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Missionary
Newsletter - Fall 2000
Mark & Cynthia Holder Rich Family - Missionaries in Madagascar
Dear Friends,
As we stand on the verge of another year of teaching here in
Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, we pause to greet you with prayers that
the grace and peace of our Lord might be upon you. We have
experienced that grace in so many ways, and continue to do so each
day in our life and ministry here. We're pleased to be in
partnership with you in ministry.
A word of introduction: we are Mark Rich and Cynthia Holder Rich,
ELCA and PCUSA missionaries to Madagascar. Mark is appointed by the
ELCA; Cynthia is jointly appointed by the ELCA and PCUSA. We both
teach at Sekoly Ambony Loterana momba ny Teolojia (SALT, the
Lutheran graduate seminary), and Cynthia also teaches at Kolejy
Teolojika Amboniavaratra FJKM (Reformed Theological College for
PCUSA's partner church). Both schools are here in Fianarantsoa,
Madagascar. Mark is an ELCA pastor; Cynthia is a PCUSA pastor.
LAST YEAR ENDED WELL
We were proud to have our masters' theses advisees do so well with
their writing, and to see them graduate in July. Between us, we
advised 11 students. Eight of these wrote their theses in English
{see 'English students'}, which is a huge undertaking for students
whose first language is Malagasy and second is French; so to write
in a third language takes an enormous effort.
Through the generous gifts of many people to our special needs fund,
we were able to assist student officers at the Lutheran seminary in
the beginnings of the SALT Food Bank. Students were able to buy over
$1000 worth of rice, corn, beans and peanuts (which added up to over
5000 kilos of foodstuffs) when food was plentiful and prices were
low. This food is now in storage; in November, when food is scarce
and prices in the market are high, SALT students will be able to buy
at springtime prices (which are very low) food to supplement their
families' diets. We hope this project will be self-sustaining,
with the ability from bank funds to buy food each year, which will
then be sold again when prices in town are high. We
particularly like this project, as it will benefit all the students
here. Thanks so much to all who gave.
| As last school year wound down, we
were both involved in the first Conference on Environmental
Theology, which was held at the
Lutheran seminary and attended by faculty and students from
both schools. Fellow PCUSA missionary Dr. Dan Turk, who did
his doctoral research in the rain forests on the island,
presented on Malagasy environmental issues. Dr. Dean
Freudenberger, environmental ethicist who taught at both
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, and Claremont School of Theology in
California, brought a more global view. |
Dr. Dean Freudenberger and Dr.
Randrianasolo Joseph, dean of our seminary. In the
seminary chapel. |
Dr. Dan Turk in front; L-R
behind him, Pastors Jean de Dieu, Sambe, and Haja. (All our
male students are already pastors.) |
The week was very
well-received; it ended with the symbolic planting of a tree
on campus. We look forward to a follow-up event this coming
spring. |
Cynthia travelled to the far south of the island to teach students
at the regional seminary at Bezaha about Children's Ministry, and to
support those students in leading a demonstration Bible School. She had worked hard to come up with nightly projects
for a week that required no art materials at all, as students will
not have access to any when they become pastors. Over 90
children, ages 12 months to 16 years, attended each evening's class,
which was held in the seminary chapel (a big room with a stage on
one end and a blackboard on the other). The students did an
absolutely WONDERFUL job! They learned quickly and began to
really engage with the children and to let their own creativity
soar. It was a wonderful and exhausting week. |
A student at the ELCA-supported
regional seminary at Bezaha, leading an enthusiastic group of
kids in Bible study. |
L-R: Cynthia, Jon Chapman, local
journalist, Pr. Joelson and Pr. Faly - faculty at FJKM
Theological College. |
We were pleased to welcome the Rev. Jon Chapman, PCUSA GA
Coordinator for South and East Africa, to Fianarantsoa in May. He
visited with our family and at the Reformed Theological College. He
brought greetings to the students and faculty in choral form,
singing "I'm Going to Live So God Can Use Me", and then
taught the students the song. They responded by greeting him with
"Amazing Grace", which they learned in English class.
