Update from Hanitra, OM Madagascar

Warm greetings from Madagascar.

As the year 2021 has begun, I still have a lot to reflect on over the past year. 2020 was definitely an unusual year. At this time our country is facing a more serious health crisis due to COVID than the previous year with all of it effects.

I have not been travelling outside of our town since last year even though there is no travelling restrictions. We still have team meetings but had to ask some of our team members to stay home if they show symptoms of fever, flu etc. 

Recent Events

Livestock Bank

Grant received: US$1,500

This project aims to help youth whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, to pay their school registration fees. It is also a learning process about financial responsibility where youth learn to plan and manage for their sustainability in the future.

A goat is a multi-functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in Androy. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in an adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown.

The price of goats dropped because of the drought as people sold their animals to be able to buy food. One female would cost $15-$20 if they have one or two kids.

Total number of goats purchased: 60 female + 82 kids

We also purchased two oxen for the oxcart

Recipients: 35 young people (16 boys, 19 girls) aged between 14 and 23 have received goats. They will start to pay back after 1 1/2 years.

We have given one or two goats to each person depending on the planning of the youth for those who have applied for the loans.

The oxen are owned by the livestock bank and any young person who needs to use the oxcart for business will hire it from the bank. 

Picture above right: Zilitsoa with his two goats and two goat kids March 2021.

Picture right: Sylvain is one of the youth leaders. 

Campus Ministry

I am focusing on developing our campus ministry to mobilise and equip students to start a Discovery Bible Study (DBS)and encourage them to reach out to fellow students, We want to see university graduates embrace God’s heart for mission so they will become bi-vocational workers in different spheres of the community and amongst the least reached group of people in our country and beyond. We spend time praying and reflecting on what opportunities God showed us during this crisis, many of the students lose hope as there is uncertainty if they will complete the school year, and parents back home are also struggling to sustain them to continue their study.

There are currently 40 students in 6 DBS groups we have formed. Our plan is that during school holiday we will be able to send teams to different people groups to start discipleship groups. 

Audio Teachings

I also do recorded audio teachings put on a SD card and send it to people who follow the Bible course. This has helped a lot of these people who are isolated and who could do this course only with their phone. Some have stopped doing the course but a few are still consistent and love digging deep into the word of God. There are 12 still on track. It really needs focus to read on the phone and do the answers of the lessons from these students sent on text messages.

Other Opportunities

Ministry opportunities and activities, and team life, have looked a bit different over the past months but I am also thankful for each chance God gave to share His love with the people He brings across my path. God is giving divine appointments almost everywhere I go. In the grocery store, at the hospital, and even in our neighborhood! The more we speak to these families and hear about their struggles and concerns, the more our heart aches to see them come to Christ.  Ministries are flourishing despite these difficulties. We praise God for that.

Current Issues and Challenges

One of the weaknesses of the livestock project is the high mortality rate of goat kids.

The lack of rain in Androy is also a big challenge. Last year the people could not sow anything and famine is very severe. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Please pray for good health and wisdom to fulfill God’s calling on my life
2) We are seeing an increasing number of COVID cases and the number of deaths recorded these past couple of weeks. We seek God’s mercy and his intervention.
3) Pray for the young people and their goats. We are confident there will be a visible impact from the project after one year. The school year is starting in September in Madagascar.

Comments

Please receive a heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all your prayers and support.

The top photo is a family picture with my nephew and nieces. I just had one-week Christmas break with family, it was a special time.

My prayer is "That I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death" Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

Thank you

Blessings
Hanitra