Special Service in London with the President of Madagascar

On Monday 4th September, I found my way to London to a service that celebrated 200 years of Christian witness and following in Madagascar. Missionaries from the London Missionary Society went to the island and a Welshman, Revd David Griffiths joined another Welshman, Revd David Jones as a missionary in 1821.

Because of the close connection to Wales, the sermon was delivered by the Revd Dr Geraint Tudur, General Secretary of the Union of Welsh Independents and the worship leader was none other than our own Revd Barbara Bridges, who is one of the Directors for the Council for World Mission. The great and the good (and me) were present, including our General Secretary Yvonne Campbell, accompanied by Judith Mbaabu.

The guest of honour was the President of Madagascar, His Excellency, Mr Hery Rajaonarimampianina. It should be noted that I heard no one refer to him by his surname. The service concluded with prayers for God's blessing on the peoples of Madagascar with their many joys and struggles.

A selfie before we started. The back row are representatives
 of the Presbyterian Church of Wales

Yvonne and Judith with the President, His Excellency
Mr Hery Rajaonarimampianina