The privilege of leading the Madagascar International Scripture Blitz (ISB) was heightened by the disappointments of two successive cancellations in years leading up to the event. Finally, in October 2024, a team of seven international Gideons joined with members of six camps around the capital of Antananarivo where the hand of the Lord moved mightily from the very outset. Being challenged by a goal of 250,000 Scriptures for the one-week blitz, the local members meticulously planned every detail, making for an incredible, well-ordered operation.
A raft of church presentations at entry built a significant prayer base amongst believers across the city. Almost every door was wide open to distribution or placement. Even refusal to enter school property didn’t thwart the success of sidewalk distributions that became necessary on only two occasions.
Eager hands stretched out to receive personal copies of Scriptures with graciousness, being equally noticeable in schools of student populations over 2,000 to the small, single room entities with a mere handful of students. An aged university lecturer, disappointed that we had no English Bibles, wept as I showed and loaded the Gideon Bible App on his device.
“By the end of the blitz, a total of over 317,000 Scriptures had been distributed, all praise and glory being the Lord’s because of your generosity in giving and faithfulness in prayer.”
During a military distribution, the general stated that he begins parade every Tuesday with the reading of Scripture. He reflected that now the troops would have direct access to the Word of God. Though the country is said to be 85% Christian, fewer than about 15% are actually recognised as being born again, practicing their faith.
In addition to the organised distributions across all the approved areas, many personal encounters brought individuals into a life-changing decision to follow Christ. This was distinctly evident in our hotel where many staff would bring others, knock on the door and request a Scripture. Though the entire team was impacted by food poisoning to some degree, two seriously, potentially disrupting obstacles projected by the enemy, were overcome repeatedly through the petitions of the faithful.
By the end of the blitz, a total of over 317,000 Scriptures had been distributed, all praise and glory being the Lord’s because of your generosity in giving and faithfulness in prayer.