demonstrations by several hundred thousand people; a blockade of the capital by president Ratsiraka's supporters from February 6 to mid-June that resulted in hundreds, perhaps thousands of deaths; a campaign of terror by Ratsiraka supporters in the north and east that resulted in death and torture and caused about 50 pastors to flee or go into hiding and over 2000 people to flee to the capital; Marc Ravalomanana (lay vice-president of the FJKM church which is PC(USA)'s partner church in Madagascar) was declared winner of the election by the country's High Constitutional Court (April 25); inaugurated as president (May 6th); and accepted as president by the United States (June 26) and other countries.

Unfortunately, the majority of Madagascar's people are still suffering from the effects of the crisis. Many who lost jobs when the economy came to a halt are still unemployed. People in the countryside (80 percent of the population) still suffer from an extreme shortage of income, meaning that illness and natural disasters can be catastrophic. In January 2003, central Madagascar had flooding due to a month of high rainfall. Information is currently coming in about famine in the south.

We have returned to our pre-crisis ministries. Elizabeth recently helped prepare a training course for 235 community health volunteers to be held at 23 different sites. She is also assisting the FJKM church in its AIDS project. Dan is working with environmental education programs at over 80 schools as well as fruit-tree projects at four sites. The environment program recently planted over 100 species of native trees at several prominent sites in Antananarivo.

While the HIV infection rate in Madagascar is still very low (estimated at under 1 percent), the conditions for rapid spread exist: extreme poverty, high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, and a highly mobile society. In 2001, the FJKM church began an AIDS project to promote prevention and compassionate outreach for those affected by HIV. The project involves the church's seminaries, schools, clinics, and over 4000 local congregations as well as the different branches of the church (youth, women of the church, scouts, etc.). FJKM seeks to improve pastoral training by strengthening the teaching on sexuality, marriage, and family life and by including aspects of HIV counseling. The project would ensure that FJKM pastors, medical personnel, and teachers have an adequate knowledge about AIDS and its spread as well as appropriate counseling. Resource people will be trained in each of the 35 synods. AIDS educators will operate in targeted areas with high HIV rates. Educational materials are being produced in Malagasy. Funding positive recreational activities/facilities for youth in certain high-risk communities is planned.

How will the AIDS epidemic evolve in Madagascar? As AIDS is just now being openly discussed and accepted as a reality, the church's role to minister and love with compassion while upholding godly living is critical to Madagascar's future. Those interested in helping FJKM fight against AIDS can send funds to ECO #047979 (specify "Madagascar Health AIDS").

Robert (age 7) and Frances (age 4) are doing well in French-language schools. They enjoy playing with neighborhood children at the FJKM theological seminary where we live. In the past year, we have enjoyed visits from Elizabeth's mother, a family friend, Dan's sister, and most recently, Dan's parents.

Prayer requests

• For Madagascar's continued recovery from the 2002 crisis, especially for those still suffering economically, physically, mentally, or spiritually.
• That Madagascar's new leaders might bring honest and lasting development to one of the world's poorest countries.
• That the FJKM AIDS project might be well-coordinated and effective and that needed funding might be found.
• That the FJKM development department might be prepared to meet new challenges and opportunities.

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. During the crisis, many clung to God in prayer because of the future's uncertainty. Upon reflection, it seems this habit should not be relinquished, for in many ways these days are no less uncertain. It is only in God that we truly find peace and refuge. Happy Easter!

Peace in Christ,

Dan & Elizabeth Turk

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study, p. 46