Alot of planning and preparation goes into an Africa trip – as those of you who have traveled with us since 1998 know very well! As our partners in Madagascar and Malawi are hard at work making the necessary arrangements to prepare for our arrival, Ancient Path team members are busy gathering much-needed supplies, toys and educational resources to carry in for the children in our various programs. Here’s a glimpse of the itinerary…
On October 8th, AP President Patt Wadenpfuhl will head to Antananarivo, Madagascar to meet our long-time friends and partners, Ibrahim and Cathy Ravoahangy. Ibrahim and Cathy have worked faithfully in the capital city for many years, teaching and helping children, strengthening their families, encouraging churches and training leaders. They have also been building churches in the forest and villages. On this trip, Patt will spend time with their Global Action children’s program in Tana and will also make exploratory visits to several of these villages. The Ravoahangys write:
On Saturday the 12th we will go in the forest to visit churches and preach in the middle of the forest, in a new church we have dedicated 2 months ago. Then we will visit the church of Sakalava which is under construction. Maybe we will have to walk 30 km roundtrip if the road is muddy. On our return to Tana we will stop over in Andranobe to visit the church you gave financial support to two years ago when we built it. It was dedicated one year ago!
Of course, where there are village churches, there are needy and vulnerable children – the very reason our Chifundo’s Basket program exists. AP also hopes to find new ways to help artisans support their families and village schools through their artistic talents and Patt will bring home beautiful Malagasy goods to sell.
On October 19th, Patt will fly south to the town of Toliara to meet our dear friends and partners, Pastor Jonoro and Hanitra. Ancient Path has partnered with Jonoro and Hanitra in Toliara, the remote village of Anjabetrongo and the Mikea Forest since 2003. What the Jonoros and their network of partners have accomplished in this region by the grace of God is nothing short of miraculous. On this trip the team will carry supplies into the school children of Anjabetrongo, encourage the church, and visit with Mikea Chief Fandahara’s family. Patt also plans to take in equipment to record the unique songs of the Masikoro and Mikea people.
On October 29th, Patt will fly through Nairobi and into Lilongwe, Malawi to visit with Chifundo Director Pastor Moses Mtambo and the 120 children in the Chifundo program of Kaliyeka township. She will be met there by team members from Minnesota – Paul and Dixie Hiniker and Pastor Fred and Cindy Cressman. The team will carry in many supplies for the program that can’t be found in Malawi and will purchase other basic items for the children after they arrive. While there, they will see the children daily for various activities, provide extra hot meals, shop for items such as blankets, school supplies, mats or mosquito nets – depending on the need – and visit the guardians in their homes. Pastor Moses and AP accountant, Blessings Mtambo have other plans in the works, so it will be a busy and fulfilling 10 days!
Like we said – alot of preparation and planning goes into an Ancient Path trip! We’d ask that you pray for the team members here in the US, in Madagascar and Malawi. Please pray that God provides everything that we need. And please consider making a financial contribution to help us purchase all needed supplies, pay for extra meals and activities for the children, for programs in the respective countries, for things like overweight baggage fees and unexpected needs (or sometimes emergencies) that undoubtedly arise.
To donate online click here . Or you can mail a check to:
Ancient Path
P.O. Box 38045
Olmsted Falls, Ohio 44138
We’ll provide more information in the weeks ahead! On behalf of the AP team, our partners and the children, thank you for your prayerful support !
