By Jack Brunet
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar--The 14 members here are strong in faith in what Christ is doing in the Worldwide Church of God and want to work hard to promote the gospel, build the church and be financially self-sufficient in a few years.
The growth is visible in maturity and in size not only in Antananarivo, the capital, but also throughout the island.
My wife, Betty, was helpful to many women who are in contact with the church in Madagascar.
Things are getting worse politically in Madagascar. President Albert Zafy is more isolated than ever. Political factions are divided.
The cost of living has increased, and the population is poor. Many children are alone and homeless. They beg for money to survive and live under cardboard boxes.
A few experienced some difficulty understanding doctrinal changes in the Worldwide Church of God, but today members are much more positive about the church's direction, and some are really enthusiastic.
I gave two messages to members and readers here. In the first one I explained why the church made doctrinal changes, and I explained New Covenant Christianity.
In the second message I spoke about Ephesians 2:11-18. Many readers were positive about my message, but a few were skeptical. I also met a few pastors who were openminded about it.
Twenty-six people attended the first Feast of Tabernacles in Madagascar last year. Nearly 40 attended services during the days of Unleavened Bread this year. Some new people came to our worship services, picnic and social activities.
Philibert Rasolo came 250 kilometers (about 150 miles) to be baptized April 14. During our 15 day visit I had 28 personal meetings (17 with new people). Five asked for baptism on the next visit and many others want to attend worship services regularly.
I introduced more of the Malagasy language during worship services. Many Malagasy songs are popular in Christian communities. With the use of Malagasy songs we could hear and see the difference--the service was more dynamic and spontaneous.
Sermon scripts are recorded in Malagasy by Johannes Rosaas and Rigobert Rafiringason and are distributed throughout the country. This empowers the members and demonstrates to new people that the church in Madagascar is a living and active church.
I was impressed to see how personal evangelism works in Madagascar. Norbert Rakotoarimanana and Justin Andriamanalina, a former Protestant pastor, built four small groups for prayers in rural areas. Some people gave a little house for this ministry, and some gave land to build a chapel.
We met two prayer groups: three families in Sabotsikely and 25 people in Manjakandriana, 30 miles from Antananarivo.
We plan to help distribute Bibles and also some tools for families who sculpt horns and make handicrafts.
We also have some members and readers who have built a network of friends of the Worldwide Church of God in other areas of Madagascar, especially in Antsirabe, Mananjary and Ihosy (southern Madagascar) and Diego-Suarez (northern Madagascar).
Georgette Rajoelisolo, a member who lived in France for a few years, gave a little farm in Ambodianfotsy (six miles from Antananarivo) to the members.
Since last fall, members have completed harvests of haricot and corn, which helps them financially in dealing with economic deterioration and poverty in Madagascar.
As a French writer wrote: "If you want people to know and appreciate each other, help them to build something together."
The farm is an opportunity to work together and have social activities. This project will help the church to be self-sufficient financially.
Angele Rafiringason, who supervises this project, works with the Swiss Cooperation Office in Antananarivo.
Jack Brunet pastors the Fort-de-France, Martinique, church and is coordinator for French-speaking Africa. Mr. Brunet and his wife, Betty, visited Madagascar April 9 to 23.
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