Kai - Patience

It's hard to believe it's been another week, and I'm posting another blog. It feels like I'm posting one every other day.

This week, as you probably know, we've been learning about culture by going around asking people questions like, "What do you believe?" or "What do you hope to do in your life?" and "Do you believe in God/Spirits/Magic, and how do those affect you?"

It's been really enlightening to learn about the evil spirits in the ocean, the mythical creatures in the area. We've even been able to start some relationships and make friends who can help us with our Malagasy. One of the things that surprised us is how easily they will accept new input religiously. One of the women we talked to really stuck in my mind, and really changed the way I see missions. The conversation went something like this:

Us: "Do you believe in God?"

Her: "Of course! Jesus Christ is my savior, and I depend on Him for everything. I pray every day and go to church on the weekends." *points to a poster on the wall of her small hut depicting Jesus*

Us: "We do too! It's so nice to meet a fellow believer! Is it difficult to live in a place where everyone believes in the Fady?" (Fady is the rules and taboos that anger the ancestors)

Her: "Sometimes, but if I break the Fady, I can just ask Jesus to comfort the ancestors."

Us: "Wait, you still believe the ancestors affect your life?"

Her: "Yes, the ancestors are the reason for our lives."

Us: "What about after you die, what will happen?"

Her: "Then nothing... That's the end of things."

Us: "So Jesus is there only to keep the evil spirits away and make the ancestors happy?"

Her: "Yes. Also he helped with the rice harvest."


...Let that sink in for a moment. She has knowledge of Jesus Christ, someone at some point shared with her, and she simply fit him into her belief system. This scene was repeated several times; we met many people who claimed to be "believers" but were simply using Jesus as a God to help them out with whatever they want. It's the prosperity gospel at it's worst.

Though that was a little discouraging to hear, we are rejoicing that Jesus name is known by a few here in Manakara. Many times we think of missions as going out into "the world" and then simply telling that Jesus died for the sins of humanity, then they will convert, and they're locked in with a solid theological foundation. The reality of mission work is starting to sink in, and we are realizing that evangelism is a process, not a single act of telling a story. These interviews and revelations have changed the ways we are approaching people, and by God's grace we are going to be able to reach people more effectively by understanding their world view a little better!

Reaching the Antimoro people is going to take patience and discipleship. Pray for patience and strategy for our team, as we continue to spread light to Madagascar.