Riots in Antananarivo 4

Thursday Afternoon, just before 14h00, local time 11h00 GMT.

In Tana things seem to be calming down. The Armed forces were out doing there job. When I was at the petrol station this morning to get fuel for my motorbike there was even a soldier with his AK-47 to keep us safe. And more significantly there weren’t any queues! That is a good sign!

There seems to be continuing unrest in the provinces. But I suspect that htings will get better throughout the day.

Shoprite Talatamaty is stil not open. But if, as the rumours go, it is truely the only Shoprite still standing, you can understadn their hesitance. I am sorely tempted to go and look at the destruction in the city. Maybe tomorrow! But a lot of this is just motivated by curiosity and not a desire to help or to report what I saw.

Yesterday President Ravalomanana visited some of the places that were razed. He said that the government will assit in the reconstruction on houses. He also said that the Army followed his orders the first two days when they did not act. If they acted many more would have been dead.

This provides an interesting cultural insight. Looting, razing of buildings and general lawlessness is preferable to the loss of life. (That is if I understand it correctly.) Again we see how inadequately an outsider can understand another culture. Whether his logic makes sense to me and you is not the point. It (apparently) makes sense within the Malagasy culture.

It has been reported that there were in the order of 400 000 people at the rally held by Andry TGV on Monday. He has called for another mass meeting on Saturday. As an outsider I question the wisdom of this action. It has already been proved that a group like this can easily turn into a crazy mob. Perhaps it would be wiser to address his followers via radio and television.

I urge you to pray for rain over the weekend. Lots of rain will surely deter many people from turning out. (Just for clarity: I am not declaring myself anti-TGV by hoping that the meeting will rain out, but rather pro-peace!)

Arrest-warrants were issued for Rolland Ratsiraka, the nephew of previous president Didier Ratsiraka, the current mayor of Toamasina, as well as for General Dolin Rasolosoa, a close advisor to Rajoelina.

President Ravalomanana made it clear that he lays the majority of the blame for the violence squarely at the feet of Andry Rajoelina, the DJ turned mayor.

The website Sobika.com reports that 61% of a reported 3000 pollsters indicated that they want an negotiated settlement to the crisis.

The numbers of how many died as a result of the riots vary significantly. Some are as “low” as 33, and some people say in excess of 70. There are even claims of upto 90 dead. Most were killed when a burning three-storey clothing store collapsed on the looters.

It is really sad when you see the reactions of the “common” man and woman. They shake their heads at these incomprehensible events. They all ask: “Why?”

And on a more practical level, cooking oil is virtually unobtainable. I know. I tried. Apparently sugar is also dissapearing fast. Most Malagasy people buy tiny amounts because they do not have money to buy a full bottle of this or a packet of that.

Madagascar is in desperate need of revival. These riots were the manifestation of the hold that the defeated one still has in this country.

Riots in Antananarivo 3

Last night I was quite optimistic that things would fizzle out during the day. I was wrong. (This happens quite often!)

Reports of looting all over the island were what we heard and read all day.

Fianarantsoa, Andapa, Toliara, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Samabava, Vohemar, Nosy Be. Everywhere.

Magro and Tiko, companies owned by the president were quite popular targets. Two or three Shoprite stores were also looted here in Tana.

My impression, shared by some, is that most of todays looting were opportunistic and not politically motivated. The absence of the armed forces obviously contributed.

Why are/were the military absent?

I have heard various stories.

Some guess that President Ravalomanana lost the support of the Army.

A second theory is a bit more complicated. If the Army confronted the 10 000+ crowd yesterday many people would have died. Therefore it is better to ‘allow’ the looting, because less people will die. If the Government reacted strongly yesterday, they could also have been accused of crushing a valid opposition rally.

A Friend reported gunshots close to her house. Apparently a looter was shot by the army. Deaths have been reported in Tana and elsewhere, but I have no idea how many or how few.

It seems that the armed forces are slowly turning out, trying to bring about law and order.

Some useful and interesting links:

Pictures of the Crowd

Photos

More photos

Even more photos

Amature Videos of the riots

Eyewitness Account

Cyber Observer, Andrydago’s blog with eyewitness accounts and photos

The huge irony is that both President Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina wants what is good for the country. But what is taking place now is detrimental to all. Tourist are reportedly cancelling their trips. International investment can not be encouraged by what they are seeing.

Some have claimed that the biggest stumbling stone, preventing these two men finding a solution is pride. Whether that is true or not, I do not know, but please pray that they will talk and that a solution will be found soon!

Remember to pay for the widow and the orphan.

Riots in Antananarivo 2

According to my info twop people were killed sofar. A policeman and afourteen year old. However some claim that it were 2 protesters. One was allegedly shot and the other died of a
heart attack. One journalist claims to have seen 11 bodies.

There seems to be wide-spread looting taking place. My guess is that a lot of this looting is pure opportunistic.

