Madagascar Mission

"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 gi...

 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 ha...

It has been some time since we have been able to do an update on the Madagacar Mission.  As COVID has created major lockdowns in Madagascar, travel to other cities has been greatly impacted.  Jean was able to get there in July 2021.  Even with the lockdowns, they have been able to get work done on the church. They are on the final stages of the outside now.  See the metal windows and doors that will be installed soon and the completed bell tower.   What remains is the paving of the inside floor, inside and outside mortars.  This beautiful church is nearing completion.   On Sunday, July 11th, Rev. Jean was asked to come lead worship as the current Irina Church pastor was being moved to another congregation within the Malagasy Lutheran Church.  See here the choir after the sermon and the closing hymn.  Following the worship the choir also did some special music as an extra thank you to the departing pastor.  Enjoy their praises! ...

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 975,300.00 MGA , and an individual donor then contributed exactly the amount needed to purchase 34 additio...

Greetings to you from Christ our Lord and Savior. So much has happened in Madagascar in the prior months.  Jean sends his regards and blessings through many pictures and videos taken on a recent trip down to see the progress.  He returned home on 12 March 2020 and provided the following update. They have been busy in Irina constructing the church.  See for yourselves!  May God continue to bless our efforts to support the Irina Lutheran church. Videos: Pictures: May God continue to bless this mission.

In Madagascar, summertime (as we know it) is winter.  And this can mean rainy season.  However, the congregants of the Irina Church and Jean are determined to work as hard as possible and get the walls up on the new building.  He updates us regularly with the church building progress.  Currently, they have had to hire brick workers to help build bricks but as of August 12, 2019 there were almost 30,000 bricks finished and ready for cooking (the next step).  Jean and the members of the church there are grateful to share this information with our congregation.  Thus far, they are on track with the plan. See pictures below. The children are doing fabulously in school.   The two big girls, Clarissa, and Ange, are temporarily living with Jean's  sister after her health problem, to be with her and make sure she   receives a good care. But, Midjo and the other kids are still living with Jean's family.  However, the girls come back for th...