Urgent Prayer Request

We are calling on all who are willing to pray for Madagascar for the next 48 hours or more. There is an extremely powerful cyclone headed directly toward the east coast. "Cyclone Freddy" has fluctuated between a category 4 and 5 (most severe) over the last few days. As of right now (Monday evening for us in Madagascar, Monday morning for you in the States) the cyclone is at a Category 4 and projected to hit land Tuesday evening with up to 160mph winds and 30 ft waves. As unpredictable as these storms can be, the severity and where it will hit has changed almost hourly. As of right now it is projected to hit a south of Toamasina (where we live), in between Mahanoro and Manakara.
We are praying that this storm weakens by the hour as it approaches the coast. With the lack of infrastructure and extreme poverty throughout the island, any direct impact will be devastating. Each of the regions possibly affected have been put on alert, but even if many wanted to evacuate, most would have nowhere to go or would have the means to do so.
If you'd like to track the storm yourself, clink on this link, it's the weather site we use to monitor Freddy.

As a family, we have been praying and talking a lot about this balance of not being overcome by worry or fear with all the "what if's" but also being wise and prepared for what we can control or expect. So, we have extra water on hand, we got our generator working again, and will be looking for opportunities to be a help and blessing to those affected around us.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Ps. 18:2

Thank you all for your Prayers and support and interceding on behalf of Madagascar during this critical time. We hope to give you all an update in a few days, God willing.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy is now the Southern Hemisphere’s strongest tropical cyclone on record based on the total amount of energy this two-week old system has used in its lifetime.

The Lord has opened a door for us to partner with a magnificent 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry called Mission Quest. This ministry will be our home office and will be handling all of our donations and communications with you for any donation-related questions.

As a part of Mission Quest’s family, we have the ability to receive donations made in multiple ways. Below are some of these ways:

Online Donations: We are able to receive donations via Credit Cards, Debit Card, and directly from your Bank Account. Mission Quest has implemented cutting-edge technology in their website to ensure the security and safety of your financial information, and they will never share this with anyone whatsoever. Donating online is the fastest and most efficient way to support us and to ensure that the funds get to us in a timely manner.
When you donate online you will receive a contribution receipt via your email moments after you place your donation. You can also setup a one time or recurring donation.
Later, you can go back to your online account, view your giving history and you will have the ability to edit your information, payment method, and donation details.
Offline Donations: Mission Quest is also able to process donations sent to us via checks and money orders. Donations via checks and money orders should be addressed to Mission Quest and in the memo-line, write our account number. Send your checks to:

Mission Quest
P.O. Box 4602
Wheaton, IL. 60189

Please do NOT write our names on the check, rather only write our account number (Carlstrom's #194). This article will show you an example of how to write the check.
With this option you can request that your bank send a recurring check to the address above to maximize the amount we receive from your donation. Most banks offer this service free of charge. Please remember to include our account number in the memo line of the check.

Instead of sending actual checks, we highly encourage you to use the direct bank transfer option found on Mission Quest website. This option is the same as sending personal checks, but it ensures that we receive your donation faster. This option does not cost you or us any extra fees. This explains how to trigger a bank draft donation.

3) Other ways: If you prefer to donate by using other methods, please contact our home office to discuss this with them in more details.

At the close of each year, Mission Quest will mail you a statement for all your contributions. This statement can be reported to the IRS for tax purposes. All donations to Mission Quest are tax-deductible to the limit allowed by law.

Mission Quest’s home office is always willing to answer your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact them for any help.

You can reach their office by email at mq@missionquest.org

Thank you to all those who are joining with us as ambassadors to seek reconciliation for Madagascar.

Click here to find out how to partner financially