- 22h50: Andry TGV has decided to go into the field to help firefighters.
- 22H44: Radio Antsiva announced that demonstrators want to attack the fuel depot and Ankorondrano Jirama Mandroseza dam.
- 22h30: Looting has Behoririka. House burned to Soarano opposite the building Ramaroson.
- 22h23: Round table tomorrow anticipated Andry TGV donors, ambassadors and Ravalomanana. Andry TGV called for the cessation of looting in the capital.
- 22H14: Courts 67 ha plundered, looted Floreal center!
- 22:00: Electronic Analakely Naza burned!
- 21H00: Radio Antsiva announces a dialogue between Rajoelina Andry and Marc Ravalomanana
- 20:45: Having regard Force One to 2 Ivato in the track
- 20H42: Radio Antsiva Executive announced a possible military
- 20h10: General Prison Break Prison Antanimora! Commercial center of the CITIC Behoririka attacked.
- 19h48: Antananarivo with the calm …

(This is from www.sobika.com and was translated with Google translate)

For more photos visit the Observers site
For more news or here for eye-witness accounts.

As far as I can deduce the president has not fled the country. This is definitely not in line with his character.

Please pray for the Malagasy people. They are really nice, gentle and hospitable people. This manifestation of violence is definetely out of step with who they really are.

Without being pro-this one or anti-that one, the result of these riots will be that the poor will be even poorer. The rich have insurance policies and other options.

One Malgasy man said to me: “It seems that this is the Malagasy mentality. We always return ourselves to zero.”

Pray for the street children and the other homeless. Who will look after them?
Pray for the safety of the women and children who need to go out to buy food.
Pray that the police, army and protesters will use minimum force.
Pray for wisdom and calmness.
Pray for rain. It should disperse the crowds. (Last week we were praying “against” the cyclones and now…)
Pray for the president and the mayor.

From the sobik.com website

“We are Malagasy and Malagasy are not combatants. There is a concern for peace and harmony and this is the wish of all Malagasy in general. It is not too late to get there, but we must put aside pride and prejudice. That’s where the problem is unfortunately.”

PS. I am safe. Nothing has happened on our side of town.

Riots in Antananarivo

There are currently riots in Tana. These are the result of a conflict between the President Marc Ravalomanana and the mayor of Tana, Andry Rajoelina.

I do not pretend to understand the intracasies of Malagasy politics. But today three radio and television broadcasting stations have been burnt down by angry mobs. Various shops have been looted and burned down, including those belonging to the president.

Please pray for peace. I believe that things have not yet reached a critical mass where it has to lead to worse riots and God forbid widespread ciivil unrest.

Please pray for rain and lots of it. If its raining lots of the protesters wont enjoy it.

Please pray for the safety of all. Some missionaires are really worried. The Malagasy people are still remembers the suffering they went through during the previous “crise.”

I will try to update my blog. But it is theoretically possible that we may loose internet connectivity.

A timeline of todays happenings

- 18h35: 2 Force One took off at 17.50
- 18.30: according antsiva radio, TVM was not affected by the fire this morning at RNM
- 18h20: The Conference of Bishops of Madagascar (EMC) through its chairman Bishop Fulgence Rabemahafaly drew both supporters dialogue
- 18h19: Radio Antsiva resume the aerial.
- 17h59: the PM has canceled his statement. Sources confirm the resignation of several members.
- 17.50: rumor resignation of the government. Take the conditional lack of confirmation by the media
- 17h05: View: Tikos trucks escorted by soldiers in the direction of Antsirabe
- 1700: No radio or television does except gospel songs
- 16H40 Courts stores and Cora Ankorondrano robbed
- 16H40: the bodies of dead in Mbs tgvistes will be brought up on 13 May
- 16:30 PM should make a statement in the next few minutes. Marc Ravalomanana “found”
- 16H20: The more TV station stopped broadcasting
- 16H10: Andry TGV calls back tomorrow to May 13
- 15:50 Andry TGV will speak on TV Plus
- 15.30 Auditorium Ankorondrano burned!
The army refused to intervene, leaving the field open to protesters. Marc Ravalomanana is
- 15.00. Magro Ankorondrano robbed by Crowds
- 14.40 Tanjombato Magro group Tiko burned!
- 1400: MBS burnt! 2 deaths near TGV
- 13.00: TVM and RNM were burned by TGV
- 02H50 RADIO VIVA closed by mercenaries

TVM and RNM are respectively the national television and radio stations. (Theoretically pro-President)
MAGRO (bulk wholesaler), TIKO (company that produces various milk and oil products) MBS radio and television broadcaster belongs to the president
Courts a French furniture retailer
Cora a French retailer, clothes, food etc.

At 19h00 local time (14h00 GMT) the Catholic Radio station, Don Bosco is continuing as per normal.

Cyclones

Just last week I was thinking that we have been fortunate so far. We have not had any cyclones. (Well a small one somewhere last year but not much damage.)

And then today, what do I see on the weather map? Not one, but two cyclones Eric and Fanele are squeezing the Big Island. Eric is on the east coast and Fanele on the west.

