Elections

According to a number of news sources, this year is a big year for elections.  Time Magazine’s website says, “Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, for many, will prove consequential for years to come."

Campaign parade stopped by our house

Growing up in America, election day was not that big a deal.  People still went to school and work, but the evening was certainly exciting—people watching the news, following the state by state tally.  There were cries of joy and groans of despair.  It was a lot like watching the Superbowl or some other big game.  There were winners and losers, but it did not disrupt normal running of life beyond that day.  No one thought, “Election day today—I better stay home from work tomorrow.”

We’ve lived on the islands long enough now to have experienced a number of elections.  The experience feels very different than in America.  At first it feels akin to the ‘big game’ analogy.  When campaign season arrives, everyone is wearing their party colors.  Campaign music blares, campaign offices pop up all over town, and speeches and parades become commonplace.  People get excited, they dance and chant slogans.  They get free swag—t-shirts and baseball caps with their party candidates on them.  The mood is festive and fun.  

Wearing earplugs to block our campaign noise

But as the day of the election approaches, it stops feeling like everyone is getting ready for the big game and instead it is a lot more like getting ready for a hurricane.  As the election day approaches, everyone starts to get nervous.  Neighbors tell you to start stocking up, as they themselves go to the stores and buy nonperishables.  Elections are coming, you need to be ready.  

The day of elections, the islands shut down.  There is only limited amounts of travel allowed.  You are supposed to be in the town where you are registered to vote and you are supposed to stay there.  Then inevitably at some point during that day you start to hear about trouble.

There is no expectation on the islands that elections will be “free and fair.”  People expect the opposite.  Soon social media is covered with evidence of fraud and inconsistency.  Sometimes fighting breaks out in villages where fraud is most conspicuous.  As people wait for election results, there is a great sense of tension.  Once the preliminary results are in, we expect unrest.  We expect our children will stay at home from school a few days.  We expect shops to be closed and for protests, both peaceful and violent, to occur.

After a week, back in school uniform

It is only January in this great year of elections around the globe. We know that in some countries, elections may still be the peaceful days we remember from our childhoods, but we know that in many countries it is even more tense and volatile than the islands. We know even in America, the climate around elections has changed.  As we have talked with our island friends and neighbors, we keep repeating a sentiment that we will continue to pray for all countries: That there would peace and justice, that change would be found without violence and that those in leadership would be good people that seek what is good for their people and their countries.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
On Clove Island, schools reopened today after a week of being closed post-election. We are thankful to see kids back studying. Throughout the week, several times it seemed that God brought downpours of rain to help calm unrest— thank God for rain! Our son at boarding school had some direct answers to prayer— finding encouragement after having felt discouraged.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Continue to pray for the islands.  Schools and many businesses were closed all week. Clove Island hasn’t had any unrest for a number of days, but on the big island there has continued to be trouble. The courts are supposed to announce this week whether they will validate the election results. Pray that peaceful protest would be allowed. Pray for peace and stability on the islands, as well as justice and good governance. Tom is meant to go to the big island for the admin handover this week, but it is unclear whether the political situation or the weather will be calm enough for him to go. Pray for wisdom about how to proceed and perhaps for a way to open up for Tom to do the handover (the banking handover especially), without having to leave Clove Island. The islands have been getting a lot of rain and wind (edges of a cyclone in the region) and it looks like they will get more this week. Pray for all of those whose homes are badly leaking or have suffered damage in the storms.