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All of 2023

Dear friends, It has been too long since I have posted an update. This is not because there has not been action in Madagascar, but rather the opposite. Since the last update the school in Ranotsara is nearing completion. The roof is on and final touches have been purchased for painting and windows. I hope to have pictures soon. The people of Ranatsora thank members of St. John for their generous financial gifts to build this needed space. Pastor Jean hosted many people from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (Pewaukee, WI) in September. During their visit they provided support and helped dig and install a well on purchased land for the House of Hope, as well as provide gifts to rural children of the area! After that, he was able to come to the USA to visit friends, the Institute for Lutheran Theology, and to share his story and look for new partners in his ministry. He visited Puebla, Mexico to talk with the founder of Living Hope, an top-notch orphanage and school. https://
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November Update 2022

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 Time moves ever quickly in this day and age!  It is now December 26th and I'm just getting to updating the Madagascar Mission blog.  My apologies!  May the joy of the birth of our Lord and Savior bring you grace and strength in the days ahead.  We are so excited to celebrate his coming as man over and over again.   Last month there was a mission Sunday where Pastor Christian was able to read a letter from Rev. Jean Rajaonasy on the happenings over in Ranotsara, Madagascar.  You can find a copy of that letter.  In addition, he sent many pictures of Phase I of the new Lutheran school building being built with your monies and their hands.  See some of them now.  With the gift of $1,267.00 sent recently they hope to further this Phase I and be able to start on Phase II.   With many thanks and hearts full of love, the students, parish and community of Ranotsara thank you for your help with this project!  House of Hope sends their greetings and well wishes for a safe and joyful 2023 as
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Spring and Summer

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As we read in Ecclesiastes 1:3-4: "What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?  A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever."  Well, in this case, the members of the Irina Lutheran church gained a new church building!!  Rev. Jean was able to travel down there for the repairs after the storms in the spring and as well for the Inauguration of the new church building, christened Fanilo , meaning "light" or "torch", on 19 June 2022.  There were about 374 people in attendance at the Sunday service.  Thank you to the St. John Lutheran congregation, and also for the special gifts from others in Wisconsin and Missouri, to be able to complete this project.  Something unique this time for the House of Hope in Mission is they were joined by a sibling and team who has medical training.  She offered free check ups to people of the church and the surrounding village, about 86 people in total. Hard at work! The ram the
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December 2021 - March 2022

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"For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall." Isaiah 25:4 The congregation in Irina was putting the final touches of the new church together before the Cyclone season hit Madagascar. At the Christmas divine service more than 180 people attended church in the new building. In January and February two massive cyclones hit the island.  This new church sustained just over $700 in damage to the roof of the new church.  See the pictures below.  Jean, Aina and the girls started The House of Hope and took their Christmas break to go on a mission trip.  They collected toys, candies, breads and water bottles to share gifts and God's love with children in the rural areas.  In a week, they put on over 720 miles serving three villages and literally ran out of items to give away! To their best estimate they gave gifts to ove
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August - November 2021

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 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Words cannot express the thankfulness that the people of Irina have for the monies contributed to their new church.  So much has been completed with your gifts and God's blessings.   Door Inside Mortar Windows Windows View into the Bell Tower.  You can see the new paint. In October more funds were sent and the builder was able to begin and have nearly finished the Wood Altar, Pulpit and Cross.     Altar Area Altar Communion Railing Pieces Communion Railing  Altar in process There remains much excitement and motivation to finish the church before the inauguration which they hope to hold just after the Christmas season.  What remains is mostly finishing, ie. painting and extra cement.  People of Irina are so thankful to have this new church to worship and live life together in!   As the church project is wrapping up Rev. Jean and his family have new visions of spreading God's word to his people in Madagascar
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