A letter from Dan and Elizabeth Turk serving in Madagascar
March 4, 2015
Write to Dan Turk
Write to Elizabeth Turk
Individuals: Give online to E200418 for Dan and Elizabeth Turk’s sending and support
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Dear Friends,
We come to you with two prayer requests for the people and nation of Madagascar. One concerns the natural disaster affecting the country and the other, the national reconciliation efforts of the church.
1. DISASTER:
Many of you may be aware that there have been intense rains in Madagascar during the past two months, including in the capital city of Antananarivo. We are safe, but many are homeless and have lost everything due to flooding and landslides. Twenty people have died as a result of the rains, mostly from landslides, and 40,000 people have been displaced by the water. The Malagasy government has declared a state of emergency and the U.S. embassy has issued an emergency message for U.S. citizens. The World Bank is worried that the flooding could severely affect this year’s rice harvest. The rains are continuing. Please pray for those who are suffering because of the unusually heavy rains. Please pray for those who are assisting them.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is collecting funds for disaster relief (http://pda.pcusa.org/situation/madagascar-flooding/ ). Here is an excerpt from the PDA site:
How You Can Help
You can stand in the GAP for disaster survivors and help the church with this response.
Temporary shelters of displaced people in Antananarivo
- Give: Share your financial blessings by designating gifts online to DR000152.
- Give: through your local Presbyterian congregation online or by mailing a check to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
- Act: Like us on Facebook (PDAcares) and share updates with your congregation and others.
- Pray: Please pray that through the response of the faith community the communities impacted by so many disasters, as well as those offering assistance, will have their needs met and will be reminded of the faithful hope that is found in Christ.
2. RECONCILIATION:
Pastors of the PC(USA)’s partner church in Madagascar, the Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (FJKM) and church leaders of other denominations are holding regional and local reconciliation meetings throughout the island this week and the next in efforts to help Madagascar get past the crisis of the past six years. Please pray for travel safety as the weather and road conditions are bad in many parts of the island. Please pray for those leading the discussions that the Holy Spirit might direct them as they guide people through the reconciliation process. Please pray for healing for this nation.
Thank you for taking time to remember your brothers and sisters in Madagascar.
Peace in Christ,
Elizabeth & Dan Turk
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 160
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