Yesterday we flew into the rainforest via helicopter. We left Tana at 8 AM.
We landed in three small villages northeast of Antanarivo. By air it only took about 1 hour.
By road, it would have taken 8 by car followed by another 8 hours on foot walking along the narrow trails.
Five of us piled into the helicopter. A Malagasy pastor, a Malagasy doctor, my missionary doctor colleague, a visiting business man from the US who raises money for missions projects in madagascar, and myself. To say it was an unforgettable experience would be the understatement of 2012. This is only the second time in my life I've actually flown in a helicopter.
From the air the first village looked like a small cluster of huts nestled in the forested valley with several rice fields extending in either direction along the winding river. Our pilot found the widest rice field available and gently settled the helicopter down. As he did people appeared from everywhere. Most came running, others pointed curiously, some stood back reluctantly watching from a safe distance. Even the mangy dogs of the village barked in trepidation as every hair on their back bristled. And who can blame them! A helicopter with three white people suddenly appearing in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
We carried a small self-powered speaker so that we could communicate easily with the growing crowd of people. Pastor Zaka introduced us, relayed the medical nature of our mission, and shared a brief Gospel presentation. Then the hard-work began. The sick were instructed to line up for an opportunity to consult with Dr. Fils and my dear missionary colleague doctor Aaron Santymire. For nearly 2 hours in the scorching heat we examined some of the most precious Malagasy people I've ever seen. Some complained of mild headaches and backaches. Others were so weak they could hardly stand. One little boy had a massive infection on the side of his face that caused his face to be completely distorted. I searched through the medicine bags as the doctors told me what each patient required. Then we would pray for the desperately sick.
I asked about the church. "There is no church," came the reply. "Where is the closest one" I asked? "At least an 8 hour walk from here." As far as we could tell this is the first time the Gospel message has been announced in this village.
After treating some fifty people we announced that we had to leave to continue to the next village. Some thirty plus people didn't get the chance to see the doctors. This was disheartening, but we made every effort to see the critically ill.
Arriving in the next village we set down in a makeshift soccer field. Again people came running from everywhere. This time around Zaka turned to me- "your turn." I stood and shared from John 14. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I talked about the way to heaven. I talked about the accuracy of following this way. I finished with the experience of following this way--life and life more abundantly. Holy Spirit moved in a special way and many raised their hands to receive Christ. In this village, the church is strong and there is a pastor who has even been to our Bible school in Tana.
Then came the third village. This one was the most cut off of them all. The people here still wear traditional clothing of vests and hats. As we landed, Zaka asked me to preach again. So I did. Basically, the same message as before. However, here the spiritual resistance was very strong. As far as we can tell this is only the second time that the Gospel has been preached here. There is no church for this area of some 1,900 people.
The pastor from village number 2 started a cell group here earlier this year. He has some 6 or 7 believers that gather together on Wednesday afternoons. He walks four hours to be in attendance. As I shared one lady, clearly one of the few believers kept shouting: "hallelujah." Her faith was brilliant.
Following the message, we lined up the sick and began to treat as best as we knew how and pray for the critically ill. As we packed up the helicopter to leave the little group of believers began to sing beautiful songs of praise and worship. Some in the crowd laughed at them. Others looked on curiously. To me it was a bold testimony of faith for these new believers.
I conclude as I started by saying that it was unforgettable. Would you please pray for this forested region of Madagascar? Desperately in need of the light of Christ! Desperately in need of laborers.
I will be posting pics and videos on my FB page in the days to come.
We landed in three small villages northeast of Antanarivo. By air it only took about 1 hour.
By road, it would have taken 8 by car followed by another 8 hours on foot walking along the narrow trails.
Five of us piled into the helicopter. A Malagasy pastor, a Malagasy doctor, my missionary doctor colleague, a visiting business man from the US who raises money for missions projects in madagascar, and myself. To say it was an unforgettable experience would be the understatement of 2012. This is only the second time in my life I've actually flown in a helicopter.
From the air the first village looked like a small cluster of huts nestled in the forested valley with several rice fields extending in either direction along the winding river. Our pilot found the widest rice field available and gently settled the helicopter down. As he did people appeared from everywhere. Most came running, others pointed curiously, some stood back reluctantly watching from a safe distance. Even the mangy dogs of the village barked in trepidation as every hair on their back bristled. And who can blame them! A helicopter with three white people suddenly appearing in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
We carried a small self-powered speaker so that we could communicate easily with the growing crowd of people. Pastor Zaka introduced us, relayed the medical nature of our mission, and shared a brief Gospel presentation. Then the hard-work began. The sick were instructed to line up for an opportunity to consult with Dr. Fils and my dear missionary colleague doctor Aaron Santymire. For nearly 2 hours in the scorching heat we examined some of the most precious Malagasy people I've ever seen. Some complained of mild headaches and backaches. Others were so weak they could hardly stand. One little boy had a massive infection on the side of his face that caused his face to be completely distorted. I searched through the medicine bags as the doctors told me what each patient required. Then we would pray for the desperately sick.
I asked about the church. "There is no church," came the reply. "Where is the closest one" I asked? "At least an 8 hour walk from here." As far as we could tell this is the first time the Gospel message has been announced in this village.
After treating some fifty people we announced that we had to leave to continue to the next village. Some thirty plus people didn't get the chance to see the doctors. This was disheartening, but we made every effort to see the critically ill.
Arriving in the next village we set down in a makeshift soccer field. Again people came running from everywhere. This time around Zaka turned to me- "your turn." I stood and shared from John 14. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I talked about the way to heaven. I talked about the accuracy of following this way. I finished with the experience of following this way--life and life more abundantly. Holy Spirit moved in a special way and many raised their hands to receive Christ. In this village, the church is strong and there is a pastor who has even been to our Bible school in Tana.
Then came the third village. This one was the most cut off of them all. The people here still wear traditional clothing of vests and hats. As we landed, Zaka asked me to preach again. So I did. Basically, the same message as before. However, here the spiritual resistance was very strong. As far as we can tell this is only the second time that the Gospel has been preached here. There is no church for this area of some 1,900 people.
The pastor from village number 2 started a cell group here earlier this year. He has some 6 or 7 believers that gather together on Wednesday afternoons. He walks four hours to be in attendance. As I shared one lady, clearly one of the few believers kept shouting: "hallelujah." Her faith was brilliant.
Following the message, we lined up the sick and began to treat as best as we knew how and pray for the critically ill. As we packed up the helicopter to leave the little group of believers began to sing beautiful songs of praise and worship. Some in the crowd laughed at them. Others looked on curiously. To me it was a bold testimony of faith for these new believers.
I conclude as I started by saying that it was unforgettable. Would you please pray for this forested region of Madagascar? Desperately in need of the light of Christ! Desperately in need of laborers.
I will be posting pics and videos on my FB page in the days to come.
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