Misaotra, Veloma, Tonga Soa, Salama, Fitahiana, Azafady – are all examples of words in the Malagasy language. Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar. The other official language is French, though it is considered to be the language of the colonizers. Wikipedia tells us that Malagasy is the westernmost Malayo-Polynesian language brought to the island in or around the 5th century AD. There are some words in common with the African continent
Bantu languages and some Arabic expressions were brought here by the traders. Around 25 million people speak Malagasy. There are some major dialects from the Western Coast, Central, and Eastern Coast – I am living in and calling Toamasina ‘home’, so on the Eastern Coast. However, I am trying to learn phrases in the standard language and not get involved with dialects. When you try to speak some Malagasy, the people appreciate the efforts as they know their language is only spoken here vs. French, English, Espanol, etc. Not many know English, but some will know some phrases as there are tourists who come through this area. Malagasy is a beautiful-sounding language, I especially enjoy hearing it in praise and worship when I visit local churches. I came prior to the ship in 2014 and was here for almost 2 years, so now I am enjoying reconnecting with people here – thankful for Messenger and WhatsApp and friends who know our other friends and have helped me reconnect.
The Christian population here are Catholics (brought to the country by French missionaries in the 19th century), Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and the ‘new’ churches – like the Baptist, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, and others. The proportion of Muslims is small, though there is a mosque near our team apartment, so I hear the calls for prayer. Often, when I visit a church on a Sunday morning, I am given the opportunity to share briefly on Mercy Ships. When I ask ‘how many remember the Africa Mercy in 2014 – 2016′ many of the hands are raised. I share a bit about the ship’s return in 2024 and that maybe they would know someone who would know someone who needs healing with one of the surgeries we can provide on the ship. Plus for those here in the port city if they know of ones who may wish to serve with us as local workers (day crew) and to pray for us as we make the preparations.
Photo Caption: Visited a friend’s church – she was day crew in 2014 – 2016 with our hospital chaplaincy team and wishes to rejoin in 2024.
Last week, I was invited to a meeting of the Federation of Church Leaders for the area of Toamasina. The Federation is primarily the ‘new’ churches.
I was given time to share about our plans to return, how the Body of Christ in Toamasina can be involved with referring surgical patients, identifying locals who would be able to join and serve with us, and for God’s will. During the meeting, one of the pastors shared part of his testimony on how he received eye surgery on the Anastasis when the ship was in Madagascar in 1996 and how he gave his heart to Jesus and is now serving as a pastor today. Two others shared how they had been local workers also back in 1996 and are now pastors. I left the meeting with my heart so full of blessing and wishing to share with the Mercy Shippers from that time that their labor of love and sharing the two hands of the gospel have impacted people here and they are impacting others.
Serving together,
PS. Last weekend, I had my third birthday in Madagascar (2014, 2015, 2023) – a celebration over the weekend – dinner out with friends, a home-cooked meal with a missionary family, day off, and visited First Love Church – as I was walking the last kilometer to the church, they were playing ‘Goodness of God’ song in French and this part of the chorus is so true <And all my life, You have been faithful. And all my life You have been so so good>.