Eduardo Mendes, president and founder of Lead by the Name has been working for Spoken Worldwide for 2+ years. He is a consultant for the Oral bible Translation Projects in Brazil and Madagascar.
Madagascar 3
Far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, it’s not Madagascar 3, a new production of DreamWorks Animation. It’s Eduardo’s third trip to Madagascar! This voyage, slated for September 14th to 23rd, is one more trip to empower the Locals on the Oral Bible Translation project for the Sakalava people.
Eduardo had been deeply involved in the Nosy-Be, Madagascar, mentoring the consultant and the team. The Sakalava is a community of 1.2 million souls residing along the enchanting west coast of Madagascar. The torchbearer of this endeavor is Laura Bracy, an American missionary with a decade of experience in Madagascar. In 2013, Laura and her family embarked on their missionary journey under the banner of AIM – Africa Inland Mission. Laura's role today is pivotal; she is responsible for coaching and training the team. With her family preparing to return to the United States this coming November, they planned to engage in shorter missions over the next decade, much like Eduardo, to aid in orally translating the entire Bible for the Sakalava people.
Eduardo's journey commenced on September 14th, and reaching Nosy-Be, Madagascar, was challenging. Four flights were his stepping stones: Colorado Springs to Denver, Denver to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Addis Ababa, and finally, Addis Ababa to Nosy-Be. A staggering 48 hours filled with flights and layovers between him and his destination. This voyage was poignant, for it might well be Eduardo's last to Madagascar, as Laura was poised to take the reins at the start of 2024. These three trips had etched indelible blessings into Eduardo's life, and Madagascar was a tapestry woven with stories and memories, a testament to the divine work unfolding in the world.
This time, Eduardo was not alone on his journey. Josefa Correia, the project manager for the Sertanejo Project in Brazil, joined him. The Sertanejo Project was another of Eduardo's undertakings that frequently required his presence to mentor a local consultant. This trip to Madagascar held dual objectives: exposing Josafa to another Oral Bible translation project and fostering an exchange of experiences between the two projects. Their mission in Madagascar was multifaceted. One key goal was to empower the translator team to lead engagement workshops within the local community. The week's itinerary was carefully crafted. Monday saw the launch of a model workshop led by Josafa and Laura. The translators were divided into pairs from Tuesday to Thursday, each team leading workshops in various strategic churches across Nosy-Be. As the week drew to a close, Friday offered a moment to reflect on their experiences, engage in fellowship, and indulge in a game of UNO, followed by a hearty meal together.
Amidst all this, you might wonder, "What was Eduardo's role in this trip?" Eduardo didn't take the spotlight; instead, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes. His role was that of a mentor, quietly observing, taking notes, offering prayers, and encouraging those at the forefront of the workshops. He dedicated time to meeting individuals one-on-one and engaged the group, providing valuable feedback and insights. He also captured the essence of their work through photographs and videos, preserving stories that would serve as a wellspring of inspiration for his close friends and family and the larger community that supported Spoken's mission.
Eduardo Mendes
President and Founder
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