Madagascar.

"Well, the other side of the world
Is not so far away as I thought that it was
As I once thought it was so far away.
Well, the other side of the world
Is not so far away
And the distances just dissolve into the love;
Into the love...."
--Rich Mullins   The Other Side of the World

Madagascar.

Aside from some animated movies by this name, I haven't known much about it. 

And then, the other side of the world came near.

My friends, George and Donna Snow were commissioned by God to go to Madagascar to train leaders who are there as well as minister The Father's Heart to many girls who are suffering and have been rescued from dangerous living conditions. They tell the story best, so this blog contains excerpts of their updates and include photos of the beautiful people there. 

Christ Community Church and several individuals donated funds to help purchase 96 rhinestone tiaras for the girls -- to be given to them on the last night of ministry. It was a powerful token of how they are Daughters of God; beautiful, valuable and royal.  (Thank you!)

Here is the story:

"We are still in awe how God opened the unexpected door of ministry in Madagascar.  It was the most incredible life changing time for us as we saw God touch so many hungry hearts.  We can’t remember having been in a setting with so much pain and yet so much hunger to know that there is a Father who really loves them.
 
"The day we taught on father issues and The Father's Love with the girls was really emotional.  In that culture it is a shame to expose any hurt or issue in the heart.  So during the ministry time that followed, girls began to weep.  It got stronger and stronger.  It was the greatest release of pain in a room we have ever experienced.  One day at the end of the teaching many started weeping as they opened painful areas of their hearts for the first time. This experience was followed with deep ministry of healing. We believe God is going to bring lasting change to the girls’ school and other ministries as the leaders and the girls walk in more revelation of His love and healing power.
 
"On the final night of the retreat, it was a wonderful sight to see these girls, most of whom would be described as discards by society, enter the “royal banquet”.  A pashmina (shawl) was put around their shoulders and a tiara placed on their head.  They were then escorted by a man in our team (wearing a tuxedo!) to their place at a beautifully decorated table. 

"Neither the girls nor the workers had ever experienced anything like that.  We had hoped to find a mirror somewhere so the girls could see themselves.  We were all shocked to find that the new building we used had this large mirrored wall.  The girls had written their names and decorated the borders of the mirror during one of their craft projects.

"The greatest treasure of all – a Bible with their name already written in it– was presented to each at the end of the evening.  We believe the impact of that evening will last a lifetime."

Testimonies and comments of the leaders and girls in Madagascar:

Before this time I refused to say the word papa.  I am part of the choir but could not sing songs about Father. It brought too much pain to my heart.  After this teaching I could sing songs about Father.  I wrote a song about Father and gave it to the choir director. She will put music to it.  I feel like sharing with every orphan because even if your father is dead your real Father is still there.

This had a great impact on my life.  God asked that I let go and forgive because if I have a dirty heart I am open to the enemy.  God changed me.

Made the girls and all of us feel like princesses. They felt loved and very important.

The tiaras were the biggest shock.  It was a great surprise.  Made us feel important and very valuable.

We felt like this would be the way we would feel if we were not on earth.

The tiaras were very important and confirmed the teaching.

The girls felt it was like a wedding.

 <--------"This is Renee' in our hotel room. When we expressed concern on how much money she was spending on us, she said, "God is My Provider and helps not only my needs but also more to bless others." She is so full of joy!!"

 
"Renee came the morning we were leaving and had brought a gift for you (Marcie).  She had gone to the market and asked God what to buy for you.  It is special since Renee is so poor.  She and her sister live with her mother. They are supported by her mother’s government retirement which is nothing.  She wants you to know how much she appreciated the tiaras. ----->

"I also wanted to share a bit about the dark haired girl in the photo (below) who is having the tiara placed on her head.  Her name is Camille.  She is in her 20s and is now helping with the girls.  Her mother died when she was nine and her father promptly deserted her and the other children.  She was left with the sole responsibility of her siblings.  She had such a hard time taking that first step toward forgiving her father but made significant progress.  This was the first time she was able to really open her heart."
 

 
"And I know that the gates of hell
Are not prone to prevail
As I thought that they were
As I once that they were prone to prevail.
But I know that the gates of hell
They have been destined to fail--
I see Satan impaled on the Sword of the Word;
On the Sword of the Word."
--Rich Mullins   The Other Side of the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox_hgSBOA1o