The Power of Partnership

Children's evangelist, Barry Jorris, juggling at an outdoor outreach.

November has been a whirlwind of activity for us. We had two teams back-to-back ministering with us on behalf of the children of Madagascar. Our first team was a children’s ministry training team from First Assembly of Fort Wayne, IN led by Barry Jorris, a long time friend. He and his team endured a 7-hour drive through the winding roads of the island to do a children’s ministry training seminar in the Fianarantsoa region.

Barry's son, Kyle, taught a pupperty basics workshop.

They taught on basic object lessons, juggling, creative story telling, JBQ, and many other practical children’s ministry skills.

The children's workers of the Fianarantsoa Region who attended the training seminar.

The second team was an International Royal Rangers training team from Kenya, Malawi, and several members from the USA who helped to have the very first NTC (National Training Camp) for our Ranger leaders.  Our Royal Rangers learned so much about using a compass, basic camping skills, first aid, and water safety. (More than 50% of the Malagasies present had watched someone drown and not known what to do)

Madagascar's Royal Ranger leaders during morning assembly at the first ever National Training Camp.

In addition to those practical courses, principles in evangelism and discipleship were reinforced too. These two training teams were such a blessing to us and to the church here in Madagascar.  Sacrificial giving allows teams to travel the incredible distance to minister here, but the impact made lasts for years to come.

Learning basic camping knots was just one of the many skills taught at the NTC.

For many other churches it is not practical to fly here yourself, but your prayer and financial support is vital to our ability to minister here. That is the power of partnership. Together we can accomplish so much more. Maybe you or your church isn’t able to make the trip to Madagascar, but there are other ways that you can still make an impact.

Our 43 Ranger trainees and the international training team at the conclusion of the NTC.

Currently, we have several church building projects that need funding. Within the next few months cyclone season will be upon us and we have several churches that are needing a tabernacle to worship in that will be strong enough to resist the annual cyclone winds that hit Madagascar’s coastline. A number of these churches are busy making their own cinder blocks, by faith, believing for a roof for their building.  We are doing what we can to help with this need, but if you or your church feels led to contribute it would be a huge blessing to us. For more information just send us an e-mail and we can tell you how you can help.

A young boy prays at the outreach in Fianarantsoa. This is why we do what we do!

On a personal note, we are so glad to have Becca home from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya for the holidays. She will be with us for five weeks before returning for her second trimester of school in January. This is however, our first holiday season without Caleb. He has opted to stay in America with Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas. This is a mature decision on his part, but it is still a bit tough for us. We are so thankful that they are doing well spiritually and academically. It makes the distance apart that much easier to bear. Thanks to all of you who pray for us on a regular basis. We feel so blessed.

Advertisement