In remote Maintirano, a team flew with MAF to teach farming, entrepreneurship and share the Good News. What they found were open hands and hungry hearts.
Story by Antsatiana Gino Randrianasolo
“This was a huge blessing; things we would normally have to pay for were brought to us freely,” said Ravokatra Robert Richard, a local church leader in western Madagascar.
Over a dozen days, villagers, elders, and young leaders across four sites received practical training and the message of Christ. The mission was all about sharing the Gospel and empowering Christians in the remote Melaky region with life-changing skills and knowledge.
“I’ve taken up growing crops and raising animals,” said Lucine, an elderly participant and retired teacher. “This training has been very valuable to me.”
The mission team came from the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Gestion Chretienne de la Vie (GCV), which focuses on Christian Life Management.
This training has been very valuable to me
Thanks to MAF flights, the team did not have to endure two-plus days of rough travelling by vehicle and boat to get to Maintirano; instead, they arrived by air in a couple of hours and could then begin work across multiple locations.
“Without MAF, this mission would have been more difficult and very time-consuming,” said Rakotomalala Emille, Director of GCV. “Because of your support, we were able to share the Gospel and provide several days of training.”
Instead of staying in one location, the team could spread out to reach more people, delivering workshops, spiritual teaching, and encouragement.
“Seventy participants were trained, and twenty people were baptised,” Emille added.
In Mafaijijo village, eight kilometres from Maintirano town, Pastor Rakotozafy Andriamitserana Joaba spent ten full days dedicated to evangelism.
“Every evening, across all four locations, the Gospel was preached, Bible studies were held, and people responded with open hearts,” said Emille.
Twenty people were baptised
The central training site was CAFPA – Centre d’Appui de Formation Professionnelle Agricole – the Agricultural Vocational Training Support Centre, in Mangotroka. There, attendees learnt entrepreneurship, personal development rooted in Scripture, sustainable agriculture, fish farming, poultry raising, beekeeping, composting, and even pastry-making.
“It’s the difference between spending a week just travelling or using that week to teach, train, and serve,” said Mamy Rahajarijaona, MAF Operations Coordinator.
“Our flights multiply the time our partners can spend with the people they’ve come to help.”