Wikipedia, our semi-omniscient friend, defines world view as:”the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing natural philosophy; fundamental existential and normative postulates; or themes, values, emotions, and ethics.”

What a relief now that we know the definition! Or perhaps not! (We will get back to defining world view a bit later.)

Your world view determines how you see the world. How you interpret what you see.

An illustration: A visitor to Israel (some years ago) noticed that in some areas trees were being planted and the country developed. While in other areas nothing was happening. On asking around he found out that the areas that were being developed belonged to Israelis who saw it as “the land of milk and honey.” The other areas were settled by/ belonged to Palestinians who believed that the country was cursed by God. (My facts might be a little bit wrong, since it has been a while since I read this story.But it is fundamentally correct.)

Another illustration: Recently I told my gardener to remove a growing termite mound from a wooden door here in my house. He hesitated and wanted to know if it was really necessary. I told him that it was because they are destroying the door!

He told me that it would be better to leave the termites alone, because it is a sign of good luck if they build their mound inside a door.

Here we have two completely opposing ideas. One from a western world, ruled by science and facts and the other from a animistic world where invisible forces and powers rule earth.

If you, as a Westener hears some of the stories about “magic and whitch craft” that are commonly accepted as the truth here in Madagascar, you would just shake your head in disbelief and wonder: “What is wrong with those people?”

If a Malagasy person hears what you think about the existence of spirits etc. he/she would just shake his/her head in disbelief and wonder: “What is wrong with those people?”

By now, you should begin to see the point I am trying to make. Each person is brought up to think in a specific way. These “lessons” are not part of a curriculum or some such thing, but they form the basis of who you are!

Max Weber, author of “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” apparently said: “Ideas have consequences.” That means, the way you think determines the way you live and how you world will look like.

He was however not the originator of this thoughts. In Proverbs 4:23 we read “Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” (CEV) (Compare different translations.)

James Sire, Christian thinker and author of “The Universe Next door” defines World view as

1. “a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart,
2. that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false)
3. which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently)
4. about the basic construction of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.”

To simplify I often use this comparison.

* Culture tells us how to do something. How should one get married? How should one treat a child or an elder? How do you respect god/the gods? How does one become an adult? etc.
* Worldview, on the other hand is about why! Why should one get married, as ooposed to just living together? Why are children and elders treated differently? Why are elders respected. etc.

Both Christians and Muslims agrees that marriage is a sacred institution, and that co-habitation is forbidden. However if one where to examine the moitivation(s) for these apparently similar thoughts, you will find completely (?) different motivations!

Jesus says “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:32, CEV). The whole concept of World view does not dispute this.

Understanding the world view of another enables you to communicate the truth to him in a way (I am not talking primarily about language, but more about concepts, ideas etc.) that he understands!

And this is the great challenge we are currently facing in our outreaches to Malgasy churches. Many of these men and women have accepted the church, much fewer have actually accepted Christ and entered into a living relationship with him.

We are now looking for ways to communicate the ultimate Truth via understanding the Malagasy Worldview in a way that makes sense in Madagascar!

On the 27th of March 2010,
I got married to RASOLOFONIAINA Laingo. (This explains my prolonged
silence.)

I met this beautiful girl early last year. Initially I might a very bad impression as she described me as arrogant! But, by the grace of God, I was able to convince her other wise.

We have many plans for 2010. We have already identified three possible
villages in which we want to do a Bush-pastor outreach.

The Bush-pastor program involves various components. Primarily, we want to encourage the pastors where they work under difficult circumstances in
isolated villages. By screening the Jesus-film a few nights, we want to create interest in Jesus and the Gospel of the Good News. Coupled with this we plan to do some training about relevant topics.

These
include topics like: Who is Jesus, really? We are working on teaching
about  God of the Bible and the traditional god, who are often
called by the same name.

I apologise for
my long silence. I realise that  I let you down !

Wedding photos   
    Honey moon photos

]]> http://jandreinmadagascar.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/165/feed/ 1 jandreinmadagascar Laingo & Jandré http://jandreinmadagascar.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/high-constitutional-court-are-you-a-member/ http://jandreinmadagascar.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/high-constitutional-court-are-you-a-member/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:38:02 +0000 jandreinmadagascar http://jandreinmadagascar.wordpress.com/?p=159 ]]> 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

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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?

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?