Where do I even start?!
Well... it's official! I'll be leaving for Madagascar on February 17, 2016. One month from Sunday! Ahhhh!
So, how did this come about?
Well, it all started when I was 9 years old. Lol. But I think you all know that story so I will skip forward a little bit.
I attended Harvest School of Missions 21 with Iris Global in October 2014. After the school, I went on outreach to the Iris base in Madagascar. The minute I stepped off the plane, I knew something was different. I felt like I was dreaming. I fell in love with everything about the country. The people, the language, the cobblestone streets, the rice fields, the zebu terrorizing the roads (okay, jk about the zebu.) It was like no place I'd ever seen before or even dreamed possible. Just beauty beyond any possible explanation.
I saw God move on that trip like I have never seen in my life, and he gave me a new desire to see the things of his kingdom on this earth. I left Madagascar with tears in my eyes and a deep feeling in my heart that I would be back one day.
2015 was a beautifully unexpected year of waiting on the Lord, learning (a lot), and seeing Him do the impossible in my life. Too many amazing things have happened to type in this one little post. Looking back on the prophetic words my Madagascar team wrote down for me last December, I see so clearly that God had this planned out all along. He is so faithful.
In November the Lord lead me back to Madagascar (yay!). It was an amazing trip and unlike any I've been on before because this time I went by myself, rather than with a team. Since I had no team and no agenda, I got to spend a lot of time just loving on the kids and seeing how Iris Madagascar works (don't get me wrong, I still have a lot to learn ;)). The time I had to make relationships was so valuable and precious to me. One of my favorite things that I was able to do was spend time at the Baby House. When I was in Madagascar the first time, we didn't get to hang out with the babies a whole lot because well, with 12 of us, they were a little afraid. But, when it was just me, they were curious and wanted to climb all over me, play with my hair, and just be held and talked to. It was such a blessing to just be able to love on them for hours, to look in their sweet faces and speak life and love and purpose over them. The Kingdom belongs to the children. :)
It was also super special to get to know some of the mamas, and I am beyond excited to really get to know them more.
While I was in Madagascar, I applied and was accepted to join the Iris Madagascar staff as the supervisor of the baby house! I am so so so excited! It's my dream come true. I've made a one year commitment, and we will see what God does from there. I will be working with a super awesome girl to oversee, train, and disciple staff members, make sure all necessary supplies are available, and help care for the babies. Ahhh!!
I am honestly so amazed at the way God has moved in my life. All I am is one regular girl with nothing to offer but my life, and for some reason he chooses to see me and he chooses to put dreams in my heart and make them come true right before my eyes. I'm so humbled to be able to wake up each morning and say yes to him.Why he even looks my way is beyond me. He is so so so good.
I know some of you have been asking how you can help, and I finally have answers for you!
If you would like to help out with travel costs and supplies, you can donate directly to me via cash, check, or PayPal (gmbellante@gmail.com - please select the friends & family option.)
If you would like to support me while I am in Madagascar, you can make a one time or monthly tax deductible donation one of two ways.
1. Go to https://www.irisglobal.org/giving-center and scroll down to where it says "Iris Missionary". Type "Bellante, Gianna" in the comment box. Select one time or recurring monthly donation. Enter amount. And check out :)
2. Checks made out to Iris Global, with Gianna Bellante Madagascar in the memo line can be sent to
Well... it's official! I'll be leaving for Madagascar on February 17, 2016. One month from Sunday! Ahhhh!
So, how did this come about?
Well, it all started when I was 9 years old. Lol. But I think you all know that story so I will skip forward a little bit.
I attended Harvest School of Missions 21 with Iris Global in October 2014. After the school, I went on outreach to the Iris base in Madagascar. The minute I stepped off the plane, I knew something was different. I felt like I was dreaming. I fell in love with everything about the country. The people, the language, the cobblestone streets, the rice fields, the zebu terrorizing the roads (okay, jk about the zebu.) It was like no place I'd ever seen before or even dreamed possible. Just beauty beyond any possible explanation.
I saw God move on that trip like I have never seen in my life, and he gave me a new desire to see the things of his kingdom on this earth. I left Madagascar with tears in my eyes and a deep feeling in my heart that I would be back one day.
2015 was a beautifully unexpected year of waiting on the Lord, learning (a lot), and seeing Him do the impossible in my life. Too many amazing things have happened to type in this one little post. Looking back on the prophetic words my Madagascar team wrote down for me last December, I see so clearly that God had this planned out all along. He is so faithful.
In November the Lord lead me back to Madagascar (yay!). It was an amazing trip and unlike any I've been on before because this time I went by myself, rather than with a team. Since I had no team and no agenda, I got to spend a lot of time just loving on the kids and seeing how Iris Madagascar works (don't get me wrong, I still have a lot to learn ;)). The time I had to make relationships was so valuable and precious to me. One of my favorite things that I was able to do was spend time at the Baby House. When I was in Madagascar the first time, we didn't get to hang out with the babies a whole lot because well, with 12 of us, they were a little afraid. But, when it was just me, they were curious and wanted to climb all over me, play with my hair, and just be held and talked to. It was such a blessing to just be able to love on them for hours, to look in their sweet faces and speak life and love and purpose over them. The Kingdom belongs to the children. :)
It was also super special to get to know some of the mamas, and I am beyond excited to really get to know them more.
While I was in Madagascar, I applied and was accepted to join the Iris Madagascar staff as the supervisor of the baby house! I am so so so excited! It's my dream come true. I've made a one year commitment, and we will see what God does from there. I will be working with a super awesome girl to oversee, train, and disciple staff members, make sure all necessary supplies are available, and help care for the babies. Ahhh!!
I am honestly so amazed at the way God has moved in my life. All I am is one regular girl with nothing to offer but my life, and for some reason he chooses to see me and he chooses to put dreams in my heart and make them come true right before my eyes. I'm so humbled to be able to wake up each morning and say yes to him.Why he even looks my way is beyond me. He is so so so good.
I know some of you have been asking how you can help, and I finally have answers for you!
If you would like to help out with travel costs and supplies, you can donate directly to me via cash, check, or PayPal (gmbellante@gmail.com - please select the friends & family option.)
If you would like to support me while I am in Madagascar, you can make a one time or monthly tax deductible donation one of two ways.
1. Go to https://www.irisglobal.org/giving-center and scroll down to where it says "Iris Missionary". Type "Bellante, Gianna" in the comment box. Select one time or recurring monthly donation. Enter amount. And check out :)
2. Checks made out to Iris Global, with Gianna Bellante Madagascar in the memo line can be sent to
Iris Global
P.O. Box 493995
Redding, CA 96049-3995
Also, if anyone needs a babysitter in the next month, I am happily available. :)
I cannot thank all of you enough for supporting me on this journey. From the people who bought subs to help fund my first mission trip when I was 13, to the people who committed to praying me through 3 months in Africa. The churches who invited me to speak and so lovingly joined in on what God is doing, despite barely even knowing me. People who collected and donated and provided for children they may never even meet. So many of you - friends, family, and even strangers - have sacrificed time, energy, and money to make this all possible. I am forever grateful to you, and cannot wait to see the line of people standing in heaven to greet you because you made it possible for them to be there. Seriously, the body of Christ is an amazing and powerful thing.
Again, I so appreciate your love and prayers during this transition. We serve an awesome God.
All my love and more,
Gianna.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
