One Man on One Bicycle

The Birth of a Vision

In 1995, while attending a missions conference in Cape Town, South Africa, I shared a vision I received from the Lord with a group of missions-minded people. The central message of the vision was that I should initiate a ministry that would accelerate the proclamation of the gospel in Africa by giving bicycles to pastors and evangelists who are working in parts of Africa with a very poor transportation infrastructure.

During this missions conference, I met Nic Strydom. He told me about his deep desire to go to an unreached people group. In 1996, Nic met with me and explained the need for bicycles on the large island of Madagascar. He needed "wheels" for the men who travelled great distances for training in EEIII (evangelism) and basic theology.

I immediately responded by giving him bicycles, Heart of Man chart literature and money for Bibles. Wheels for God's Word also donated medicine and medical instruments.

The Sakalava Tribe and Zezele

In early 1997, Nic returned to Madagascar, focusing his evangelization efforts on the Sakalava tribe on the southwest coast of the island. The Sakalava's native faith, animism, plays a major role in their everyday lives.

While integrating himself into the area, Nic met a man by the name of Zezele. Though he belongs to the Merina tribe, Zezele is married to a Sakalava woman. Nic learned that Zezele and his wife, Rose, were the only Christians in a fishing village called Port, known for animistic sacrificial ceremonies and the worship of ancestors.

When Zezele asked the chief of Port for permission to build a small "church" building in the village, the chief refused and threatened him. Instead of giving up, Zezele built a "church" just outside the village. Every Sunday morning, Zezele led his family out of the village to worship in the small hut he had built as a place of worship.

When Nic first visited Port in 1997, he could sense the hostility; the people made it very clear that he was not welcome. Yet, Zezele told Nic, "One day the Lord will fill this church."

The next two years were a trying time for Zezele and his family. Angry villagers burned down his house, cut his canoe to pieces and destroyed his fishing nets. His life was made miserable on a daily basis. But, through it all, Zezele refused to leave the village. He was only more determined to serve the one true God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Nic invited Zezele to take Christian courses to strengthen his faith and Christian witness. Initially, Zezele had to walk 40 miles to Belo to be trained. On Sundays, he continued to worship in his "church," with only himself and his family present. He never stopped sharing the gospel with his community and had a desire to share the gospel with people in villages in the surrounding area. However, he could not cover this area (a radius of 40 miles) by foot.

The Breakthrough

In 2000, Nic again requested more bicycles and literature for his ministry. One of these bicycles was given to Zezele. For the first time, Zezele had a means of transportation and could travel to Belo more frequently for his theological studies. The bicycle also had a profound impact on his evangelization ministry in Port and the surrounding villages.

Then, something wonderful started to happen. The Spirit of the Lord began to move in the people of the village. Zezele's faith and steadfastness in the Lord was rewarded, and some villagers accepted the gospel. The community's attitude toward him began to change.

In 2001, Nic visited Port. As he entered the village, he could clearly sense the change in the village. The residents made him feel welcome. He encountered a totally different spirit in the village than the previous times he had visited. However, the best was still to come.

The next year, Zezele informed Nic that he had a surprise for him and invited him to Port. On the Sunday morning when Nic arrived, Zezele was smiling broadly with his Bible in his hand. The scene that awaited Nic will remain with him for the rest of his life. The church?made of grass and reeds?was full of singing people, praising the Lord.

Nic was overjoyed; thankfulness filled his heart. He praised the Lord and asked God to give him the perseverance that he saw in Zezele. For nearly three years, only Zezele and his family worshiped God in the little church outside the village. But, ultimately, their persistence in praising the Lord?despite and in the midst of difficult circumstances?paid off.

Since 2002, things have changed rapidly. Zezele has been chosen as chief of the village and the surrounding area. The church has become too small, and souls are continually added to the congregation.

Today, there is a church is Port, even though it was forbidden in the past. Zezele is busy with his formal theological training, and Nic has free access to the village and surrounding villages.

Where satanic rituals, witchcraft and demonization were once a major problem, people are now being set free by the Spirit of God. The people are attending church services, cell group meetings and discipleship training classes.

However, Zezele is still the only one ministering in this area and needs help urgently.

Raymond Lombard
Director of Wheels for God's Word

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2007 Church of God World Missions

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