June 24, 2004

Dear Friends,

Greetings from cold Madagascar. We are doing well. It has been a busy year full of changes since we returned from the United States last August.

New school

Robert and Frances did well in 2nd grade and pre-kindergarten at our local French school. They are enjoying their grandes vacances before entering 3rd grade and kindergarten on September 3rd.

FJKM development department

The church’s development department has new leaders. There has been some restructuring and the new team is working hard to help serve the Malagasy people. Thanks to all who prayed for the elections and who continue to pray for the development department’s leadership and ministries.

Expansion of the FJKM HIV/AIDS program

This past year has brought many changes. The FJKM (Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar) now has a national AIDS committee and a synod AIDS committee in each of its 35 synods. In December 2003, FJKM’s 35 synods each received a $3000 grant from the World Bank to do HIV/AIDS work. The national FJKM AIDS program received a grant as well. A large amount of Elizabeth’s time has gone into helping the FJKM HIV/AIDS team develop and carry out these projects. The FJKM recently turned in a one-year proposal to the World Bank and is awaiting feedback. If it were not for PC(USA)’s faithful support over the past three years, the program would not be as strong as it is today. PC(USA)’s consistent and continual support via grants, ECO contributions, and Outreach Foundation contributions has allowed the HIV/AIDS program to keep permanent staff in between large projects and provide continuity to the church’s strategy. PC(USA) funding has ensured that graduating pastoral students have received HIV/AIDS training for the last two years. It has also helped train members of the synod AIDS committees. Additional PC(USA) funding is needed to support projects not covered by the World Bank, such as training pastoral students and working in evangelistic areas.

Every church has been challenged to present something about HIV/AIDS every Sunday—a skit, song, information or sermon. The HIV rate in Madagascar is now over 1 percent. It has gone from one person in 5000 infected in 1995 to one person in 90 in 2003. Those who are HIV positive or living with AIDS are reluctant to come forward. Many people still do not believe that AIDS exists. Many in the church do not believe that Christians will be affected. It has been exciting and rewarding to see the FJKM take bold measures to educate its members and to call the church to return to its biblical roots to fight AIDS and stand beside those who are infected. There is truly hope that if the churches and the government continue in their commitment to fight the spread of HIV that Madagascar will avert the tragedy that is crippling Africa.

Community health

The community health program is getting ready to finance another round of small projects like wells and outhouses. There are over 100 villages at this time with over 200 community health workers. Thanks to a grant from PC(USA) and the Medical Benevolence Foundation, FJKM is starting a pilot malaria prevention project in two areas. Malaria is the biggest health problem in Madagascar.

Environment

The FJKM environment program has been busy promoting fruit trees, the planting of native trees, and environmental education in schools. This past year saw particular progress in spreading grafted citrus trees, low-chill peaches, and in promoting the planting of native trees as tools for conservation. Seven tree nurseries are now set up to propagate internationally known citrus varieties by graftage. Over 100 species of native trees have been planted in public parks in the country’s two largest cities. Environmental education was carried out at over 120 schools. Thanks to all who make this work possible.

FJKM general elections

From August 18 to 28, FJKM will hold its General Assembly. This year the president and various church leaders will be elected.

Please pray for God’s guidance

• for the FJKM General Assembly and the election of church leaders;
• for the development department’s leadership and ministries;
• for quick and positive response to the AIDS proposal;
• as the AIDS program continues and expands;
• as we seek to balance work and family.

It is both a privilege and a challenge to be faithful to the Lord. Here, where the needs around us are painfully evident, it is not easy to know just what the Lord would have us do. Turning our burdens over to the Lord when those burdens include needs that we cannot meet is difficult. But we are fortunate that we serve a God who is faithful and present with us in the midst of all that we go through. The amazing truth is that the Lord’s presence is available to all who call on His name, rich or poor, old or young, sick or healthy (Psalm 23). We appreciate your prayers and know that we would not be able to do what we do without them.

Please note our new email address: turk@wanadoo.mg. Please resend to our new address any emails from mid-June 2004.

Dan and Elizabeth Turk

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 57