Monday, April 14, 2008

Maputo

Well it has been a long time since I have written on the blog. But, last month I was able to take my home leave and spend some great time with friends and family. Now I am back, from the time I have written a lot has changed at the office. We have hired some actual staff and are starting to actually function. The registration process for us is long but hopefully by God's grace we will be registered by June. The biggest issue right is the current election crisis and the uncertainty of what will happen next. But we press forward.

Me with some of the nieces and nephews:




However, because of the uncertainty there, my office decided it was best I leave for this month. So now I am in Maputo, Mozambique visiting the Samaritan's Purse office there. I have wanted to do this for a while, although the timing is a bit difficult. I can't say too much on this public site but I can say that Zimbabwe needs our prayers during this time. SP Moz is doing some great work in the area of HIV/AIDS, food relief, livelihoods and water/sanitation. They have been great hosts to me here.

Here are some fisherman on the beach in Moz:

Sunday, February 24, 2008

To let you know

I did get an update from Sudan and all of our staff are fine. But please continue to hold up this fragile place in your prayers.

As for me, things are moving along fine down here just trying to get everything set up, get us registered and find good staff. I would continue to appreciate your prayers:

-Wisdom as I hire staff
-For the registration process
-For employment permits for me and another staff member
-Safety during this next month of elections
-And again wisdom as we try to find our niche

Friday, February 8, 2008

Urgent Prayer: South Sudan

Please be in prayer for the Christians and for SP staff in this area. I am not sure of the current developments but SP does work here and I know some of the staff there. It is not to far from the main base in Yei.



Uganda rebel attack in Sudan displaces hundreds

Wednesday 6 February 2008 04:30.

February 5, 2008 (JUBA) — More than 300 people have been displaced by an attack near Sudan’s border with Uganda in which dozens were abducted, the top U.N. official in southern Sudan said Tuesday.

David Gressly told journalists 40 people were kidnapped in the Jan. 30 attack in Kajo Keji in Central Equatoria State, less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the border.

Four members of south Sudan security forces were also killed in the attack, with reinforcements dispatched to the isolated region, southern officials said.

"There is an ongoing looting in the area," Gressly said, adding that some of those abducted had been released but that fear had kept those displaced people from going home.

Local government officials suspect Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels were behind the attack, with the state parliament speaker on Monday calling for the suspension of Sudan-hosted Ugandan peace talks over the attack.

The attack happened on the same day the Ugandan government and LRA rebels agreed to extend a ceasefire for one month, paving the way for the resumption of stalled peace talks in the southern capital Juba.

Central Equatoria parliament speaker Zamba Duku said the attackers were believed to be LRA because there are no other military groups in the area.

The leader of the LRA delegation to the peace talks, David Matsanga, last week said the rebels were not responsible as they were 500 kilometres (310 miles) away from the area that was attacked.

"We are not sure that the attack was by the LRA," Gressly said.

Asked if the U.N. had any leads as to what could be unfolding, Gressly said: "Frankly, we don’t understand what’s happening."

Thursday, January 31, 2008

A few photos

Zimbabwe country side on the road to Mutare.



Drove out to Mutare the other day. This is most likely where we will be doing our projects. This is a beautiful country.




Here our my teammates: Shadrack (left) and Brighton overlooking Mutare

Thursday, January 24, 2008

First Days

Well I just wanted to give you a quick update.

Things have been going very well here, very hectic but good. We have found a compound and are starting to set things up. I don't have a lot to say and no pictures yet but thank you all for your prayers. There are lots of things we can work on here and I believe the Lord is opening those doors.

Here are two more articles on Zim:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7203303.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7204350.stm

We have been without power and water for quite sometime now but we are figuring things out.

More later

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Life in Zimbabwe

Well I am headed down tomorrow. Because all of the communications in the country are closely monitored I may not be able to post what I am really seeing there. But I would encourage you, if interested, to read up on the country.

BBC has some good info:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6982183.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7183009.stm


See the right hand column) for more info. BBC has actually been banned from the country along with any free media but they still have some interesting stories. I have also put some links on this page to various information outlets.

Thank you for your prayers.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Zimbabwe



Well I am headed out to Zimbabwe on Monday. Here are a few prayer requests:

-Safety as we travel
-Quickly finding a place to stay (long term)
-Favor with local government and UN officials
-Favor with Zimbabweans as westerns are not looked upon with favor there
-Wisdom as we look for the best place and work for SP to be involved in

I will be writing more about Zimbabwe late but it is a country that is in dire need; inflation is over 8000% (highest in the world), it use to be the bread basket of Africa but now millions are on the brink of starvation, and thousands have been killed or tortured by the current government.

Our brothers and sisters there need our prayers.