By Dr Tamsin Booth – FOMT Trustee
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” Luke 2:14.
Friday 21st November was the long-awaited date for the 30th Anniversary celebrations for The Good News Hospital. And what a celebration it was! – a recognition of God’s mighty power, provision, grace and glory.
I arrived in time for lunch in the Oasis Guesthouse on the Tuesday. Already there was a sense of anticipation in the air. I had flown up in the small MAF plane with two representatives from Tearfund Belgium – one of the organisations which has supported the project over many years. We were squashed into the plane around all sorts of packages and supplies needed for the day. Members of the Board of the Good News Hospital were already in Mandritsara and Oasis was full! The hospital was a hive of activity – paint was being touched up, corridors swept, flower beds tidied, trees pruned and costumes altered!
There had been news that a new government minister might be coming. And on the Thursday we were all told to meet in the hospital meeting room – the “Salle de Classe” – at 3pm as the Honourable Minister for Communication and Culture would be arriving at 4pm. And he did arrive – though by now it was 6.30pm – amidst a fanfare of security – a black Range Rover with blacked out windows sandwiched between several pick-ups loaded with men with machine guns processing – or bouncing – their way up the dirt road from town to the hospital.
Minister of Communications visiting the hospital
Many of us lined the Hospital Entrance in the fading light to greet him. He made a point of shaking hands with each one of us and having a little chat about who we were. Mme Rindra, Dr Hanitra and Ted Watts then led him on a tour round the hospital, followed by his entourage – quite a sight for the poor unsuspecting patients! The Minister was visibly touched by the level of care provided, and repeatedly thanked the staff for the work they were doing. While he was visiting the surgical block, the minister was able to congratulate Dr Santatra, one of the PAACS trainees who had just heard that same day that he had passed the next stage of his studies! At each stage of the tour the Minister was reminded that all this is only possible by God’s grace and compassion and provision for the people of Mandritsara and beyond.
The tour ended, and the Minister and his entourage retreated back to a new hotel in the town to rest, but for many, there was still much work to be done. Sarindra was moving chairs and setting up into the early hours of the morning.
The day finally arrived. We had all received beautifully prepared personalised invitations with all the information and timings for the day. Opening the envelope felt like opening up a golden ticket, and the day was a beautiful adventure of celebration. I say adventure, because right from the start the day was completely turned around. We were supposed to start with a thanksgiving service and celebration at the hospital before heading down to the new radio station for the grand opening. But suddenly we received news that the Minster wanted to leave at 10am and so we needed to be at the radio station for 6:50am!! We gathered in the front entrance to the hospital at 6:30; everyone looking beautiful in their outfits, and a palpable air of excitement as the finishing touches were underway. Already the sun was high in the sky and the heat and humidity were increasing by the minute. God was very good and held off the rain.
We arrived at the Radio Station as the crowds started gathering – a mix of project staff, visitors and Mandritsara officials. The ribbon was already in place – a red, white and green sash complete with scissors on a red velvet cushion. We hadn’t been there long before news came that actually the minister was unlikely to arrive before 07:45……but that gave us all a chance to have a preview of the incredible new building and recording rooms. I had recently been on a tour of the BBC in London and The Good News Radio Building did not feel of any less quality! In fact, the day before, Diamondra had messaged us to say that they had received a message from someone living 60km away thanking them for transmitting!
Minister cutting the ribbon
Eventually the minister arrived and the formalities began. He cut the ribbon and was shown round by Diamondra. He was absolutely amazed at the quality of the building, commenting that even in his days as a journalist he had not seen such a modern and high-tech recording studio, even in Tana! He spoke to and thanked each member of the Radio Team personally, and then gave a speech which was broadcast on National Television. The whole occasion was such a special celebration and recognition of the Radio and its faithful staff, but more so a celebration again of God’s wonderful provision and the increased ability to record and transmit His powerful and life changing word.
