"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."  Colossians 2:8 NIV 

          Many times as missionaries write back to the states or their supporting churches wherever they may be in the world, a picture is often painted of a great work for Christ. Missionaries tend to leave out the bad points and only emphasize the things that "look good" to the people that are a distant part of the mission work. But in every work there are bad points, and the daily struggles that go on in the Kingdom of God. We have already written concerning how the Malagasy people are chained to the traditions of their ancestors. This is very prevalent and easy to see in Christ’s church here in Madagascar. 
          Since our arrive in Antananarivo in April of 1997 we have seen struggling Malagasy that come trying to live a life for Christ.  Many have been baptized only to be told by their families that they will no longer worship with the sect that meets at Ankadivato. We have seen teen-agers come, start to worship faithfully and be drug off to please family and follow the traditions of the ancestors. Two of the Christian youth at Ankadivato remained faithful until they were married. Before their marriages their spouses both said that after the marriage ceremony they would be worshipping weekly with the Ankadivato congregation.  These of course were empty words. Not only do their spouses not come, but those Christian youth are no longer faithful to Christ and His church. The traditions of family and the ancestors continue to hold captive the Malagasy people and continue to take their toll on the followers of Christ at Ankadivato. 
          Now there is Eric Rakotomanga, his wife Elisa and their two children. Eric was an exchange student in Russian when Madagascar was still under Socialistic rule. He studied business at one of the local Russian universities. But, more importantly, Eric was taught about Christ through the efforts of some Christians from the United States that were in Russia teaching Bible.  Eric was baptized in Russia, only to return to Madagascar and find that there was no church with which to worship. Since that time, Eric married Elisa and recently has baptized Elisa into Christ. For this we praise the Lord. Eric and Elisa continue to remain faithful, and Eric is diligent in coming to Ankadivato when the young men gather on Monday and Thursday evenings to gain further knowledge concerning the Word of God. 
          However, the effects of family and tradition are now starting to show in the lives of Eric and Elisa. Every Sunday and Tuesday afternoon I go to their house so that we can study God’s plan for their lives as new Christians. As the weeks go by, they are starting to ask more and more difficult questions concerning the bible, God, family and traditions of men. their families are starting to pressure them into leaving Ankadivato and returning to their former way of life or religion. Why is this happening?  Partly because Eric and Elisa have never told their families of their new faith in Christ. More specifically they are afraid to tell their families about their baptism into Christ. So, Eric and Elisa’s families do not really understand why they are hesitant to follow the traditions of family and the ancestors. 
          It seems that they are now starting to be sifted as wheat, just as Peter was sifted. The bible says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." Luke 22:31, 32 NIV. This is what we as Christians must do to help Eric, Elisa and the multitudes of other Malagasy people that are being sifted by Satan. WE MUST PRAY that their faith may not fail! 
          Family and tradition in Madagascar are not new fads. Nor is it new in any culture or civilization. There is, however, a marked difference in the way that tradition is adhered to in Madagascar. In Kenya the people were ashamed of their traditions, or at least tried to hide them from the churches. They knew that the churches frowned upon such animistic practices. Here in Madagascar, the churches have interwoven tradition and the worship of God making tradition seem okay, since after all, they are both practiced under the umbrella of God or religion. 
          Traditions here in Madagascar are displayed openly in the streets. Not only for the other Malagasy to practice and see, but also for those that are outsiders or foreigners. Because of this open display of tradition it is very difficult to bring about a change in the lives of the Malagasy people. Traditions take many years to develop, and just as many years to overcome. Please pray for Eric, Elisa and many others like them that Satan has asked to "sift as wheat". They need our encouragement to be strong, follow what the bible teaches and to speak out against those things that God for so many years has rejected in His holy word. There is hope for the Malagasy people through our continued prayers on their behalf. Please continue to remember the church in Madagascar as you serve our Lord in the United States. 

A teacher for the Miniature Missionaries
During our furlough in the United States we continually asked for your help in finding a teacher for the Miniature Missionaries. While we did not get any firm commitments in the United States, since that time Lorrie Myers from the Sault Ste. Marie church in Michigan has shown an interest in coming to teach for one school year. This school year would start in August of this year. Lorrie is stepping out on faith to help the work here in Madagascar. She will be leaving her present place of employment and is uncertain as to the availability of another job upon returning to the United States. Please pray for Lorrie as she prepares for this faith building experience. Pray also, that God will bless her richly while in Madagascar and after she returns to the states.

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.

English Classes
English classes have started once again at Ankadivato. This year we have many returning students and about half of our students are new. The number of students is not as large as last time. We are happy about the lower number. Last time there were just to many students to teach and especially to reach with the message that is presented in the Bible. Lord willing, having more time to communicate with these students will help them accept the gospel message as it is being presented every Saturday afternoon.

Our Brother in Christ, Jeff Young
We are deeply saddened by the passing away of our dear brother in Christ, Jeff Young. Jeff served as a deacon of the Fraley’s Chapel Church of Christ for many years. He, and his family became close friends of ours during our mission work both in Kenya and Madagascar. Jeff served us and the church in many different ways. He deeply loved the work of taking care of the accounts for the Kenyan and Malagasy works. He is already greatly missed by our family, and we are looking forward to the day that we can once again be together in heaven. We ask the Lord to comfort Jeff's family during this time of great loss.

• Pray for the spiritual growth of the Christians as we work with them on a daily basis.
• Pray for the struggles that the new Christians are facing because of their families and Malagasy traditions.
• Pray for Lorrie Myers as she prepares to come and work with us in the month of August.
• Pray for the Ratovohery family as they prepare to go to the states during the months of May and June.
• Pray for the Rosie family as we continue to learn about Malagasy customs, work with the new church in the capital city of Antananarivo and try to reach the multitudes of Malagasy that are trapped in the traditions of their ancestors.