My name is Fenozara Marie Hortense, I am from a Catholic family but because of disappointment with the Church some of us pray in other Churches – they are Protestant or they do not pray.
I met Shalom Community through a poster that invited us to the Siege of Jericho. Although I never heard anything about the siege, the poster with the Blessed Sacrament caught my attention so I went to participate. Arriving at the Community House I was surprised by everything I found there, such as a well-ornamented Chapel, a large monstrance, beautiful welcome, this was already great for me. But what Our Lord had for me, exceeded a thousand times more. Since I had no experience of praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I only looked at the details, the beauty of the monstrance. That enchanted me. But something different happened to me already on the first day that I prayed in the Siege. So I wanted to go everyday, but it was not possible. In the following semesters to my surprise another Siege of Jericho. Soon my gaze crossed with the penetrating gaze of Jesus, who enchanted me, left me as a child when gets a nice toy.
From that Siege I have never lost any siege.
I learned to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I participate in a prayer group of the Community, and I can say that I offer the great graces that I receive during the Siege. I learned that during the Siege many walls are overturned, I tell the story of the Siege to many people and invite them to participate.
Even my family who are evangelical know the history of the Siege of Jericho and in this period they give me intentions so that I pray before the Lord.
I have received many graces praying in the Siege. Employment for my family members who were unemployed for many years, peace in my family, health restoration, etc.
In this Siege where the Community celebrated the 10 years of Shalom here in Madagascar was no different. I prayed for some difficult situations in my work and before finishing the Siege everything was solved. As the missionary Vanda says: Let us pray and let Our Lord break down and build the walls that He wants, because He knows more than anyone what we need.
This year I have completed three years that I participate in the Siege of Jericho, so countless graces I have already received.
May Jesus strengthen every missionary here from Madagascar and Shalom spread throughout the world. The peace of Crist be with you.
Marie Hortense