All posts by Sue Babbs

General

History was made today in the Diocese!

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Bishop Todd reports: “We had our first zoom call in the Diocese with our clergy. Everyone who was invited was present, except Rev. Theodore. Some of the people had some technical difficulty but 80% of them worked out just fine. 


This was a real victory and the clergy were so excited to see each other, to meet together and to pray even if via Zoom. Our meeting lasted 2 hours. They have all agreed to do this each month. I can’t believe how excited everyone was to see each other. It was truly a Christ like moment.”


Such good news! Good is coming even out of this coronavirus pandemic!  It is wonderful that Zoom is enabling clergy, who live and work so far apart, to meet with each other for prayer, support, encouragement and future planning.


We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8: 28 )

General, People

Life for Students in Toliara Diocese

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We recently heard from seminarian, Zafy, about how he and his family are coping during this coronavirus pandemic.

He wrote:

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are very happy that you remember us. Thank you so much for your prayers for us and for all the people of Madagascar. We also continue to pray for you and all human beings around the world, especially in light of the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic.

In Toliara, we are living in a time of crisis due to rising inflation, the closure of markets and businesses, especially education. As a result, all daily necessities, such as Cycle Pousse (rickshaws) and taxi, etc are more expensove. 

All of us here at the Cathedral Complex are trying to be very disciplined in maintaining good health. Such is the practice of praying in groups of two, and washing of hands as soon as one enters the gate to the complex, taking of temperatures, and the observance of the two-meter distance, which is a teaching left by the Rev. Derek and his wife. Special thanks go to Neny Holy, who makes life worth living by continuing to teach and remind people to follow all the instructions that she and Rev. Derek have taught.

About our family:
• Christophère (aged 6) has taken exam even though it is not done in school. He has tried his best and they will hear on August 20th, if he has passed and can go on to the next grade. Special thanks go to him for his constant prayers for the people affected by Covid-19, all the doctors and the police etc.… everyday.

• Tantely, (Zafy’s wife) tries to continue her studies to be a midwife even when she is not in school.  She goes to lessons and does daily exercises at school at a special cost. The problem with this is that there is no teacher to explain the lesson when it is not clear to her. It started last month in July and will last until November, but admission to the next school year is still in November, so there will be no Vacation but it will continue for study. She is part of the women supervising those sewing masks at Base Toliara, which has gone well. It was great to work with other women and they were also happy to work with us. Continuation of this sewing work will continue at the Women Center’s.

• Zafy is still in the process of taking the exams for seminary.  He is back home from university in the capital and using online learning and conferences via Zoom. As for learning, he really tries and thanks the Lord for always helping him.  His problem, however, is that he must travel to a Cyber Café  in Toliara city every time he studies, especially when he uses Zoom and downloads books and lessons. This is very expensive, but it must be done. He also tries to organize the distribution of religious programs that are distributed from house to house by the community here.

May the Lord always be with you all.

Trusting in God, the Protector and Blessing of His People. 

Zafy 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I be in dread? God is the stronghold of my life; whom shall I fear?”  Psalm. 27: 1

General

Student Intern for Maropia Church, Amboasary Parish

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Maropia Church, in the countryside near Ambovombe, welcomes a student intern.

Maropia Church

His name is Christian or Jamoka and he has completed one year at St Patrick’s Bible College. He will return there when it next opens, and eventually will go to university to study to be a priest.

Dean Donne & Christian

We pray that God will bless him in his work and the Church members as they work alongside him.

Coronavirus

Zooming McGregors

We had a wonderful Zoom session with Todd and Patsy on Saturday 18th July, when  they talked about their ministry, the Diocese of Toliara, the impact of COVID19 in Madagascar, and how people can support the work in Toliara.

If you weren’t able to participate in the call, it was recorded and you can watch it at your convenience  by clicking here. 

Key points from the call were:

  • COVID 19 has increased in Toliara. There are now 30 confirmed cases in Toliara since Monday.
  • The government has imposed stricter regulations similar to those in the capital.
  • All churches and schools (including students studying for national exam) throughout the country have now been closed.
  • All shops and markets close at 3 pm, and a curfew is now enforced.
  • No one is allowed to leave the regions even for funerals.  So Bishop Samy was not able to be present for his mother’s funeral, and her body was not able to be interred in the family tomb but was put in a different one.  Rev. Adam and his family have not been able to return to England following his father’s sudden death.
  • The office staff will be working sporadically in the Diocesan offices now except for those who live on the compound.
  • There are eight family units and 2 building projects at the Cathedral complex.  Social distancing is maintained and masks are worn.  A temperature gun has just been acquired and temperatures will be taken daily for everyone on or entering the compound. There is a hand washing station at both gates.
  • Travel within the country is limited, so Bishop Todd has now spent the longest time continually at home in the Gathering Place!
  • The Malagasy are scared of this virus and taking it very seriously.
  • Schools are closed, including the 2 Diocesan schools, but funds are still needed to pay the teachers at those schools.
  • Todd and Patsy talked about their own personal reactions to the situation.
  • There are problems getting food to the South because drivers won’t deliver food without being accompanied by the military.  Rice had doubled in price at one point.  There continues to be ongoing famine caused by drought in the areas around Ambovombe, Tsihombe, Belohad and Ampanihy.
  • Donations are made by the Malagasy in cash to fund churches when services are held, but not when there are no meetings there is no income to keep the Church running.
  • The Diocese is developing liturgy to enable families within their homes and possibly with close neighbours to meet and pray 3-4 times a week, even if services can’t be held.
  • The Women’s Center has partnered with Base Toliara to make 45,000 masks.

Donations to help with  relief needed as a consequence of Covid-19, child sponsorship or the Endowment Fund to keep the Diocese running long-term would all be welcomed

Coronavirus

First 2,000, then 45,000 masks!!

Once the Women’s Center opened again, after the initial coronavirus lockdown in Toliara, the women met to sew face masks instead of Days for Girls kits.

Earlier this month they completed sewing 2,000 face masks for the Diocese and have distributed them to the 2 schools and 10 parishes. Funds were donated to cover the costs of making these.

This photo shows Bishop Todd & Harisoa & the final 500 masks for the Diocese.

The women are now partnering with Base Toliara and the Malagasy government to make 45,000 face masks over the next 2 months.  Base Toliara is a mining company, 25 miles north of Toliara town, sourcing ilmenite, zircon and rutile, which are used in the production of white pigment for paint, plastics and paper as well as for ceramics and metallurgy.

 

The contract between the Women’s Center and Base Toliara is for 2 months.  8 women, who normally work at the Women’s Center, will be supervising 40 women plus at Base Toliara.   3 women will go there for 2 weeks at a time and then rotate with others from the team.  Working as supervisors is a step up for all of them, most of whom learned to use a sewing machine for the first time in 2016, to make Days for Girls kits.

 

Recently Bishop Todd and Rev. Patsy visited Base Toliara, and the whole project was filmed for local television, which can be seen on the Diocesan Facebook page  

People

Bishop Samitiana’s 30th Anniversary of Priesthood

On Sunday June 28th, in Santa Patrika Cathedral, the Diocese celebrated Bishop Samitiana’s 30th anniversary since he was priested. Only a few people could be present on account of coronavirus.

The service went very well and we spent 3 1/2 hours celebrating and thanking the Lord for Bishop Samitiana’s servant attitude and committed service to the Kingdom of God.