One of the supporters of the Diocese of Toliara wrote recently saying, my wife came across this passage today and we decided to pray it over the Malagasy in the south:

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭41:17-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What a great passage!  We serve a God who knows about water projects, and we know how much it is needed!

We invite you to join us in praying this for southern Madagascar.

On April 17th, 2021, we held our first ever online fundraiser for the McGregor Toliara Endowment Fund. It was hosted and led by Bishop Todd and Rev Patsy McGregor who founded the Diocese of Toliara sixteen years ago.  
 
The McGregors created this Endowment to offer sustainability for one of the poorest regions in one of the poorest countries in the world in order to promote God’s legacy and to continue the great work God has begun.  

During the Zoom call, we watched a video inviting us to give to this Endowment Fund and support the Diocese. If you weren’t able to join us, or would like to share this video with others , you can find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFvrMuQhJes

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE TO THE ENDOWMENT FROM THE USA:

1.     Enter the amount you want to give
2.     Under “Gift Type”, select “Give one time” or “Set up Recurring Gift”
3.     Under “Fund” select “McGregor Toliara Endowment”

or, if you wish to give by check, make it out to:
St Gregory’s Episcopal Church – memo McGregor Toliara Endowment
and mail it to:
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church,   P.O. Box 1503, Boca Raton FL 33429

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE TO THE ENDOWMENT FROM THE UK

or make cheques payable to USPG (McGregor Toliara Endowment)
and send to: USPG, 5 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB

CONTACT US HERE IF YOU WISH TO DONATE TO THE ENDOWMENT FROM ANY OTHER COUNTRY

We join with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as they celebrate Maundy Thursday with a foot washing service, at the official opening of the church at Marodo Ankilimasy MAROALOKA – one of the newest churches in the Diocese of Toliara.

Thanks be to God! The much-prayed for rain has come to the drought-struck Parish of Amboasary. Hallelujahs have broken out even in Lent!

Neny Oliviah, wife of Deacon Gaston writes: The Lord has never refused to listen to you and lets his heart be with you when you cry! There has been a lot of crying and wailing in the Androy region because there was no rain but God listened to it and gave a lot of rain. Now it’s really a lot of water, all the people rejoice, and many feel blessed by the Lord for this great reward and great mercy.

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

The dates have been set for the election of the new Bishop for the Diocese of Toliara, which will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toliara.

Saturday March 13th
2.00 p.m. – Spiritual preparation retreat led by Rt Revd Dr Gilbert Rateloson.

Sunday March 14th
8.00 a.m. – Election of the 2nd Bishop of Toliara
9.30 a.m. – Eucharist celebration and announcement of the result of the episcopal election

Your prayer is much appreciated as this important decision is about to be made.

O Lord God Almighty, Our Father,
You have always led your people and ordained Apostles in various places and in many nations: bless the Anglican Church of the Diocese of Toliara so that, under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, the Archbishop, the Chancellor of the Diocese, the Electoral College and all Provincial Bishops will be prepared to choose whom you will to shepherd your sheep, to serve as a wise leader, and to establish and expand your Kingdom in the Diocese of Toliara;
through the Good Shepherd and Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the one God for ever and ever. Amen

So far this week, there have been 623 baptisms in Amboasary Parish, with 500 still to happen over the next day or so.

And now it’s started to rain! HALLELUJAH! Normally the rainbow is seen as a sign of God’s blessing but for the people of this drought-struck land the rain is the much-needed blessing. May it continue! May it not stop the baptisms!

Rev Berthier, the Secretary of the Province of the Indian Ocean, has travelled south to encourage and assist the clergy and churches of the District of Fort Dauphin. We thank Anglican Aid (from the Diocese of Sydney, Australia) for their financial help in making this possible.

Rev Berthier writes: “Because of the good works we have done (sharing foods in situation of appalling famine), the Churches in Androy are growing exponentially. When I left Toamasina, we were supposed to baptise nearly 500 new Christians and the parish has planted 9 new Churches. Now I am informed that we have 13 new Churches and 1000 registered for baptism. So this week we will baptise 1000 new Christians. Imagine? Please pray that they will be rooted in Christ and pray for us.”

Thanks be to God and the hard workers in Ambovombe, the roof has been restored to the St Paul’s Church, just three days after it blew off.

The Provincial Secretary, Rev Berthier is visiting the Parishes of Fort Dauphin and Amboasary for the next couple of weeks.

Please pray for God to give Dean Donné, Deacon Gaston and Rev Berthier the necessary strength and stamina as they baptise around 600 people (mostly adults) in the coming week. Also pray for the baptism candidates to grow in their new-found faith, and for those who will be responsible for their discipleship.

The Parish Committees of Fort Dauphin and Amboasary met together this past weekend, and invited Amboasary’s link parish of St James the Less and the leadership of Friends of Toliara to join them for prayer and conversation at the end of their first day.

56 people had gathered in St Gregory’s Church, Fort Dauphin to be trained in leading Bible Study, and discuss church budgets and other business.

They reported that there is still no rain in Amboasary to alleviate the drought and famine.

In the next week, they are planning to baptise nearly 500 people in the Parish. Also Rev Berthier from Toamasina Diocese is coming to Amboasary for 12 days to assist with the sudden growth of the Church in this area.

A strong wind came through Ambovombe on Sunday, and blew the roof off the church building. They give thanks to God for protecting them and that no-one was injured. Sadly it didn’t bring any rain with it.

Please hold them all in your prayers.