Dear Friends
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer. 33:3)
What an encouragement to prayer is in this verse! Here is Jeremiah in prison - hopeless and helpless, so it seems. But God graciously speaks to him, invites him to pray, promises to answer - and to do so far beyond what he may imagine. The Bible is full of such encouragements to pray - and to pray with confidence and hope.
Dr Adrien and Gisele returned from a most encouraging trip to Australia in July. Their visas came in time (thank you for praying!). The Christian Medical conference was good, and they were delighted to meet a number of friends from Australia, Africa and elsewhere. But the highlight was a visit with Annie McColm to a prayer group in Annie's home town. They were amazed to hear folk whom they had never met, praying for Mandritsara in an informed way that showed they had really been following what is happening. For the many folk around the world like this, who pray alone, or in groups, for Mandritsara - we are most grateful.
Twenty minutes walk from our house is the village of Antsirambato. Viewed from the hill behind our house, where we often take a late afternoon walk, it looks idyllic, nestling at the foot of another hill and surrounded by coconut palms. In reality it is a centre of darkness and spirit worship. There are no Christians there, though it is so close to the hospital. Two years ago in July/August we held the Children's Holiday Bible Club there and many children attended. A good number started coming to Sunday school and church at that time. But there were no adults who came and gradually the children dropped off.
Each Sunday morning at the service in the church in Mandritsara, the pastor asks new folk to stand up and introduce themselves. On 16th July a man stood up with his wife and 3 children. He said he was Bertrand from Antsirambato. After the service he asked "what are the rituals I have to observe in this church?" "There aren't any rituals" he was told "but you need to read this book (the Bible) for in it you will learn about Jesus and He is the one we trust and follow." The following Sunday, when new folk were asked to come to the front and introduce themselves, Bertrand came forward with a band of about 30 children he had brought from Antsirambato! A couple of days later David saw him in the hospital. "I've come to buy the book" he said, "the one with the songs to sing." He was a little confused, thinking that the hymn book and the Bible were the same book. When he learnt that there are two different books, he asked which was the most important to buy first! You will not be surprised that he was advised to buy the Bible and a few minutes later went off home, Bible in hand. Unlike many village folk, he is able to read. Please pray for him and his family. He could be the key the Lord will use to bring light into the dark village of Antsirambato.
In our last letter in June we asked for prayer for Christian doctors. In July we received a letter, addressed to David, that had been sent registered post in March from Nis, Serbia. It was from a Christian Malagasy doctor, who trained in Serbia, and is about to complete specialist training as a surgeon. He was asking (in English) if we needed doctors or surgeons as he is looking to return to Madagascar. His letter was accompanied by a letter from his Serbian pastor, saying that he has been an active member of the Baptist church there for 13 years. We have written back, and are hoping that we do not have to wait another 4 months for the reply! Please pray that the Lord will show us if this is really from Him.
On Tuesday 15th August we are travelling up to the Nottingham area to meet a number of folk who are seriously considering the way the Lord is leading them for the future. Anna Jones and Miriam Scothern are nurses who hope to join us in October for 6 months. Then there are 3 couples which comprise 4 doctors, a nurse and a water engineer. We are not just looking for volunteers, but for those called by God and equipped for His service. Please pray that the Lord will help each one to know His will.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
With our love
David and Jane
Gifts for the project should be sent to:
Mr Derek Alcock
Friends of Mandritsara Trust
244 Obelisk Rise
Northampton
NN2 8TW
email: derek@mandritsara.org.uk
Please make out cheques to "Friends of Mandritsara Trust" (F.O.M.T.) Gift Aid forms are available.