Friends of Madagascar Mission is all about evangelism, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard of the redemption, love and grace that God’s Son gives to everyone who wishes to receive it. But sharing the Gospel does not end with sharing the Gospel, it goes further and deeper into the lives of the people’s physical needs. This is demonstrated so clearly in a recent letter update from Pastor Dieu Donné, the pastoral leader of the prison ministry at Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. He has been called by Friends of Madagascar Mission through the Malagasy Lutheran Church to not only be the leader of the prison ministry there, but also to be the director of “Prison Training/Spiritual and Vocational”. He will assume this position after graduation from SALT seminary in July 2026.
Recently, he wrote a thank you letter for Friends of Madagascar Mission’s support of the vocational training program for making soap. The soap will be neatly packaged and sold on the local market and run by the Prison Ministry to help pay for the program, to provide tools for making soap when released from prison to make a living and to provide support for the ongoing mission, and ministry at the prison. Here is how he describes the unity of the two areas of prison ministry: the Spiritual and the Vocational.
“We thank God that the soap and liquid detergent training program for prisoners in Fianarantsoa is progressing well. This training is being carried out by the Working Group in Fianarantsoa as part of the prison ministry. The goal of this program is to equip prisoners with practical skills and vocational training that will help them build a new and self-sufficient life when they return to society. Spiritual restoration is important, but so is preparing them for a productive and dignified future.
Upon successful completion of the training, participants will receive:
1) A Certificate of Completion
2) Starter equipment and supplies to help them begin their own small business after their release.
This soap-making training reminds us that just as soap cleanses dirt from the body, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
And the Scriptures also declare: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Friends of Madagascar Mission (FOMM) for their faithful support of prison ministry in Madagascar. Through your generosity and prayers, many prisoners are receiving new hope, valuable skills, and opportunities to transform their lives. May God richly bless all of you who support and partner with us in this ministry of restoration and life transformation.
Pastor Dieu Donné
Prison Ministry