Manga Paika Village
An Episcopal Parish Visit
Today I had the great privilege of visiting one of my newest church congregations in Manga Paika Village. The priest, Father Julian, began the ministry in this small parish just about a year ago. Since his first visit, the parish has grown to over sixty Christians. On Easter Sunday he baptized nineteen new Christians – infants, adults, and older folk! They have been meeting together beneath the shadowy coverings of a mango tree.
Today these very poor and humble Christians came to meet me on the main highway to lead my driver over the winding path to mango tree. When we got to the opening, I found that the ‘mango tree church’ is very near where some of the Christian’s houses are. These are very small, humble, mud huts, made from local earth.
Many Christians, some very old some, some very young, were lined up to greet me. It wasn’t until after I had greeted them that I noticed that they had erected a large canvas tent in which we would worship. I had brought an umbrella to shield me from the sun. I was humbled, embarrassed really, when I saw what they had done. I asked where this ‘church building’ came from, and I was told that it had been erected simply because the Bishop was coming to worship with them this morning. There is a British tradition in many parts of the world that when the Bishop visits the parish, an arch is raised over the West door of the church. In this case, they raised a church for the Bishop! I cannot write my reflections on worshiping this morning with the ‘mango tree church’ without weeping.
At the break of dawn early this morning all the young men of this little village cut sticks which would be used as poles. By hand they sewed together various bits and pieces of canvas for the roof. They had made an altar, and had prepared a ‘Bishop’s chair’ on which I could sit. They had even covered the ground with canvas, because “today the Bishop is with us!”.
Worship began when the bell ringer rang the Angelus! A small hammer and a piece of iron hanging from a tree! Even Nashotah House in all her glory does no better! We processed behind a wooden cross, made specially for today. We celebrated Holy Communion together. We sang hymns together. We chanted the liturgy together – the entire liturgy including the Psalm.
We shared a Malagasy meal together after worship and we talked about the possibility of them having a church on the main road which everyone could get to easily.
When I returned to the main road after worship, the priest showed me where they would like to build their church. To my surprise, not 100 feet away, a large, imposing mosque is being built. It will tower over the landscape, and while we do not need to compete with the oil rich Islamic States which are funding such projects, I really believe these Christians need a parish church. Will you pray with me that the Lord will provide the necessary funds for them? The storehouses of heaven are full!
