April - November 2020 Update

November 12, 2020

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and Word was God. John 1:1

A Thank You message from Rev. Jean Rajaonasy to St. John Lutheran Church on behalf of the congregation at Irina.

The Lord has blessed the church at Irina through your gifts of money. So far in 2020, we have been able to send $2,370!! Your monies have contributed to purchasing materials and finishing the brickmaking, the hiring of a contractor to build the church walls and roof. He has been able to also start on a bell tower. With these improvements, the church has grown by 12 members and they now have over 100 members!

Notable happenings:

· In the June 2020 update we were told the church needed 34 more metallic tin pieces to complete the church roof. They held a fundraiser in Irina in August 2020. They raised 975,300.00MGA, and an individual donor then contributed exactly the amount needed to purchase 34 additional sheets! Praise God the contractor was then able to finish that part of the church.

Hannah reading at her baby brother's funeral. Due to COVID, it was small, but the Rajaonasy family were still able to have a proper service and burial for the infant.

Sheets of metal for the roofing

Pictures of completed church walls (October 2020)

Completed church and start of bell tower

As of October 15, 2020 the church project’s current needs to complete the project: (using exchange rate of 11/11/2020)

To complete the bell tower: $694.50

For Doors and Windows to the Church: $800.00

Mortar for Inside and Outside Church Wall: $416.00

Concrete and Paving of Church Floor (with Builder) $530.00

Altar & Pulpit $375.00

$2,815.50

If you feel called to give to other areas, please consider the following:

· Gift of money to the Matsinjorano Project, in combination with Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church (WI). They are trying to raise money to build an addition on the existing Lutheran school there.

· Dream of Jean & Aina to build the “House of Hope”, a center for at-risk children and orphans in Antsirabe. They desire to give a safe and supportive environment to feed not only the spiritual, but physical, emotional and educational needs of those who need care. A rough estimate of expenses for this project is in the works. See an architect's rendering of what this might look like.

Remember, your dollar goes a lot further in Madagascar. Please consider a year end contribution today.