Students had many questions for Jon about the PCUSA and ministry
there; faculty members discussed possibilities of future projects. |
Cynthia took part in the FJKM's (Church of Jesus Christ in
Madagascar, the PCUSA's partner church here on the island)
graduation in the capital in July. She was introduced with other new
faculty, and made it on to Malagasy TV!
VACATION DREAMS
Our family travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, where Mark
presented a paper at the World Congress of Religion. We had a
marvelous time; Cape Town is a truly beautiful city, with lots of
wonderful things to see and do. It was really a gift to be able to
be there and experience it together.
When we returned from Cape Town, Mark left again to go to the US to
attend the ELCA Convocation of Teaching Theologians. He was able to
meet some good people there, and to share and receive some good
insights. He also had good visits with both his and Cynthia's
parents, which was wonderful.
ANOTHER TEACHING YEAR BEGINS
We both begin teaching in the next weeks, Mark at the Lutheran
seminary, and Cynthia again at both the Lutheran and Reformed
schools here. Mark will be teaching courses on Historical Jesus
research, and an introductory course on Synoptic Gospels. Cynthia
will be teaching Christian education and English. We seek your
prayers that this year may be a fulfilling and rewarding one for our
students and for the faculties at the two schools.
NEW PROJECTS
The Lutheran seminary faculty has begun meetings with the local
USAID office to plan for agricultural projects that will produce
food and income for student families, and income for the seminary.
Agricultural intensification projects concerning rice and potatoes
will be started, and for the long-term future, the faculty is
seeking NGO funding for planning a fruit orchard on campus.
Many aid organizations have done research into plant varieties that
grow particularly well in the cool climate and red clay soil we have
here in Fianarantsoa. Plans include up to three teaching
modules for students and faculty, led by staff of various aid
organizations in town. Our gestionnaire (business manager), Abela
Sebastien, is in charge of the project; Mark serves on the
committee. This is a forward-looking movement that will take a
lot of time and effort, but should reap significant rewards for all
concerned.
Cynthia will be basing her English curriculum this year at the
Reformed Theological College on conversational methods, which is a
new way for her to go. It has been an interesting challenge to get
comfortable with teaching English, which she did not prepare for in
school or in life before coming to Madagascar. Ruth Colvin, who
visited last spring and is the president of Literacy Voluteers of
America, brought curriculum with her that shows conversational
teaching methods. So this is the big experiment year --
Cynthia is really hoping this reaps real benefits for her students'
English learning.
The PCUSA has websites for all its' missionaries, and Cynthia has
one too! So far, there isn't much on there; but keep checking -- the
info is in Louisville, and we trust that sometime soon, it will
appear on the site. The address is: http://horeb.pcusa.org/mc/profiles/holderrichc.htm
Of course, anyone may visit the site, not just Presbyterians!!
FAMILY NEWS
All three of our children are in school this year, which is a real
milestone. Joseph, 8, is in the equivalent of 3rd grade; Paul, who
will be 6 in 3 weeks, is in 1st; and Ella, 3, is in preschool. All
three attend the French government school in town, and are doing
great there. Joseph and Paul are taking piano and swimming lessons
this fall. All three are growing and learning lots.
Our family is pictured with "Maky Madagascar" products, produced by student wives. We filled our first
big order for ELCA's Global Mission Events this summer, and continue
to receive orders. Let us know if your church or organization would
like information on these stuffed lemur plush toys. |
SPECIAL FAMILY DAYS
Wedding Anniversary: 12/26/83
Birthdays: Mark: 10/18; Cynthia: 5/11; Joseph:
12/1/91; Paul: 10/12/94; Ella: 1/19/97
Our ELCA Prayer Ventures day is September 25, which is
providentially the first day of class at the Lutheran seminary!
Thanks to all who pray for us.
PRAYER REQUESTS
--For new graduates of both the SALT and the Theological College,
that their ministries may bring blessings to those with whom and to
whom they serve;
--For the women of Madagascar, who face great challenges and
oppression in their lives, and particularly for women leaders of the
Protestant Church here;
--For our colleagues at the Theological College and the SALT, that
they may be strengthened for the tasks to which God has called them,
even in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds;
--For a new school year for us, our students, and our children, that
all may find new learning to give courage, confidence and strength.
