November 18, 2008

Dear Friends,

Salama from hot Madagascar! This has been a very full year with lots of challenges and triumphs. It has required faith, patience, and perseverance in many ways.

Water update

New well at Marovoay: Elizabeth Turk with Dr. Cecelien (right) and community water technician, June 2008.

In June 2008, we celebrated the completion of the water project in northwestern Madagascar that began in September 2006. The project was full of challenges—weather, illnesses, elections, and technical difficulties, but PC(USA) and the FJKM church workers did not give up. It was a joy to see the completed wells and realize that this was a testimony of commitment to people that the church had fulfilled. Through our joint actions, PC(USA) and the FJKM gave the people a tangible example of how great God’s love is for them. We heard many stories of how diarrhea and even schistosomiasis had disappeared following the completion of the wells. In several of the villages, there is no church and very little knowledge of God. So providing clean water will not only make the people healthier, it will also open the doors to sharing about the true source of living water! When the work was finished, 49 local water committees were trained, 49 protective chalets were built and 43 villages, 3 schools, 2 churches, and one dispensary had new wells with hand pumps! Thanks to all who contributed through prayers and gifts. I am sorry you were not there to hear and see the people express their thanks. I received two chickens. We ate them for all of you!

AIDS update

The FJKM continues to be in the forefront in the fight against HIV/AIDS. After several months without a coordinator, FJKM’s National AIDS Committee now has Pastor Perline Cooper as its coordinator. The National AIDS Committee was given a special evening to share at FJKM’s General Assembly this August. They also had a booth with educational materials and opportunities for people to get tested for HIV. Two new pamphlets (one on sexuality and one on counseling) were available for the FJKM General Assembly.

Pastor Perline (in blue “Sahia” shirt) and seminary students holding new pamphlet on sexuality, Novenber 2008.

One exciting ministry is HIV/AIDS training for pastoral students at the two seminaries in Antananarivo. We will be training them in what HIV/AIDS is, the church’s role in fighting the disease, how to care for those affected by the illness, and how to share all this with their congregations.
Another wonderful AIDS ministry is the Peer Educator program, which trains youth from FJKM schools and youth groups to be able to share with their peers about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. It includes positive methods to withstand negative peer pressure. This November, 23 students and six adult leaders from three schools, two churches and the Ivato seminary were trained.

PC(USA) is still partnering with three FJKM dispensaries as they minister to those living with HIV. One dispensary just identified a family in which both parents are HIV positive; their child is too young to determine his status.

Community health update

From November to February, FJKM will be helping communities with an insecticide campaign. Some of the community health villages still have the plague. The malaria prevention program continues strong with training of health volunteers and the distribution of mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide in dispensaries and remote villages. Many doctors now report that malaria is no longer a major health problem in their communities.

Prayer requests

• For the new FJKM leadership team. Elections were held at the General Assembly in August and at the meeting in November. 
• For the FJKM National AIDS Committee as it seeks to help the church keep the rate of HIV/AIDS low and care for those living with HIV/AIDS.
• For the newly trained peer educators that they can be good witnesses where they are.
• For those currently involved in direct care to those living with HIV/AIDS.
• For the communities that have received water—that that they care for it well; for those still waiting—that safe water projects come quickly.
• For continued health and safety as we live and travel in Madagascar.

Thanks to all who support us and the mission work of the PC(USA). Great things are being done here in Madagascar and around the world to spread God’s love and good news. This is a wonderful thing to reflect on as we approach Christmas, and the manger reminds us just how great God’s love is for us.

Peace in Christ,

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 31