Eric

Fanele

The following text is from www.moov.mg The text was automatically translated from French by Google, and therefore the interesting use of the English language. (As many of you know I lived and worked in Mandritsara for three years. I lived in Maroamboka, one of the heavily flooded areas. My house would not have been affected because it is on a hill, but many houses are next to the river.)

” Hurricane Eric has 244 victims in Mandritsara
(19-01-2009) – Hurricane (Tropical Storm tempered) Eric joined 08 hours Feneri East in the Analanjirofo. It then crosses the district of Toamasina and leaving the district Brickaville to 14 hours, according to the BNGRC. The first assessments are 244 claims in the region Mandritsara Sofia.

Plaque announcing the entry into the area hit by Ivan Analanjirofo in 2008 © DTS

Monday, 19 January 2009 to 8 hours, Eric chose the district Fénérive East as an entry point. “With a force winds of 95km / h, Eric will be for 2 hours in the district of Fénérive East. With the same intensity of the storm and then passes out in Toamasina district Brickaville causing heavy rains “, according to the Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et Catastrophes or BNGRC.

The regions of Analanjirofo Atsinanana and are now in full damage assessment.
“The trunks of coconut trees line the streets. Wherever we go, it’s a mess. Today has been dead for Toamasina, no school open … and if tomorrow, the weather and wind The day will also be vacant, we sent a operators in the economic capital.

The same situation is also experienced by the people of St. Mary.
“High winds and heavy rains have so far, according to initial assessments of local authorities brought down many poles and bananas,” according to the BNGRC.

On the RN3a in 2008 © Didier Ramanoelina

But the first assessments of the damage coming from the Sofia region. A Mandritsara, the damage is significant.
“The rains have caused flooding of 40% of the slums of the city. Of the 13 fokontany that in the urban municipality of Mandritsara, 06 were seriously flooded: Antanantsimihety, Maroamboka, Andohomby, Ambohimandroso, Antsahabe, Ambala Kompania. The District Mandritsara currently 244 victims including 164 housed in the reception center of ECAR, Tranompkonolona in the 50 and 30 in the office of fokontany of Antanandrainivelo “as always BNGRC which has already dispatched a team in the Atsinanana Analanjirofo and in the regions most affected by Hurricane Ivan in February 2008. Another team is also part and is already in the region Melaky to prepare people to face Fanel, another hurricane coming from the Canal of Mozambique.

The situation in Fanel 16h, according Weather France © Météo France

According to the weather map of France Weather taking today at 16h, Fanel could hit the coast of Madagascar on Wednesday 21 January at 04 am on the side of Morombe. A 16heures, its center was located 225km from Morombe.

Recall that in 2008, hurricanes left more than 184 million dollars in damage in Madagascar, the most affected were Analanjirofo, Sainte-Marie and SAVA. “

Please remember to pray for those who where left/will be homeless or who lost/will lose loved-ones. These people do not have insurance. SO if it is gone it is gone.

Do you know of a cyclone in the Bible? Please let us know!

Christmas in Befotaka

This is a Ride report of a motorcycle trip I made recently. I travelled from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar to Nosy Be, the holiday and sin capital of Madagascar and back.

I am a missionary in Madagascar. I teach at a theological seminary of the FJKM, that is Ny Fiangonan’ I Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara. The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar. The FJKM is a reformed church of the presbyterian fold.

Why did I go on this trip? (I am trying to be philosophical.)

There is something romantic about the whole road trip thing. Something mythical and mystical.

You are also challenged to face your fears and doubts, well at least some of them. Can I do this? What if the bike breaks down? What if I crash? Do I have the skills to face the challenges? En n klomp ander vrae.

The 19th I had a million good reasons for cancelling, but I did not! haha!

Packed and ready. The odometer read 19229.8km and I added 1807.5km by the time I got back here.

Day One I travelled from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar to Ambondromamy to the west. Only 399.3 km. But it took me a while.

The roads in Madagascar can be called many things, but not straight! Imagine the Olivier’s Hoek Pass. Now imagine a much narrower road that is not nearly as straight, level or well maintained. Don’t forget to add the odd goat, zebu, chicken, duck or crazy pedestrian. But most of all, remember that ALL other vehicles, two or four wheeled, will treat you like SA taxis treat someone from a warring taxi faction!

In Madagascar roads only have one side, and that is the center! Everybody sticks to the center, straddling the white line (if it is actually painted) like a thief that got stuck on a barbed wire fence.

If you approach a blind corner, you stay away from the centre, even if that is the best line, for the guy coming from the other side WILL be on your side of the line. And as far as I know, bikes tend to lose fights with four wheeled vehicles!

First stop was in Ankazobe (At the Big Tree). Had a cup of Malagasy coffee. This coffee is used by to render nuclear waste inert. It is that strong. But after 5 years I’m getting used to it. Also I haven’t slept for the last 4.99 years.

I have not been on this road before. The RN4, Route Nationale 4 runs east west, from Tamatave to Mahajanga. And it is one of the busiest roads on the island. And by the time I got to Ankazobe, I have used up my quota of swear words for 2009.

Dodging trucks and taxis.

