Disclaimer: The following “sermon” makes use of exampes drawn from the current political situation here in Madagascar. However it is not my intention to be political. I am using relevant examples from everyday life.

A while ago there was an article on one of the pro-TGV websites claiming that Ravalomanana is a Satanist. They even offered a copy of his initiation certificate. (I could probably make a similar certificate on MS Word in about 5 minutes.) Others claimed to have heard from “very very reliable sources” that Ravalomanana is not a Christian but either a animist (Technically the term animist is incorrect. In its widest sense Christians are also animists because we believe in “spirits.” African Tradtional Religion, ATR is a more accurate term.) or someone who practices syncretism. (Syncretism is when you try to merge several different religions and or philosophies into one coherent belief system. For example taking a bit if Christianity and a bit of ATR and form something new that removes the opposition between the two.)

The point that I tried to make in the previous paragraph is that there are people (some say many, some say few) who claim that in spite of his personal claims, Ravalomanana is not a Christian. Some might even argue that this is God’s punishment on him.

But….

This made me think a lot about who is and who is not a Christian. What makes you a Christian? And what actions absolutely disqualifies you from being a Christian? Murder, rape, robbery, lying, lusting after another women, a white lie, theft, dishonouring your mother and father, worshipping an idol, like e.g. your Star-sign, or even the Lotto, loving money or bad manners? Which one of these disqualifies someone from being a Christian? I’m probably only innocent on two or three of these charges.

You see I have a problem. It is not my job to prove who is a Christian. And it is definitely not my job to pass judgement and say who aren’t. If I decide A is a Christian but B is not, then I am appointing myself as judge, and putting myself on level with the Judge, Jesus. (That would be the ultimate coup d’etat, wouldn’t it?)

My experience is that when I judge another person, it is usually to distract attention from my own failures. At least I don’t drink and swear like C. (But meanwhile back at the ranch, I am a hypocrite and a Pharisee.) I repeat again, this is what I have noticed in my life. I don’t know if it also holds true in yours.

Francis Schaeffer, one of the greatest Christian philosophers, apparently said, I do not know how little one needs to know (believe) to be saved.

I find that we often have all these rules that have to be obeyed. Do A,B,C,D and E, but most definitely don’t do F,G,H,I and J. And no, I am not saying that faith and deeds are separate. I love James. He is 100% correct in saying that the one cannot survive/exist without the other.

Back to my life. At least I am not like Elias, of James (no this is another one), or Jonah (also another one), or that fat policeman on the corner always demanding bribes, or that …..

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults–unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
(Mat 7:1-5) The Message (Nearly wrote The Massage, not quite the same)

My response? Hopefully I can join the tax collector in praying:
‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
(Luk 18:13) NET Bible

“[Y]ou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Joh 8:32)

Perhaps you have heard or read these words of Jesus. These last few days I have realised again how important the truth, albeit in the political arena, is.

(But before I get to that, lets just quickly look at the context of the original words.

Where:Jesus was in the temple teaching the people when the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery. A whole conversation ensued. In v 34 Jesus says “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”
From this we can conclude that Jesus was primarily (exclusively?) talking about spiritual freedom. )

What does this have to do with Madagascar? I have mentioned before how lies are being propagated over the radio and television in Madagascar.

Some examples. Perhaps you have seen or heard in the international press about the two or three explosions close to the presidential palace sometimes during the night. But according to the French press the Prime Minister denies that this happened. (Just for the record, my mother sms’ed me this morning and told me that she heard about the explosions on South African radio!)

The truth is that if someone or a radio/TV station tells you one thing, the next will most probably tell you the complete and exact opposite.

The resulting situation is that we do not know what is true. Is the army really with the opposition, the president or neutral? Has this, that or the other thing really happened, or is it propaganda? Some claim Andry TGV did this. Others blame the president for that.

Madagascar is caught up in a great bunch of lies. And there are many people actively propagating lies to further their own agendas. My prayer the last day or two has been this: Lord, let the truth prevail! I ask you to join me in this prayer. The Devil is the father of the lie (Jn 8.44). Our prayer for the truth will oppose his work and bring honour to God. Also, if the truth is known in Madagascar peace will return. IT will be clear who is guilty and innocent of what. It will be clear who is serving the country and who is serving themselves.

I am not asking you to pray for this one or against that one. No! I am asking you that the truth will be told so that there will be freedom in Madagascar!

Again I borrow from Steve Green. Borrowing from Leon Schuster just wont be the same.

Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?

