Faramalala
Victoire Ravaoarimanga is the founder of the Association BALM
OF SOUL which means BALSAMAN'NY AINA in Malagasy . Spending time in America for several
years caused her to realize that something is missing in the way
Malagasy parents bring up their children : the non touch culture,
the lack of mutual respect in daily life, and the abusive tone of
voice are the main causes of emotional wounds in her native people.
This affects their mindset, their behaviour and their relationship
with one another. Emotions are covered up starting with little children,
even amongst Christians, believing that these are signs of weaknesses
and backsliding.
From 1984 until 1990, she lived in different nations outside of
Madagascar. She attended YWAM (Youth With A Mission) schools, worked
as a missionary in different places, and experienced foreign cultures
and Christian communities : she experienced touch, affirmation,
appreciation regardless of achievements or times of imperfection.During
this time she read books, listened to teaching tapes, attended seminars
and conferences, and made comparative studies and researches between
the American culture and the Malagasy culture. She went to counseling
schools
– Introduction to Biblical Counseling School, Method and Model of
Biblical Counseling, Counseling for Abused Women … which added more
input to her autodidact knowledge and personal experiences. All
of this caused in her heart the desire to minister to her own people
back home.Finally,
she returned to Madagascar in 1990 and married Charles
Razafindrakoto in 1991. They began counseling services and
ministries for the Malagasy people whom they found very hungry and
receptive in this area. Faramalala wrote Malagasy christian educational
books in her native language, held seminars
and spoke in Churches and Bible study groups. The response has been
great– people learned to be themselves. Many received emotional
healing and freedom from legalism, perfectionism and religiosity,
while others got to know their worth and identity in Christ. They
learned to face their deep seated anger and rejection in a healthy
and objective way and accepted responsibility for themselves, instead
of putting the blame on others. Some were freed from negative, critical,
and judgemental spirits which are parts of the strongholds in the
mind of the Malagasy people.
The number of people attending the seminars has been growing, and
this includes hurting spiritual leaders, battered wives, people
suffering from depression …. Charles and
Faramalala welcome such people as well
as other individuals into their home which is still now serving
as the Training and Crisis Counseling Centre. In fact, Balm of soul
has a project to build its own center.
In the past 8 years, 7 people who have benefited from the seminars
have joined the ministry and work as full time staff
They have been through Counseling schools with YWAM overseas which
are prerequisite to being a full time staff,
besides attending some counseling trainings contextualized to the
Malagasy mindset and culture provided by Faramalala . |
