9 March 2002

Prayer Update for Madagascar

Dear Friends,

Madagascar’s political crisis continues to dominate everyday life here. For over two months now we have been witnessing democracy put into action by hundreds of thousands of brave and determined Malagasy citizens who have taken to the streets in nonviolent demonstrations to express their support for truth and justice.

Fortunately, the efforts of the military under Ratsiraka’s command to break barricades and cause trouble this past Sunday, March 3, were limited, and no one was hurt.

A most amazing process occurred this past week: the installation of President Ravalomanana’s new ministers in their office buildings. Each time, the process began with prayers and speeches at 13 May Plaza in downtown Antananarivo. Afterwards, the peaceful crowd of over 100,000 escorted the new ministers to their offices. The whole procession was led by "Mpiandry" or "Shepherds" in the revival movement of the FJKM and Lutheran churches. The marching crowd sang hymns. Upon reaching each ministry, the Mpiandry led the crowd in prayer and singing. The Mpiandry then exorcized the evil that had been conducted in the offices and dedicated them to a new just use. After this ceremony, the new minister entered the office building. This scene was repeated 16 times, culminating with the installation of the minister of defense on Friday.

On the first days it was not known what the military would do, as Ratsiraka had declared martial law in the capital city. Although martial law is unconstitutional, it was not clear if military personnel would shoot on or disperse the crowd. Thus the "Mpiandry" and citizens faced the possibility of being shot or attacked by the military.

The peacefulness of this whole process has been an answer to many prayers and a credit to the military who stood aside as the crowd arrived and the new ministers took their offices.

Ordinary citizens continue to stand guard 24 hours a day around President Ravalomanana’s house, the radio stations, the central bank and the president’s palace. At night, there are road blocks throughout the capital city (Antananarivo) set up and manned by unarmed community members to keep trouble-makers from burning or vandalizing church and community property. There have been guns, grenades and Molotov cocktails found on people going to the presidential palace and the president’s residence.

The governors have illegally declared Tamatave as the new capital. There is a blockade from Tamatave that keeps fuel from reaching Antananarivo. Although unconstitutional, the State of Necessity announced February 22 is being applied in the provinces. People are being kept from meeting in many places, news is controlled, and violence is occurring. A bank president was murdered up north at Nosy Be and many of Merina descent have fled the north in fear of their lives as Ratsiraka’s forces continue to harass and terrorize. Churches have been threatened with arson; pastors continue to be targets of violence.

Prayer praises and requests

• Thanksgiving that there was no violence as the new ministers were put into their offices by crowds of peaceful praying citizens from March 3-8.
• Thanksgiving that much of the military is now with President Ravalomanana’s government.
• Thanksgiving for the revival that is spreading throughout the country as people turn to the Lord in prayer to save their nation.
• Pray that this turns to mature faith.
• Pray that the remaining armed forces with Ratsiraka do not cause trouble and harm the people.
• Pray that the tribal hatred and terrorism that Ratsiraka is promoting in the provinces be stopped.
• Pray that international governments and communities would begin to speak out against Ratsiraka’s unconstitutional acts and repression of the Malagasy people.
• Pray that the United States and other members of the international community recognize Madagascar’s new government quickly.
• Pray for pastors and churches that have been threatened with violence.
• Pray that the Lord strengthen the Malagasy people as they continue to sacrifice in their quest for a true and just society as their new government is not officially recognized and is being attacked on many fronts by those loyal to Ratsiraka (i.e. terrorism, economic blockade of the capital city, and incitement to racial hatred).

Peace in Christ,

Elizabeth & Dan Turk

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 41