Madagascar Outreach

  • Robin Malherbe
  • Aug 24, 2010
    Madagascar Outreach

    Recently Tana City Church held its first-ever outreach – and that in its 11th year of existence! I’ve been part of many outreaches – in the early years of 3Ci, up into Africa, in France... but this was very different to most. Firstly, we decided to do it in order to bless and give back to the community around us; secondly, we decided to not have alter-calls at the end of evening; and thirdly, we wanted to provide food and drinks to everyone who arrived.

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    The first evening’s programme was one of dance, drama and singing by members of TCC; the second evening’s theme was “Friday the 13th” with a message of how Jesus allows us to overcome fear, superstition and fear of death – complete with the relevant ghoulish decor and eats; and on the final day we had the local, and much-loved Tana Gospel Choir perform. We had been told that it was not normal in Madagascar to cater for an event like this, and we had no idea how many people would arrive, but the church jumped in to bake, cook, decorate and make tea and coffee. I was even roped into the baking process – a hilarious site to anyone who knows me!

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    In the week before the outreach we sent teams of Malagasies with the guys who flew over from South Africa into the streets, alleys and yards in a 2-3km sweep around where we meet. They handed out invitations to the events, prayed for people, and seemed to have a whole lot of fun in the process. In the most part they were well received, and handed out around 7000 flyers.
    The outreach itself was amazing! The standard of the items on the first night was phenomenal, and we discovered that many of our members had previously-undiscovered real and raw talents!  The musicians even translated and recorded “Everything” by Lifehouse for the drama the youth had prepared. The hall was packed, Collin shared a message, the eats were delicious and we went home elated, despite the difficulties with the unruly children who overran the food tables...

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    The second night was freezing, but even more people arrived. We worshipped, and Kim shared a straight, in-your-face gospel message... Then, more fire-filled singing before ending the evening with hot coffee, more great eats and semi-unruly kids receiving chips and suckers which Isak, from Shoprite up the road, donated.
     
    On the Saturday afternoon the Tana Gospel Choir (TGC) entertained the crowds who streamed in, as well as the packed, slow-moving taxis as they drove by. People sang, danced, clapped and just had a jolly good time! By this time we had figured out how to serve the eats and drinks more efficiently, and have some ideas about how to deal with unruly, rude children in the future!

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    The team from South Africa was confronted by indescribable poverty, transport challenges, a curious culture, boat-like beds that were too soft and pillows too hard. But seeing the success of the event made all those things pale, I think... They served wherever they could, touched many, and left changed themselves! They were (not to sound super-spiritual) a real blessing!
     
    Robin

    Click here to view the photos from the outreach to Madagascar, on TCC's website.