Rivo is always looking for a new way to spread the word.  Out on the Betikara land, he found just what he wanted.  Since the terracing work and rock splitting work has begun, Rivo has what you might call a captive audience.  Every day Rivo goes to oversee the progress of the work on the Betikara land.  He goes as a supervisor, but more importantly he goes as a Bible teacher.  We now have 23 men employed to work.  15 of those men are responsible for terracing the land, and 8 are responsible for splitting the gigantic boulders into workable size pieces of stone. 
          When the work first started and an announcement went around the countryside that work was going to be available, many of the immediate community flocked to the Betikara land to interview for the available positions.  As they all listened to what Rivo had to say, there were various questions that arose.  Many of these questions had to do with the morality of the workers themselves.  The workers wanted to know what kind of liberties they were going to 
enjoy while on the job.  Rivo explained that since they were going to be working for the Betikara Orphanage and the Centre d’Etude Biblique, some of the rules they were used to on past jobs were going to change.  For instance, the question was raised about smoking on the job.  Rivo stated that the Betikara land was a smoke free environment.  This brought forth a lot of grunts and groans from the job applicants.  Next, Rivo stated that there would be no beer or rum on the Betikara property.  Even more grunts and groans were heard throughout the audience.  Rivo explained that anyone not following the rules would be replaced promptly.  Take it or leave it.  If you get selected to work, it is based on the terms of no smoking or drinking on the job. 
          Since that initial time of selecting workers all has gone smoothly.  Not one person has been replaced do to not following the laid down rules.  All involved are happy with the work environment.  Not only are the workers smoke and drink free every day, but they are learning about the Savior.  You see, Rivo makes sure that there is enough time every day to study God’s word and pray with the workers.  Even before the orphans are situated on the Betikara land, the gospel is being taught to those of the surrounding community.

John and Esther Ratovohery
John and Esther Ratovohery will soon be leaving for Europe and the United States.  They will depart from Antananarivo, Madagascar on the 5th of May and return here on July 30th.  During their three month furlough they will be reporting to churches in France, Switzerland and the United States.  Please pray for their safe travel and return to
Madagascar.  They will be missed by the church here in Antananarivo.  We will continue to work, but the load we will bear will be even greater than before. 

A teacher for Kit and Havilah
Lorrie Myers is still making plans to come to Madagascar in August.  She states that some help with her plane fare has already been received.  The Sault Ste. Marie Church of Christ at 201 W. 8th Avenue; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 is helping her prepare for the upcoming trip to Madagascar.  If any of you would like to send a little bit to help her with plane fare and living expenses while in Madagascar, I am sure that she would appreciate this very much.  Just make a check out to the Church of Christ, write for Lorrie Myers in the memo area and mail the check to the above address. 

Church Registration
          The registration process for the infant church here in Madagascar is finally under way.  Recently John Ratovohery turned the papers and statute for the church over to one of the Christian men who has more free time to spend in government offices.  John stated that by the time he leaves for the United States, the church should be officially registered with the Malagasy government. 
          Do not hold your breath waiting for this to happen.  Two years ago while applying for our visa extensions it took the government 11 months to finish the process.  Almost half of the time that the visas were good for, since we only received 2 year extensions.  This time around it has already been one month since I first started the application 
process.  The process has stalled in one office.  I am repeatedly told to return next week to see if the papers are ready to be taken to the next office.  At least once the registration process for the church is finished it will not have to be renewed every two years like the visas for all ex-patriots that are currently living in Madagascar.

• Pray for Eric and Elisa as they continue to struggle with their families and the traditions of the Malagasy people. 
• Pray for Lorrie Myers as she makes preparations to come to Madagascar and teach Kit and Havilah starting in August. 
• Pray for John and Esther Ratovohery as they prepare to leave the work here in Antananarivo for three months.  They still have a lot of paperwork to complete before they leave. 
• Pray for us as we continue to work both with the church and the Betikara Orphanage. 
• Pray for the preparations and safe arrival in Madagascar of Dan, Lisa and the two Cuneo children.  They are scheduled to arrive on the night of the 27th of April.