The summer holiday is nearing its end. By the looks (and feel!) of the weather we had best head back to work and studies. We hope that you have had a good time with family and friends, as we have, and have new energy for the season ahead. Excitedly we work towards serving God on Madagascar.

Different Location

In our last newsletter we told you we were going to work amongst the un-reached Bara people of Southern Madagascar. Unfortunately we learned later the team was already full. From what we have heard we understand that the team leaders are already facing quite some challenges in the current setting and are thus not able to take on new members. We were rather disappointed at first, but not for long …

Africa Inland Mission (AIM)'s Unit Leader (who oversees the work of AIM on Madagascar) has proposed that we start our ministry in the capital instead. In Antananarivo (Tana) we will be part of a team that trains local Christians to be missionaries amongst the un-reached of Madagascar and beyond. During our time there we will study the culture, history and language of the island.

AIM Madagascar is in the process of mapping what people groups are still un-reached with the gospel and what opportunities there are to witness to them effectively. This means various people groups and places need to be visited. We will help in this surveying work. The expectation is that, Lord willing, in time we will be leading a new team amongst one of the un-reached people groups of Madagascar. That is the sort of pioneer work that makes our hearts beat faster!

We have been asked to join the team in Tana in January 2015, when the actual training of local Malagasy Christians is due to start. It will depend on our financial support whether we can make this date. By the end of October we will need to have reached 90% of our monthly budget in support to be allowed to go.

Website Updated

Since our ministry description has changed, we have updated our website. You will find our 'Mission' section completely new, with information on modern mission and the relevance thereof, AIM, un-reached people groups, Madagascar and what we hope to do there. On our support page you can find out how you can contribute.

Bible Storying

One of the ways in which un-reached people groups are evangelised is through 'Bible Storying'. Bible Storying means the gospel is communicated by way of telling biblical stories in chronological order. This is especially effective in oral cultures, where history and tradition are passed down the generations by storying as well. Bible Storying is a culturally appropriate way of ministry in oral cultures – but of course it has great value everywhere as most of us love a story well told!

In November Jurgen will be in England for a short while to attend Wycliffe's Bible Storying Course. He hopes to share more about this method of evangelism later. Would you like to experience some of it now? On our multimediapage you can find 'Ee-taow', a short film showing how a tribe from Papoea New Guinea turns from darkness to light after being told the Biblical narrative from Creation to Resurrection. Especially if you are having a gloomy day: this should get your spirits up! The Sunday before and after the course Jurgen expects to be in Bridgnorth. He would love to meet with you in Bridgnorth Baptist Church on 16 or 23 November 2014. We wish you all the best for the season ahead.