People need the Lord.

I am really sad this evening. A friend decided to be angry with me. I do not understand the reason.

Did I do something wrong OR Didn’t I do something? Did I say something OR Didn’t I say something.

X, my friend, was helping me with some translation work. I am preparing a course on Inter-Cultural communication to be presented in April. While X came to fetch some papers Y and Z my new Malagasy teachers were here. We were discussing times, rates, etc. Unbeknown to me there is some history between X and Z. Now the nuclear fallout is hitting me.

Another friend, AA, I seem to be running out of letters, is having an affair with a married man. It seems as if she believes that being somebody’s plaything is all she is good enough for..

Yesterday whe found some marijuana (dagga) seeds here on the college property. The property is 22 hectare and not fenced in. We have a problem with trespassers.

I see that more than 3500 people lost their jobs just in the Analamanga region because of the political crisis here.

I am sad and hurt.

And I realize that I am one of the people who needs the Lord. When will I learn to trust Him with my probems, instead of solving it on my own? When will I lean to care more about others real problems than my petty inconveniences?

In my course on Inter-cultural communication, one of the basic tenets is: Ideas have consequences. That is the way I think determines my life. And this is not just mere positive thinking. See Proverbs 4:23

When wil I stop thinking that: I can do it! I am self-sufficient!

When will I live from the realisation that: I am crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live Jesus Christ now lives in me, and He is the Boss. Not me!

” That’s Where His Mercy Begins ” (Steve Green)

Let me tell you about mercy
It led me to this land of grace.
Once I was homeless,
Ashamed to show my face.
I deserved no gift or favor
After all that I had done.
You’ve all heard my story, I am the
prodigal son.

CHORUS
And he wasn’t surprised at where I had been;
He was waiting for me at the end of my sin.
And the heaven I found in the hell I was in,
That’s where his mercy, That’s where His mercy begins.

Let me share an invitation;
Come join me in this land of rest,
Where we trade our failures And
gain the Father’s best.
Let us turn to Him together,
Leaving all our fears behind. The
Father knows your story. Its mercy you’ll find.

CHORUS

I had run so far from him that all my hope was dying.
But when I finally turned for home, his mercy came and showed the way;
And he’s never surprised at where we have been, He is waiting for us at the end
of our sins, and the heaven we find from the hell we’ve been in, that’s where his mercy
that’s where his mercy begins. Oh, that’s where his mercy, that’s where His mercy begins.
Sweet mercy. Thank you, thank you for mercy, your sweet mercy. Sweet mercy.

As you know by now, there is a political crisis in Madagascar. Everybody is unsure what (the generic) tomorrow holds. More riots? More deaths? We silently hope that it won’t affect me directly. That somehow I, me and mine will be spared.

This song has two themes. Mercy, and sin. I think it is correct to say that without sin there cannot be mercy. For without sin we would be just and not in need of mercy. (No I am not saying, sin more so that the mercy can increase.)

All Christians are, to some extent, involved in sin. We all have sin in our lives. If I ever say that I am without sin, then I am either lying or dead. (And therefore in the presence of Christ.)

Being melancholic by nature I like to beat myself up about the sins in my life. My sin is SOOOOOOO bad that ……. (insert adequate penance here.)

This song just reminded me of GOd’s mercy that he shows to us even though we deserve condemnation.

And he wasn’t surprised at where I had been;
He was waiting for me at the end of my sin.
And the heaven I found in the hell I was in,
That’s where his mercy, That’s where His mercy begins.

Yes it is true, He is not surprised at where I had been or what I have done. But all along He was waiting for me to stop looking at my sin but that I would look at him, confess and return.

I am crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live. Jesus Christ now lives in me. (Embrace the Cross, Steve Green)

Father, I have sinned, repeatedly and knowingly, often enjoying it immensely. And perhaps even counting on your mercy in the back of my mind. I am guilty. Forgive me. Forgive me. Heal me. And make me a witness and testimony to your great love that transcends our understanding, insight and wisdom. Help me Father for I am sure to fail on my own. This I ask of you in the Name above all names, in the Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen

Shortly after the riots and destruction started on the 26th of January, it was announced that Cyclone Gael was on its way to add to the death and destruction.

But…but…but it never arrived!

If you look at the three pictures you will see that at one point was gathering steam and heading straight for Tamatave and the Tana. And then it started to turn. Gael missed both Madagascar and Reunion!

Thank you Lord! Thank you!

