The ancestors of the Malagasy peoples of Madagascar came from Indonesia and Africa - mixed in with Arab traders.

The main ethnic division is between the people who live near the coast and the Merina people in the mountains - who have historically been more powerful and the elite.

A disastrous experiment with socialism during the ‘70s and ‘80s has left the island in deep poverty. As a result many are malnourished and malaria is spreading rapidly.

Under Marxist rule all religion was completely banned but since 1993 Christians have been able to meet and worship freely.

The church has seen loads of exciting times of renewal in the last century – pray that the church would continue to grow and be grounded in the bible.

Young people are so important for the future in this fast growing population. Pray for Christians who are called to working with this generation and ask God to give the young people a passion for God, for prayer and sharing their love for Jesus.

Over 5 million people live in remote villages in the north and the south where there are hardly any churches. Pray for missionaries who are living in tough conditions and travel for days on bicycles to reach these villages.