Key points:
- United Methodists plant seeds of hope in a remote village facing food challenges.
- Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church preached and provided support in Faratanjona, located about 75 miles from Antananarivo.
- “Our souls and bellies are full,” said recipient Dada Naivo. “We thank God for touching your hearts and sending you to provide food support.”
Members of the first United Methodist church in the island nation of Madagascar took their ministry on the road to help a community facing food challenges.
In Faratanjona, located about 75 miles from Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, many of the village’s 1,500 residents lack basic commodities and the community doesn’t have infrastructure, including schools, clinics and roads.
Climate change and other natural factors have greatly reduced crop production in the regions, hindering planting, producing and harvesting.
Led by lay preacher Jean Aime Ratovohery, 12 adults and several youth from Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo visited the village for four days in November to conduct an outreach mission.
“The choice of this rural area was in response to their request to assist them with foodstuffs,” Ratovohery said. “The community faces drastic challenges.”
A year ago, church members began sharing their faith with the people of Faratanjona.
“I was moved to hear the local population express their desire to hear the word of God for strength and renewed hope,” Ratovohery said.
To provide physical and spiritual nourishment, the recent outreach began with the youth singing praise songs, attracting a sizable audience. Ratovohery delivered a sermon.
“People, young and old, followed the chanting,” said Ranivoharisoa Hanitra, a youth leader from Ambodifasika United Methodist.
Youth member Raharimalala Henintsoa said the mission was two-fold.
“We, the youth, have come not only to share the word of God with this community, but (also) to provide much-needed food aid,” Henintsoa said.
The support, financed by the local United Methodist church, was well-received.
“We are very happy and grateful to the Madagascar UMC,” said Dada Naivo, who received foodstuffs. “No one has ever done something so important for us in this place. Our souls and bellies are full, and we thank God for touching your hearts and sending you to provide food support.”
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In the absence of schools or open spaces for communal meals in this rural area, families set up a makeshift dining area near the preaching site.
Following the food distribution, the deputy chief of Faratanjona spoke on behalf of the residents, expressing profound appreciation and a desire for continued support.
“We are grateful to the UMC for the aid and for facilitating this evangelization moment,” he said.
Ambodifasika youth Justin Rakotoarimanana emphasized the church’s important role in such initiatives and settings.
“Despite the challenging journey to reach Faratanjona,” he said, “the youths’ action was a success. We felt the joy and warmth of the people who received both aid and the word of God, and this touched our hearts.”
Rakotoarivony is a communicator for the Madagascar Mission Field of The United Methodist Church.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5469. To read more United Methodist news subscribe to free Daily or Weekly Digests.
