Greetings,
Cliff Veal is currently on a trip to Africa and Madagascar. He has already been with brethren in Rwanda and was happy to report that one of our members there, Kakuze, who had been operated on for severe gall bladder problems last year, is doing much better. She has no more pain, but must watch her diet carefully.
Mr. Veal is now in Madagascar where he was greeted with the sad news that Evelyne, the deaconess there, was gravely ill. Mr. Veal sent this update Thursday evening local time:
It is with great sadness that I bring you the news that our sister in Christ, Evelyne Rakotomalala, died today. In January of 2016 she suffered a stroke, which left her paralyzed and unable to talk. In the intervening one and one half years she had shown very little sign of progress. The city of Antananarivo, capitol of Madagascar, has been undergoing an epidemic of flu for a while. Evelyne, in her very weakened state, contracted this flu and simply did not recover. I am currently visiting the members here in Madagascar and went by to see Evelyne yesterday. It was apparent to me and those with me that she would not hold out much longer. God, in His mercy, has allowed her to fall asleep. She leaves behind an inspiring record of service to God’s people. Please pray for the members as they have lost a much beloved deaconess… and I have lost a close friend.
Mr. Veal is scheduled to fly back to the U.K. on Monday.
Brian Orchard
