by Hilde Vlaminckx – Missionary Nurse at the Good News Hospital
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Beangezoka village
This Bible verse is very relevant for the Christians in Beangezoka. May I take you to this small village that lies between soft rolling hills about 5 km north of Mandritsara.
Until a year ago, the little church in Beangezoka, belonging to the Bible Baptist Churches of Madagascar, consisted of four baptised members and about ten other believers who gathered every Sunday and shared their faith during the week in daily life.
Beangezoka taxi service
To understand social life in a small community in a village such as Beangezoka, it is helpful to go back in history and discover the origin of the village.
Three generations ago, around the end of the 19th century, the grandfather of Kotomalala, who was the founder and leader of the Bible Baptist Church in Beangezoka, came from Africa to Madagascar as a slave. He was probably still a teenager. He was well treated by his master who was a pastor in a Lutheran church. Slavery was officially banned in 1877, but it was only in 1896 under King Ranavalona III that about five hundred thousand slaves were freed. After being freed, each former slave received a piece of land to live on and cultivate.
Kotomalala’s grandfather received his piece in the southern part of Mandritsara, Ampitatsimo. He then became pastor of a Lutheran parish. His family also received another piece of land in the village of Beangezoka, which now has around 300 inhabitants, all of whom are related to each other in some way. Some are blood relatives, others are related by marriage.
Busy in Beangezoka
In the local culture of the Tsimihety people, it is customary for the wife to follow her husband. But if they separate, or the husband dies, the wife can return to her home village if she wishes, or can stay in the village of her husband, particularly if she has already earned a certain status there.
The church in Beangezoka was planted after many people of the village came to faith through evangelism by Mr. and Mrs. Radesana. Radesana, who was the Good News Hospital evangelist, was the cousin of Kotomalala. At the weekends, Radesana and his wife, often accompanied by missionaries from the hospital, went to preach the gospel in villages where they had relatives, such as Beangezoka. The first time
The church in better times
I went with them to Beangezoka, maybe 25 years ago, the church was meeting outside the house of the other leader of the church, Mampiahy, under an awning. A few years later the church was able to build its own building on land belonging to Kotomalala’s family. It is still there today.
About 6 years ago, Kotomalala died suddenly of a heart attack. In God’s provision, he had already started training a younger brother in Christ for future leadership. The young man, called Jaona (pronounced like John), did his best to lead the church. He was supported by the church members and was able to follow the regional seminary training for village church leaders.
Unfortunately, a year ago, he decided to split from the Bible Baptist Church Association. He took with him one other church member and a few believers.
This is where we come to the verse at the beginning of this article: “Don’t be afraid, little flock.”
Hilde, Thérèse and Mme Radesana
Kotomalala’s wife, Thérèse, continues to live in Beangezoka. She feels very much at home there and is well accepted by the village. She sees it as her mission to continue to support the local Baptist Church, of which she is a member. After the split of last year, she is even more committed to the church. The church consists now of 2 members, 4 other believers and quite a few children. They don’t always have a preacher on Sunday, when one of the surrounding villages isn’t able to send someone who can preach. But they still gather each Sunday, singing, praying and reading God’s Word.
Now, I ask you, dear reader, to try to imagine the situation in a village of 300 inhabitants, that’s about 100 family units, all of whom are related to one another. Apart from the few Christians in the village, whether belonging to the Bible Baptist Church or not, most people are animists and worship their ancestors.
Signs of animism and ancestor worship
Thankfully, outward pressure on the Christians is not great. But there is a lot of underlying social pressure. Thérèse, being related only by marriage, does not have direct influence on the ways of the village. But she is still very well accepted and respected. People will not hinder her or prevent the church from meeting.
Recently, she was able to build a bigger kitchen for the church on land next to the church belonging to Kotomalala’s family. The whole village, together with Christians from surrounding villages, helped by transporting bricks from the brick kiln in a procession of ox carts. The event was celebrated with a short message by Leonce, one of the pastors from a nearby village, followed by a meal of meat and rice. The people from the village, including the village elders, were invited. The church was full.
Brick kiln
Collecting water in Beangezoka
The main goal for the few Christians living in Beangezoka is to be a witness of Jesus in their daily life and to share their faith whenever possible. Last year’s church split didn’t do any good to their testimony. The people, who are all related to believers of one or other group, don’t know where to go, if they want to come to church. They don’t want to offend anyone. This is an example of the social pressure. But we thank God for the few people who dare to face the pressure and come anyway.
Children's talk in church
In May, God willing, the regional meeting of the churches from the surrounding area will be held in Beangezoka. It will be an opportunity to do door-to-door evangelism and to reach people with the gospel.
Because of the difficult situation, the church in Beangezoka is included in the programme for support, outreach and training, that Julian Hardyman spoke about recently in his website story. It is assessed as vulnerable.
Harvest time in Beangezoka
Prayer Points
Please pray for Thérèse and others in similar circumstances. Many villages have situations like this.
Please pray for all the believers in Beangezoka. That they may know that God is with them.
Please pray for the group that separated themselves. That they may return and that through this the name of the Lord may be praised and glorified.
Please pray that many people from Beangezoka will come or return to Jesus.
Save the Date
Friends of Mandritsara Hybrid Prayer Day - 18th April, London
Join us from 1:00pm for lunch with the prayer meeting starting at 2:00pm. There will be the option to join online, and further details will be sent out closer to the time via the stories emails. Click Here for more info.