The blessing of you
          Without you, willing servants of the Father, we couldn’t have existed this long in both Kenya and Madagascar.  You have fed us both physically and spiritually.  You have held us up in prayer.  You have placed so much confidence and trust in us.  You have been our hands and feet in the States tirelessly sending things we needed.  You have been our eyes and ears, informing us of those we left behind and keeping us up to date.  You have been so faithful in prayer for both the work in Kenya, the work in Madagascar, the work with the orphans, and for our family and our family needs.  We deeply appreciate the blessing that you are now and that you have been to us for twenty years.

The blessing of Kenya brothers and sisters
          Barry was able to make a trip to Kenya recently and he was reminded vividly of the blessings that our Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ have been to us.  The stepped right in when we stepped out and the church continues to learn of and follow the Savior.  Some of them are so strong in Christ despite massive poverty and sickness, despite the fact that they have no missionary to lean on.  We are blessed by the example of their dedication and their faith.  Their love reaches to us clear from our old home in South Nyanza. 

The blessing of Malagasy brothers and sisters
          They are so new in Christ, and yet they are as strong an example of dedication and faith as the Luo Christians are.  October 31, 2004, was our bi-annual three church meeting and all day picnic.  It’s difficult to describe what my heart felt as Malagasy Christians poured into the new orphanage building and I was able to greet those I do not see every day or even every week.  We didn’t have enough chairs for the adults and the children were squeezed onto floor mats that were far too small for the number in attendance.  The singing was wonderful and praying together even better.  At the end of the service we realized that four, not three, congregations were represented!  That was an added blessing.  Lunch together was wonderful.  Despite the poverty that also reigns in this country, Christians are learning to share and everyone brought more than necessary in a spirit of love and caring.  For the first time since we’ve lived in Madagascar, I watched women, both upper and lower class, mixing comfortably, calling each other by name, working together, and visiting joyfully in the process.  It was a sight that defies worldly class values and restrictions. 

The blessing that orphans pour forth
          Sometimes, they seem a terrific burden.  Sometimes, they are frustrating, especially in the teenage years.  Sometimes, they are a puzzle.  Most often, they are blessings of smiles, loving hugs, laughter, willingness to help, and anxious for a fun-filled time.  Sometimes, they surprise us with blessings that we never even thought we would get, and they too become an example to us.

The blessing of  new opportunities and new works for Him
          Kevin and Nancy Chambers are back in Madagascar, laying the groundwork for the radio antenna that will be constructed in Majunga by World Christian Broadcasting to broadcast His Word not only throughout the Middle East, but also here within Madagascar.  The attended worship with four congregations on our big picnic Sunday, and we are praying for the wonderful opportunities for Christ in Madagascar.
 

• Pray for the Mauritius Christians that we recently visited.  Pray that they may grow strong and multiply in number.  Presently there are two congregations on the island of Mauritius.
• Pray for the Rosie children as they study in Kenya.  Pray especially for Havilah.  She is having some trouble adjusting to dorm life at Rift Valley Academy.
• Pray for the church here in Madagascar.  Pray for the four different congregations. They are: Ambohijatovo, Ankadivato, Ambohimarina and Andraharofotsy.
• Pray especially for the classes that are being taught to the young children, so that they can become strong workers for HIM.