Chase Critch Madagascar Benefit Concert

I'm a very proud dad - and mom is really proud too!!

One of our greatest prayers for our son is that he will grow up to be a man after the Lord’s heart. More than success, or power, or wealth, we pray that Chase becomes a man of integrity. At fifteen years of age, we are seeing the Lord at work in his life! None more than Thursday evening when he organized, by his own initiative, a benefit concert for children in Madagascar.

Chase spent six weeks with me and Neny Sarah in Mahajanga in December. While here he travelled with me to the various parts of the diocese, and he, like his mom and dad, was challenged with the many of the images of extreme poverty he saw.

I have written in a previous Substack about his experience of visiting a very poor and humble school, which he said was “very unlike his school in Canada”. On our way back home from the visit to this school in Marovoay, we talked about the way in which we take many things for granted in North America. It was obvious that Chase was struggling with the two very different realities and the injustice of it all.

The result of our conversation was his plan to ‘do something about it’! When he returned to Canada he began the process to have a concert in his school and raise funds to help the school in Marovoay. By his own initiative he planned the concert, invited musicians, rehearsed, prepared a PowerPoint presentation, shared advertisements on social media and with friends and family, and spoke about his plan to church.

The event was a resounding success! I watched it live from Madagascar and could not have been more proud. Truth is, this dad (and mom) were both in tears as we watched the Lord take the efforts of Chase and the other musicians, and use it for His purpose. Chase welcomed people to the concert with a wonderful word about how we can help those who are in need. After he thanked each performed, he shared information about Madagascar such as the low literacy rate (65%).

Throughout the concert he shared how much money had been raised to date. Chase had set the lofty (and from my perspective – intimidating) goal of raising $10,000. At the end of the evening Sarah presented him a slip of paper which was the grand total for the event. The most remarkable expression came across his face as he realized that he had surpassed his goal -the total raised at that point was $10,480!!! It was so wonderful to watch him make the announcement – and to hear the cheers and applause from the concert goers – each of whom had given very generously to support Chase and the school in Marovoay. Since the concert even more funds have been raised, which when converted to Malagasy Ariary, is over 35,000,000!

These funds will make an enormous difference for this small school- in fact it will replace one of the buildings all together! This makes Chase happy, his mom and Dad proud, and I really believe Jesus is well pleased!