Stopping the Cattle Thieves

This is not the first time I have written of the "Legend of Manda" and I doubt it will be the last. Manda's testimony is something you could read about in a book or watch in a film. Though, a gory movie it would make! Long before we ever came to work among the Mahafaly people, Manda was famous throughout the land as a strong warrior, brave and without mercy. Cattle thieves throughout the land feared this man. Man turned into legend, as stories such as bullets bouncing off his chest spread. And while many stories were just fables, over the years his reputation grew as a dangerous man with an eye for vengeance.

We met Manda during one of our first encounters with the Mahafaly people. Despite his suspicious and hostile temperament, he accepted us into his village. Over the next year, we would build a relationship with this legend. A relationship that would grow into trust. And trust that would grow into a deep friendship. This friendship provided an opportunity for us to share God's amazing story of love and reconciliation. Manda, along with many others from his village, accepted this life changing message of truth and began a journey that would not only transform their lives and their community, but the whole region of Southwest Madagascar. 

As Manda grew in his faith and in his understanding of the one true God, a miraculous transformation took place within him. He no longer sought vengeance and violence, but instead peace and forgiveness. Before coming to Christ, he was famous for being the "bringer of pain" - but now he had become the bringer of peace. Manda traveled throughout villages, sharing his testimony and helping other village's adopt ways of responding and making decisions in a way that would honor God. And over time, Manda's testimony of life change spread throughout the region.

As long as we have lived in southwest Madagascar, cattle thieves have been a rampant problem. For many years Grant returned from each bush trip with stories of cattle thieves rampaging villages, kidnapping children, and massacring those who defied them. We even watched as one of the villages we ministered in would escape to the forest each night to hide from the cattle thieves, leaving all they had behind - hoping they wouldn't come for them. In turn, whole villages of men would hunt down these thieves, usually ending with a gun fight and many lives lost. As we prayed and strategized as a mission team about how to address this problem - we always felt at a loss. We talked about the role of the government, corruption, and poverty. So many things that felt beyond our power, expertise, or control. The problem just felt too big for us. But it wasn't too big for God.

As Manda's testimony and influence continued to spread, so did his dream of seeing peace and justice spread throughout the Mahafaly region. Manda began meeting with leaders of villages throughout the territory to discuss a different way of justice. Over time, this new form of justice would be called the Dina Be ("big law"). The foundation of this law would seek justice, peace, and restoration over vengeance and unaccountable retribution. 

If someone is found guilty of stealing, a Dina Be is called, where leaders representing about ten villages bring the accusation against the person/family/village. After meeting at length about the problem, the guilty are then responsible for a pre-set payment. The fine is in accordance with the crime committed (for example, for each cow stolen - four cows must be repaid). These village wide meetings have brought communication and accountability to an often cyclical problem. As the leaders have come forward united, communities region-wide have shifted their worldview of justice, accountability, and working together. Problems are addressed quickly and with fairness, and the need for retribution against other villages has dissipated. 

Five years ago, you would have never driven at night and seen people walking alongside the road. But now, well after dark, children skip along under the moonlight without fear of being attacked. Towns are safer than they have ever felt, as a sense of peace has taken hold of the people. The Dina Be has spread further and further throughout the region, and all because of how God transformed one man's life. God's power is so much greater than we can fathom.