As the Ambohimarina congregation progresses in our plan to teach about marriage and family life during 2007, we are finding more and more often that the Malagasy people are willing to listen, but they are still clinging to their traditional ways. We started teaching in Genesis about God’s plan for marriage being between one man and one woman. Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24. Things were going well until we entered into I Corinthians 7 and Mathew 19. We explained to the congregation that it is God’s intention for one man to be married to one woman for life. We also stated that the only allowable reasons for breaking the marriage vow were adultery or death.
          Just this last Sunday one of the married men of the congregation raised a question during the morning adult bible class. I am still not sure why he asked the question. He is a married man that has several children. The question referred to Malagasy tradition concerning a married couple that has no children. Simply put, the question was, “What if a married couple has no children, can a man take another wife in order to have children?” Also included within that question was the query, “And what if the married couple only have female offspring?”
          We are quite used to this type of questioning. In Kenya, Christians wanting to know what they can do constantly plagued us. They are married and now they have no children or no male children to carry on the family name. Peer pressure, or more specifically family pressure is great, and often times causes men to divorce their wives that are “unfruitful” and take another mate in their place.
          It seems that the Malagasy people have the same mindset as the Kenyan people when it comes to giving birth and the sex of the offspring. Malagasy people believe that if a woman does not get pregnant, it is her fault and her fault alone. Therefore, the simple solution is for a man to get rid of one “unfruitful” wife and marry another. Also, if the woman gives birth to only female offspring, that is her fault. The solution is to get rid of that woman and marry another that will give birth to male offspring.
          We went to visit a Kenyan village one Sunday and during the time that we were sitting around waiting for people to gather for worship we were asked a question. The man of the home called in all of his children and had them line up in front of us. They were seven in number. All of them were nicely dressed and ready for the day of worship that lay ahead. We looked at the children and were impressed. Then the father asked us, “What should I do?” Of course, we knew exactly to what the father was referring. However, we asked, “What do you mean?” The father stated, “Don’t you see? I have seven daughters and no son.” We were saddened that the father did not look at his family as a blessing from God. All of his children were well dressed and healthy. That is such a big blessing in a country like Kenya, where the infant death rate is fifty percent.
          Because tradition is such a strong part the Kenyan and Malagasy people, it is difficult for them to see a family full of girls as a blessing. It is also impossible for them to see a marriage without children as a marriage that God has blessed. Tradition demands that the ancestors have a male descendant to carry on the family line. This tradition is so strong, that many times nothing can stand in its way. That is the reason that many marriages end in divorce. It is also the reason that many men do not get married, until they are sure that the woman they “love” can produce male offspring.
          So, when I answered the question, “What if a married couple have no children, can a man take another wife in order to have children?”, I replied that God has given us His plan for marriage, one man and one woman for life. If you are married and have no children, that is God’s will for your life. If you are married and have only female offspring, that also is God’s will for your life. It is up to us to decide if we are going to honor God, or honor the ancestors with the lives we live. After all, Abraham was married to Sarah and did not have a son, even though God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as many in number as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.
          The Malagasy people have a way to go in order to trust God with their lives. Tradition is still many times stronger than God’s will for their lives. The Malagasy church needs time to grow in trust and service to Him. Please pray with us that God’s will be done in the lives of the 11 married couples out at the Ambohimarina congregation. Pray that they can stand firm in their faith, and that they can see the blessings that God will bestow on them as they faithfully serve Him. Pray that God will strengthen each of them as they continue to seek His will for their lives.
 

          Last year during July of 2006, when the World Wide Youth Camp team was serving in Madagascar, we started talking with the Upton Family about their future plans.  Mark and Miriam are interested in coming to work with the Rosie Family.  They will come and survey in June of this year.  The Upton’s will be in Madagascar learning about what is required by the government and from themselves in order to be able to live in Madagascar.  We are looking forward to their visit and pray that they will be cared for and guided by the Savior during this time of survey and possible preparation to come and serve in Madagascar.

Upcoming Marriage Seminars

          Time is drawing closer for the arrival of the Allison’s.  We are trying to get everything set in place for them.  Presently we have daily seminars on marriage and family scheduled for April 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th with the Ambohimarina congregation and visitors from the surrounding area.  These seminars will start at 9:00 a.m. and go until 4:00 p.m. each day.
          On Saturday, April 7th, we are trying to prepare for a one day seminar with the Ankadivato congregation in town being the host.  That seminar will also start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.  We are hopeful that members from all three Antananarivo congregations will be able to be present.
 Please pray for these seminars.  We are finding that the Malagasy people are hesitant to change from their traditional ways concerning marriage.  God can overcome through prayer!

• Pray for the upcoming marriage and family seminars that will take place in April with the Allison’s as teachers.Pray for the Ambohimarina congregation as we continue to teach on marriage and family every Saturday and Sunday.
• Pray for the Rosie family as we continue to plan for the future. Pray for Kit and his remaining days at Rift Valley Academy.
• Pray for the Upton family as they prepare for their upcoming visit to Madagascar during the month of June.
• Pray that they can see how their lives will fit in with His plan for Madagascar.Pray for the Rosie family as we are together in Madagascar for the last time before Kit enters university in the United States.