Too Tired

 A week ago Sunday was voting day on the islands— and like other years, both in the lead-up and on the actual voting day, there were signs of corruption and manipulation of the voting system. Opposition candidates were told they couldn’t run, were arrested and convicted on spurious charges. On the voting day, there was a stealthy video taken of a polling official stuffing filled out ballots into the box and other stories of polling places having ballots listed for deceased or absent people (in these small communities most people know each other).

Our beautiful island

Now in previous years this could have led to protests and violence, but as I talked to people, the expectation was that nothing would happen. “People are tired” was the sentiment. Protesting hasn’t gotten them anywhere, and they’re tired of fighting what seems like a losing battle. They’re too tired to protest, too tired to hope that anything can make a difference. Plus, they’re scared. Scared of arrest and imprisonment or worse if they are too vocal.

It’s a dreary state of affairs. There is part of us that is glad that an election day went by without unrest and violence. Don’t we long for peace and stability?  Don’t we pray elections can be held without incident or casualties?   But we don’t long for a country where peace is won by the fear and apathy of the population, where truth and justice are stifled. That’s not real peace or stability. 

Tom at recent wedding event

So we continue to pray for justice and peace.  We pray for good governance and freedoms without war or revolt on the islands. We mourn for the slow but persistent erosion of freedoms, community action, and equal rights. We mourn for this tiredness that is fed by apathy, fatalism and hopelessness.  And we pray for it to be changed into a new awakening of light, life and hope.  And we do not lose hope.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We have had some encouraging news from people on the neighbor island that was devastated by the cyclone, stories of restored power and water and schools even preparing to reopen. Several island sisters were back from travels— two having received medical care and doing better. We are thankful to have them back and for the women’s gathering that we had this past week. Our short-termer is doing well and is very engaged in language learning and building relationships.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
The two returned sisters are not completely healthy. One learned that she has out of control diabetes with accompanying complications— pray for her as she tries to change her diet and lifestyle to become more healthy. Another left the country where she was getting care before the doctors wanted her to, she wanted to get back to her husband and kids, but it means that she is still doing the prescribed treatment without the benefit of a doctor to follow-up with— pray that she would continue to find healing and full recovery. Pray that now that these women are back that the local group could start to meet with more regularity and numbers again. The past few months the group hasn’t had as much life and activity. Pray with our short-termer for clear guidance of where she should serve long term— pray that if she is meant to return to the islands that it would be clear to all. Pray for our preparations and planning for our annual gathering of island workers that will happen in February in mainland Africa— we are trying to firm up the details this week and praying that we would follow God’s lead.