Miraculous Moments
in Madagascar

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In many parts of the world, the Bible translation landscape has dramatically shifted. In the past, the concept of global missions was often initiated from the West to the rest. But today, it’s from everyone to everywhere!

Curious how Wycliffe got here?

From a few pioneers to a global network — Bible translation has changed dramatically.
Explore how Wycliffe’s role has evolved and what that means for the future of missions.

Discover Our History

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Local churches are now asking for — and sometimes even starting — Bible translation projects themselves. God is on the move around the globe, from large cities to the world’s most remote communities.

Take a trip with us to Madagascar, where you’ll get a glimpse of the miraculous work God is doing to get His Word to people in languages they understand.

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UNPRECEDENTED TRANSLATION WORK IN MADAGASCAR

In Madagascar, God's Word is spreading in miraculous ways.

For some communities, the journey to a full Bible is long and arduous.

But in Madagascar, Bible translation is growing rapidly — and it’s changing lives and hearts in the process.

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“God gave me, in my heart, a heavy burden to think about the unreached people in our country, to challenge them. We are going to stand in front of the throne of God. So, how many people from your tribe will be there? And they said, ‘We want to see all of our tribes in front of the throne of God.’”

— Njato Rakotobe, pastor | Africa

1835

The gospel first came to Madagascar in 1835, but it was only translated into one language: Malagasy.

Since then, translation has taken place in some of Madagascar’s 23 language communities, which represent 30 million people.

A few years ago, a group of local churches began collaborating to translate the Bible into four more languages themselves.

These churches had a deep desire to own and facilitate the translation process, so they asked for help with training their people to become consultants.

How many new Bibles do you think Madagascar translators completed within one year?

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4

Bibles

Great try, but Madagascar translators actually completed four new, full Bibles within a 12-month time period. What an incredible accomplishment!

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4

Bibles

That’s right! Bible translators in Madagascar completed four new, full Bibles within 12 months — an incredible accomplishment!

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Extend the Legacy of God’s Word

God's story of faithfulness didn't end with the Isnags — it's unfolding right now in communities around the world

You can be part of that story through prayer.

Join believers everywhere as we lift up language groups still waiting for Scripture in a language they clearly understand.

Join the Prayer Movement

Extend the Legacy of God’s Word

God's story of faithfulness didn't end with the Isnags — it's unfolding right now in communities around the world

You can be part of that story through prayer.

Join believers everywhere as we lift up language groups still waiting for Scripture in a language they clearly understand.

Join the Prayer Movement

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Extend the Legacy of God’s Word

God's story of faithfulness didn't end with the Isnags — it's unfolding right now in communities around the world

You can be part of that story through prayer.

Join believers everywhere as we lift up language groups still waiting for Scripture in a language they clearly understand.

Join the Prayer Movement

Extend the Legacy of God’s Word

God's story of faithfulness didn't end with the Isnags — it's unfolding right now in communities around the world

You can be part of that story through prayer.

Join believers everywhere as we lift up language groups still waiting for Scripture in a language they clearly understand.

Join the Prayer Movement

Within 12 months, these churches drafted four new, full Bibles using 300 translators, including local church members and college students.

This is a testament to the profound power of partnership, collaboration and faith.

“Partnership is not plan B; Partnership is plan A.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary

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SERGE

OLIVIA

MEET

SERGE & OLIVIA

Rather than treating partnership as an afterthought, Madagascar’s churches recognize that collaboration enables rapid positive transformation.

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As Bible translation leader Serge Razafinjatoniary said, “God brings different people and players into the same scene. We might as well ask God to leverage the gifts, talents and resources He’s entrusted in His children — through other organizations, churches and ministries — and pull that together around the same table to maximize not only on the production, but on the distribution and the entire mission of God. Partnership is not plan B; it is plan A.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary, Bible translation leader | Africa

“We know of 23 communities in this country — meaning, the 30 million people or so — have had to interact with God with one language over the years. How would that make you feel to have to learn someone else’s language before you could really interact with God? So seeing God's Word being translated for the different communities in Madagascar — for me, it’s heaven.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary

Serge serves as a Bible translation leader in Africa alongside his wife, Olivia.

Together, they have witnessed countless examples of how Scripture transforms people, families and communities — here on earth and for eternity — when it truly reaches people’s hearts.

“When we finish checking a portion or a section or a chapter or even a book — and you read it — you see the joy shining out of people’s faces. Like, really happy and full of joy and light, you can really tell that it goes straight to their heart.”

— Olivia Razafinjatoniary, Bible translation leader | Africa

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“We feel this responsibility to wake up and say, ‘How many more people groups are out there that we could participate in to get God’s Word into their languages? And we’ll do this with all the churches that will profess Christ, just in the same way they’re doing this here in Madagascar, all Christian churches combined, holding hands together. The vision is to have an exchange with the outside world.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary, Bible translation leader | Africa

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TO THE Tsimihety PEOPLE AND BEYOND

Equipped with working drafts of the Bible, Serge and Olivia shared the gospel with the Tsimihety people — just one of the many communities in Madagascar that had never received God’s Word in their language.

Because of those efforts, 17 new churches formed!

And that’s not the only miracle God has done in Madagascar.

God worked through the hands, feet and mouths of local believers to spread the Good News and make a profound impact among the Tsimihety — the Holy Spirit even inspired Olivia to speak a language she did not know and had never spoken.

