Dear missionary friends, rejoice in the Lord. We praise God for all the blessings He gives us here in the mission field, for what He grants and for what He saves. We also thank you who strive from behind the scenes, so that we may be able to evangelize those near and far to the glory of God and the Church and for the salvation of men. I am very happy to inform you that both the churches you sponsored, the Church of the Holy Archangels and the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, are finished and we are preparing their interior furnishings. They are already functioning, but several things are missing. A serious obstacle at this time of year is the torrential rains, which cause flooding on the roads, making travel very difficult or impossible. Last month, I visited a temple in the north of Madagascar to check on the work, and on my return an area of 4-5 thousand acres was flooded and impassable. The roads were not visible and the water like a vast sea came rushing down like a vast sea, carrying away in its wake everything in its path. Public transport had come to a standstill and, since the road had been cut off in many places, hundreds of cars had stopped and bus passengers looked on in amazement at the phenomenon. At one point I decided to cross the road in my jeep, but I was in danger of being swept away by the current of water. A sea fell on the car and the cabin filled with water. With quick movements, but also with much fear, I turned back praising God who saved us from certain death. We stayed on the road for three days until the rains stopped and the water level came down from almost 1.20 meters, which was in some places, to 30-40 inches, so that we could cross the dangerous spots. In the Mission one encounters unlikely situations. A world known – unknown that hides a lot. Adventure is a common phenomenon on the missionary journey. The power of God and the love for spreading His word make us defy the various difficulties that interfere in our missionary journey. Circumstances and phenomena frustrate, sometimes to a small degree and sometimes to a greater degree. But the gospel we read gives us strength and drives away every thought of despair, as we reflect on how much both the Lord and the Apostles and all the saints suffered for man and fellow man. We are very touched by the thirst of people for Orthodoxy and their love for the Church.
They walk for hours to reach their temple and participate in the sacred services. And then with great attention they attend the service, in order to reach the end and to receive with care, in order and in the fear of God, the communion of the Blessed Sacrament. Their life is nothing like ours. The economic crisis is a permanent situation in this country. But this does not hinder the missionary work at all. New parishes are constantly being opened and people like thirsty deer run to learn the truth. Where we say thank God that we have covered some parishes with temples, suddenly new parishes are being created that are also in need of holy temples. In particular at this time we have in the Toulear area four small villages without churches. I beg you very much. If there are donors to finance these churches, I would be grateful. The cost will be 30,000 euros for each temple. Also, and the orphanage in the capital Antananarivo has been finished and will soon be open. But the need for details is great. For example, in the back of the orphanage we are building a shed for outdoor kitchens, where we will cook with wood to save money, and a place to wash clothes. We need your help because needs always arise in the beginning. The children’s beds, wardrobes for their clothes, tables and seats, all made by our own woodworking shop. We share the economic crisis that people are going through and we do not demand anything. We only ask for what is in our power.
†Madagascan Ignatius
