Southbridge September Mission Team Pt. 1

I am sitting here in a comfortable hotel in Antsirabe, drinking a cup of tea and trying to get some down time in before my three little ones wake up from naptime.  If you were looking at me at this exact moment, you would think that life is pretty relaxing for me!  The truth is that this snapshot is but a short breath of air in the midst of an insanely busy few weeks.  I know that when we are back home again, it will take a few more weeks for life to settle back into a routine – so I wanted to take the opportunity (however short it may be!) to catch you up on what’s been going on here.

The Southbridge team arrived safe and sound, and uneventfully (no missed flights, lost luggage, broken guitars, or loss of air conditioning during the 16 hr flight).  We were off to a good start!  The team did arrive late due to a delay in the Air Mada flight – but we were pretty content with them still making it the same day. 

Meeting the team for the first time is always exciting.  It is so neat to be able to meet and hug the people that you have been praying for so long for.  I cannot tell you how awesome and encouraging that moment is.  This team was no exception.  We were blessed with such kind, encouraging teammates to minister alongside.  They came with a learner’s heart, and a desire to serve God and the people.  It was refreshing and rejuvenating for our own hearts and ministry!

The team hit the ground running with a CPR/First Aid training in Tulear.  We had a great turnout, with Malagasy from all over town.  They were so interested and really caught on fast.  They had lots of questions, and were even taking notes!  The team encouraged them to take the teaching back to their friends and family, and I don’t doubt that they did.  We have had lots of requests for another teaching similar to this one.

Shortly (and I mean within a few hours!) the team was off to the bush.  They survived the long and rough drive out there, and spent the next 6 days working from sunup until sundown in the villages (and sometimes even later).  They were broken into two teams.  Steve led a team focused on agriculture and medicine, while Grant led a team focused on leadership training, evangelism, and discipleship.  Each group spent two days in a village and then they would switch villages.  So Besatra and Kilimary had four days of ministry in each village.  Then the whole team spent a day in Andremba, and on the last morning they visited the new village of Andranotantely.  Here are just a few exciting things that happened during this trip:

-     *  Every person in Andremba that requested a medical visit was seen and prayed over.  This made a long day for our medical team – but what a special ministry that made these people feel important and loved!  One man walked miles to have his leg looked at and humbly asked for help for his condition that had plagued him for over a year.  Within a week the leg is already drastically better!

-      *They were able plant tons of Moringa trees and treat their crops with the natural Neem pesticide using home grown remedies (to protect against locusts).  Villagers came from Besatra to Kilimary to see what they were doing to help better grow the Moringa trees.  How cool to see the villages working together!

-       *The villages learned how to share their testimony of life change.  The team set up the Jesus film in the evening and the whole village was invited.  Hundreds came and heard the gospel message and at the end, the Mahafaly believers stood and shared their testimony.  Praise God for the work He has done in their lives and for the courage they had in sharing!  Since this time, the number of people coming to the church meetings each week has grown.

-      * One of my favorite parts is watching how the team invests in the lives of the villagers.  They build relationships that mean more than we will ever know.  While some of the team members may be coming out on their first trip, they are building upon a foundation of love and trust.  It is so cool to see these believers truly be the body of Christ!