Dear Friends
Now will I tell to sinners round
What a dear Saviour I have found;
Point them to thy redeeming blood,
And say, "Behold the way to God."
John Cennick.
Juliet, a young woman of 20, was expecting her first baby. She lives in a village 50 miles or so from here. The labour was not progressing well so she went to a nearby village that has a health post. The nurse who saw her decided she needed to come in to Mandritsara. So at 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon the family set off by ox cart. They arrived here late on Thursday evening. After we had assembled the theatre team, Juliet lay on the operating table and we explained what would happen and then prayed with her that God would watch over the operation. The baby we knew was already dead, but we prayed for safety for Juliet, and that while here she might learn about the One true God who made her and loves her. As we talked with her she explained that she had never been to Mandritsara before or to anywhere as big. Indeed she had never been far from her home village. She had never been in a room with an electric light, and had never seen a white person (what a shock it must have been for her to see David as her first ever white man!). Mandritsara was for her like arriving in New York - her first taste of modern life!
For those who come from Europe, on the other hand, Mandritsara seems like the end of the world. No phones, no internet, no bank, no supermarket, erratic electricity, irregular water supplies and atrocious roads. How much further can you get from civilisation? It's all a matter of perspective!
We are happy to report that Juliet is now back in her village having made a good recovery from her ordeal. Thank you for praying for folk like Juliet - every day there are folk like her arriving at the hospital with physical and spiritual needs.
It was late at night on 12th June 10 years ago that we did the first operation here. Johanna was born by Caesarean Section. Her mother Ravo, the wife of Olivier our administrator, had gone into labour earlier than expected (she was due to fly to Antananarivo a few days later for the birth!) and in any case we expected a normal delivery. In the evening when it became clear that she needed a Caesarean, there was no other option but to do it here. But we had not yet started doing operations and had no sterile drapes or gowns, no sets of instruments or sutures ready, and no anaesthetic provision. But the Lord wonderfully helped us and every time we see Johanna (she lives 3 doors from us and attends the Good News School) we remember God's faithfulness at that time, and are encouraged.
10 years later we still have the same 2 surgeons (David and Adrien) and anaesthetist (Jeannine - David also doubles up as the second anaesthetist). The numbers of patients coming for surgery has steadily increased over the years. However this year so far, numbers are 50% up on last year. We are at a loss to explain the increase but with Jeannine due to retire next year, and the years ticking by for David and Adrien, we are very conscious of the need for additional doctors - missionaries, or committed Malagasy Christian doctors whom we could train. What we really need are those called by God to serve Him here. Please pray for this.
Of course more operations means more people also hearing the gospel. Sadly there are always those who refuse surgery, preferring to trust in witchcraft or simply fearful. A few days ago parents brought a little girl with a malignant eye tumour. It was still at an early stage and we were very hopeful of being able to save the child's life. But it meant removing the eye. We spoke gently but carefully to the parents and they readily agreed to return the next day for surgery. But they have never been back and we fear that if we see the child again it will be when the tumour is inoperable. David is currently writing a tract specially for those who need an operation, with practical advice and information, and pointing to the One who "Himself took up our infirmities and carried our diseases" (Matt.8:17)
We have already taken possession of the two new Community Health buildings. The maternity block, "boulangerie" (missionary accommodation) and School of Nursing building should all be finished by the end of July. The Dutch Evangelical Broadcasting Organisation agreed to partially fund this latter, though six weeks later we are still awaiting the official application form in the post!
The foundations have also been completed for the "Maison d'Accueil" for visitors and short term helpers. This building also has accommodation for Robert and Christine Blondeel, who will run it. A building team from Belgium and another one from New Zealand are expected over the next 3 months. We are grateful to the Lord for those who are coming - many of whom have been before. We appreciate them giving up their annual holidays to serve here. We would particularly value your prayers for funds to pay for the building materials, cement, wood, roofing sheets, plumbing and electrical fittings etc. This is an urgent need.
Every Sunday now there are new folk coming along to the church - perhaps an average of about 10 each week. The church members are divided into 5 teams, so one team is on duty one week out of 5. The team is responsible for cleaning the church and also for welcoming visitors. At the end of each service the visitors are invited to stand outside the church door and shake hands with everyone leaving Then they are taken back in the church where the team spend a few minutes talking to them, getting to know them, inviting them to come back, answering their questions etc. David has just written a leaflet, translated into Malagasy, called "Welcome to Mandritsara Bible Baptist Church" which seeks to give information about the church and explain simply what we believe. The English version will shortly be on the website. Please pray for the Lord to bring folk to Himself and add them to the church.
Jane has finished all the Sunday school lessons for this term and yesterday was the annual closing service. David preached on 2Tim.3:15 - the Bible: clear, holy, making wise and leading to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Jane is also preparing materials to leave for the Holiday Bible Club, to be held on Saturdays in July and August. Jaclin and Theophile have offered to run it this year.
Plans are moving forward and we appreciate your continued prayers for this. Dr Jeannine has spent some time in Tana working with the government nursing school people to make sure that our course conforms to local requirements. There is still quite a bit of paperwork left to do. Adrien is working on organising the "Concours" or entrance exam to be held in late August, in Tana, Mahajanga and here. John and Mair Pugh are currently in England (and France), but will be back at the end of July along with Estelle Ropp from France. They will have many things to finalise before the proposed opening in mid October. Please pray especially for the right students.
Thank you for praying for the setting up of our own FM radio station for gospel broadcasting as mentioned in our last letter. The Lord has wonderfully answered prayer. We already have government permission (amazing!) for "Feon'ny Vaovao Mahafaly" or Voice of the Good News and have been given a frequency (92Mhz). David Gautschi in Switzerland has obtained and set up a 500W transmitter and shipped it out here. It has passed the technical inspection of the government radio service and is already sitting in the "studio" - a room in the new Community Health Building! Charles Dickey from New Zealand has obtained the antenna and will be sending it shortly. He will be coming himself to set it all up at the end of August. We plan to fix the antenna to a temporary mast at first, but would like to construct a 30 metre mast to increase the range. There is a German engineer in Tana who has already built such masts elsewhere in Madagascar who is ready to do it for us. It will cost about ?10,000. We were trying to think out how best to construct a temporary mast, when Robert noticed a pair of disused masts at the local agricultural station. We made enquiries - and the mast is now here and waiting to be erected!
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.