Madagascar Antananarivo Mission Evacuation Underway

Dear Missionary Parents:

As the world continues to experience the current crisis, we are all prayerfully doing our best to adapt to the rapidly changing environments in which we live.  This morning our mission received the order to evacuate all missionaries from Madagascar, and later we were directed to include the other two islands, Reunion and Mauritius.  While this is disappointing to all of our missionaries, we understand that it is important to exercise an abundance of caution to provide the level of protection that is needed. 

Here in Madagascar and Mauritius, there are no identified cases of the coronavirus at present.  Several cases have been confirmed in Reunion.  Nevertheless, because of the limited health care services and because borders are beginning to close, we need to return all of our missionaries to their countries of origin.  After their arrival at home, most missionaries will be placed in temporary assignments to continuing serving until the current circumstances are adequately resolved.  Missionaries with less than 90 days to serve on their mission will likely not be reassigned, but others will receive new temporary assignments to serve in their home country.  These decisions and details will come a little later down the road.

The Church’s Travel Division is working to find available flights to transport our missionaries at this time.  They will be properly and appropriately assigned transportation to bring them to you safely.

Of course, we are sad that we will be prematurely distanced from your missionary.  We have come to love each of them and respect the tremendous power and dignity that they represent.  They are dedicated disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Their faith is extraordinary and we will miss associating with them during this period of separation.  We know they will be somewhat discouraged because of this experience.  Please do your best to comfort and reassure them that Heavenly Father has made provision for all that is necessary, even in the face of such a tumultuous departure from our mission.

The missionary department will contact each of you with further details about your missionary’s travel and reassignment plans.    We will continue to communicate with you any additional information that becomes available to us.  Thank you for your love and support of your missionary and the awesome Madagascar Antananarivo Mission.

With all our love,

President and Sister Duckworth