“Tafika masina” translates to “holy war,” although it doesn’t mean marching into battle and forcibly converting people to a conquering faith. “Tafika masina” refers to any event during which people spread the good news.
On the night before Easter, I gathered with members of my congregation outside our church. Armed with flashlights and hymnals, we set off into the night. Our mission? To spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection at the homes of congregation members through song. In short, we were going Easter caroling. For three and a half hours, we trekked around Fianar, winding through neighborhoods, traipsing across rice fields, walking single-file down narrow paths, balancing on rickety bridges, and climbing steep staircases—all in the pitch-black night. As we walked, we sang. I definitely didn’t know most of the hymns we sang, but I belted out the words alongside my companions whenever I caught on to a familiar refrain. When we reached a congregation member’s home, we all gathered around the door, clicked on our flashlights, and flipped open our hymnals to number 133. (Well, at least I did. Everyone else already had the song memorized—and so did I by the end of the night!) Usually, we only sang the first two verses. But if the residents didn’t open a door or a window, we kept singing until they did. Once we had their attention and finished our song, we all shouted, “Velona Jesosy tompoko! Fiadanana ho an’ny tokatrano!” Jesus is risen! Peace be with you and your household! Most families offered a small gift for the church, such as a monetary donation or rice. And then off we went in search of the next house, singing all the way. There wasn’t any snow and it certainly wasn’t a silent night, but it was undeniably holy. Joy to the world because Jesus is risen!
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May 2018
More MadaCheck out these blogs from my fellow Madagasgals:
Amanda (Toamasina) Amy (Manambaro) Katie (Farafangana) Lauren (Toliara) Megan (Antananarivo) Serena (Vohipeno) |