Rwanda/Madagascar Trip – March 2017
Last week I returned safely home from a profitable 9-day trip to Rwanda and Madagascar. I found the brethren in Rwanda in good spirits and doing well. Many have asked about Kakuze, the lady who underwent gall bladder surgery about one year ago. Her condition improves steadily. She looked, health-wise, better than she had during my last visit in November and seemed to be in better shape overall. If she overworks herself, she feels some pain, so she must be careful. Rushyikana, our contact person there, is in basic good health. The two younger men, Jean Pierre and Maurice were also present. We have been helping them to get started in gainful employ and have made progress – not too many things happen quickly in Africa. (Unfortunately, in Africa, as indeed in much of Europe, it is very difficult for young people to find jobs.)
In Madagascar I found most doing well. At this point I will copy the text of two prayer requests for some of our members there:
== March 24, 2017 (Madagascar) Update: Evelyne Rakotomalala. On my recent trip to Madagascar I was able to visit with our deaconess, Evelyne, on two occasions. Her condition has remained fundamentally unchanged over the last year. Unfortunately she is still unable to walk or talk. She understands very clearly when spoken to and can nod yes or no to questions. During my visits she seemed to be in good spirits, though she tends to fall asleep easily after about 10 or 15 minutes. We continue to pray that God’s will be done in her life. Your prayers are much appreciated.
== March 24, 2017 (Madagascar): Davida and Tina Rakotomanana request your prayers for their sons Fandresena and Natan. Both of the young men (ages 21 and 15) have suffered with severe gastro-intestinal problems recently, including bleeding ulcers. Fandresena was hospitalized during the week of March 12-18 and Natan was to be in the hospital last week. Your prayers to our Father for their healing would be tremendously appreciated.
Previously we had reported on the fact that there was a very serious drought gripping large parts of Madagascar. (When I was there in November, what should have been rice fields standing in the abundant water necessary for proper growth, were dry, parched, empty dirt fields.) Prices for food had been rising dramatically in the capitol city because of the drought. Cyclone Ewano in March ended the drought, but caused a great deal of destruction also – though, thankfully, none of our brethren suffered damage. This year’s rice crop has been delayed by at least one month and probably will not be nearly what it should be. In talking to our members and others it is apparent that life in Madagascar has become even more difficult.
Nonetheless, on the Sabbath of the 18th of March we came together for services and it was obvious that all were happy to be there. (Most have a good deal of travelling to get to services. One member, an older man, bicycles for 3-1/2 hours and then takes a half hour bus ride just to arrive at services.) The sermon was held in French and translated sentence for sentence into the Malagasy tongue. Afterwards we had a lovely meal together.
On Sunday I was able to counsel with some of the members and on Sunday evening headed off for Ivato, the international airport outside of Antananarivo. My flight left at 1:40 am Monday and I arrived home in England on Monday evening at about 7 pm.
Many of you have told me that you were praying for the success of the trip and we all thank you very much for that. The members in both Rwanda and Madagascar send their heartiest greetings and their thanks for your prayers for them.
Cliff Veal
