Luke 12:53  “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

          If we look at the above verses, it would seem at first glance, that Christ never intended for there to be “Peace on Earth”. We personally have seen families in Kenya and Madagascar that are splintered and constantly fighting with each other. The greatest motivator for this fighting is not their daily family life, rather their splintered spiritual life. Many people have mentioned to us about how many different denominations they have belonged to over the years. In some families it is easy to see at first glance that the family is not united spiritually.
          Rivo’s family was such a family. For many years they did not experience “Peace on Earth”. The family was united physically due to Malagasy traditions and the observance of Malagasy customs, but in a shambles spiritually. Upon asking them about their spiritual lives, we were told that the family members worshipped in at least five different denominations. Some of the married couples were united in a similar spiritual faith, others were not. 

          Daniel and Ernestine were not united spiritually until recently. They often tell the story of how they tried to stop each other from following their chosen faiths. When Ernestine prayed, Daniel did everything in his power to disturb his wife. Daniel turned on the radio, switched on the television, or he even started praying himself in a loud voice in order to keep his wife from concentrating on her prayer life. Ernestine was no better than Daniel when Daniel was trying to pray. Ernestine made noise in the bedroom and dropped items intentionally or went into the kitchen and made excessive noise rattling pots and pans throughout the duration of Daniel’s praying.
          In the past, when Daniel and Ernestine were not united in faith, they spent a lot of time fighting with each other. Many times they did not speak to each other for many days. But since their baptisms into Christ back in June (Daniel’s baptism) and November (Ernestine’s baptism) of 2002, their family life and especially their spiritual lives have changed. They have found that it is possible to have “Peace on Earth” through unity in Christ and faith.
          Now, as Daniel and Ernestine look back on their past, it is easy for them to laugh about all of the different things they did to curtail or destroy each others spiritual lives. But now it is easy to see how powerfully God is working in each of them. The changes that have come due to Daniel and Ernestine’s spiritual unity are a constant proclamation to their physical family as well as the spiritual family of God in Madagascar. Both Daniel and Ernestine are united in Christ and their unity is now helping to strengthen the congregation at Ambohimarina on a daily basis. Lord willing, the unity that is prevalent now in their lives will grow, and some day lead the congregation to choose Daniel as one of the elders of His church in Madagascar.
          Please pray fervently for the lives of Daniel, Ernestine, their married children and the church in Madagascar as a whole. We need more people like Daniel and Ernestine to proclaim His work in Madagascar. Please pray for His harvest in Madagascar.
 

New Vehicle
The Rosie family has recently decided that we need a more dependable vehicle for the work. We have looked at several types of four wheel drive vehicles and finally settled on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. This vehicle costs $41,905.00. We have approached the Fraley’s Chapel congregation and have already received $37,000.00. So, we are well on our way to purchasing this new vehicle.

Stacy’s Degree
Stacy continues to study online. So far she has completed 7 of the 12 required courses necessary to receive a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She should finish her studies for this degree mid February of 2007.

Visitors to Arrive
We are still looking forward to, and planning for the arrival of the seven visitors that we will host. They will be arriving on July 7th and for a three week period they will spearhead a VBS type of teaching for the children of the orphanage, Ambohimarina and Ambatolampy areas.

Men’s Meetings
The men of the Ambohimarina congregation continue to meet regularly every Saturday morning. This experience has strengthened the men and shown them the need to “take the reigns” of the Ambohimarina congregation. I am happy to report that the number of men that attend each week is growing bit by bit. We are seeing more maturity in decision making and more willingness on the part of the men to take an active part in the preparation for and carrying out of the worship services each Sunday. Several of the men are now leading the worship time, teaching classes and even preaching from time to time. Please pray for the continued growth of these men as they “stretch their wings” in the Lord. Lord willing we are one step closer to being able to leave the Ambohimarina congregation and move on to another congregation in Madagascar.

It’s not enough that she grew up with the Betikara Orphanage, works with the kids on a weekly basis, has helped teach Bible and English classes, has helped with the building and landscaping process, and has done a multitude of little jobs here and there to make the kids’ lives easier. This month, Havilah has volunteered to go to another orphanage in town with a group of teachers from school to paint a wall mural for a whole different group of orphans. Next year, she wants to go to this other orphanage on a weekly basis just to hold the babies. We are very proud of this not so miniature missionary of ours. She’s finished seventh grade with flying colors, almost all A’s and the one that wasn’t an A was a B+. The comments on her report cards would make any mom and dad proud. Her teachers report that she is always ready to help the struggling learners. She plays three instruments (piano, flute, and guitar), speaks French as well as Malagasy. She’s still reading up a storm. We can’t keep her in books. And most important of all, she finished school this year with a whole gang of friends and she seems a much happier kid than the one who started the school year. During the school break she is going to translate for our visitors who are coming to do a three-week Vacation Bible School for the orphans and church kids. Please, pray for Havilah. She still needs to make that all-important decision to put on her Savior. 
 

• Pray for Daniel and Ernestine as they grow in Christ and influence others to follow Him.
• Pray for the growth of the Ambohimarina congregation that we work with on a daily basis. Pray that the church can reach out into the local communities.
• Pray for Serge and Hanitra as they minister to the youth of the three congregations in the Antananarivo area.
• Pray for Havilah as she continues to grow and show a spirit of caring. Pray that she can soon put on her Savior and become His child.
• Pray for the Rosie family as we continue to teach and serve in Madagascar. Pray that we can be the examples that lead others to Christ.