The Friends of Madagascar Mission family was saddened to receive word late on Friday night, October 25th, that Steven Lellelid had died. We began to support Steven’s mission work in 2015. He spent almost 18 years translating the Bible into the Tandroy dialect. FOMM then raised funding for two publications of 20,000 Bibles for a total of 40,000, plus 55,000 hymnals. Steve organized and distributed these Bibles and song books to the people who were eager to finally be able to read the Word of God in their native language.
On October 6, 2018, FOMM organized a recognition banquet to commemorate his achievement. Steven was a humble servant of God and did not want any honors, but we were able to convince him that this was about him, but also about what God has done through his ministry in Madagascar. He agreed and it was a great evening of celebration. The president of the Malagasy Lutheran Church at that time awarded Steven a plaque that read:
LETTER OF RECOGNITION
“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.” Acts 16:5
I, the undersigned, the Rev. Dr RAKOTONIRINA David, Presiding Bishop of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, recognize and appreciate the very important and influential work of Mr Steve LELLELID.
We give thanks to Mr. Steve Lellelid for his long and patient work to translate the Bible into the Antandroy dialect.
We give thanks to all of his supporters who have uplifted him in their prayers and have provided the financial support for the printing of the Bible and the hymnal. The Antandroy Bible will help many Malagasy people to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
FLM Presiding Bishop
Pastor Dr RAKOTONIRINA David
We give thanks to God for his ministry and mission and offer our prayers of condolences to his wife, Tafisoa Caroline, and his son Linofie John Lellelid.
