National Missionaries

It has been amazing to see God work through the people of Madagascar.  I have recently come across three stories of national missionaries that I have to share. 

I met Miantra last summer when I joined her and another gal for their churches village Bible clubs.  I was excited to learn from these girls’ hearts for children and their active ministry work.  A year later I was able to visit with Miantra again, this time here in Toliara as she headed down to the Bush with a group of natives and Korean missionaries for a week of ministry.  I am overjoyed to see Malagasy people traveling all over Mada to bring the good news of Christ.

  

It just so happened that the pastor the above group picked up here in Toliara on their way to the bush is a home grown Toliara missionary to the Masocoro people.  In fact, he and his wife have been helping train the American Southern Baptist Missionaries that are here in Toliara, in starting churches among the Mosocoro people.  What an amazing picture, instead of American missionaries coming in to train nationals in missions, there is a national couple that is partnering with the missionaries to multiply both their efforts.  Pastor Jonoro trains evangelists and his wife trains teachers so as to touch whole villages.  Together with the missionaries they take a group of evangelists-in-training into the Bush each Tuesday.  Pretty cool stuff.  My hope is to have the three missionaries-in-training, that have been meeting at my house, join them on a Tuesday for on the field opportunities. 

 Pastor Jonoro a Toliara native

The Sprankles - Missionary pastor and his teacher wife.  

If you remember I was able to travel with a group from my Malagasy church about a month ago as they headed down south to give a church a toilette.  My good friend Vero, a native Malagasy, was the one to spearhead that trip. 

I also love joining this group each Saturday when they head into the village surrounding their church to share the stories of Jesus.  This week’s story told of the time Jesus’ mother and brothers were looking for him and couldn’t get to him.  Jesus replied, “my family are those who do the will of God.”  When asked what was learned from the story the girl we visited explained that Jesus’ family are those who follow God.  When asked if she was ready to be in God’s family she said she was still thinking.  The follow up question asked what it would take to be ready, to which she said maybe she should be baptized.  The missionary girls with me explained that the Lutheran church teaches that baptism is the way to heaven and they were able to correct this misconception with the girl.  As we headed back to the church the girls were excited because they have seen the girl we visited move forward over the past several weeks in her understanding of Christ. 

On the cusp of this wonderful work, my friend Vero (right) had to return to Tana on Sunday, going home for the holidays.  She hopes to come back to Toliara to continue working with the church in missions, but her job here is uncertain.  We will miss each other over these next few months apart but are hopeful for her future here.