I stayed over in Ambondromamy for two nites, visiting a American missionary. It’s hot. With a humidity of about 7 000 000% And from there on it got just worse. (I don’t deal well with heat and humidity. Sweat like a pig in a rubber suit!)

A picture of me and Daly. It was her birthday. Malagasy kids are either scared of big white people, or very scared of them. Daly and I became friends quite easily. Her grandmother is a doctor in Ambondormamy, and my missionary friend lodges with them.

The next stretch was from Ambondromamy to Befotaka (Lots of Mud) about 340km to the north.

I crossed quite a few single lane bridges.

In Mampikony I had coffee and rice-cakes.

The lady on the left works at the local hotel. She told me that they don’t serve coffee and then led me across the road to a coffee vendor. She kept me company and walked me back to the motorbike.

This guy was fixing cellphones. I do not know why he heated them over a coal fire. You know the expression “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan’ (A Boer finds a solution), well let me tell you the Malagasy are light years ahead in that area. They can fix anything with a piece of wire, cracked wood and a brown banana. I kid you not. Poverty, and not neccesity, seems to be the mother of invention.

The road to the north has recently been re-tarred. It is wonderful now. The 80-something stretch between Mampikony and Port Berge could take anything from 10 hours to a week or more if you got stuck in the mud. (No this is not a story. I know of a truck that took four months from Ambondromamy to Diego in the north. Mud, mud mud.)

Now there is only about 40km of bad road. And it was pretty muddy. I had only one aim: Don’t fall! And that made me forget about the camera. The mud was not deep mud, but as slippery as can be. You lose traction just like that. This picture does not do the mud justice, but believe me it was slippery!

You must always be on the look out for cattle. The zebu is actually a kind of water buffalo.

Rice is the staple food in Madagascar. Rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And rice cakes with you coffee as a snack. Most people grow rice.

Kids doing their best Ninja impressions. To impress me or scare me? You decide!

At the Hotely Aleloia I had some coffee. This is also where I noticed that I lost my 5L jerry can! It just fell of!

The bridge over the Sofia river is 800m long. Quite a long bridges, longest in Madagascar by far.

A while after crossing the bridge, I spotted this gecko! Poor guy probably got onto the bike in Ambondromamy.

In Befotaka I noticed my weird tan. I wore elbow guards all the way and not a jacket. And I forgot to put on sunscreen. Big mistake! Blisters!

Christmas Tree – Befotaka style

As I already mentioned, work at a theological seminary here in Madagascar. Once our students graduate after four years of study, they become pastors. Then they are sent to tine out of the way villages. Pastor Narisoa and his wife Voahangy, also a pastor live in Befotaka. IT seemed like a good idea to visit them, seeing that I will pass through Befotaka.

I celebrated Christmas with the Christians at FJKM Befotaka.

Malagasy Christians often use palm branches to signify a important feast

It is typical that everyone will greet the pastor and then form a line and greet one another after a church service. I like this practice.

There are always millions of kids in any church service. And they are amazingly quiet and well disciplined. But the adults are also much more lenient with them if they do make some noise.

The congregation gave me a gift for Christmas. IT was quite unexpected. The Malagasy people are gracious, kind and humble. They considered me to be an important visitor who should be honored, and therefore the gift. Although I appreciate their token of love, it is often very humbling. They go out of their way to make you welcome, honour you and help you. And all I did was drop by unannounced and uninvited.

This lady is one of the Christians in Befotaka. She does not live in the town itself but in one of the surrounding villages. She stopped by just to chat with the pastor. And as a farmer, she could not just leave the weeds growing in the pastors garden. So while talking she weeded the garden. It was such a natural act. I did not get the impression that she was trying to ’score’ something or impress. The weeds weren’t supposed to be there and she removed them. Her humility was refreshing.

I think that she is a recent convert. (I cant remember if it was her or one of the other women.) She was what we would call a witch doctor or sangoma. She used spiritual means to heal diseases. (In Madagascar there seems to be a link between sin and sickness.) She got ill and could not heal herself. Nor could others heal her. And western medicine had no effect. Out of desperation she went to the church where the pastor and other Christians prayed for her, and she was healed.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read how people burned their “medicine.” This still happens here when someone becomes a Christian.

They just could resist posing for the resident photographer.

The morning of the 26th I set of for Ankivy to cross over to Nosy Be.

The moment I arrived the “responsable” for the Zarga approached me and “forced” me to go with them. Initially they wanted 25 000Ar (approximately R125) for the crossing. I then negotiated this down to 20 000 Ar. The waiting and loading process took 2 – 2:30 hours. It was hot and humid. I was tired.

Then they told me, “Remove your bike. We cant fit it and 4 vehicles and the bike.”

Then we had a huge fight. I arrived first of all the vehicles. But seeing that they get 4 or 5 times more for a vehicle I don’t count. I really was upset with this guy. I realised all along that I’m fighting a losing battle and that they will not change their minds. So I demanded my money back. They promptly gave me the 20 000Ar back.

But then I got confused and told the guy that I paid 25 000Ar, he still owes me 5 000Ar. And he gave me the extra 5000Ar.

