The Vote

Rally caravan forming at airport

Things on the islands have gotten very political this past month.  Thanks to a constitutional change by the current president, the islands have another election coming up this weekend! So there is only one thing that everyone is talking, thinking, or arguing about.  Ask anybody on the street, “What’s up?”  They’ll give you the same answer:  “The Vote.”

We’d say that we are getting tired of it, but it is nothing like back home in the States. Island law stipulates that campaigning can last only one month!  So, for one packed month, the islands heat up with campaigning.

There are 13 candidates running for the presidential seat!  That means multiple candidate headquarters popping up around town blaring campaign music and hanging flags and banners outside.  Pictures of candidates and their pithy slogans fill up empty wall space around the city.  “Vote for me and end poverty”  “Vote for me and find hope.”  “One People, One Nation, One Vision.”  “A Real President”  Many believe that the current president will take the election by any means necessary. So if any location, the biggest posters by far are always for the incumbent, a few so big that they cover two-story buildings. 

There are also political rallies, involving busloads and busloads of supporters driving slowly through town, honking their horns as they make their way slowly to the venue.  Unfortunately, we’ve heard a few tales of the incumbent feeling threatened by another candidate’s popularity, and so stopping rallies from happening and sending the busloads of supporters back to their villages.

Elections are busy times and draw us into some good conversations. 

A few days ago I was talking to a man who is so fed up with the whole system he believes the only hope is revolution.  “Eliminate them all!  Then the leaders will be afraid to take advantage of the system.” 

But I challenged him, “Who will take their place?  Won’t they be replaced by the same kind of person?” 

He said, “They will be too scared to do wrong.”

I countered, “Fear only works so far.  No, the only way to get good leaders is to have leaders with good hearts.  So the change must start here.”  I pointed to his heart and the hearts of his friends.  “Until the heart is changed, nothing can change.” 

“But people don’t change,” he said, quite firmly.

“Yes, they can,” I answered, just as firmly.  “I’ve seen it.  But I only know of one way to really change.”

“What is that?” he asked. We spent the rest of the car ride talking about the only thing that can cause real change.  I won’t claim that he was convinced, but he was listening, as were all the others in the car. 

Some political posters even right outside our house

We know change is possible and we pray for it, but we understand where the skepticism on the islands comes from.  They’ve never seen it before.  Most islanders show a great deal of apathy about the election and its candidates.  “They’re all liars.” “They’re all crooks.” Others show an even more cynical view, “They’re all puppets of the incumbent, running to split the vote, so he can win.”  There are still some die-hard fans of different candidates and even those calling for a fight if their candidate loses.  But when we’ve asked what candidates stand for, the answers are vague to nonexistent.  Parties are created to support a candidate and candidates stand on their charisma and networking ability, not usually on a plan or a platform.

We tend to ask two questions:  Will the elections be free and fair? Will they be peaceful?  Unfortunately the answers to the questions are far from certain.  The islands have a long history of ballot stuffing, buying votes, and voter fraud.  I once spoke to someone who was proud to have voted three times and to have been paid for it every time!  There is talk of outside observers coming this time, but we’ve heard that the incumbent is doing what he can to disrupt that.

Peace is uncertain too.  It was only October of last year when our city burst into violence.  Will it happen again?  Some claim it will not.  Others seem sure it will.  Still others feel that violence will break out on the big island—not here on Clove Island.  But no one seems to really know. 

So we prepare ourselves for different possible outcomes and pray for peace. We pray for these islands. We pray for good leadership. We pray for heart change!

Pray with us. The vote is this coming weekend, the 24th of March.

Daughter at event

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We are thankful for the chances to share truth and hope in the midst of this tumultuous election season on the islands. We had a gathering to share with our island community some of the things we learned while we were off-island. It was an encouraging time and seemed well-received. Our kids made it through their end-of-trimester exams! Megan and our daughter went to a “coming-of-age” ceremony for a close friend. We were encouraged to see how engaged our daughter was in going and reaching out to islanders (even if it was long and uncomfortable).

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Please pray for the islands in the lead-up to the vote and its aftermath. We’ll plan on laying low on election day. Our island has run out of flour! The shops haven’t had any for weeks and now the bakeries are running out. This means no bread, not to mention other baked goods. We’re hoping that flour will arrive into the port before elections (since the port often closes during elections and unrest). Continue to pray for a return to stability for Megan’s back issues. Tom has started to teach a couple island friends to play guitar- pray that it would lead to good interactions and deeper relationships. One of Tom’s good friends seems to understand and accept so much of the good news. Pray that whatever is holding him back would be taken away.  Keep praying for opportunities to share and to study with island friends.