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“Okay, I’m from the mainland. I’m from Tana. I don’t speak Tsimihety at all. But I was there and I was asked to do the evangelism. And we knocked on the door. There was an old lady. She saw me. She said, ‘Well, I don’t have the time for you.’ I started — I opened my mouth. I started speaking. I was speaking Tsimihety, which was a surprise even to myself. And I was telling her that I want to share some Good News with her. She looked at me and surprised that I spoke Tsimihety, because obviously I’m not from there. And she said, ‘I have just a few minutes.’ And I said ‘It’s fine. I can tell the Good News to you in a few minutes.’ And I started speaking Tsimihety to her, sharing the gospel in Tsimihety. It’s a real miracle! And she was there standing, looking at, staring at me. Then I said, ‘Can I pray for you?’ She said, ‘Yeah, go ahead.’ I prayed in Tsimihety. It was just God working. At the end, she received Jesus as her personal Savior in Tsimihety!

— Olivia Razafinjatoniary

If you miraculously began speaking a language you did not know, what would you do?

Imagine how you might react to hearing yourself speak another language!

“Bible translation in the local language gives people the dignity and the honor that they deserve. They feel like they own it, that God didn’t leave them alone. That they are not obliged to learn the official language as God can speak their language, and God can communicate directly with them in their own language. To them, even if the Bible that has been printed is still in a draft version, to them it is precious. It’s their wealth, their treasure. And it’s so precious to them.”

— Olivia Razafinjatoniary, Bible translation leader | Africa

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Want to know how to pray for stories like this one?

When you read a story like Olivia’s — where a language she didn’t speak miraculously flowed from her mouth — you might feel stirred to respond.

We’d love to guide you in specific, timely ways to pray for Bible translation projects like the one you just read.

Join the Wycliffe Prayer Community

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THE SIHANAKA BIBLE:
A TRANSLATION MILESTONE

The Sihanaka people have now experienced the sweetness and life-changing impact of receiving God’s Word in their language.

Just as we crave good food, the Sihanaka craved God’s Word. Scripture nourishes and fills the spirit, and the global Church is expanding as people receive it in a way they can clearly understand.

When they receive Scripture in their own language, transformation is inevitable — because this spiritual nourishment satisfies their deepest hunger for truth and meaning.

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“People, they are hungry — hungry for the Word of God when it is in their own language. They feel like receiving good food. And they say, ‘Wow, that is for us, and God speaks in our own language.’”

— Njato Rakotobe

2024

The Sihanaka Bible was dedicated on July 14, 2024, after a powerful and profound community-wide celebration of God’s faithfulness.

The Bible’s dedication represents much more than a completed project — it’s a testament that God is on the move.

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“I love everything about Bible translation. I enjoy it because it wakes up the real language. Through this Bible translation, when people get the Word in a language that is clear to them, that is evangelism, and they will believe in Jesus Christ.”

— Razafinjaka, Bible translator | Africa

How many Bible translation projects began in Madagascar after the Sihanaka Bible was completed?

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8

projects

Close, but not quite. As of spring 2025, eight new translation projects began after the Sihanaka Bible.

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Correct. As of spring 2025, eight new translation projects began after the Sihanaka Bible celebration!

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Want to see where this story fits into the big picture?

Madagascar’s story is part of something much bigger: a global movement called Vision 2025.
We’ve set our sights on one goal — seeing a translation started for every language still needing one by the year 2025.

Curious where things stand?

Track the Global Progress

Want to see where this story fits into the big picture?

Madagascar’s story is part of something much bigger: a global movement called Vision 2025.
We’ve set our sights on one goal — seeing a translation started for every language still needing one by the year 2025.

Curious where things stand?

Track the Global Progress

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Want to see where this story fits into the big picture?

Madagascar’s story is part of something much bigger: a global movement called Vision 2025.
We’ve set our sights on one goal — seeing a translation started for every language still needing one by the year 2025.

Curious where things stand?

Track the Global Progress

Want to see where this story fits into the big picture?

Madagascar’s story is part of something much bigger: a global movement called Vision 2025.
We’ve set our sights on one goal — seeing a translation started for every language still needing one by the year 2025.

Curious where things stand?

Track the Global Progress

The Sihanaka Bible marked the beginning of even greater work ahead:

The church in Madagascar launched eight more translation projects for surrounding communities.

A God-Sized Opportunity

Each new translation brings a multitude of opportunities for individuals to see how God created us all to be a reflection of who He is.

Every life, every culture, every language was made in His image.

This creates a sense of dignity and worth that no person can take away.

It also communicates God’s everlasting love on a personal level.

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“We have this privilege of doing this together today. And not just together for the sake of doing it together because we like each other — but because it’s under the same name: in the name of Jesus. Not just in any name, but in Jesus’ name that we’re doing it. We have the privilege to be led by the same Spirit. We have the privilege of being called to do this in such a time as this. There’s 8 billion people in the world — what are the chances that God had a different combination of people doing this in such a time as this? We have the privilege of doing God’s work under His leading, in His name and together.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary, Bible translation leader | Africa

“There’s a God-sized opportunity available to all of us here. And there’s a place for everyone to contribute toward this. In the area of prayers, please do pray that people will stay the course and stay focused on Jesus. And I’m not trying to overspiritualize this when I say that, because this isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon.”

— Serge Razafinjatoniary

Feeling stirred? There’s a way to be part of this.

When you see what God is doing in Madagascar, do you wonder if there’s a place for you? There is. You can help bring Scripture to life for others waiting.

Join the Prayer Movement

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“It’s not our work. We are only the hands that God is using to do His work. And we need wisdom in every single step that we are making so that the work would advance in the way that glorifies the Lord.”

— Olivia Razafinjatoniary

Thank You, God, for the unprecedented Bible translation progress in Madagascar. May communities worldwide swiftly receive translated Scripture in the languages they clearly understand.