Going to Manja; or: What does God say when I’m in the bush?

Posted on Monday, September 10, 2007 by jandreinmadagascar

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

I have been thinking about how to explain my desire of going to Manja.

About Manja: Manja is a very small town in the Toliara province of Madagascar. It is approx 125km due South from Morondava, and 100km East-North-East from Morombe. (Google Earth it. You’ll find it.)

About me: I’m a missionary in Madagascar. God loves the Malagasy people and is giving me the opportunity to share his love with them. I’ll still tell you about myself at a later stage. Let this suffice for now!

On two unrelated occasions I heard fellow missionaries talking about some of the darkest, spiritually speaking, places in Madagascar. And on both these occasions my heart skipped.

I hear about people completely unaware of the fact that One came to set captives free, to heal the blind and announce the year of the Lord’s favour.

Entire families,even entire villages living in darkness, fear and without hope.

Currently I am living and working at a Theological College (Seminary) in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Tana has many churches, missionaries and “Christian opportunities.”

But the rural areas of Madagascar, like in Manja for example, are not so blessed. People are oppressed by their traditional religion, or indigenous religious beliefs.

So, why am I going to Manja?

I am going there to see if I can identify God’s will for my life and work in Madagascar.

God willing we’ll leave Tana on Tuesday 11 September (Shucks! I’ll not see the SA-UK game on Friday!) I’m going with (Pastor) Glauco, one of our previous students.

Glauco

The College starts again on the 15th(-ish) of October. So, I have to be back before then.

Samy hotahian’ Andriamanitra! (God bless each onel!)
J

PS: Google Earth Coordinates:

Manja : Lattitude : 21°26′15.64″S    Longitude : 44°19′46.88″E

Glauco’s house : Lattitude : 21°25′57.05″S    Longitude :  44°19′38.50″E

Glauco’s Congregation in Manja : Lattitude : 21°25′58.79″S    Longitude :  44°19′28.28″E

When I’m back, God wiling, I’ll upload some photos

Filed under: Seeking, Trip

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12 Responses

  1. Frieda, on September 11th, 2007 at 9:28 Said:

    Sterkte vir jou reis. Ons sien uit om te lees wat alles langs die pad gebeur!

  2. Elize, on September 11th, 2007 at 10:55 Said:

    Volg maar die karate ou se voorbeeld!! Mag jy in oorvloed geseen word en weet jy is veilig.

  3. Abe, on September 11th, 2007 at 17:17 Said:

    Sterkte en Voorspoed.

    Mag die Wil van God uitgevoer word.

    Ek Sal die rugby telling vir jou onthou…

  4. Henk van der Meijden, on September 12th, 2007 at 12:23 Said:

    Ek is baie opgewonde in die gees oor jou stap van geloof en weet die Here sal jou wys want Hy beloon die wat Hom getrou soek. Heb 11:6. Jy is geseënd. Die Here is met jou. Sy vrede gaan jou vooruit. Mag Hy jou Sy wil in die hemel wys en die geloof skenk om diet op aarde en selfs nou uit te leef. Ek is saam met jou in gees. Jou broer, Henk

  5. Koos Anneleen Louw, on September 13th, 2007 at 0:06 Said:

    Dis opwindend om so voluit vir die Here te gaan! Ry jy met ‘nTaxibroece? Sterkte!
    Die Here hou wag oor jou of jy kom of gaan nou en vir altyd. Ps121:8
    Ons bid vir jou en die Pastoor. Jesusliefde jou Pretoria Pa en Ma!

  6. Rob Brimer, on September 13th, 2007 at 10:14 Said:

    Greetings from Midrand! I can hardly beleive that you are still in Madagascar, still pushing forward and seeking God for them. I praise God for your perseverance which testifies out loud to all of us who know of you. Be encouraged and know that there are people praying for you and for your work.
    Rob

  7. Dvid Ndhambi, on September 13th, 2007 at 16:48 Said:

    God has been there waiting for you.Keep up the faith.

  8. David Ndhambi, on September 13th, 2007 at 16:49 Said:

    What about the transport?

  9. Andries, on September 14th, 2007 at 15:19 Said:

    Jandre, geniet dit daar in die bos. Wens ek kon saamgaan!! Mag jy die dae in die bos ervaar hoe God met jou praat oor die toekoms vorentoe. Veilige reis. Ons bid vir jou!

  10. Elize, on September 17th, 2007 at 21:07 Said:

    Bly jy is veilig en amper oppad! Ons kyk uit vir jou storietjies, wyshede en insigte! o ja, en fotos!!! Het jy bome afgeneem??

  11. Dorith, on September 22nd, 2007 at 15:02 Said:

    Just online with skype with Vicky and she told me about your news…. HOW great and wish you God’s blessings!
    Justin is back in Madagascar since the 1st September he had to leave for the funeral of his mum on the 2nd Sept. I still had some medical treatment and so had to extend but will be back God willing on the 12th October – will be good to come back home again!!!
    Take courage and greetings from Justin (antsirabe sure would pass you greetings:-)) & Dorith Swizterland
    P.S take note we have a new email adress

  12. Juliette, on December 9th, 2007 at 10:42 Said:

    Toa tsy misy sarin’ny mpianatra na mpiasa. Oviana no nanomboka nisy ity website ity.
    Mba ataovy eo ilay sarin’i Madagasikara teo amin’ny zaridaina na dia efa niova aza e!
    Mankasitraka.
    Juliette

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