I met Pastor Theophile Rakotondrabako on my first trip to Madagascar in 1999 and we have been friends ever since. Theophile is an intelligent man with an infectious laugh. A much-in-demand translator for all the “big” speakers who pass through Madagascar, holding large conventions in large venues, he has also translated for me on countless occasions. He speaks better English than I do and is forever prodding me to learn Malagasy well enough so I can preach without a translator. (Which is never going to happen without supernatural intervention.) Not long ago he finished translation work on a study bible in the Malagasy language, just one of the many translation projects he has been involved with. Theophile is a gifted man, a humble man, a man I highly respect. I have rarely seen Theophile discouraged, but there are some trials that will press any leader into the dust and he has seen his share.
Last year, my friend faced such trials. He had built his church on top of a mountain years ago and started construction on a few small classrooms, an office and an modest apartment for he and his wife to live. One day a wealthy woman appeared claiming to own a small strip of the land where the church had stood for a decade. She filed suit and the court immediately stopped all construction until a judgment could be rendered on land ownership. Theophile’s work and vision hung in limbo. He and his wife, Hermilala, were living in a dark, dank room of a noisy apartment building – music blaring, people arguing, children crying – every sound penetrating the room as if the walls were paper. Theophile was sick and having trouble breathing because of a bronchial infection. His discouragement was palpable.
I wasn’t planning to visit his church last year since my flight to the southwest coastal city of Toliara was booked for Saturday morning. But as I was praying on Friday morning, I knew I could not leave the city until I had encouraged and prayed for his church. I made the necessary phone calls and spent the afternoon at Air Madagascar, changing my ticket.
Sunday morning came and Theophile and I climbed the mountain, slowly because of his labored breathing. Finally, we turned into the wooden gate toward the door of the church and found the congregation where I had always found them – on their knees, praying. I don’t remember what I preached that morning, What I do remember is that God lifted our heads as intercession shook the very walls and the faith of this praying church burst into flame Together we prayed over the land and all of the people living on the mountain. We prayed blessing on the woman who had brought the lawsuit and the courts and asked God for financial provision. This is a congregation that is rich in faith, not finances. Lawyers cost money and a court judgment could take years. We needed a miraculous breakthrough.
Theophile ended the meeting by taking up an offering for the work of Ancient Path in Madagascar The people gave whatever they had and at that moment I thought of the verse – A generous man will prosper and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. I left knowing that God would move on their behalf – so why is it I am always surprised when He does?
Fast forward a year to yesterday. Theophile arrives early to pick me up with a spring in his step and the usual smile on his face – the picture of health. We walk down the road to flag a taxi and he tells me his good news. The breakthrough has come – the court decided in favor of the church. The land belongs to them and construction can resume. He tells me he was concerned that a man was building a two-story house on the very edge of the church structure until someone told him that it is an apartment complex. A few weeks ago, Theophile and Hermilala rented the apartment that hovers over top of the church and moved in. The stunning view from his balcony is the city of Antananarivo – a city he has faithfully prayed for, day and night, for decades. Now, every night, he stands on that balcony and intercedes.
The Sunday morning gathering is joyous. I speak on the Kingdom of God, but there are no words more powerful than the living testimony before me. The Kingdom of God has appeared here, on the side on this mountain, amongst this humble people. What God wanted done is done and the work continues. Again, intercession breaks out as the people walk through the church praying over empty benches, asking God to bring in the most broken – the prostitutes and thieves, the addicts and criminals. Again, they take an offering for the work of Ancient Path in Madagascar – a most precious $7.04, a holy widow’s mite. Again, the generous man will prosper and they will be refreshed.
I am the first guest to share a meal in Theo and Hermilala’s new home. It is peaceful, airy and full of light – and yummy smells at the moment since Hermilala is a wonderful cook! I ask him if he usually rests on a Sunday afternoon and he says no – they pray, of course. The church gathers to pray at 6 am on Saturday mornings, on Sunday mornings and even now, people are on their knees in the church building below. They will pray until their evening service at which time they will worship and intercede for the city.
I leave praising God for the breakthrough and asking God for more for this faithful people. On the trek down the mountain we pass the very people we prayed for in the morning. Bring them in, Lord. By Your great mercy, bring every one of them in.
if you would like to contribute to help Theophile finish construction on his church building click here and write Theophile in the memo line. 100% of your contribution will go for the intended purpose. Ancient Path is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
