Since the political crisis began in Madagascar earlier this year, it has been and remains our intention to stay politically neutral. We agree with a missionary acquaintance who puts it this way: I am against the devil and for Jesus and that is enough. Our interest is solely in carrying the love of God to the poorest of poor on this island nation, whoever is in power.
Although a State Department travel warning remains in effect, and the Peace Corps program remains suspended until further notice, we are told that foreign missionaries, who were evacuated out in the spring, have started to return to Madagascar. An American missionary there writes that:
Things continue to remain unstable. While much of our life continues as normal, the one thing I am not doing is traveling very far from home for extended periods of time. I also avoid going to certain parts of the center of town unless necessary. But the main reason for that is to not leave my family unattended for days. But I have spoken to other missionaries on the coast who say things are relatively stable in their areas. But one thing we have seen since January is how fast things can change. But we are hopeful for things to be better by August…
While various political leaders from both sides work to find a solution, the people continue to suffer. No less than 70 percent of the Malagasy population live on less than a dollar a day, nearly 40 percent are undernourished, and every hour two children die before the age of one month. On top of this, the island struggles with cyclones, floods, drought, rising food prices and chronic food insecurity. Three cyclones have ravaged the countryside since January 2009, leaving thousands homeless. Though it is now harvest time, expectations for a good crop are low because of insufficient rainfall.
So we ask for continued prayers for the people of Madagascar and for our partners adn friends there as we send in donated funds to help relieve the situation. This past quarter, along with the regular funds sent into the Mikea Forest, Ancient Path also sent Chifundo’s Basket funds to our partners, Ibrahim and Cathy Ravoahangy at Global Action in Antananarivo, to help care for the children in their program.
Ancient Path President, Patt Wadenpfuhl, plans to travel to Madagascar in August. While there she will visit our partners in Antananarivo and spend time in the Mikea Forest with parthers Jonoro and Hanitra.
If you would like to contribute financially to help alleviate the crisis in Madagascar,contact us at info@ancientpath.com for further information or click here.