Uganda is Restless

This morning my alarm went off at 5:30 am.  Why?  I don’t know.  Vivian must have turned it on. 

I got up, made coffee and checked my email, hoping for a message from Scott.  There were about seven. 

He told me he was up at 5:30 as well, awakened by the sounds of singing children, their pure, unaccompanied voices worshiping God.

Jealous.

He also told me about some of the political protesting going on in town.  This isn’t the first time there’s been unrest while Scott’s been in Uganda.  In 2009 he experienced some rioting during a dispute between the president and the Bugandan tribal king.  This year the issue is inflation.  

You think our economy is bad?  Someone has said that when America sneezes the world catches a cold.  Well, when America gets a cold guess what the rest of the world gets?

Prices for everyday items such as food, gasoline, and school supplies are skyrocketing.  And there aren’t enough jobs.  Yes, this has impacted our ministry.  But thankfully the exchange rate for the U.S. Dollar is really strong right now.

In February Ugandans reelected president Museveni to his fourth consecutive five year term in office.  In light of the economic tensions, opposition candidates are stirring up Ugandans to action, blaming their troubles on corruption is Musevini’s administration.

I am not sure what to make of it.  I don’t know enough, so I’ll have to get Theophilus’ take on the situation.

(Speaking of Theophilus, I know most of you are just waiting for me to announce the GRAND TOTAL from our love offering.  Don’t worry.  I’ll do that in a separate post later this afternoon.)

I think some people in the States think every time Africans throw a protest the whole nation is about to fall apart. 

Hardly.

But these issues are serious, and change does need to occur in Uganda.  I just hope change will come in a peaceful manner.

Scott is fine.  Mutungo is on the FAR outskirts of the city.  Yet most of what he needs to accomplish on this trip is in town.  He’s got artisans to meet with and crafts to buy.  He has a limited number of days and a long to do list.  Pray that this rioting doesn’t slow down his pace or cause too much delay. 

Pray also for Uganda.  Pray for change, real change.  Real hope.  Real life to prevail. 

That’s what Easter gives us.  Uganda needs it today.