Annual Parish Visit

To Maintirano

I’m writing this Substack while having my morning coffee and giving thanks to God for a glorious visit to the parish of Maintirano. We arrived here on Thursday on the MAF Flight from Antananarivo, and our time here has been very full with parish meetings, children’s programs, meeting and praying with government officials, and celebrating Confirmation and Communion.

As I reflect and give thanks this morning, my heart is full for several reasons. First because Neny Sarah, Chase, and Chelsea have been with me on this parish visit. It has made all the difference. Chase is a pretty typical North American 16-year-old young man and I have been very proud of how he has handled this new setting. Sarah has stood with me and greeted and prayed with many Christians. Sarah and Chelsea, assisted by Chase, led a wonderful children’s program about Jesus as our good shepherd. It was really fun watching the children looking all around the church for the one ‘lost sheep’.

Chelsea loves children and has been surrounded by them these past several days! It always strikes me how we, as human beings, can communicate wonderfully, even when we don’t speak the same language. Simple gestures like smiles and fist-pumps are great means of communication.

My new Chaplain, Father Mamy, has proven how extraordinarily helpful and wise he is. He leads by example as a humble gentleman with a servant’s heart. There have been several occasions when Sarah and I have been moved by his gracious service. He’s often the first to step in and help when help is needed - he comes to serve and not to be served. I am very grateful for him.

At the end of each day, we have gathered around the table and shared what had been the highlight of the day, that special moment or unexpected blessing. These have been very special times of sharing moments of joy together. Each member of the team has shared from their experience. Sometimes the joy was an afternoon nap, other times it was an interaction with one of the Christians. Last evening, when we shared once again, I was quite taken that several of us named the same particular experience.

Yesterday morning at the confirmation, there was a young man, 12 years old, who was to be confirmed with the other, older confirmands. The others were 16, 30, and 36. It was obvious that he was nervous. He had the added challenge of being the first to be confirmed and therefore to lead the others. There is great formality and ritual in Malagasy Anglicanism…he had several things to remember! He did it all brilliantly, but still, perhaps, with some anxiety. I prayed more earnestly for him during the laying on of hands, that God would replace his nervousness with the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.

After the liturgy and the accustomed speeches, as is often the case, the young people of the parish had prepared a special offering. In this case, they had prepared a choreographed dance. To my surprise, this 12-year-old boy stepped up to join the dance. This shy, timid, and anxious boy came to life when the music began. It was quite striking.

He was in his element. It was wonderful to watch the smile on his face, the joy exuding from him as he danced, as David did, before the Lord. Several members of our group noted the striking difference in his countenance and we all rejoiced.

I could go on with many other moments from these past few glorious days.

The prayer book says, ‘the service of God is perfect freedom’, this has been our experience these past few days. Pure freedom in serving the Lord!

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