I truly and honestly made a mistake. But when I realised it later the afternoon I did feel a little better. I am the only guy in the world who got the better of the Transporters in Madagascar. They are very good at abusing your trust and taking advantage of you. I still smile when I think of it! (Hope my pastor doesn’t read this!

On the next ferry I found out that the correct price is 15 000Ar for a person with a bike.

Various modes of propulsion.

A tug towing a barge out to the deeper water were containers will be offloaded. The container ship cant come in to the shallow harbour.

This should be big enough for the rice for a family of four!

A chameleon

Some Malagasy snails. Big hungry bastards!

Sunsets

The Fig-tree Hotel

Beach party every Sunday afternoon

Prostitution is a massive problem in Nosy Be. I counted close to thirty “working girls” at this party. It is disgusting to see this bald, fat old (white) men with young girls.

Island

For sale!

Local Fisherman’s catch

Sign at the harbour

(I did not take many pictures on the trip back. But if you want to get a feeling for the trip back, I suggest you read this report from back to front.)

I wish you all a 2009 where we experience and recognise God in our lives in a way that will bring honour and glory to his Kingdom.

J

I’m back

How can I explain being back in Madagascar?
When I entered my house for the first tie after three months, it initially felt as if the paint on the walls were much darker than I remembered. Some other things seemed to be smaller or bigger than before.

But then I realized that it was me who has changed, and not the paint.

Somewhere in 2005 I went on a retreat at a beautiful Catholic centre in Ambositra. The centre is called Analabe, which means at the big forest.

Being surrounded by a huge pine-plantation it is a most apt name. And Father Andre, one of the priests who planted some of these trees 40 years ago is still working there.

In the tiny chapel there was a beautiful woodcarving that caught my attention.

A woman pounding rice in order to separate the rice from the husk with the words “Mitoto vary mahafotsy“

That roughly translates as: It is the pounding that cleans the rice.

Father Andre explained to me, that often God uses the knocks of life to purify us.

When I got home I commissioned a similar carving for myself.

Last night I “saw” it for the first time in ages. And I realized that during the last year I have fought God while he was trying to use the knocks of life to purify me. Instead of allowing Him to purify me I blamed him for many of these knocks.

(Just to be clear. Even though God is undoubtedly in control, everything that happens in our lives are not caused by him. If we claim that then we are negating free will in one brush stroke. Furthermore we are making Him the Author of every murder, rape, robbery and broken heart.)

So instead of allowing God to use somebody else’s lie, hurtful words etc. to purify my I blamed God. Not very missionary-like perhaps, but very human, nonetheless.

Now that I see that the changed occurred in me and that the paint has stayed the same, I am asking myself: How much would I not have changed if I embraced the pounding of life instead of blaming God.

Therefore I urge you to keep an eye on me so that I do not repeat this mistake!

I am sitting in my first English lecture of the year while I am typing this. The students are busy writing an assessment test. And the fact that I can sit here and type is a testimony to god’s goodness, grace and love.

He supplied me with a much needed laptop in spite of me.

Being back at the College is nice. Seeing the ‘Old Faces’ and meeting the ‘New Faces’ is good.

Ps. Julliette, our Acting Principal confirmed the need for a decent vegetable garden here at the College.

Allow me to sketch the background. The college is situated on a property of approximately 22 hectares. That means that we have a lot of unused land that can potentially be used for planting vegtables etc. However the College can not afford the water we need to do this. The College has a monthly budget of R5000 / £320 / $500 / €390 per month. From this the utility bills (electricity, water, phone), the salaries of the maintenance staff as well as incidentals must be payed.

This amount was last adjusted more than five years ago. The cost of electricity etc. have obviously increased quite a lot during the last five years. Electricity is approximately twice the price which one pays in South Africa.

She got quite excited when she spoke about the possible outcomes of such a garden. “No longer” she said, “will our students become ill because of the fact that they do not have enough to eat.”

Perhaps that sounds a bit far fetched to your ears, but, alas, it is accurate. Our students and their families as well as the staff employed by the college do often become ill because of their meagre diet.

Our plan and dream to address this problem is to have a borehole drilled and then equip it with a solar powered pump. This project will have quite an impact on the college as well as the community.

Here at the College the students and staff will be able to supplement their diet. This will mean that their bursary of R85 / £5.40 / $8.50 / € 6.60 per month will go a bit further. The salaries of the staff is also inadequate and this will help them as well.

Furthermore some jobs will be created. One, two or three gardeners will be employed. Moreover we can teach the students relevant methods for example drip irrigation which minimises the amount of water one needs. (More examples Malawi, Zimbabwe, India
)

Please pray with us that this project will be realized, and the sooner the better!

If you are interested in becoming involved please let me know.

Now it is time to mark the Assesment tests. I never like that bit! But at least I usually am priviledged to experience very innovative English, even if it is totally wrong!

God bless
J

Back from the Bush!

This very long post took me ages to compose and is about our (That is Ps Rodolphe and Jandre) first ’semi-official’ visit to some of our previous students, graduates, pastors.

