The Legend of Manda

One of the first Mahafaly people we met was a man by the name of Mandahatry.  He is by far the most intimidating person I have ever met.  He is famous in the Mahafaly region for his strength and vengeance.  Let's just say that the cattle thieves have to be pretty brave to venture into his village.  People would even tell stories of how bullets would bounce right off of him!  He is the stuff legends are made of! Several years ago, Manda was one of the first Mahafaly who accepted Christ when Grant shared God's great story.  Since then we have slowly watched Manda experience a life change that can only be attributed to the awesome work of the Lord.

This week, during Grant and Steve's Mahafaly trip they were teaching in the town of Besatra...a village about 10 km south of Manda's village, Kilimary.  Grant and Steve were teaching on Paul's conversion and the life change he experienced.  The people understood the story and said Paul's story reminded them of Mandahatry.  They said Manda use to be one of the most feared of Mahafaly men.  He was easily angered, and was not afraid to kill in vengeance.  But Manda's story took a turn.  The people of Besatra heard of how this famously feared man became a follower of Jesus.  How he is now a respected man, who leads his community in ways that honor God.  He is now known as a peacemaker between communities.  Just as the conversion of Paul reached to distant towns, Manda's life changing story has reached all over.  What an amazing testimony.  And what an amazing legend!



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