Newsletter Jurgen & Katja Hofmann, May 2022

Dear Friends,

Dear friends,

We are now almost three months in Antananarivo (Tana), the capital of Madagascar. Are we still doing anything? Is there anything new happening? Well, hopefully we can take that question away with this newsletter.

A Cheerful Note

It seemed as if the previous newsletter had been written by Grumpy of the Seven Dwarfs. And to be honest, it felt like that to us too. But we know we are the Lord is always there to care for us. Paul already wrote about it to the Corinthians: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13b). And that is what we can look forward to! The outcome that will be given by God.

Thinking

As mentioned in the last newsletter, we wanted to use the time in the capital to think about our future ministry here on Madagascar. That we want to continue serving on Madagascar has never been a doubt, but how?

With the tranquillity of clean drinking water, a vegetable market around the corner, not constantly having to deal with people, and health care nearby, we have been able to think a lot.

Our ministry is in the south-east of Madagascar. Our heart goes out to the Antanala people. For the work, it would be very convenient to live nearby. Many conversations, it were mainly work orientated. What would be best for the work? Until the question arose what would be best for the family.

We had not asked that question yet (or rather, not often enough). We lived quite isolated in Maroamboka. That was no problem because the children had each other and together they regularly went on long hikes in the mountains and the rainforest. That was wonderful, they loved it!

Making friends with the Malagasy children was more difficult. This wasn’t less difficult at a young age, but as the children grew older, their interests changed as well. Our children are busy with schoolwork and their future, while many of the Malagasy teenagers in our village don't pay much attention to those things. Girls get pregnant at a young age and many boys are preoccupied with parties, drinking, cigarettes and… girls. It sounds akward to say, but this is just the reality. Abbey (13) said it aptly: “If we come back to the village in a few months' time, chances are that to find my friend pregnant.” It made Abbey to think about it.

Moving

Continuing the work from the village is difficult. We have done many of the things we planned to do. Some plans didn’t work out. This is because certain goals just don't work in our area and other ideas are very difficult to organise while living in the village. For the children's schoolwork and social contact, it would also be much easier to live in a bigger place.

First of all, we thought about various cities near our village. Of course, that would be best for work. But moving to a city (like the coastal city Manakara) would only increase the isolation for our children. There are no like-minded peers there, and they will not have the opportunity to go out into the forests or mountains (as there are none). They would be forced to stay in and around the house because there is just nothing to do in the streets. There is also more criminality, which means that it would be unsafe for them (as white children) to go out on their own.

Tana

We are now in the capital, and we see that the children are flourishing. They enjoy hanging out with friends, going to church and youth group. Their schoolwork has improved considerably. After 5 years, they have the opportunity (for the first time) to relax in their relationships with friends. For example, they do not have to rush an appointment because we are leaving again within two weeks.

The family as a whole also functions more relaxed because we no longer have to worry about the struggles we had in Maroamboka. Katja is very happy with the vegetable market nearby and with the possibility of going to a supermarket. She also has more time to invest in friendships.

I (Jurgen) went with the children one by one for an ice cream, That gave me the opportunity to hear their stories and opinions. They do miss Maroamboka! At the same time they all said that they were happy to be in Tana now.

Our hearts go out to the Antanala. At first, we were sad that we could not be with our neighbours and friends. But God is good, and He comforts us.

Together with the children, friends and leadership of Africa Inland Mission (AIM), we have come to the conclusion that we will continue our ministry from the capital. We feel that the Lord God has led us here, and from here we will develop new plans to reach the un-reached Antanala people with the good news.

Ministry

As mentioned, our heart still goes out to the Antanala, which means that our main focus will continue to be on this group. We still have ideas that we have not done or have not been able to do (such as setting up training groups and distributing the translated Gospel of Luke). These things are easier to accomplish from Tana.

While living in the village, we helped many people with health problems. We want to continue doing this but in a different way. Tanja Hock, who is a German midwife, set up a hospital here in Tana. She has offered to train someone from our area to be a health worker. We looked critically at who could qualify for that. We ended up with Sambivelo. A young boy who is very eager to learn and not entirely unfamiliar with the big city. He was enthusiastic, but wanted to finish his last school year first. The plan is to pick him up in July, so he can be trained here in Tana. The idea is that he will return to Maroamboka after his training, and stay there for at least two years. In those two years, he can help people with simple complaints and advice on health issues.

Now that we are in Tana, we also see opportunities to support the leadership of AIM-Madagascar. Several (leading) colleagues will stop this year. This means that there will be vacancy. We have indicated that we are available to help out if necessary.

Our first year in Madagascar, we also lived in Tana. At that time, we were actively helping other missionaries who, for whatever reason, had to be in the capital. That gave us great pleasure then, and we hope to play a role in that again.

Maroamboka

MMaroamboka remains dear to us. As soon as the car is ready, I will go there again. Not only for work, but also because we still have a lot of our things there. School books, clothes, tools and much more.

The intention is to continue using the house as a base for our visits. The children were very clear! When daddy goes, they want to go with him. Even though they now prefer to live here in Tana, Maroamboka continues to attract them. Dani put it nicely: “What child can say that he can go to work with his father so often!” Nope, the children have absolutely no bad memories when it comes to our time in the village.

When the car is ready? Yes, Or did you forget that we live on Madagascar? Here, everything goes moramora (slowly does it). I am still waiting for two damage reports so that I can sort things out with the insurance company. The good news is that a donor car is available. If the reports are in order, it is just a matter of a few weeks until the car is ready to drive again… We do miss him!

Comprehensive Report

All right, I think it is best to leave it at this. The newsletter does not lend itself to extensive reporting of all developments. If you want to know more, you can read a report I have written a few weeks ago. That detailed report, together with the mission plan we wrote in 2020, can be downloaded via this link:

https://www.jurgenenkatja.nl/report-2022

This report is no secret, but it is personal. We would therefore ask you to treat it with discretion. If you are unable to download it now, please let us know.

Thank You!

We hope that after reading this letter you, like us, are also looking forward to what the future will bring. We can make plans, but one thing we know for sure: “whatever the Lord has planned, will come to pass.” (Proverbs 19:21)

We feel privileged to have so much support in our work. Thank you for your prayers, compassion, support, and encouragements!

Together with you, we want to continue to trust in the Lord! For God is good, all the time! And all the time, God is good!

Many blessings

Katja & Jurgen
Vanya, Issa, Abbey, Dani and Simeon Hofmann.

Things to pray for

1. God blessed us with a new place to live;


2. we can look back at a busy but fruitful period;


3. we feel supported and encouraged by you and many others.

1. the continuation of our ministry on Madagascar;


2. we will be strengthened in the Lord;


3. we will hear and understand God's will when it comes to our future plans;


4. we are able to visit Maroamboka soon.

1. the local Christians learn that they too can preach the Gospel;


2. we will be strengthened in the Lord;


3. we will hear and understand God's voice when it comes to our future plans;


4. we are able to get enough rest..

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