Missionary profile – Manoa and Vola Ratovona

By Mercy Kambura

Manoa and Vola Ratovona

Malagasy Missionaries

As an introverted, quiet, easy-to-forget middle child, I was the least likely candidate to be a missions mobilizer. I was much more focused on education. I studied Economics, became a school teacher, and later, a university lecturer. But now, I’m working with Africa Inland Mission (AIM), mobilizing the Church in Madagascar and encouraging them to be more involved in missions. I’m the Director for AIM in Madagascar.

I grew up in church—my parents were students’ ministry workers with Union des Groupes Bibliques de Madagascar (UGBM). (This is the French equivalent of Fellowship of Christian Unions [FOCUS] and [IFES]).

I was conscious of the idea of salvation, but it dawned on me that I wasn’t saved. I knew I needed to surrender to Christ fully. After high school, I was sad that I had not shared the gospel with any of my classmates, and now they had gone out to the world without hearing about salvation—at least not from me.

I decided to join the IFES student movement, where my parents served and where I’d have a chance to reach out to my peers. Some AIM workers who were family friends needed someone to teach in the kid’s mission school—and it was close to my heart since I was in education. So, I accepted.

My role was to introduce unreached people groups to the students and show them how we could pray for them. My heart was stirred for missions and the unreached.

I met my wife, Vola, in church, and we’ve been married for seven years. She’s a trained medical doctor and a medical writer.

Nine years later, AIM leaders contacted me, asking me to join in their efforts to mobilize the Malagasy church. I’m now working with local congregations, visiting the churches, and discussing what missions involves.

I’m working on strengthening the relationship between the Church and missionaries and encouraging them to consider more involvement in missions.

I also conduct short-term mission programmes and invite the churches to participate. We have organised three short-term placements so far for the students to have the missions experience firsthand. We also facilitate Malagasy missionaries going cross-culturally to other areas in Madagascar.

As Christians, let’s have a biblical understanding of our everyday lives and use it for God. If you’re going as a short-term missionary, the experience would be more fruitful if it responds to the needs of the place you’re going. It’s not just about what you learn but how you’re meeting the needs of the local missionaries and the local people.

The work is plentiful, and the workers are few. Many people still live in total ignorance or error of what being a Christian is.

#Pray:

For a healthy ministry and family balance; I’m feeling the pressure of the demands of ministry.
For my growth in my relationship with Christ.
For growth in my role—I need a lot of wisdom in all aspects.