Digging!

   At our last visit to the Gathering Place before we left Toliara, we found great progress on the well; electrical power now available and being used in the construction; progress on the septic tanks; and additional sand, etc. for concrete. Parishioners were very excited about progress on the well, which has been dug by hand. The person digging the well is hammering out coral at the well's bottom. Water and rock are taken out with a bucket from above as he continues to work. Ascension's generosity is being felt in the finishing of the Gathering Place.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Fr. Howard and Peg

Lemurs!

   We arrived yesterday afternoon at Vacona, a forest lodge located in a reserve next to a national park that we will visit tomorrow. This morning we took a walk and canoe ride in the reserve, and as you can see, saw several kinds of very friendly lemurs! They are "habituated" (used to people) and let us feed them bananas and got in the canoe with us.  We will be here for three more nights and are looking forward to seeing more of the rainforest and lemurs. 

Love,

Fr. Howard and Peg

The Children

 

   The many children we met on Sunday in the bush conveyed excitement at the arrival of the Bishop, Patsy, and the guests that arrived with them for the service. Many children joined enthusiastically in the singing and were quiet and very attentive during the service. But the effects of the living conditions were hauntingly present in the children's eyes and expressions.

A child watching the delivery of water to her village Sunday morning.

                                                                                    Meeting us as we arrived ..

 Walking by the church into the village prior to the service ...

                                      Watching through a church window while waiting for the service to begin . . . 

                                                  Waiting together. The younger girl is dressed for her baptism

                          Children pressed to watch the baptisms through the front door of the crowded church.

T       he children sitting behind Peg. The girl in green knew the words to every verse of every song and of the liturgy.

Her sticker, a gift from the guests, seemed apt.

                                                                           Children in the congregation singing.

                                                                  Many children did not smile at the camera . . . 

Please hold them and their parents in your hearts.

Peg and Fr. Howard

22 Baptized and 31 Confirmed!

   On Sunday September 26th we left Toliara at 6:30 am and traveled to a church in the bush where Bishop Todd McGregor baptized 22 children and adults and confirmed 31, with Fr. Howard assisting him. The church is located in an area severely affected by drought. Another church nearby has closed as the villagers were forced to re-locate to live with family members and friends as they could no longer survive in their village. We delivered water to another village, located about 2 miles from the church. Villagers, including many parishioners, had had no water for more than three days for drinking or for cooking rice, which the Malagasy eat three times a day. Crops burned by the sun filled some fields; other fields stood prepared and ready for planting should rain come. The rich soil filled the windy air.

We were greeted by many parishioners at the church, and families continued to arrive for some time, many walking several miles for the service. 

 Prior to the beginning of the service, Bishop Todd and Fr. Howard prayed with each of the 31 confirmands in the church while others waited outside. 

                             Those baptized included adults who were also being confirmed as well as infants and children. 

                                  Fr. Howard preached, with Aubin by his side translating

                                    The confirmands stood expectantly prior to being confirmed by the Bishop.

                    Following confirmation, the group sang a special song together for the Bishop and the congregation.

Each person who was confirmed received a Bible, inscribed with his or her name, the date and place of the service, and the Bishop's signature.

                                                            
                                                         We were welcomed warmly during the announcements.

                     The congregation welcomed Bishop Todd and Patsy with the highly valued gift of a live chicken. 

                                             Everyone gathered for a picture to commemorate this important day. 

It was a privilege for us to experience the warmth, commitment, excitement, and generosity of this community. We were very moved to see first-hand the effects of the drought on the land and on the people. Despite their daily struggles to meet their physical needs, the parishioners conveyed in many different ways their love for each other and for Bishop Todd and Patsy, their joy in worshipping together, and their hopefulness. 

Fr. Howard and Peg