Who did we visit?:

1. Ps. Wisca in Beforona.
2. Ps. Jery and Ps. Hanitra in Belavabary.
3. We could not get to Ps Eliza in Ankazondany. There appears to be transport only once a week!

(Incedentally, I know all four of from Mandritsara. In 2006 I stayed with Hanintra’s family to study Malagasy. Although Jery and Hanitra are both pastors they do not serve the same congregation. hanitra is in Belavabary, where they live. And Jery is in Antatatra, about 8km from there.)
The “Trip”
We arrived at the taxi-rank at 8:00 on the dot as we were warned the previous day not to be late.

And promptly at 10:30 we left. We adopted “Hurry up and wait” as our slogan and philosophical attitude to the travelling part of this trip. AndI am sure it will come in handy in the future.

The Tuesday when I went to book our places, I sent up a quick prayer asking the Lord to guide me to a good and trustworthy taxi. As we have seen, all taxis are equal, but some are more unequal than the rest. When Rodolphe saw that we were travelling with KOMPIMA, he remarked that they were known for being safe and trustworthy. The taxi was in a good condition. And our driver was very cautios.

Our driver’s father was murdered on the 26th of June by a friend. Rodolphe and he had a long discussion and I believe that he was strengthened.

After a late lunch (rice and (beef) tongue) we arrived in Beforona just before 16:00. Beforona = Be (big/many) + miforona (to create). The name refers to the many excuses (lies) parents created to prevent their children being taken as slaves.

The town is small, but we still managed to find Wisca’s house after getting lost.

Wisca recounts some of his expierences as the FJKM Beforona pastor.

The next morning we had breakfast (rice) at a small hotely. (A ‘hotely’ is not a hotel. It is a small restaurant that serves Malagasy food.)

We were back in Moramanga by 9:30. We were unsure as to the transport between Moramanga and Belavabary. At the Taxi-rank we found out that there are two busses everyday. The first was already full. And the second was broken down. That meant we had to employ Plan B.

Plan B involved taking another taxi to as close as possible to Belavabary and then walk the rest. The rest turned out to be 10 km.

We met this man and his daughter about two kilometers out of Belavabary. They dismounted from there bicycle and walked the rest with us, making sure that we didn’t get lost. They still had 40km to go. I am sure that that little girl would have outwalked me by a mile.

Hanita and Jery were also really surprised to see us. And just like Wisca they went out of there way to be hospitable.

Hanitra and Jery’s little girl praying. She was the sweetest little thing.

Random observations

Once again I must praise God for providing Ps Rodolphe as a partner. He has the wonderful ability to be able to strike up a conversation with anybody. I believe that we will become very good friends.

The commitment exhibited by Jery and Hanitra, as well as Wisca and his wife were examplary and challenged me and Rodolphe. Jery repeatedly that they are servants in the Lord’s vineyard and not hirelings out to make a quick buck. Wisca told us about the times when they had no food (food: rice) in the house, but,Thankfully he said, there were bananas on our trees. (With thankfully implying that God put them there.)

This theme of God’s providence was continued throughout. Wisca’s eyes are open to see God’s hands. But then they are having a difficult time. Apart from the fact that the Beforona congregation is pretty poor, there are also various undercurrents within the congregation. For example when Wisca and his family arrived in Beforona, the chrch-elders never came to welcome them.

Rodolphe testified that he experienced God’s provision in the fact that all our hosts were there. We could not get a hold of any of them to warn them before hand.

Ps Hanitra expressed here desire to organise some form of evangelistic outreach in there area. But before I continue talking about Outreaches, I have to sketch some back ground. According to statistics 42% of all Malagasy are Christian. In actual fact it means that 42% attend church (regularly). In general the church-goers practice a form of syncretism. What is syncretism? It is when one takes part of different, often contradictory religions, and put them together to make a new religion. One of our previous students claimed that up to 80% of the attendants at a local FJKM still practice famadihana. This is a short general description and all facts are not necessarily accurate. Famadihana, from the word mamadika is a religious cermony were the bones from an ancestor is removed from the ancestral tomb and wrapped in new funerary clothes. This is to ensure a good relationship with the ancestors and to ensure there continued blessing.Watch this short video of a famadihana. Music, drinking etc. all makes for a great famadihana.

In Belavabary, according to Hanitra, it is forbidden by traditional religious precepts it is forbidden to work on a Monday and Thursday. If one were to work you have to pay a substantial fine. Even Christians are forced to pay this fine. The strong focus on social unity brought about by the culture makes it very difficult to defy the commuity. And this is something very difficult for Westerners to understand, because of our individualistic culture. One might say, There is no “I” in Madagascar.

The first, and sometimes overlooked question, is, Does God want us to get involved with Jery and Hanitra?

Secondly: How? It is easy to get hundreds of ‘apparent’ commitments to Christ. How? Use a clever trick that is disguised as a progressive missionary technique. For example get a white guy like me to preach. Or show a fil about Jesus.

