In Relationship with Diocese of Toliara
Where is Madagascar?
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Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. Toliara is a province in the south of Madagascar, which is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Episcopal Diocese of Toliara covers the poorest part of that country. It is larger than Illinois with about 1,000 miles of coastline and 120 miles of “paved” road. The pin on the map marks the location of Amboasary, the community out of which our link parish is based. Amboasary has recently featured in United Nations reports as the epicenter of serious famine spanning the last three years.
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Meeting the Needs of the People
The distribution of rice
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Maundy Thursday Foot Washing Service in a new Church
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This year, the Diocese of Toliara has delivered famine relief in the form of rice, beans and water to 3000 families — whether those people are Christian or not — and is now distributing seed and young plants to grow new crops.
This generosity has led to an outpouring of gratitude, trust in God, 1900 baptisms, and requests to start several new Churches. Deacon Gaston, who leads our link parish, is now responsible for 35 congregations and training lay leaders for each of them! Working alongside him are Evangelists Tovo, Rambeloson and Alfredino, Catechist Richard and a large group of student catechists.
As well as emergency relief, the Diocese is engaged in economic development projects to increase sustainability, such as keeping goats and renting guesthouses.
This generosity has led to an outpouring of gratitude, trust in God, 1900 baptisms, and requests to start several new Churches. Deacon Gaston, who leads our link parish, is now responsible for 35 congregations and training lay leaders for each of them! Working alongside him are Evangelists Tovo, Rambeloson and Alfredino, Catechist Richard and a large group of student catechists.
As well as emergency relief, the Diocese is engaged in economic development projects to increase sustainability, such as keeping goats and renting guesthouses.
Women's Center and Schools
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The Women’s Center at the Cathedral Complex trains women in prayer, Bible Study, cookery, paper bead making, and sewing, including making Days for Girls feminine hygiene products and as well as teaching the associated health and hygiene courses. The making of Days for Girls kits also provides a source of income for local women.
The Diocese operates two schools, is seeking to build a third, and runs a child education sponsorship program. The Rooted in Jesus discipleship program teaches new Christians about the Bible and how to live their new faith. Saint Patrick’s Bible College trains people from all over Madagascar to share the gospel and build new church communities, and thus equips other dioceses too.
The Diocese operates two schools, is seeking to build a third, and runs a child education sponsorship program. The Rooted in Jesus discipleship program teaches new Christians about the Bible and how to live their new faith. Saint Patrick’s Bible College trains people from all over Madagascar to share the gospel and build new church communities, and thus equips other dioceses too.
Building a Foundation for the Future
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The Diocese is making costly investments in its growth —building and equipping new churches, sending future clergy to university, economic development projects—as well as organizing emergency relief during famines or after cyclones. Its operating budget for everything else is amazingly small—just over $80,000 for the whole Diocese. You couldn't achieve so much with that amount in the USA! It is wonderful that such a sum can impact so many lives and spread the Good News.
The Diocese is doing what it can, but the people it serves are too poor to sustain and grow the Diocese without international help. The Diocese is only 8 years old and is working hard to make itself more sustainable. The local contribution grew by a quarter from 2018 to 2020 and is expected to grow by three-quarters in 2021 — thus more than doubling in just three years! The McGregor Toliara Endowment Fund is being built up to help create a sustainable future for the Diocese. |
Deacon Gaston with two newly Baptized ladies at Beloha Church.
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Video: St. James the Less and Amboasary
Meet the people and see the churches in our sister parish of Amboasary in Madagascar, and learn about the relationship that we have shared with them over the years.