Radio Station
Some time later, we all headed back up the bumpy dusty road to the hospital. It is the first time I have ever been in a traffic jam on that road! It took a bit of manoeuvring and organising to get all the cars arranged and everyone seated ready for the Minister to arrive. We had all been briefed that his time was very tight, so we likely would not have time to do any speeches. But the Minister had been so moved by the work of the project, that he stayed for another couple of hours. He arrived to the beautiful sound of the HVMM choir – all in matching outfits made of traditional lamba material, and led by Dr Eli who is one of the Medical doctors. One of the most moving parts of the day for me was to see the band playing – a 5 piece band made up entirely of PAACS residents – playing and worshipping the Lord together.
Resident surgeons' band
One important part of the celebration was awarding medals to long serving staff. There were about 40 members of staff receiving medals this time – some had been postponed when the 25th celebration was cancelled due to Covid.
The Minister took it upon himself to personally put the medals on each member of staff and give them their certificate. It was such a significant gesture to each member of staff from the cleaning staff to admin to doctors and nurses, teachers, preachers and radio station staff. The smiles on each one of their faces will stay with me forever.
Ted Watts Speaking
He took time to sit and listen to each one of the speeches – Mme Rindra representing the Good News Project, Ted Watts representing Amis de Mandritsara – both of those in Malagasy, and then mine in French on behalf of FOMT. He shook each of our hands and thanked us personally again. Each of us was able to point all the glory to God.
Tamsin speaking
The hospital opened in 1995, but as early as 1991, 34 years ago, Dr. David Mann, one of the first overseas missionaries, was already involved in its planning. He recorded a memory from that time to illustrate God’s providence. I was able to recount some of this in my speech:
In 1992 the plans were coming together for the project, but we had no money. We thought what was needed was to apply to big organisations. All requests to big agencies (British overseas aid, European Community, big Protestant church agency in Germany, TEAR Fund in UK and many smaller Trusts) were all turned down. So a project was designed for ordinary supporters – “Buy a Brick for Mandritsara” and a leaflet was sent to all Africa Evangelical
Fellowship supporters in UK. A few days later we received the first response – a cheque from a lady who said the money was from her son aged 13. On his birthday he had received some money from his grandparents. He was thinking of buying a bike. Our leaflet arrived the same day. He saw it and told his mum he had changed his mind. He wanted to support the Good News Hospital by buying some bricks. That was the very first gift we received. God does not need the big and rich, He can use children to do His work!
In late 1995, Phase 1 construction was due to be finished in mid 1996. We had enough money to pay for the construction, but no funds left to pay for equipment and supplies. What should we do? We were praying and trusting the Lord. A letter (this was pre-email!) came from Samaritan’s Purse. They were intending to finance a 25 bed hospital in Somalia. But due to the security situation there, the project could not go ahead. They had already sent 3 shipping containers full of equipment and supplies to Somalia and they were at the docks in Mogadishu. They wanted to find a home for them. Were we interested, they asked? Were we interested ???!!! The containers were rerouted to Madagascar and contained everything we needed at the start of the project – beds, drip stands, operating table, trolleys, surgical instruments, dressings, Plaster of Paris bandages, syringes & needles, and an X-ray machine! The Lord had supplied!
In 1997 the maintenance team did not have a tractor. A farmer in Devon, hearing about the project, thought it would be good for us to have one. So he donated one of his tractors and it was sent out to Mandritsara! Jehovah-Jireh!
Minister giving his speech
The Minister himself then spoke. He started with a verse from the Bible, and then spoke about all that he had seen at the radio station and hospital. He was so encouraged and thanked God for His provision of this project.
Once speeches were over, the Minister departed amidst much fanfare and farewells. But his departure was far from the end of the celebrations. We were all whisked into town to a hall which had been decorated and tables laid for a delicious meal. We were treated to a beetroot salad followed by copious amounts of rice and chicken stew, mango pudding and then a slice of birthday cake which was cut by Mme Rindra, Ted Watts, members of the Board and Mandritsara officials all holding the knife at the same time!
We returned to the hospital late in the afternoon tired and hot, but so amazed and encouraged by the day. Please thank God for such a wonderful celebration and pray that the Good News of Jesus may continue to be spread to the people of Mandritsara and beyond. And please pray that the Minister and others who attended the ceremony would ponder in their hearts all that they heard and saw. Hallelujah!