Now, please allow me to explain. According to the 1993 Census there were only 015% of the people living in Madagascar were foreign residents, i.e.e foregners, French, British, Chinese etc. There is no doubt that the number has significantly increased over the last 15 years. But even if you multiply i by five, you still only have ).75%. This implies that in the rural areas you have very small chance of seeing foreigners. When I visited Frederic, a mere 50km from the countries only international airport, I was the first white visitor in close to 25 years, a quarter century that is!

Belavabary does not electricity. And virtually no-one owns a television or a generator. So, to organise an outreach were one shows somekind of movie will cause a massive reaction amongst the population. Someone told me about an outreach they held somewhere in rural Mocambique. The people got really excited somewhere in the movie, and the organisers were so excited about there apparent success. But then they realised that what caused the excitement was not salvation, but the camels! Just for the record. I am not against the Jesus movie. I am just trying to illustrate how things can have a different than intended result.

The point that I am trying to make is that people will come from far and wide to experience something new and different. And because of the cultural desire to please they will all raise there hands if asked: Raise your hand if you want to accept Jesus. There were also some missionaries who went to a very isolated village by helicopter and told the people about Jesus who from heaven….

I apologise for tha massive detour, but I feel that it is important to take these things into consideration when it comes to answering the question: How? How does one facilitate a culturally sensitive and relevant outreach? I am still struggling with this question. But I have realised that those “doing” the outreach will have to experience revival in their lives first.

What did we learn?

• Wisca’s humility

– As the pastor of the FJKM Beforona, Wisca is entitled to certain things in return. Money, rice, books, medical cover etc. all make up a pre-determined package. Yet the congregation does not honour this arrangement. Yet, instead of insisting on these things, Wisca is willing to let it go for the sake of relationships.

• God is faithful

– Rodolphe and me, as well as our graduates experienced God’s leading and provision, love and goodness.

• Revival

– Personal as well as corporate revival is desperately needed. I know it is true in my life.

• Information

– Our hosts need information that is readily available here in Tana. How to register a piece of land. How does one rasie pigs etc. We want to examine how we can help them meet their needs.

• A burden shared is a burden halve

– Our host really apppreciated the opportunity to share their cares with (objective) outsiders. Rodolphe’s relaxed manner helped them to open up.

There are still so many things that I want to share but this email is approaching “Very Long.”

Thank you for your prayers. I can not make my excitement about this program adequately clear. This program, under God’s guidance obviously has immense potential. Even to the extent that the FJKM can be changed says Rodolphe. Please here from our Father on whether you are to play a part in making kingdom history in Madagascar.

Blessings

J <

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What is behind that Bush(pastor)?

Somewhere I read that the missionaries of the olden days, would when they packed their stuff, often use their coffin as an extra suitcase. Now use in sending it over empty, is there. And then I would always shake my head with amazement at their commitment. Or you would read a book like Bruchko or Peace Child and you would be filled with appreciation on how much these people sacrificed to live in the bush like they did.

And when we speak of bush here, it is usually real wild places. Ask William Carey whos one son, Felix died or dysentry. This was the final straw, and his wife had a mental breakdown. Yes the wife of a missionary became crazy because of the stresses and strains of living somewhere in the bush.

My point being that we/I often romanticisize living in the bush serving God. Somehow we think these people are immune to malaria. They don’t get jiggers and there fingers or toes will never be lost because of these pests. They wont feel the heat, or get as tired as normal people when they walk 87km from there village to the road.

But, let me tell you from my own personal experience, living in the bush is not easy or fun. To be quite honest, often it is a great struggle. Now, not for a moment am I denying that God helps us and enables us. Not for one second am I saying that He drops you and wait for you to come and visit him in his airconditioned office. No, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, sweats with you, shares in your stomach cramps when you getsome form of diarrhoea for the seveteenth time in 3 months. He experiences the shakes, chills and headache when you have malaria.

Yet, God’s presence in our lives and work is not somekind panacea that soothes away all that is difficult.

So what I am saying is this: To live in the bush is not easy. It is hard. It is dangerous. It is not comfortable.

So, please spare a thought for our students like Seheno, Martin, Glauco etc. who are now serving God in places that do not make the Top Ten Travel Destinations list. Seheno lives and works in Andolofotsy It is a smallish village without electricity. If it just pretends to rain the road is impassable. They do have cellphone reception, but this is an accident. A tower on a nearby hill just happens to reach parts of the town.

Seheno is a city girl. She was born in Tana and grew up here. But now she faithfully serves God in Andolofotsy.

Seheno at the pulpit

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Seheno. It was unplanned, and I “accidentally” realized that she is just around the corner when I went to Ampefy. I wish you could see her smile when I arrived there! She has been stationed in Andolofotsy for just over six months, and I was her first visitor. Her husband and two daughters were in Tana. The one girl fell and broke her leg, about three months ago. Dad took her to the doctor, only 200 kilometers from there, or about six hours by road.

What really struck me is how happy she was to see me. She smiled all the time, and repeatedly told me how glad she is that I came to visit here. I was, it turns out, her first and only visitor in the six months that she has bee working there.

