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Future Plans & The Work Ahead
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In our previous newsletter, we discussed the spiritual need in Madagascar and why we would move our family to the other side of the world. Ultimately, what fuels our missionary outreach is the desire to see God worshiped properly. The spiritual poverty in Madagascar can only be overcome by the wealth of spiritual blessings that come from true worship of the Triune God.


2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Future Plans

If the Lord wills, we plan to join our team in Madagascar as soon as possible. We will need to have solid churches and individuals partner with us in prayer and financial support to make that happen, but we are confident that the Lord will abundantly supply.

During our trip to Madagascar in August 2017, we learned that daily life in Madagascar would be difficult for us — especially if we moved to the country without any way to communicate. As you know, we will need to learn two languages — both French and Malagasy. Therefore, to make the transition more successful, we are planning to learn French before we go to Madagascar.

On our way to Madagascar, we plan to attend a highly-rated French language school in Albertville, France to immerse us in French during the one-year program. This is a Christian-run program which has trained many missionaries. One key benefit to this program is that we will also learn some biblical and theological terminology in French — which will be very useful for future ministry.

Ministry in Madagascar

Our ministry in Madagascar will focus on two key areas:

Training Men for Ministry

  • David will have the privilege of training indigenous pastors in Scripture, theology, and preaching God’s Word, so they will be able to properly feed and shepherd their flocks.
  • Our team will accomplish this training through regional workshops, conferences, and, Lord willing, establishing the first biblical seminary in Madagascar focusing on expository preaching.

Strengthening the Local Church

  • David will serve in a local church in Antananarivo (the capital) where he will train, disciple, and identify godly men for future leadership.
  • David and Ashley will also serve this local body of believers through biblical counseling and hospitality.

Partnering with Malagasy Nationals

While in seminary, we developed a close friendship with a family from Madagascar—the Ravoahangys. This like-minded family returned to Madagascar in August 2017 to begin the full-time ministry of training local church leaders in Madagascar. What an asset it will be to team up with Malagasy nationals! What a joy it will be to work alongside such good friends!

Praise Report:

  • Praise God that both Faly Ravoahangy (my missionary teammate) and Haja Ralambomanana (a key pastor from Antananarivo) will be able to come from Madagascar to attend the Shepherds' Conference in Los Angeles with me.
  • Praise God for gradually growing our partner base. It is so encouraging to see others with the same heart for Gospel proclamation in Africa.

A Note from David:


Ashley and I are blessed to be able to use our home to host a Friday-night Bible study. At the beginning of this year we began a study of the pleasures of God. By studying what pleases God, we are seeing the infinite glory of God in Scripture and are being transformed into the likeness of his Son (2 Corinthians 3:18).

We have recently seen how Scripture reveals God’s guaranteed victory in missions. Because God is sovereign over the hearts of men and is the Lord of His Church, His purpose cannot fail. The fact that God grants faith and repentance and guarantees the sanctification of believers, bolsters missionaries for the task ahead.

I love these truths and they have impacted my own heart throughout the years. Without Christ, we can do nothing. But with Christ, all things are possible. 

Psalm 115:3  "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases."
 
— David Ellingson

A Note from Ashley:


“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

Like most people, I like to plan and prepare for what's coming in the future. However, looking ahead (even a few months) can feel very overwhelming with the unending decisions, countless obstacles and pieces of the puzzle that need to come together. I am tempted to grow anxious and worry, or run through a list of "what-ifs" in my mind. God is teaching me now even more not to worry about the future. I love the simple truth that God doesn't want me to worry even about the next day. I do not even know what my life will be like tomorrow (James 4:14).

My desire is to keep my eyes focused on Christ and His kingdom instead of the waves around me. Whatever lies ahead, I pray that I will be faithful and bring God glory as I trust Him each step of the way. Thank you for your faithful prayers and encouragement as we walk through this journey with our Great God. May these words minister to your soul as they do to mine.

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone
"Still, My Soul Be Still" —  by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

— Ashley Ellingson

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray that God would providentially connect us with church leaders and potential partners during Shepherds' Conference in Los Angeles (March 6-9th).
  • Continue to pray for discipline and diligence for David as he completes his final semester of seminary and for Ashley as she pursues certification in Biblical Counseling.
  • Please ask the Lord to help us retain the French we are working on.
  • Pray for much needed wisdom in all our plans and decisions ahead of us.
  • Ask God to give us wisdom in shepherding our daughters through all the future changes and that He would give them grace as they walk through this journey with us. We desire that our daughters would see the infinite worth of Christ!
Partner Financially with the Ellingsons
View our previous newsletters here.
 
For His Glory,
David & Ashley, Isabella (age 7), Lydia (age 6), Anna (age 4), and Clara (age 3)
View our previous newsletters here.
Our mailing address is:
9657 Quakertown Ave
Chatsworth, CA 91311






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