THANKS SO MUCH
Many churches have sent books in English for use in teaching; used
magazines; and a variety of special care packages for our family.
Thanks so much for all you do to care for us and those we serve!
The Food Bank project described above grew out of spontaneous gifts
that arose as people heard of the cyclones last spring on the
island. If your church or organization wants to give above and
beyond your commitment to a special need here, please contact the
ELCA or PCUSA, or let us know what you're thinking about -- we can
help you get the gift going the right direction.
ELCA SPONSORSHIP CONGREGATIONS AND PCUSA
SUPPORTING CONGREGATIONS
As this goes to print, these are the congregations which have been
confirmed to us as official sponsors of our ministry here and the
work of the Division of Global Mission, ELCA, and congregations
supporting our ministry and the work of the WorldWide Ministries
Unit of the PCUSA.
Joy! Lutheran Church
Box 533
Gurnee, IL
Jeff Marian, Pastor
Grace Lutheran Church
1624 E. Euclid Ave.
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Peter Hellstedt, Pastor
St. Mark Lutheran Church
200 S. Wille St.
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Joan Gunderman, Pastor
Immanuel Lutheran Church
PO Box 135
New Douglas, IL 62074
Mark Sidney, Pastor
Grace and Peace Lutheran Church
7611 N. Knoxville Ave.
Peoria, IL 60614-2023
William Wake, Pastor
New Hope Lutheran Church
959 Mitchell Ave.
Monticello, IN 47960-1660
John Tangman, Pastor
St. Peter Lutheran Church
PO Box 75
Garnavillo, IA 62049-0075
Barbara Wills, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
115 Sixth Ave. NW
PO Box 188
Independence, IA 50644
Greenwich Presbyterian Church
630 Ye Greate St.
Greenwich, NJ 08323
H. Leigh Holder-Bobo, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church
305 W. Magnetic
Marquette, MI 49855
Nancy I. Amacher, Pastor
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
612 14th Ave. E
Devils Lake, ND 58301
Jerry Carlson, Pastor
Pekin Lutheran Parish
PO Box 396
Pekin, ND 58361-0396
First Presbyterian Church
701 Florida Ave.
Bristol, TN 37620
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
2330 E. Calumet St.
Appleton, WI 54915
Gary Nokleberg, Pastor
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
1350 Florence
Baldwin, WI 54002
Paul Lovestrand, Pastor
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
727 8th Ave.
Baraboo, WI 53913
Trinity Lutheran Church
330 S. Broadway St.
Green Bay, WI 54303-1518
Calvary Lutheran Church
1301 S. Ridge Road
Green Bay, WI 54304
Earl Vorgapel III, Pastor
Redeemer Lutheran Church
255 W. Lincoln Ave.
Hartford, WI 53027
Trinity Lutheran Church
201 N. West Street, PO Box 99
Loyal, WI 54446
Daniel E. Zimmerman, Pastor
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
5701 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53711
Sheryl Erickson, Associate Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
235 N. Stevens St.
Rhinelander, WI 54501-3196
Richard and Sue Grudt, Pastors
Stanfold Lutheran Church
2354 13th St.
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
1044 Silverbrook Dr.
West Bend, WI 53095
Bethany Lutheran Church
6900 Swedish Road
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Blaine Niskanen, Pastor
A WORD IN CLOSING
Again, in the words of Paul, "We always give thanks to God for
all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering
before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and
steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (I
Thessalonians 1:2-3) Participation in mission certainly meets
the above criteria: it is a work of faith, a labor of love, and
requires steadfastness of hope. We appreciate and remember
each day your partnership with us, without which we could not do
this work. Thanks so much.
Cynthia Holder Rich and Mark Rich
PCUSA and ELCA missionaries to Madagascar
Seminaire Lutherienne, Maison americaine
Ivory Avaratra
BP 1263
Fiarantsoa 301
Madagascar
© 2000
Redeemer Lutheran Church, ELCA
Last updated 01/22/06
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