Referendums and Elections

Last Sunday was the start of voting in Sudan. This voting is to decide whether or not the largest Country in Africa will divide into two separate Countries. We have been praying that there would be peace during the process and for the most part there has been so we give thanks for that. We should find out the preliminary result during the first week of February. However, the way that the voting has been going it looks almost certain that the country will divide.

A separate voting will take place in the oil rich side of the country to see whether this part will join the North or the South. This is, most likely, where there will be tension.

Next month we will be seeing elections again in Uganda. As always we are never sure how things will go so contingency plans are made in case things go pear shaped. We do pray for a peaceful and fair election. This past weekend the government rolled in some new police trucks with tear gas and water canon capabilities into Kampala. These were bought from the Chinese and as the local newspaper said that this was to show that anyone who thought about causing problems during elections would be dealt with swiftly.

We would ask for your prayers for Sudan and for Uganda during these times of change that ultimately it would be peaceful and the results would be accepted by the people.

Happy New Year

I can't believe we are already well into January. The Christmas season just seemed to fly by. We trust you all had a great time with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

We had a lovely time over Christmas with friends and my Mum made it out just in time before the snow closed the airports. Of course Joshua and Zara are loving all the attention and the extra homebaking that is going on.

We had a week off during Christmas and New Year and travelled up to Kidepo National Park for two nights with friends. It was wonderful to be out of the City for a couple of days and enjoy the wonder of God's creation in this part of the world. Because of the remoteness of the place (north of Uganda bordering Sudan) we had to take our own food up and the the accommodation is basic but nevertheless adequate.

We enjoyed game drives in the back of a pick up and some folks including Zara went on a three hour safari walk. It was wonderful just being out in the open space and enjoying the sights of zebra, giraffe, elephant, buffalo etc. Unfortunately we didn't manage to see lions this time although when you are sitting exposed in the back of a pick up truck sometimes that is a blessing :).

Well we are back to work again. Simon is busy with flying and his other commitments so life is never dull. I am currently studying for Bible studies again. We will start on Wednesday and will do a short study on the Holy Spirit and then in a few weeks we will commence the Book of Hebrews. I am excited about the things that God will teach us during these studies and would value your prayers for these times.

Joshua and Zara are back to school as of last Wednesday. They are glad to be back and enjoying seeing their friends again and being challenged...well Joshua loves that :) At the moment we can't keep Joshua supplied in enough books as he reads constantly. He loves to read and seems to eat his way through them. Zara loves the outdoors and so is open to walking whenever she can. She really enjoyed going for the safari walk in Kidepo and had no problem walking for the three hours. She will be ready for the Swiss Alps when we are next home on furlough.

Well this is a short update but I will fill you in on photographs and more stories when time allows.