Letter for 3Ci

  • Kim Midgley
  • Aug 28, 2009
    Letter for 3Ci

    Dear saints of 3Ci

    We think so often of you. When we do, it is not crowds of people, but individual faces and smiles that come to mind. Memories -still fresh- of warm friendships and magnificent moments with family. Like Leonard says… I could start naming names, but oh… don’t get me started…  

    We pray often for you. Much news filters through and we celebrate new pregnancies, new births and the kingdom of God advancing in and through your lives. May God’s grace continue to be inexplicably great to you.

    Madagascar has been our home for just over six months now. Uprooted from you geographically, but still together in spirit, God has planted us in a fertile field. It has been an experience of God’s special grace from the word ‘GO’. We left with a deep sense of gratitude for the season we lived in the covenant community of 3Ci. The love, care and support you showed us was overwhelming. Leaving from a place of deep relationship is worth more than I ever realised. Knowing that these relationships continue, and that though we labour in a different field, we are very much in one another’s hearts – this has kept all loneliness at bay.

    What’s it been like – leaving so many special friends in such a special church? Of course there is a price tag to going. We have always believed in ‘an expensive message’ – and that the gospel should cost us everything. To put our convictions to the test has been a privilege. There have been one or two days when it feels like our whole world is on a thread. These are probably the days we are closest to seeing the truth of things as they really are: our certainty is not in circumstance but in the ever-loving hands of the Faithful God. Each of us has missed friends in different ways and at different times. The whole family felt the weight of the change.

    But then I thought of my brother, and many others, who relocate because of a job transfer, and arrive in a foreign city – no one to meet them at the airport. No warm friendly new faces. Then I think we had it easy. We did! Many of us would fear going voluntarily, but we would submit to being forced to go for some promotion or job transfer. We would feel that necessity justified the trauma of going. But then isn’t it necessary that we inflict ‘going’ upon ourselves – and allow God to place such demands on us for the gospel? It is a matter of life, death and the call and cost, and privilege of following Jesus.

    What privilege? We have seen more of God than we would have. I say this with deep appreciation that many who desire to go will read this and feel frustration as they await the opening of a door. Then wait, but wait with a ready spirit and an active faith. May God surprise you soon!

    We have seen God’s provision – material and emotional. We have seen miracles of health in our family, favour with people, deepening of relationships we already had, and new friendships forming quickly. We have stepped out and felt like we are walking on water – God has carried us. We have seen your love for us put to the test, and discovered it is so REAL!

    Here in Antananarivo, we are part of a community of believers called Vision Valley Church. It was planted by Gavin and Rhoda Jordaan, about nine years ago, under the watchful oversight of Peter Howard-Browne. Today there are about 100 regular members, and some faithful visitors too! We are getting to know the people – developing our relational skills, and also trying to learn Malagasy. The church is English, but over half the members are Malagasy. There are also foreign business people and missionaries who have made it home. Including myself, there are four elders (three of us with wives).

    In the very near future we will be appointing two new deacon couples. I am so thankful to God for the people he has put here to serve Him. Servant-hearted, generous, willing saints.

    On the home front, Sue has been homeschooling since January, and we have “accelerated” the boys through a school year so that they can enter their next grades when the new school year begins – at the end of August. For at least the first while, Sue will take up a position teaching at the school.

    We also got a car! Almost six months to the day since we arrived. It was not an easy process finding the right vehicle, and in the end we were able to buy a 1 year old, economical car from a good seller, at an excellent price… definitely a miracle! You have no idea how your offering helped us! Thank you from our hearts for your generosity towards us – not just about this car, but for every sms, gift, visit, prayer. We love you guys.

    We hope to have a website up in a couple of months or sooner, and then you will be able to see more of the people and ministry of Vision Valley Church online. You are also welcome to friend us on facebook and you can read some random news on my (new and unproven) blog http://kmidgley.blogspot.com

    Greetings from Robin to you too. He is a huge blessing to us and the church here. Thank you for releasing him to come over!


    We are excited about the growth in 3Ci, and the increased passion and hunger for Jesus and authentic Christianity you display. Our doors are open for a visit any time… the coffee pot is ready for you!


    Much love

    Kim, Sue, Andy, Justin, Jem, Reece and Evan