From Rev. Kevin A. Ogilvie:

The country of Madagascar is in political turmoil because of a disputed election.  Despite the fact that a majority voted for the challenger, the incumbent called for a runoff election, but the challenger declared himself president.  The following is excerpted from a letter from our Mission Administrator discussing the current political unrest in Madagascar.  

“When the rest of this demonstration turned violent with both sides clashing, a group of "Shepherds" (basically exorcist/evangelists in the protestant churches' revival movements) walked into the middle of the fray in their vestments.  Fearlessly, with tears streaming from their eyes, their hands clutching their Bibles outstretched above their heads, they shouted for the demons to leave and for the Name of Jesus to be sole victor.  No one touched them and the shepherds gave no ground.  Behind them nuns from the Catholic Church sang hymns and prayed.  This was all captured on videotape and even played on French national television as well as stations here!

The matter is serious, make no mistake.  It could get much worse and people are nervous.  I personally have never seen anything like this.  The pro-new government people have been remarkably peaceful given their incredible numbers.  No military or police presence at all. They are self-policing.  A carnival atmosphere generally prevails.  These are people who have discovered their voice through the power of the ballot.  They are exercising their Christian faith, by and large, for it is their faith that has taught them the value of their own voices and the dignity of their lives.  When the "new" president was inaugurated, it has been reported that many people carried two flags to wave in the streets:  the national flag of Madagascar which, like Americans, they prize highly and the American flag whose model of democracy they wish to emulate.  I hope we are worthy of that.”

Rev. Kevin A. Ogilvie
Administrator
Missionaries of the ELCA in Madagascar