The southern region of Madagascar has been grappling with prolonged drought, leading to food scarcity and hunger. To combat this crisis, in 2020, Pastors Richard and Therese Ravelomanantsoa provided essential supplies like food, water, and baby food to the drought-affected south through their work with the Madagascar District and other donors.

In 2022, the focus shifted to empowering residents of Andranovory in the southwest region to cultivate their vegetables for consumption and sale through a project called Sustainable Agriculture Phase 1.

In collaboration with Helping Hands Africa (a ministry of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries), the Church of the Nazarene recently invited one representative each from 150 households in the impoverished region for sustainable agricultural training. The goal was to educate the community on sustainable vegetable farming in a water-scarce environment.

Alongside the training, the teachings of the gospel were shared, leading to many conversions and individuals embracing Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Miraculously, rain fell for the first time in years as the planting season commenced, sparking newfound interest in agriculture and spiritual growth.

The new agricultural approach was initially met with skepticism from some locals, but witnessing their neighbors’ successful crop yields within a month changed their minds.

In October 2022 and March 2023, seven individuals from the southern region attended theological training in Antananarivo, enabling them to establish and lead churches.

Four promptly returned home to establish churches or preaching points and continue their leadership roles. Regular church services are held in Andranovory, with additional preaching points in Antsakoamaro, Ambihivaha, and Betaola.

During a visit in March 2024, Richard and Therese were greeted by over 100 eager attendees under a mango tree at the Antsakoamaro preaching point, where they shared the gospel, resulting in numerous conversions.

Thanks to the ongoing support from Helping Hands Africa, the 150 families in Southern Madagascar are now prepared to advance to phase two of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme.

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region