Political Problems and Wedding Bells
Manahoana Ianao? Malagasy for how are you! Well, we have finished our first month of Malagasy and I couldn't be more surprised. We have learned so much and are actually able to communicate a little, given we do sound like 2 year olds and get more than our fair share of confused faces and giggles. One day during class we were asking our teacher,Andry, questions. While I meant to say, "Did you talk to your wife last night?" instead I said, " Did you talk to your butt last night?" The two words are spelled the same-just pronounced with different emphasis on different letters. Andry found it very amusing. Despite our daily frustrations and mishaps I am so pleased with how far we have come!
Well, the last week has been absolutely crazy here. In December the president ordered the shut down of the mayor's TV stations. The mayor of the capital, who is from the opposing party, was using the station as a political forum against the president. Since that time he has been looking for an opportunity for revenge. On Monday of this week he got his opportunity. He assembled a rally against the president in downtown, Tana. Tens of thousands of Malagasy people came. A riot soon began and the mob became frenzied. They went to the president owned grocery sotre and radio station, looted and burned them. Many people lost their lives as lootings and burnings spread through the whole city. Missionaries were told to remain at home while our families were notified by our regional associate. As of now our lives have not been threatened in any way. The riots spread throughout Madagascar and even our hometown of Antsirabe's downtown lit the skies with fire. Despite all of this life has pretty much continued on as before. We now have police guarding the streets, which makes things feel a little bit safer here. Tomorrow will be a good test of how peace talks between the president and mayor are coming. The mayor is holding another rally in Tana. we pray for peace during this time. It seems as though many of the Malagasy are fearful. One of the most challenging parts of this situation is that we have lost our grocery store in town. We don't know how long it will be before we will be able to get many necessities again. We will spend the next few months trying to learn how to live without many things. While, I am not fearful of the months ahead I am nervous about the learning experience God has given us.
Aside from all of the sadness around us this week, God has shone joy among us with our friend, Christ, and nanny, Tina. They will be getting married tomorrow. Today we were able to be a part of the fomba. This fomba is a Malagasy custom that leads to the official engagement of the two lovers. The man takes his family to the woman's house wehre her family awaits. The woman is hid in one of the bedrooms in the house. One of the man's family members delivers a long speech to the bride to be's family. They ask lots of questions and the man gives all of the men of the woman's family money in envelopes. This part can last many hours, fortunately today's only lasted one hour! After this the family allows the man to go into the house and search for the lady. when he finds her he brings her out and everyone celebrates with food. I really like the custom. Maybe we should do something like that in America! Make the man work for his lady! : )
Well, the last week has been absolutely crazy here. In December the president ordered the shut down of the mayor's TV stations. The mayor of the capital, who is from the opposing party, was using the station as a political forum against the president. Since that time he has been looking for an opportunity for revenge. On Monday of this week he got his opportunity. He assembled a rally against the president in downtown, Tana. Tens of thousands of Malagasy people came. A riot soon began and the mob became frenzied. They went to the president owned grocery sotre and radio station, looted and burned them. Many people lost their lives as lootings and burnings spread through the whole city. Missionaries were told to remain at home while our families were notified by our regional associate. As of now our lives have not been threatened in any way. The riots spread throughout Madagascar and even our hometown of Antsirabe's downtown lit the skies with fire. Despite all of this life has pretty much continued on as before. We now have police guarding the streets, which makes things feel a little bit safer here. Tomorrow will be a good test of how peace talks between the president and mayor are coming. The mayor is holding another rally in Tana. we pray for peace during this time. It seems as though many of the Malagasy are fearful. One of the most challenging parts of this situation is that we have lost our grocery store in town. We don't know how long it will be before we will be able to get many necessities again. We will spend the next few months trying to learn how to live without many things. While, I am not fearful of the months ahead I am nervous about the learning experience God has given us.
Aside from all of the sadness around us this week, God has shone joy among us with our friend, Christ, and nanny, Tina. They will be getting married tomorrow. Today we were able to be a part of the fomba. This fomba is a Malagasy custom that leads to the official engagement of the two lovers. The man takes his family to the woman's house wehre her family awaits. The woman is hid in one of the bedrooms in the house. One of the man's family members delivers a long speech to the bride to be's family. They ask lots of questions and the man gives all of the men of the woman's family money in envelopes. This part can last many hours, fortunately today's only lasted one hour! After this the family allows the man to go into the house and search for the lady. when he finds her he brings her out and everyone celebrates with food. I really like the custom. Maybe we should do something like that in America! Make the man work for his lady! : )
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