Mahajunga is one of the four major ports of Madagascar although the port is shallow and does not handle a high tonnage. It is situated on the North West coast of the island.  While there are some scenic parts of the town, mostly it reflects third-world poverty.  The Bishop’s house has no running water.

Our one sure event was that I would be preaching on Pentecost Sunday.

The original team of Rosemary and myself was expanded with the addition of Mary Waiguchu from Kenya, and she was a great blessing.  Our journey on the Friday took twelve hours in a small mini-bus down a winding road.  We were accompanied by the Bishop and his wife, who travel by public transport, as they cannot afford a car.  We arrived in the dark and were taken in two tiny taxis to our accommodation, about 8km out of town, down a horrendously rough road.

We were told there would be a meeting the next morning, where we could talk about SOMA, but nobody turned up! On Sun. morning I preached on the message of Pentecost.  Almost everyone raised their hand to indicate they wanted to accept Jesus as “Saviour and Lord,” and everyone stood to receive the outpouring of the Spirit.  However, there were no outward manifestations to indicate anything had happened.  One young man said later he was “encouraged.”

A meeting was announced for 4pm, in conjunction with Evening Prayer, and we indicated there would be Prayer for Healing.  After the sermon by the Cathedral Priest we taught on healing, and about 30 came forward for prayer.  All indicated they were fully or partially healed.  There was some very significant ministry, and at least one lady received the gift of tongues.  The bishop sat at the back of the church, obviously cautious about what was happening.  He indicated later that many of the Committee were upset that “Anglican traditions” had been broken.

Another meeting was advertised for Monday Morning (a Public Holiday), but only about 20 came, mainly the bishop’s extended family and a few leaders.  We taught on Spiritual Gifts and some more on Healing, and answered questions.  The response was enthusiastic, and the bishop joined in!  We also sang some Renewal Songs, which were new to most of them.

By mutual agreement we continued in the afternoon with practical work.  We demonstrated how to pray for the sick, and most of them were involved, especially the bishop’s wife, who testified that the Holy Spirit had touched her.

We then divided them into groups of about 6 and taught them how to ask God for a word to pass on to their neighbour.  Everyone said they were blessed and encouraged by this. We believe that there has been a genuine breakthrough of the Spirit into the lives of at least a dozen people in Mahajunga.  They all said that nothing like this had happened before.  The bishop’s wife and family, and the head of Mothers’ Union were deeply touched and are, we believe, very significant for the future.

On Tuesday afternoon we were taken to three homes to pray for sick people.  Then followed  a meeting with the Mother’s Union!  Mary and Rosemary spoke and were well received.  At the end we were all warmly thanked for our visit.  At night our hosts invited their neighbours in for prayer & blessing.  There were about 35 children and 25 adults.  Many were Roman Catholics (as was our host’s wife) and some knew about the things of the Spirit.  Everyone was prayed for individually and blessed.

When we left on Wednesday, the bishop, his wife, and about 8 others took us to the Airport in a bus and farewelled us with an invitation to return!  The whole attitude towards SOMA had changed, and we left behind some lovely new friends in the Body of Christ.

John and Rosemary Davies