They Will Continue…

When I was told about the strategy of TIMO I went through a process of responses. I liked the non-imposing style of entering a rural community to live and learn the language and culture of the Sakalava, but would it prove to be an effective model? And what would our family be doing on a practical level from day-to-day? Two and half years is an investment, and will it have been worth it when our team comes to an end?

As I reflect on these two and half years I am filled with assurance…assurance of Christ…assurance of God’s sovereignty…assurance that this is exactly where God wanted our family, and our team, for this season of our lives. TIMO’s strategy has given us a strong foundation for ministry among the Sakalava people. In the beginning, we had to learn how to be still…simply present…learning language…learning culture, and though we’ve made many mistakes, the Lord has blessed our souls and our ministry.

Spending time focused on relationships and learning the language brought Ladis, Matis and Edme into our lives, and as a result God has blessed the creation of a collection of Sakalava worship songs. The creation of new, gospel centered songs will continue as we prepare to depart…

Rosina and another member of our team formed a group with local friends, Herdiny and Francois, who committed themselves to translating the Bible into Sakalava. After agreeing on what scripture should be translated first, the team began Bible translation and the first work is in the process of being printed. Sakalave Bible translation will continue as we prepare to depart…

With our growing Sakalava language abilities, Sakalava worship songs, and the beginnings of the Sakalava Bible there was every reason to begin sharing these blessings with our friends. That is how the creation of The Gathering came to fruition. The Gathering became a monthly event where we used our new language to present the gospel message to our neighbors through word, song and prayer. The Gathering has taken place in 5 villages covering the biblical narrative from creation, fall, redemption and restoration. Our team has organized and participated in over 25 gatherings with more than 500 people hearing the stories in their first language. The Gathering will continue as we prepare to depart…

As a result of our friends hearing the gospel message through The Gathering we have seen Blondiny, Angela, Mbotisara, Alexi and their family confess their sin and receive Christ into their hearts. That led our team to ask ourselves how we are to come alongside them in their new faith in Christ. And their faith was the start of a Sakalava church plant that began on Sunday, June 21, 2015 on simple grass mats under a mango tree at the home of the new believing family. The transition from The Gathering to the formation of a church was seamless. The model that the Lord had established through The Gathering was an automatic movement to a church. The new Sakalava church plant will continue as we prepare to depart…

The band is attending church on Sunday mornings and leading worship. They have been empowered in their gifts and are fulfilled in creating and singing songs to God. At church we hear our friends praying to God aloud, confessing sins, sharing testimonies, and our hearts are in awe at what He has done.

TIMO’s strategy has been successful in our team’s situation, but what has made our team most effective is the work of the Holy Spirit. The story of our team is God’s story…it’s a redemptive story…it’s the work of the Holy Spirit by means of our broken efforts. Our team has managed to place itself in a position where we are able to say goodbye, and leave knowing that our villages are more equipped to journey on the road with Jesus. The work our team has started will continue even as we prepare to depart, and Bryan and I lift our hands to Jesus for making this possible. Praise God!

Extra photos of life in Madagascar follow…Rebe