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LHM
Staff Member Gives Eye-witness Account of Madagascar Unrest
By
Noel
Hwande
Mar.
18— TANA, Madagascar:
Last month, the
International Weekly
reported on the volatile political situation that was
developing in Madagascar, and that the Lutheran Hour
Ministries staff were asking for prayers. This week, as news
media around the world was reporting that things in
Madagascar were taking a turn for the worst, we received an
eye witness account of the situation from a staff member at
LHM-Madagascar. Here is what he wrote:
I personally have experienced all political events/unrest
that marked out the political life of our country (in 1972,
in 1991, in 2002), but I never saw any events as tragic as
those we currently see every day; that show how much man can
be fundamentally bad. It's so easy for some political
leaders to manipulate a crowd, and to drag it along into
unimaginable acts.
This atmosphere of violence, I would say mixed with
terrorism has been our daily share for several weeks
now. However, thanks to the Lord Jesus, He is with
us always, as He promised, until the end of the age. For a
few days, I am obliged to let staff leave office earlier in
the afternoon. To be honest, we feel threat to our safety.
Yesterday evening, by seven o'clock, while I was on my way
home, some military rebels, equipped with rifles and two
tanks, took possession of one of the President palace, right
in the heart of the city. I had to hurry home. I stayed
awake late into the night, waiting for what might occur. I
went to bed at 2:00 this morning. Today, the opposition
supporters and mutineers planned to march against the second
President palace, located 10 km south Antananarivo, in order
to force the President to leave office. Right now, the city
is quite calm but I'm sure nothing good will come of it.
However, we pray to God they won't continue on. A lot of
President Ravalomanana's supporters have been there since
Sunday, practically day and night, and offering themselves
as human shields at the palace gates. I guess tonight will
be a crucial night.
Fortunately, a great number of Christians are aware of the
gravity of the situation and keep on praying. That gives us
more hope that our God, our Savior, in whom we have
confidence is always there. He won't let our country sink in
such a horror. It is our faith.
Thank you for your prayers that strengthen our faith in
Jesus, our Lord.
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Pray for
Madagascar
By
Noel
Hwande
Feb. 11— TANA,
Madagascar:
Lutheran Hour
Ministries (LHM) staff in Madagascar are asking for prayers
as an unstable political situation is poised to turn into
widespread civil unrest. The threat of violence has caused
LHM-Madagascar to postpone or cancel some ministry events in
the Madagascar capital of Antananarivo.
Since the end of January, there have been political
demonstrations in opposition to the current President, Marc
Ravalomanana. The opposition is headed by the 34-year-old
mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, who accuses the
President of being a dictator - suppressing and starving his
people.
Over the weekend demonstrations grew violent and resulted in
the shooting deaths of at least 28 protestors, as they
marched towards the presidential palace. The situation
remains tense as the political stand-off continues.
"We ask God, that He intervenes and saves our country from
the present situation," said Jaona Andrianasolo, the
director for LHM-Madagascar.
LHM-Madagascar was established in 2000. LHM's local staff
and volunteers reach out with the Gospel message using
public performances, music concerts and Bible
Correspondence Courses (BCC). The ministry also
translates the BCC lessons and topical booklets from
the official language of French into the local Malagasy
language to reach more people.
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