Daniel and Elizabeth Turk - March 2021 Update
Antananarivo, Madagascar
The FJKM Church’s Response in a time of COVID: Urgent Appeal for Southern Madagascar
Dear friends,
It is hard to believe that we are in Lent and Easter is around the corner! As we head into the second year of uncertainty in this time of COVID-19, we remember God’s presence and our blessings which gives us hope. We have been blessed to be close to family as we wait for the time when we can return to Madagascar. Our daughter Frances graduated from college in December and has now started teaching first-grade in person in Orlando. Our son Robert is in his 2nd year in a master’s program in art therapy and counseling in Chicago. It is a blessing to work in partnership with the FJKM (Fianangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara), The Outreach Foundation’s partner church in Madagascar. We give thanks for the technology that enables us to be in frequent contact with our FJKM colleagues.
The contracted economy and lack of tourist revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to bring daily hardships for the vast majority of Malagasy people. The cases of COVID are now increasing. In the midst of these struggles, there is some encouraging news coming from our Malagasy colleagues. Things to be thankful for in Madagascar include:
· COVID-19 cases are still relatively few even though they are increasing
· over $ 16,000 was raised in COVID relief for the FJKM through an appeal from the Madagascar Mission Network
· successful completion of the first mango extension project
· successful return to training about HIV/AIDS at FJKM’s seminaries
· continued care offered by FJKM Development Department’s dispensaries
Unfortunately, southern Madagascar is currently experiencing severe hunger due to drought and COVID. The World Food Program reports that famine-like conditions in the southern-most parts of Madagascar have caused 1.3 million people to be food insecure with 135,000 children suffering from malnutrition. The United Nations reports that humanitarian assistance is needed for over 1 million people. The situation is likely to worsen in the coming months.
Many people are currently eating mostly cactus fruits and sometimes tamarind fruits mixed with ashes due to failed rains in November and December combined with below-normal rains the past 3 years. Restrictions put in place to fight the spread of COVID-19 mean that seasonal labor opportunities that usually help families get through periods of hardship are almost non-existent in 2021.
In response to the crisis, the FJKM has put out an appeal to its churches and individuals throughout Madagascar to assist those most in need. Over $30,000 has already been raised from these efforts. The FJKM has extended its request for assistance to its overseas partners. Received funds will provide immediate food relief as well as seeds, wells, and water catchment systems to help address longer-term needs for food and water. It costs $50 for a 50 kg bag of rice and $50 for a 50 kg bag of beans. This will feed about 8 people for 2 weeks. The FJKM is trying to get food to about 150,000 people. It costs $1 for a kg of seeds and the FJKM hopes to distribute over 2,500 kg of seeds. They hope to put in 9 water systems that cost an average of $4,000 a system.
The seeds, water, goats ($35 a goat), and fruit trees at each water system ($250 per water system), will help strengthen long-term FJKM efforts to assist needy people in the South. Purchasing 70 goats will increase the FJKM’s goat-raising efforts to provide meat and milk for people in need. All assistance will go to the 4 most-affected districts of southern Madagascar.
Please continue to lift up Madagascar and the FJKM in prayer as the country faces many struggles and the church seeks to be salt and light in these challenging times. Please pray for those in the south as they face unimaginable stresses. Please pray for the FJKM as it prepares for its General Assembly meeting to be held in August 2021. Please pray that we may be able to return to Madagascar in a timely manner.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. The work done together with our brothers and sisters in the FJKM is making a difference in people’s lives. It reminds them in these difficult uncertain days that they do not walk alone. May we all remember this important truth – that God walks with us and we are not alone. “I (we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us).” Phil 4:13
Peace in Christ,
Dan and Elizabeth
dan.turk@pcusa.org
Read more about the Turk’s ministry in Madagascar HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $10,000 for support funds. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.