I believe that it is God who changed the direction of this powerful cyclone. When it was closest to Madagascar it was a Category 4 cyclone. Plenty strong, plenty damage!

Sunday and Monday were pretty uneventful days, by the recent standards at least.
The Malagasy minister of defence, Cécile Manorohanta Dominique, resigned. According to an unnamed source on Moov.mg she has been considering resigning for about two weeks.

Quoted from DagoTiako
In this period of political crisis, I sympathize and I morally support all families victims of the shootings at Ambohitsirohitra . As a mother I do not accept this violence”, said Cécile Manorahanta. Her conscience could not endure the bloodshed.

“The police were supposed to protect people and property so after all that happened, I have decided to no longer be part of this government.” , explained Cécile Manorahanta.

Vice Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, the military chief of staff to the presidency of Madagascar, was appointed as the new Minister of Defence.

The appointed UN representative, Haile Mekeiros, met with President Ravalomanana and later with Mr Rajoelina. The president, according to reports, accepted Haile Mekeiros as facilitator. His opponent made it clear that he will only talk if three demands are met.

Firstly a transitional government should be invested. Secondly early elections should be held, and lastly Mr Ravalomanana should be prosecuted.

He also proclaimed a general strike for tomorrow, 10 February.

The African Union will also send a representative, Mooring Essy. A goverment delegation, under Minister Alain Joyandet, will meet with a high level delegation of the Indian Ocean Commission

Note
It seems as if things are reaching a point where I can not maintain my objectivity. That is one of the reasons why I have been posting less and less as the situation worsened.

As a foreigner in this lovely country, I can not pretend that I understand the politics. I have no special insight into who is telling the truth or who is lying. I feel that I do not have the right to use a public forum like this blog to share my views on the local politics.

So,if I do appear to have lost my objectivity, forgive me and pleae point it out to me. Above allI desire that people will know how to pray intelligently for the people of Madagascar.

Pray that the media will report honestly and accurately. I have personally heard and saw things that are not even close to the truth, but nothing else than incitement.

This morning someone told me that she could not find dried beans, the poor man’s protein, at the market. The price of rise has risen. Charcoal, which most people use to cook has become considerably more expensive. It rose from 9000Ar a bag to 16 000Ar in the space of two weeks. Oil is between 8000 and 10 000Ar a liter.

The official exchange rate for 9 February as per BVF SG Madagascar
EURO                 EUR 2 523
Dollar                 USD 1 974,010
Pound                 GBP 2 895,370
Swiss Franc           CHF 1 685,810
Japanese Yen       JPY 21,660
Canadian Dollar       CAD 1 591,170
Swedish Krone      SEK 239,910
Norwegian Krone NOK 288,920
South Africa Rand ZAR 198,520

And remember that on average the working Malagasy earn less than a Dollar a day.

A friend said to me, ” I think that if the riots continue Madagascar will be completely destroyed.”

Please Lord, roads can be rebuilt. Cell-phone towers erected again. But at what cost? What about all those who will lose their lives? Please Lord, hear our prayer and save the country and the people you love!

I feel like crying.

5, 7, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 dead. Depending on which story you read.

I will update this post sometime tomorrow. But in the time being please pray for the Malagasy people.

What is happening? Where are the beautiful Malagasy people I know?

As most of you know, Andry Rajoelina proclaimed himself as leader of Madgascar on Saturday. He ordered all ministries, shops, schools etc to be closed on Monday.

President Ravalomanana responded by saying that there are 1500 (I can’t remember the correct number) mayors in Madagascar and all of them can’t be president. He said that he is still in power.

Monday came and went. And life went on as normal. Shops were open. Kids went to school and the government offices were all functioning as usual.

Later during the day Andry TGV made an application at the High Constitutional Court for the imposition of the president. He also announced that he will now be visiting the provinces to address his supporter and continue with the struggle for democracy.

This morning I received an sms. “Pray 4 me pls if u cn! I’v lost my job v shopping center were I worked was robed nd burnt.” And a few minutes later “I really don’t know wot to do at the moment” She later told me that she did not receive her salary for January because of the crisis. And she is not the only one.

I will encourage her to trust in the Lord and look to him for a solution. But as Theresa of Avila once said, Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands or feet on earth, but yours.

How are we as the body of Christ going to help our brothers and sisters in Madagascar?

Millions of Christians all over Madgascar went to church this morning, after a week of looting, unrest and general insecurity to hear what the Word of the Lord has to say. Is the Bible, a book revered by many and ridiculed by even more still relvant today, or is it just an interesting historical document?

