Thanks to everyone who participated in Saturday's Zoom link call with our Toliara Travelers. Several sponsors were able to greet their sponsored children. There were joyful hellos, singing and dancing from the Malagasy. They don't have much, but they are rich in joy and enthusiasm! Mother Megan offered a blessing. Thanks to Jane Evans for technical support.
Kidnapped Child Returns via Episcopal Church
From Paul: The president of the Sampona church (in the photo he is standing between the banners, wearing jeans) is telling the story of how his son was kidnapped in April, and how his family mocked his faith in a God who let his son be kidnapped.
Antsa told Paul that unfortunately kidnapping for slavery is quite common in this area. There is another sad part of the story: the other boy kidnapped from the same town did not go back - because when questioned by the police he said that he would rather stay in a place where he got food than go home and be often hungry. Which is still a common situation in the area, even though the great famine is finished.
The boy escaped, and came to a church in Ankilifaly, where he recognized the words as being the same as his father's church. Neny Holy was in Santa Lioka, Ankilifaly at a Mother's Union conference when the boy walked in. He had seen the initials EEM (Eklesia Episkopaly Malagasy) and recognized it as his father's church.
So the father's and church's faith in God was vindicated by the way the boy found the church. And the happy ending was that he was reunited with his father, they were sat behind me (Paul).
Amboasary Church Service
Simon was under the weather so Sue delivered his sermon on the Living Water, with Nene Holy translating.
The church of Sampoana walked over 20 km (over 12 miles) to join the service.
Sue is Tapped to Preach ON THE SPOT!
Sue: We had no idea they wanted me to preach as well as teach later!
At the public school at Ampanavy, they read a Bible passage . I didn't have my Bible with me - as we weren't expecting to need to read it- and had no internet access so couldn't access the Bible online. So Josh and I just listened to the Malagasy. Then Canon Donne said something like 'now Mama Sue will speak about the passage'. Argh !! "What was the passage", I asked? "Matthew 25", came the answer. No help at all. "What did it say"? It was the parable of the talents.
So I wracked my brains, whispered to Josh to confirm I had the details of the right passage. Started rambling about talents while God started to put coherent thoughts into my head. It was tremendous to experience that!
Water Source is NOT Like Lake Michigan!
Paul: This is the waterhole from which the villagers top up their village water tank. So we can see and understand the quality of the water. So there is a great need for water filters in this area.
More on Facebook, More to Follow
Sue posted a number of photos and videos on the SJTL Facebook page. Here is a link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DniZCh3tt/ or you can search for The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less on your Facebook account. There are many more photos and videos to come.
On Tuesday the group is taking a well-deserved rest day! More info and photos will be posted later this week. Salama!
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