Madagascar is an island nation off the east coast of Africa with one of the lowest per capita income in the world. HIV-AIDS, malaria, and clean water are also big problems in this country which is about 60% Christian. Since March and April 2009, there has been a political coup d’etat in which the elected president has been deposed and the military has supported Andry Rajoelina. The Constitution, the parliament and the courts were suspended. As of right now, August 8, 2009, he and the toppled president, Marc Ravalomanana, are meeting together for discussions. Please pray for a resolution of this crisis and for restoration of human rights.
The PC(USA) partner church is the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar. Working with the church in environmental and health projects are Dan and Elizabeth Turk. Dan is working with farmers to establish fruit orchards for nutrition as well as income. They work in HIV-AIDS education, malaria and have helped establish about 30 village wells. Read the Turk's latest blog, in which they say they are safe and ask for prayers that the church find ways to sustain its vital ministries with creativity and optimism in the middle of this current turmoil.
At the August 15 Presbytery meeting we will welcome Edmund Razafimanantsoa, ordained minister of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, to lead us in further study of the situation in Madagascar. He has been studying at Fuller Theological Seminary and will return to Madagascar upon completion of his studies.
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