Sakalavaim Speakers

In the early 20th century, a dominant neighboring group conquered the Sakalava people, and tried to impose Christianity. People believed they must reject Christianity to maintain freedom. A century later that stigma still exists. Christians are regarded as thieves of both land and independence. Fewer than 10% of the 350,000 people of this region are believers.  Despite some Christian ministries, most people still embrace the prevalent religion, and its language, rituals and sacrifices govern their daily lives. Christians eagerly anticipate more Scripture translations, discipleship materials and songs, to add to the “JESUS” film available since 2005, to sustain new believers. The team will also work on translating further Scriptures in the mother tongue that people can understand. Scripture portions will provide a foundation for their faith.

  • Praise God for the good results of the current workshop, and for the skills that the translation teams were able to learn in such a short time. Pray that both teams (Jacqueline and Laurence from Analalava, and Pastor Dany and his wife, Juliette) will quickly assimilate the skills they need to effectively and idiomatically revise Luke into the Analalava and Besalampy mother tongues.
  • Pray for the helpers and reviewers, that they will first understand the meaning of Luke. Then, as it impacts their lives and hearts, their understanding will overflow in their mother tongue onto the pages of the new revisions. Pray that the power of God’s word will impact the people in this region who are bound both by traditional and Middle Eastern religions. Pray that God will enable Jacqueline and Laurence—who come from two different social classes—to develop a good, strong relationship, and that He will grant them unity as they work together on the translation.
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