I’m trying to be creative with my blog titles, can’t you tell with the over usage of “mad”? When in Madagascar… Ok, but really today’s post is about a MAD Queen who just so happened to also be the Queen of MADagascar.

Yesterday we went to “Rova Palace” or “The Queen’s Palace” in downtown Antananarivo. We went along with one of our fellow missionary families. The palace is beautiful and was constructed by a man named James Cameron (NOT to be confused with the director of the movie Titanic ((I hope Celin Dion plays in your head all day))). The Queen who had this stone palace built was named Ranavola II. She was a great Queen who was greatly influenced by Protestant missionaries and later declared Madagascar to be “a Christian nation”. She was however following in the footsteps of the “Mad Queen”, Ranavalona I who is best known for eridacting the Christian movement in Madagascar during her 33 year reign. Serious persecution took place during this time including being poisoned, being boiled alive, flung off cliffs and beheaded ( *-* )! Because of the European missionaries in the country, most were banished or killed. The first Christian martyr was a pregnant woman who praised Jesus as she was burned.

Ok enough intense details, you get the point. I had to do further research this evening because while our tour guides were nice, they mixed their rehearsed English with some French and Malagasy words, so you already know I was lost. So the gist is she was MAAAAAAAAD and I believe really used of Satan to hinder God’s plan for this nation. Madagascar has since gone through many trials and political woes and continues to be one of the most impoverished countries in the world.

As we overlooked the capital city yesterday of 4 million people, my spirit was stirred. What was once declared a “Christian nation” is now less than 10% fundamental Bible believing Christians and is a country in great need.

What would it look like for the madness to end and for God to be glorified here? The islands are NOT off of His radar and His desire is for these people to be released from darkness and fear. I believe the enemy was scared of what would take place if the Malagasy people were free from oppression both naturally and spiritually. I believe that God has a mighty assignment for the people here to take up in this hour. May His light come and may all enemies be scattered.