Madagascar
The first time I visited Madagascar was in 2006 as a student with Concordia Theological Seminary. It was an eye opening experience and helped me greatly, as I was called to serve in Africa just a few months after that trip. The Lutheran faith first came to Madagascar in 1866, via Norwegian missionaries. An agreement was made during these first decades that the Reformed Church would evangelize the north and the Lutherans would evangelize the south. Thankfully that is no longer the case. Today, there are over 4 million Lutherans, though most are still in the south. In addition, traditional beliefs remain strong, meaning there are still many who have never heard the teaching of Christ. Like many places in Africa, teaching the faith is neglected and the students and professors work in extremely poor conditions. Rev. David Rakotonirina, who has worked with the LCMS for many years now, asked me to come and teach the pastors, evangelists, and Sunday school teachers how to use and teach the Small Catechism with Questions and Answers.
For me, the first day was quite a shock. I was told there would be about 20 students, but after hearing they would be getting books the number of students swelled to 55!!! Not only were there many students AND their wives, but also their children, too, since there is no daycare available. Having six children of my own, this did not bother me in the least. In fact, it was wonderful to see their happy faces each day. Children who were able to read studied along with their parents, while the others played outside under the trees. How hungry were the students to learn? Each day I would begin at 7:30 AM and would continue teaching until 9:00 PM!!! This only lasted the first week, as I become too exhausted to effectively teach. So, during the second week, we stopped around 6:00. However, at the end of the seminar, they would not let me go until I promised to come back again.
Name: Madagascar
President: Andry RAJOELINA
Population: 21,926,221
Independence: 1960
National Language: Malagasy and French
Other languages:
English
Literacy rate: 68.9%
75.5% males, 62.5% females
School Life Expectancy:
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2009)
Religions: Christian 41%, Muslim 7%, indigenous beliefs 52%
Life Expectancy: 63.63 years
male: 61.62 years
female: 65.7 years
Avg. Daily Salary: $2.47
Martyria Mission to Morondava, Madagascar
ABOVE: The classroom building where lessons were taught each day.
RIGHT: Luther’s Seal was prominitely displayed on the classroom wall.
BELOW: Lessons were taught in French, Greek, and some Latin (for fun).
Accommodations were very minimal. Some single students shared a “barn” (LEFT) while two families split and shared a “barn” (RIGHT).
Each family received a ration of rice each month and that would be the typical meal, three times a day. For those who had not other support the rice was eaten plain. And still, they came each morning at 7:30 AM and stayed until 9:00 PM to learn the faith with their hope in heaven.
Student Accommodation
The son of the former director of the seminary showed me all his worldly possessions possessions, which could be captured in three pictures. Bed and clothes (LEFT), kitchenware (BELOW) and his library (RIGHT) which was bigger than most. The benefit to being the son of the director of the seminary!
ABOVE: A seminary wife happily doing the dishes.
LEFT: The home and possessions of a single student.
BELOW: A seminary wife sewing and repairing clothes to supplement family income.
The Divine Service where Rev. Betrand served was on the other side of the river. This meant canoeing to church! On arrival, I was amazed and excited to find four groups of Sunday School children studying the Bible and memorizing scripture verses in preparation for confirmation. Among these confirmands were even children who did not know how to read and write! Sunday School teachers would quiz them orally and write down the answers for the young students of the faith (RIGHT).
Canoeing to Church