Tuesday 14 October 2008

Bunia Evacuation and other news

Last Friday we got a phone call to say that the MAF Congo team were evacuating out of Bunia, East DRC due to rebel activity. We suspected that earlier in the day that this was going to happen but were not sure. Simon had flown into Bunia that afternoon but the situation was still uncertain as to whether a evacuation was necessary. Anyway by early evening we were told that the team were evacuating and had been given permission to fly at night. Simon and one of the other guys went pick them up at Entebbe. We have three people staying with us. One of them is a good friend of ours Sheryl Strietzel. Her and her husband had just returned to Bunia a month ago after the last problems there. Lary and one of the other pilots have remained in Congo to carry on doing the flying. Some of the team plan to return at the end of this week however, Sheryl and the couple will remain in Uganda until maintenance on one of the planes is finished and then will fly in after that. The couple, Caleb and Emily Winter, who are staying with us recently graduated from Moody Aviation. (Caleb did anyway) They were to do their internship in Congo but God had other plans for this time. Hopefully they will be able to continue in a couple of weeks.

Anyway we have a full house again. I didn't think we would have guests until Christmas time when my Mum comes to visit but God had other plans again.

Simon is off to South Africa next week to do his check pilot course. Please pray for him as there has been a lot of pre work aswell as a full program once he gets there. Pray for good weather and that all goes well with the course. Pray for us as we remain at home. Joshua and Zara will be on holiday next week so pray we have a good time together despite Simon being gone. Also that it would work out with all our guests too :)

1 comment:

Kami Rice said...

Thanks for the Bunia update. I haven't been following Congo developments super closely but had heard bits and pieces and wondered how Bunia and the MAF team were faring.