Dear Friends,
It has been a very busy time since we last checked in with you. Elizabeth and KPMSV colleagues were busy getting ready for and hosting the ACHAP International Health Conference in February. Dan and FVEE colleagues were busy supervising work at the Mango Palace including work on the new school in the Ambarata community and getting ready for water work in the Ampotaka community. (KPMSV is FJKM’s National AIDS and Epidemics Committee AIDS and FVEE is the Fruits, Vegetables, and Environmental Education program of the FJKM church).
Dan and FVEE colleagues just finished an exciting 10-day trip (March 7-17) to supervise extension work around protected areas that started last year with Missouri Botanical Gardens. Analavelona Protected Area is in southern Madagascar heading towards Tulear. Dan and colleagues had a joint meeting with all of the farmers in the project, visited each farmer’s individual orchards, and distributed new fruit trees. All farmers were still interested in growing fruit trees. The fruit trees in the community leader’s orchard were all alive and doing well. It was nice to see a leader providing such a good example.
A highlight was to see Narota, a 13-year-old whose mother taught him to graft mangoes after she received training from Dan’s colleagues last year. Narota has already successfully produced grafted mango trees. They are pictured here. In several years, the community should be getting income from selling mangos.
Dan has started a week of teaching 2nd and 3rd year agronomy students at the FJKM university in Moramanga. Moramanga is about 4 hours outside of the capital.
The FJKM just finished hosting the 12th Biennial Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) International Conference. It took place this Feb 23-27th and brought together over 90 participants from Africa and beyond that included leaders of faith-based groups as well as funding organizations involved in the health field. The theme was how to build strong collaborations between governments and faith-based groups in healthcare delivery as well as looking at how to help faith-based groups be more resilient in this new era of shrinking funding. There was engagement from the major denominations in Madagascar involved in healthcare delivery (FJKM, Lutheran, Catholic, and Anglican) as well as from the Malagasy government. The ACHAP staff just told the FJKM that this conference was the best of the last 5 conferences.
The FJKM participants learned many lessons from other African faith-based groups that will help the FJKM expand and improve its healthcare ministries. Through the conference, FJKM made contact with some new groups that may be interested in funding health work in Madagascar. It also opened doors with the Malagasy government. Prayers appreciated that these new opportunities bear fruit. We give thanks to God that this conference went so well considering the health funding cuts worldwide, the Malagasy change in government, Mpox epidemic, and the cyclones.
On Monday March 23rd, the FJKM National AIDS and Epidemics Committee (KPMSV) starts its annual strategic meeting that will go through Wednesday March 25th lunch. On Monday, the KPMSV will be electing officers to lead it for the next 4 years. There will be several presentations, and Elizabeth will be doing one on vaccinations. One thing we celebrate is that in 2025, we were able to hold 20 free health screenings reaching over 5159 people, with 2665 screened for HIV, 3032 screened for blood pressure and 2884 for diabetes.
There are many pressing issues that will be addressed at the meeting:
- What is best approach for the church to address the rapidly rising HIV rate? Madagascar’s HIV rate is climbing faster than almost any other country in the world.
- What does the church need to do in face of the Mpox epidemic? The first cases were identified in Madagascar in December 2025.
- How can the church help improve the vaccination rate for children and pregnant women? There have been measles and neonatal tetanus outbreaks related to low vaccination rates of children and pregnant women.
On a personal note, we are still working on raising support. Funds can be sent to The Antioch Partners. Please let us know if you need more information. We deeply appreciate the support we have received and welcome anyone who would like to partner with us as we serve with the FJKM in Madagascar in health, agriculture, and environmental education.
We have joyful news to share: We head to the States at the end of April to attend our daughter Frances’ Master’s graduation from Georgetown May 15th and for her wedding to Emmanuel on June 20th in Orlando. Robert and his wife Tatiana are doing well, and we look forward to seeing them. As this time in the States will be full of family events, we may not be able to visit everyone we would like to, but we will also be coming to the States in 2027. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.
We would appreciate prayers for the KPMSV annual meeting; Dan’s teaching; cyclone recovery; new government ministry changes, the FJKM’s General Council meeting April 15-22, and safe travels.
May everyone have a blessed Easter as we are reminded that our God reigns even in the midst of challenges, struggles, and darkness.
Peace in Christ,
Elizabeth and Dan
July 2026 Update
Frances and Emmanuel’s wedding was a lovely event. It was wonderful to have both families and many friends with us to celebrate. Robert and Tatiana returned to their home in Chicago. Frances and Emmanuel are now in Dakar, Senegal where they will be living. We have attended 2 conferences and started sharing with churches. Work in Madagascar is progressing. Please pray for good results and safety as the FVEE and KPMSV teams continue their work that involves much travel. We will return to Madagascar in early October. Thank you for your prayers and support!