Madagascar weekend

Two orphans at church.

Youths dancing after church.

Madame Eliezera sorts clothes received
for orphanage from South African members.

Village church behind orphanage.
[Photos by James Henderson]

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar—Come with me on a whirlwind tour of our church in Madagascar. As superintendent of African missions, I visit them every 18 months or so, sometimes less, sometimes more often.

On Feb. 7, Angele, the wife of Madagascan bivocational pastor Rigobert Rafirinagason, meets me at the airport with her children, and her son, Lova, drives us to my hotel. Everything, as usual, is smiles and laughter, and I feel immediately at home.

When I first went to Madagascar in 1993 we had a small group of around 10 people, including children; in 1998 the numbers had increased to around 40 or so; now we have two main church locations—Antananarivo and Antsirabe —each with satellite congregations. Total attendance on the island is around 160. So God has given a slow and steady increase—Hallelujah!

The next day is jampacked with activity. Three services are planned. Rigobert has built a house near the Triomphe orphanage, which is run by Madame Eliezera, one of our church members, who herself was orphaned at a young age.

The central group meets in Rigobert’s large lounge for church. From the hotel, we traveled about 50 minutes past colorful markets, swerving to avoid massive potholes here and there. Forty-four are in attendance. The singing is magnificent—unaccompanied—with everyone harmonizing. How do they know when to come in and what to do?

They tell me it is a miracle that has brought me to the island. I tell them that each one of them is God’s special miracle and each is precious in his sight, that they are God’s own sparkling jewels.

After the worship service, lunch is served—rice (lots of it—the Malagasy love their rice), chicken, macaroni, peas and fruit. The members sort through the used clothing I brought that was generously supplied by some members of the Krugersdorp, South Africa, church. The clothing will be used by the Triomphe orphans, and also by Daniel and Josephine Rakotondrabary (our leaders in Antsirabe), who run a children’s program where they live. Everyone is delighted with the used clothing, and there is much laughter and merriment.

Then we walk from Rigobert’s house to the orphanage, an idyllic scene. It is set amidst lush trees with a river running by it. All the children—80 or so plus some adults —are waiting. The orphanage is regarded as one of our congregations in its own right. Not all the children are orphans—some have been abandoned for whatever reason, some found wandering in the streets, some left by parents who could no longer feed and clothe them.

The children are full of smiles, although some look a little apprehensive. After a short interactive story about Jesus (their sermon for the day) they all sing songs for me, as I am their guest. Lots of songs and swaying and dancing. Then, to my horror, they ask me to sing to them—my turn! Help! What would Jesus do? Would he say, Thanks for singing and dancing for me, however I am too embarrassed to do it for you? Sadly, probably not.

Mortified, I take a deep breath, grimace and begin to sing a song I did not know I knew—guess it came from somewhere in the deep recesses of my muddled brain. The children all join in and we sing and clap the beat together.

Behind the orphanage is a village of eight or so huts that has become our latest church plant in Madagascar. The village is called Ankararana. We walk about 20 minutes along a hilly path to meet with 25 or so people huddled into a small dark room. It is late in the afternoon, and there is no electricity. They begin to sing and harmonize. This village, along with the orphanage and the church that meets in Rigobert’s house, is forming a whole WCG community just outside Antananarivo.

Next day the excitement continues. A few years ago the Madagascan youths began to evangelize through basketball and other efforts. Then they were around 14, but 34 were at this meeting. You could sense the camaraderie among them; they loved being together. Once again harmonized singing, and afterward, 18-year-old Fano, their president, outlines eloquently their goals for 2003. It is an active group with lots of planning ahead. It is encouraging to see. They are enthusiastic for Christ and the WCG.

Over a long lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, Rigobert, Angele, Daniel, Josephine and I discuss plans. One idea is to bring a training program to help with leadership development. Angele and Josephine bring up the need for material for children’s ministry. Josephine has created a story-telling scroll that she uses with a cardboard box to achieve a television effect. With it she illustrates the saving acts of Jesus to illiterate children.

No connecting flights leave the island the following day, so I have to stay until Tuesday, when I am scheduled to connect to Mauritius. Tropical cyclone warnings are on the news. On Monday, Madame Eliezera comes to talk about the Triomphe. I had brought with me a donation from the United States and South Africa. She thanks God and is excited, as now she can pay the tuition fees for the schooling of the orphans. They had no money and were praying that something would unexpectedly turn up, which it did!

Tuesday morning, I get up at 4 a.m. to leave for the airport at 5. Rigobert and Angele kindly drive me there. They are so helpful, and have a passion for our people in Madagascar. I thank God for them. Not too sure that I am thanking God for Air Madagascar. Why do they schedule flights at such ridiculous hours of the morning?

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2003