In November 2020, we were joined by Jacky Lowe and Emily Nell Lagerquist who have lived in the Diocese for considerable periods and have deep connections with the people of Toliara.

Our aim is to continue our friendship and partnership with the Diocese, as we work together to take Christ’s commission to Madagascar and the rest of the world.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  (Matthew 28:19-20a)

Bishop RAZAFINDRALAMBO Samitiana Jhonson, was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Toliara on April 25th, 2020

John Griffin lives in the UK and helps support the Child Sponsorship scheme. He lived and worked in Madagascar in the early 2000’s and last visited Toliara in 2019.

Paul & Maggie Simmons  live in Chaville, France, and their Church, St. Mark’s, Versailles, is linked with the Parish of Morondava. They visited Toliara in 2016 with Sue and Simon Babbs, when Maggie helped Sue with training the ladies of the diocese in preparation for the Days for Girls Enterprise in Toliara.  Paul and Maggie have helped with the website and other social media.

Sue and Simon Babbs have been supporters of the work in Madagascar since they met Todd and Patsy McGregor in 2001. They live in Northfield, Illinois, and their Church, St James the Less, is linked with the Parish of Amboasary. They visited the Diocese in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018. Simon works to support the Diocese in financial matters. Sue’s main work relates to the Women’s Center, and she is mentor and leader of the Days for Girls Enterprise in Toliara.

Walter Jones lives in south east Florida and visited Toliara in August 2019. His church, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton is linked with the Parish of Andranovory, and hosts the McGregor Toliara Endowment as an additional sub-account of its endowment funds.  Walter helps oversee the Endowment Fund and is very involved with Communications, Economic Development and Fundraising.

Will & Cheryl Harman first visited the Diocese of Toliara in 2009, when they led a mission team to visit their Parish Link with Mahabo Parish. Since then they have led 5 more teams to the Diocese, including their family. They have had visitors in their home from the Diocese. They cherish their friendships and relationships within the Diocese of Toliara. They sponsor Oceana and built a Guest House, Cheryl’s Place, in the Diocese of Toliara. They look forward to working with Parish Links, Short term missions, Economic Development and the Endowment.

Jacqueline ( Jacky ) Lowe was born in England, and is a retired teacher living in South Florida. She visited Toliara on short term missions in 2009, 2010, 2015, and lived in Toliara in the Women’s Center from 2018-2020 working with the women and children, and as an intercessory prayer warrior. She hopes to return to Toliara after Covid and recent health problems.

Emily Nell Lagerquist went to the Diocese of Toliara as a Short Term Missionary in March 2020, expecting to return in May. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic she stayed much longer! She lived in the Women’s Center until December 2020, working on grant applications and teaching English, amongst many other things.

Faye Somers is an Archdeacon in the Diocese of SE Florida and serves as the deacon at the Chapel of Saint Andrew, in Boca Raton Florida. She is transitioning into her new role as a retired educator. Recently Faye along with some very generous friends raised enough funds to build a  school for the children of Manamby, Mahabo.  Faye is very excited to be a Friend of Toliara!

Friends Journeying Together