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