Today was the day I was scheduled to fly to Uganda, however, earlier this week I had made a decision to postpone my flight until later in May. The reason being that the sale of my house was delayed and I didn’t want to leave until I felt more comfortable with the sale process. I have been feeling disappointed that I have to wait another month and wondering if I had made the right decision, but I knew that I wanted to leave with my mind more at peace and not feeling like I was leaving with too many loose ends undone for my family.
Well, it appears I made a good decision as my flight tonight would have been delayed anyways. Due to political unrest and demonstrations in Uganda these past couple of weeks, Every Child Ministries has asked myself and one other long term missionary scheduled to fly Uganda tonight, to wait until after the presidential inauguration on May 12. When you have demonstrators in Kampala it makes it very difficult to maneuver through the city and highways tend to be blocked and this would make it difficult to travel north up to Gulu. After the inauguration, things should quiet down.
At this time I’m rescheduled to fly out on May 29.
Today, the violence in Uganda escalated with many people injured and two people lost their life. Below, is a current news report describing the situation.
At this time I’d like to ask if you could pray for Uganda and for the safety and comfort of ECM staff and missionaries currently in Uganda. These demonstrations are making it very difficult to travel through-out Uganda.
Riots Erupt in Uganda After Brutal Arrest, At Least 2 Dead
Published April 29, 2011 | Associated Press
Army troops and police fired live bullets at rioting demonstrators in downtown Kampala on Friday, the first time the Uganda’s growing protest movement had reached the country’s capital. Red Cross officials said at least two people were killed and 120 wounded.
Riotors burned tires in downtown streets as security forces fired tear gas and guns, and a Red Cross spokeswoman said 15 of the wounded and been hit by live bullets. Battles between protesters and police were also reported elsewhere around the country, including at Kasangati, just outside the capital, where the country’s top opposition leader lives. The protests are the first serious demonstrations in sub-Saharan Africa since a wave of anti-government protests swept leaders in Tunisia and Egypt out of power. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has vowed repeatedly that his government will not be taken down by protests.
You can read the rest of the story at Foxnews.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/04/29/riots-erupt-uganda-brutal-arrest-1-dead/?test=latestnews
Nancy, I’ve been praying for you the past few days–I was thinking April 26 was your departure date, but perhaps that was the date your house sale was to finalize. Anyway, thanks for letting us know of your reschedule date of arrival. God orchestrated your delay and it’s easy to see how He was protecting you from the turmoil in Uganda. He does things like that, doesn’t He?!
I started a new blog, Spiritual Memoirs 101, based on verses like Deut. 4:9 that tell us to always remember what we’ve seen God do for us, and to be sure to tell our children and grandchildren. Your blog post today reminds me of the way God does involve Himself in our lives, our schedules, the timing of house sales, travel to Africa, etc. He is so good!
Bless you, Nancy, and I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Linda