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Madagascar
Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern
coast
of the continent of Africa, along the Mozambique Channel. The country of
Madagascar
is the fourth largest island in the world. Antananarivo is the capital of
this island country. (Where
is Madagascar in relation to the African Continent?)
The people of Madagascar are a blend of Indonesian origin and African origin, giving Madagascar a unique place in Africa. The island has a culture unto its own. Being isolated from the main continent of Africa, Madagascar not only has a uniqueness in people and culture, but also in flora and fauna. One can truly see God's creativity in His creation on the island of Madagascar.
Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries. Most Malagasy people live rurally in village type settings. Many living along the coastal area of the island where subsistence farming is the major activity. The inland areas of Madagascar include rugged terrain and high plateaus making farming more difficult. (Go to the map of Madagascar.)
Madagascar gained its independence from France in
1960 and French continues to be one of the
major languages along with the local language, Malagasy.
In its past, Madagascar had many years of
anti-Christian propaganda. But currently, Madagascar is a field
waiting for
the Gospel message to be sown among its people. Young people are an
important inroad to the development of a strong Christian base in Madagascar.
The country is poor, but the literacy rate is quite high and the Bible has been
translated into Malagasy for many years. (Click
picture to enlarge)
A major obstacle to the spread of the Gospel among the Malagasy people is the influence of Islam. Another is the worship of ancestral spirits and witchcraft which has infiltrated those who claim to be Christian. However God is working in the hearts and lives of the people of Madagascar. The Word and witness has gone out this year in a very practical way with the flood relief efforts of Baptist and other Great Commission organizations. Not only did the Malagasy see the Love of Christ but they heard the Words of Christ as they came to receive rice and other essentials for living on the flood ravaged island.