In the F.J.K.Mthe Sunday Scriptures are prepared in advance for the whole year. That means that all the FJKM congregations will read the same text each Sunday. They also have a monthly theme. For the month of February the theme is “Mitondra aina ny finoana”, that is: Faith brings life.

This morning at the chapel service here at the Ivato Theological college, RANAIVOSON Richard, one of our students, was the preacher. He asked very pertinent questions. Where is the life of the church at a time like this? And how is it being used?

Now is not the time, he said, to look for our own advantage, but now we have to share the life we have because of our faith. Now we must make an extra effort to lead people to Christ.

In Pauls first letter to Timothy we read:

1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,
1Ti 2:2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1Ti 2:3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

He says: Pray for the gorvernment so that you may lead a peaceful life. No he doesn’t.

Paul says: Pray for a government so that you may live in a peaceful society SO THAT you can live a life of godliness that will draw others to Christ, to salvation, faith and everlasting life!

We often think peace is imperative so that we can live nice, quiet and cushey lives. It is natural that we prefer peace to war. But how do we use the peace we have?

And the lack of peace does not excuse us of our duties either. In fact, unrest should, like Richard said this morning, spur us on so that we will do even more to bring faith and life to others.

I ask that you will pray for the Malagasy church. Pray that all of us will use any and every situation to share abouth the life we have because of our faith. Pray for the pastors and church leaders that they will seek God’s will and then obediently do what He commands.

Faith brings life. Jesus brings faith. SO lets go out and look for Jesus!

Sunday 1 February
Update

• The night seems to have passed peacefully
• Unconfirmed reports claim that opposition leaders in Toliara were pelted with stones by the crowd they were trying to address, forceing the to call of the meeting.
• Other sites in English with updates and the views of insiders
• Andrydago- a Malagasy lawyer
• Tgoose – A Malagasy living abroad
• Global Voices

Update 20:45 Malagasy time

• The President stated the he is still in charge
• The ministry of Justice and High Constitutional Court will take the necessary steps

Update 17:15 Malagasy time

• No reactiopn from President Ravalomanana upto now

Update 14:30 Malagasy time

• The mass rally of the party of the president was cancelled
• Much less people showed up for Andry TGV’s meeting. I would guess less than 5000, closer to 3000?
• Andry TGV declared himself as interim leader of the country
• Andry TGV told the administrations, ministries, armed forces that he now gives the orders
• The presidency announced that Andry TGV refuses to enter into negotiations
• The presidency announced that it respects the constituion of the country

Unconfirmed reports claim that Andry TGV told the crowd that President Ravalomanana left the country.

Pray for thios country as you have never prayed before. This can be the turning point in the countries history.

Saturday 31 January
Yesterday morning Shoprite opened for a short while. (Shoprite is a general grocer, mostly used by expats, but yesterdays crowd were 95%+ Malagasy.)

There were between 500 and a thousand people waiting at the gates. We were pushing and shoving each other. Everyone wanted to be at the front of the line for when the gates eventually open. I was just looking out for myself. Very Christlike, I know.

After a while two soldiers, the one armed with a AK-47. I did not see the others weapon. From inside the Shoprite employee asked for silence. He then announced that the two soldiers were to be let in. “We are going to open the gate for the soldiers. But only they may enter. The rest of you, dont try anything. Dont push. And dont try to enter”

Then all of a sudden everybody relaxed. No more pushing and shoving. The soldiers were let through the opened gate unhindered. And then as the gate closed and it became ipossible for anyone to do anything, the pushing and shoving started again.

In spite of the pushing and shoving there was no violence. I never felt threatened. Just squashed. But this peacefull atmosphere and actions are how I know the Malagasy people. The Malagasy people are not violent people.

Mass Meetings

Analakely

Today Andry TGV, the opposing mayor, and his supporters will meet in Analakely in Independance Avenue. TIM, presidents Marc Ravalomanana’s party, will hold a mass rally at Mahamasina, maybe 2 or so kilometers down the road. Will the two groups disperse peacefully? Or…?

Mahamasina

I think that what happens today will set the tone for the next weeks, months and even years to come!

I will update this post as and when I get news.

PS. There is a 50% chance for thunderstorms. Please pray for rain. Rain will disperse the crowds and prevent huge crowds from turning out.
Weather prediction for Antananarivo

UPDATE
It is rumoured that Andry Rajoelina will proclaim himself as Prime Minister of an interimgovernment today.

From
http://andrydago.wordpress.com/