The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not intend to evacuate any of its missionaries from Madagascar as a result of the political unrest continuing to occur in the country. They will be allowed to continue their work with a few precautions.
Church spokesman Scott Trotter said all missionaries are safe and accounted for and are following the precautions of returning to their living quarters by dark and avoiding the downtown area of the capital city of Antananarivo, the site of the recent demonstrations and police action. There have been no reports of the authorities interfering with the missionaries.
After several months of turmoil, Madagascar's elected president Marc Ravalomanana resigned his office under pressure on March 17th, 2009, and the military replaced him with a 34-year-old disk jockey, Andry Rajoelina, despite the fact that the country's constitution requires its President to be at least 40. The United States, the European Union, and the African Union consider the change of government to be a coup, and are refusing to recognize the new government. Non-humanitarian aid has been cut off, and the U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings to Madagascar and an order for all nonessential embassy personal to leave.
In case you're curious as to how Madagascar's political troubles came about, here's a YouTube video of a news report providing some background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrMp4fiJl0o
Additional news stories by the BBC and the Christian Science Monitor.
Hi, jack-mormon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking time to stop by my blog and leave a courteous comment. I always appreciate report with LDS. :)
I am suprised the LDS church is leaving the LDS missionaries in Madagascar as they typically avoid leaving elders in nations that are "risky".
When I served my mission in Argentina, we were told to stay in our apartments a few times when things got politcally 'hot'.
I wanted to pass on a website for your info and reading, if you wish to read about the persecution that believers are expierencing because of their love for Jesus.
www.persecutedchurch.org
Voice of the Martyrs sends out a weekly email, with prayer requests on how we can be praying for brothers & sisters in Christ who are suffering for His name.
My life has been changed since I found out how many souls are suffering as a result of their Christian faith.
Yours will be too, I am sure.
God bless,
Gloria