She had the opportunity to tel me about all those little things. Like, the previous pastor, who is now retired, but still keeps on meddling and in so doing is busy to polarise the congregation.

Unfortunately, I could not solve this problem, but it just confirmed something in my heart.

For a long time now, I have had this desire in my heart to visit our students after they graduate. We have graduates all over the country. In nice places and in horrible places. Martin and Ando, for example are situated in Ankarongana. It is 90km from the nearest “real” town. However many of the Tsimihety people from that town have never visited Befandriana-North. This is like a 75 year old inhabitant of Pretoria who has never been to Johannesburg!

These students are often posted to very remote places without adequate medical services. Martin tell about children and adults who lose fingers and toes because of sand fleas!

Also spare a thought for the children of these Bush Pastors. Often the local schools are pathetic, to say the least. What can they do to help their children. Furthermore, these rural churches often do not take care of their pastor. The pastors often do not receive their salary for months on end. And if they do receive it, it is usually less than $20 a month! Lova’s wife Perle, does sewing work to supplement their income

Seheno and some of the parish kids

A few weeks ago I told Pastor Rodolphe, one of our teachers about my dream. He looked at me and said: “It seems that the Holy Spirit has been working”. We have been praying together, seeing that the Holy Spirit created the same desire in our hearts. We hope to embark on our first trip in July. We will be going to Ambovombe, in the south of Madagascar. (Here you can read about the famine in the Ambovombe region.)

Currently this whole area is experiencing a huge socia upheaval. A new mining development is taking place. The easy money attracts a lot of people to the mines. Read here about the situation and here about the resultant prostitution.

Currently there are three of our graduates working around Ambovombe.

Why do we want to travel some of the worst roads in the country, roads that leave the Camel Trophy Adventurers amazed, to go and see these people?

We would like to:

• Encourage them spiritually and emotionally

• To see the way they live? What is available locally? What do they need? What are the most common problems they face?

• How do they apply they knowledge they gained? Is our training sufficient? Should we adapt the course?

Rodolphe and I both realise that this will be a long and often difficult process of building relationships.

We want to invite you to participate in this program, by

• Praying for us

• but also remember that we will need moeny to travel, etc.

And by inviting you to put your money where my mouth is, I am saying that I belive that this program is sanctioned by God.

Please pray about joining us in this endeavour.

God bless
Jandre

Andolofotsy

Changing the World one Ship at a time

As kids we all dream about being super-heroes, at one time or another. I remember swallowing Getafix’s potion and then like Asterix wacking Keith, the bully into submission. Or donning my Superman underpants, I get things done my way. Or as Sam Casey, the Invisible Man I get to eaves drop unnocitced and then use the info to my advantage.

Sometimes I wanted to be Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man, so that I could singlehandedly beat the opposing team Saturday after Saturday, and thus being the hero and get all the girls.

When you get older, your dreams often get a little bit less self-centered. You want to save the world. (Be the hero, get the girls, money etc.)

The point is that we all have these crazy dreams where we immoratlise ourselves. We want to be Heros!

Sadly, for most of us the opportunity never appears. We never get to save a drowning person, or rescue people from a burning building. We have to be satisfied with tiny things, like rescuing your Trivial Pursuit team for a third straight loss by knowing that “B.F.G” stands for “Big Friendly Giant” a book by Roald Dahl.

And it gets to us. We believe that we are small and insignificant. I am not Bono, Ban Ki-moon of the UN, or even Vernon Koekemoer! What can I do?

Even if your friends and/or co-workers joined hands with us, we will still find excuses. “Uh, you know Jandré, the people who work with me don’t even have Matric!” “My Co-workers don’t go to Church!” “Join hands? We do not even like each other.”

It seems, that those with power, often get drunk on it and do the opposite of what our hero-self wants to get done. So the big guys get away with it, and the small guys pay for it.

Yet this week there was a story in the news of a group of small guys who changed history. I bet you many of them didn’t finish school, some won’t be able to read or write. Perhaps they do not even go to church. Yet they were in the headlines all over the world! CNN, BBC, FOX and maybe even here in Madagascar.

Who are these heroes, you ask? What did they do?

They are the men who refused to unload the Chinese weapons destined for Zimbabwe! They are the men who said: No! And now the Chinese ship has left port without the weapons being unloaded.

And it made me realise, that I might be, in the eyes of the world, a small, insignificant and powerless person, but I can do something. You can do something.! We can do something.

I can make a difference in Madagascar. You can make a difference at home, at work, in your town, country or world.

What did Paul say again? “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

So let me reiterate my point. Like the Durban Dockworkers we can change history. As Christians we are destined to change history. Yet we forget it! We get overwhelmed by reality and forget about Him who is in us. The One who is bigger than the world!

The Message renders Phillipians 4:13 as “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Remembering this will protect us from arrogance and hopelessness. We can not be arrogant because it is not us, but Him who is in us, that is changing the world, albeit using our hands. We can not be despondent because it is He who is doing the work!

Where are you making a difference?

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”