Thanks to the reach made possible by MAF flights, a long-term ministry rooted in sport, discipleship and deep community engagement is bringing lasting change to lives in one of Madagascar’s most remote coastal regions.
Story by Gino Antsatiana Randrianasolo
“I already knew Christ for long time,” said Ramilison Andriamihaja, a father of five in his late forties from Tambohorano, a remote village on Madagascar’s western coast.
“But the coming of the team here deepened my knowledge of Jesus and gave me boldness to share the Gospel.”
Ramilison now hopes to study theology in Antananarivo, the capital city if Madagascar. But like many in his village, his path is blocked by distance and a lack of resources.
The coming of the team here deepened my knowledge of Jesus and gave me boldness to share the Gospel.
His hope to study in September has been ignited through the presence of the Church Sport and Recreation Ministry (CSRM), supported by MAF through the ‘MAMAFY’ project, a term that means ‘to sow.’
Reaching Tambohorano by road takes more than two days over rough and variable terrain. But with MAF’s flight, the CSRM team arrived in just two hours by air, then continued the last few kilometres to the village by vehicle. Their visit was part of the ongoing MAMAFY initiative, which exists to support local evangelists and ministries bringing the Gospel to isolated places.
“Without MAF, we simply could not come here,” said Hasina Randriambao Manantsoa, a CSRM team member. “We have been partnering with MAF for all our missions in Tambohorano.”
Without MAF, we simply could not come here
CSRM spent a week teaching on various topics, and engaged with local authorities, elders, teachers. They facilitated coaching sessions, offered training and built relationships with the community – especially the youth.
Sport remained a central tool in their approach.
“I was invited to speak during the village’s football tournament final,” Rasamoelina Andrianjaka, CSRM Team Leader said. “I also awarded the trophy to the winning team. I used the opportunity to share a message of hope rooted in Christ.”
I used the opportunity to share a message of hope rooted in Christ
They also distributed footballs to local schools and institutions, and in the evenings projected the Jesus film outdoors. Around 30 people gathered each night to watch, with some staying late into the evening to engage with the message.
The team’s presence has had a strong impact on young people in the village.
“The children and youth have been impacted mentally and spiritually,” said Mr Rabemarozara, director of the public secondary school. “They are the ones now asking, ‘When is the team coming back?’ That’s something new, beyond the materials or things they bring.”
The children and youth have been impacted mentally and spiritually
Before the team left, they were also able to assist Rasoarilalao Saholiarisoa Voahirana, one of their early hosts and supporters in the village, in joining a MAF flight to the capital for medical treatment. She has since undergone surgery in Antananarivo and is now recovering well.
CSRM’s outreach, made possible by MAF flights, has not only planted seeds of the Gospel but is helping nurture long-term growth.
“We want to come back,” said Hasina. “There’s more work to do.”