Chosen Servant Ministries

Dear Friends,
 
It is truly a blessing to write this newsletter to you,
 
Much has happened in the last six months in Madagascar. Chosen Servant Ministries has been used as the hands and feet of God to help thousands of people. It’s with your help that we are able to continue to support and assist the nation of Madagascar. Thousands of people’s lives have been changed and they now have the opportunity to live a life greater than their forefathers. The words ‘thank you’ do not begin to encapsulate their or my appreciation. 
 
Earlier this year, in March I arrived in Madagascar with several goals that needed to be addressed during this trip. My main areas of focus were as follows:
 
# Accommodation for volunteers and CSM staff.
CSM rented a large upper level apartment right in the centre of the capital Antananarivo. We spent some time making it clean, comfortable and secure. We had the apartment prepared in time for the arrival of our volunteers.  
 
# Land for an orphanage in Soavinandriana.
Andri, one of our staff and I went to Soavinandriana to meet with the Mayor and Community Leaders. We asked for their permission to build an orphanage next to a school. They approved it and gave us enough land for an orphanage and small farm. There will be approximately 25 kids in this orphanage, and the farm will provide them with fresh produce.
 
# Education clinics in Soavinandriana, Mahajanga, and Vangaindrano.
Andri and I travelled to these areas to visit the Mayor and Local Village Elders. Our trip was amazingly successful with CSM receiving approval to run these clinics.
 
# Making a difference in the lives of the forgotten
 The opportunity arose to assist a mother and five children who were in great need of a new home. Their current dwelling was a tiny ram shackled shelter that leaked when it rained and was in such disrepair that rats would fall through the ceiling. However, CSM was able to greatly bless this family by digging a well, setting up a small fruit and vegetable farm, building a small chicken coop, providing medical and dental care, and paying for the children’s school fees. The Local Council has approved plans for this family’s new home and it is almost completed.
 
While assisting this family the Local Council also inquired if we were able to provide schooling fees for over 60 children. Currently these 60 children are unable to attend school as their parents cannot afford the $1.50 per month for school fees. The Council also informed me that accommodation, books and uniforms for some of these students are also required. At the moment we are awaiting a list of the children who need our assistance.  
 
At the beginning of April three specialist volunteers came over to assist CSM in reaching its vision. They were essential in helping to achieve the important goals as listed above. They used their skills to provide education and opportunity to those in need. 
 
Lauren- A film maker, was busy recording footage of all of our projects around the country. She also taught film and photography in the capital city Tana. Since being home Lauren has been working hard on short videos of the work we’re doing in Madagascar. These short films are proving to be a great marketing tool for getting the word out about CSM and getting more people involved in our ministry. Lauren is also working on a documentary of my testimony to inspire youth. You can view some of Lauren’s CSM videos on You Tube under “Chosen Servant Ministries”.
 
Rachel- A horticulturalist, who taught over five thousand people in just over three weeks basic horticultural techniques that we practice in the west. She taught on various topics such as composting, the importance of pruning and spacing out your seeds so plants are not competing for nutrients. The people were very excited to hear how they could get more produce out of their existing fields with the techniques Rachel equipped them with to grow a better, stronger crop.
 
Loren- A nurse, who introduced new health care, vitamin, and medical remedy technology. She taught on various topics such as basic hygiene which included the necessity to wash your hands. I was amazed that the people had not heard this simple western knowledge. It was absolutely foreign to them that you can have germs on your hands which can cause illness. Loren showed villagers how to eat a balanced diet, where possible and how to make cheap and effective medical remedies to fight sickness and infection. We are already hearing feedback from people who attended these sessions and are seeing amazing results from the remedies. I believe that living in a modernised country we take for granted some simple knowledge that can dramatically impact a third world country. 
 
While the volunteers were in Madagascar we travelled around the country teaching locals in our education clinics in villages where we have CSM projects. We were able to distribute toothbrushes, vitamin c, multi vitamins, calcium, paracetamol, and soap to over 4500 people. We also donated bottles of Betadine and cotton to village leaders so people could go to them to have their wounds treated.
 
A few days after the volunteers had left I was in a car accident. I was on my way to one of CSM projects when the taxi bus I was travelling in, with 15 other people, rolled off a bridge and landed 15 meters upside down on the rocks. I was badly injured with fractured shoulder blades and dislocated shoulders, a broken wrist and elbow, soft tissue damage to my ankle and knee and lacerations to my head and back.  I was in hospital for three weeks and was devastated to hear that five died due to the crash. With God watching over me and with the help and support of family and friends my health and recovery is good and I am getting stronger every day.  In the accident I was wearing a bracelet on my wrist which says ‘alive for a reason.’ I believe this; He’s not done with us survivors yet. So I am moving forward and making the most of life.
 
The accident has been great for marketing the ministry. We have been in the news papers and on the radio in two countries. More people are getting involved and interested in coming over to Madagascar, donating, or just volunteering their services. All things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. 
 
Work is still going ahead in Madagascar and I will soon join CSM staff to continue to bring blessing to this poor nation.  We are blessed to grow up and live in a western country. We are blessed to have the opportunity to learn and get an education. We are blessed that we live in abundance than those living in poverty in third world countries. With your contribution we can continue to make lives better and futures brighter. 
 
So if you’d like to come. Ask! We can definitely use you.

For direct questions or inquiries please contact me at brendan@csm.org.au
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For this cause

Brendan Singhdeo
Chosen Servant Ministries