Enabled by MAF, Brazilian missionary Danielli Da Costa Da Silva returned to her place of ministry and avoided the risks of a long and dangerous road journey.
“Today, MAF is helping me fly to Maintirano, as there are not many travel options to get there,” Danielli said.
After being away for four months, Danielli needed to travel from Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, to Maintirano, located on Madagascar’s west coast. Without flying, Maintirano is accessible by a five-hundred-kilometre journey along one of the country’s most hazardous and unsafe roads.
“If I go by public transport or by car, it will take a lot of time, and the security is not good,” Danielli said.
it will take a lot of time, and the security is not good
Together with her colleagues, Bobby and Joanna Burdett, Danielli serves with VONJY Madagasikara (meaning “Help Madagascar”), a Christian humanitarian organisation providing social, medical and disaster relief support in this remote region.
The organisation has a small aircraft, but since Bobby—the pilot—is currently in the United States, Danielli had to choose between enduring two or more days on rough and unsafe roads or flying with MAF for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
For eight years, Danielli has called Madagascar home, dedicating her life to serving children and young girls.
“I teach English in two primary public schools in Maintirano,” she said.
However, her work goes far beyond the classroom, as she also shares the Gospel with the children. “There are times when the kids come to my house, and I teach them the Bible,” she said.
Reaching people where they are is at the heart of her mission.
“People do not just come to us, we come to them,” Danielli said. “Last year, during our Vacation Bible School, we travelled to a fokontany (ward), and over 300 children came to hear the Gospel.”
She loves the people she serves. “Malagasy people love receiving others, just like in our culture in Brazil,” she said.
Malagasy people love receiving others, just like in our culture in Brazil
Teaching, though challenging at first, brings her great joy.
“In the beginning, it was a bit difficult to teach. But when you start to see changes in them, and when they receive Jesus and grow, it is wonderful. That is the best thing.”