Julien’s Story
MADAGASCAR 2025
AUTHOR: HOSEA RANDRIANARIVONY
I recently had the privilege of spending six weeks in Madagascar on a mission trip centered around sharing the love of Christ through service. During our time there, our team engaged in a wide range of ministries that made a lasting impact on local churches, communities, and on each of us personally.
We taught English as a means of building relationships, creating opportunities to share the Gospel, and offering encouragement. In the prison ministry, Cheyenne encountered individuals who were hungry for hope and restoration. Through messages of redemption and heartfelt prayer, those visits became powerful moments of connection and healing.
Pastor Gary joined us during one of the weeks, and we organized a pastor’s conference, bringing together local church leaders for a time of teaching, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. Additionally, we used sports, particularly basketball and pickleball, as a unique and effective tool to engage with local youth and spark meaningful conversations about faith.
One of the most memorable highlights of the trip was the story of Julien. He initially joined our ministry simply to learn English, hoping to gain a skill that could open new opportunities. From the start, Julien’s dedication stood out; he attended consistently, asked thoughtful questions, and worked diligently. His language skills improved rapidly, and he soon began helping others, eventually stepping into the role of translator. Julien’s contributions were especially vital during our Hoops For Hope basketball camp, where communication often posed a challenge. His ability to bridge language and cultural gaps allowed for deeper connection and understanding between our team and the children we served. Yet Julien’s greatest transformation was not linguistic, but spiritual. Through his time with us, he experienced more than language lessons and sports. He witnessed authentic community, Christlike love, and the Gospel lived out in action. As he translated messages of faith for the children, those same truths began to resonate in his own heart. In a deeply moving moment, Julien decided to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, right alongside the very children he was helping to reach. Julien’s journey is a powerful reminder of the purpose and potential of missions. What began as a desire to learn English became a testimony of God’s grace and calling. Through language, God opened the door; through faith, He transformed a life. Today, Julien continues to grow in his relationship with Christ and serves others with the same heart that once brought him to our ministry.
We are profoundly grateful for the time we spent in Madagascar for the people we met, the stories we shared, and the ways we saw God move. Julien’s story is just one of many that remind us: when we step out in faith to serve, God writes a far greater story than we ever could on our own.
