We received this Email today, asking for prayer. You can read more about post-election violence in Guinea on NBC's World News here. Photo credits to msnbc.com
Dear Praying Friends,
After the election results came out on Monday evening, things have gotten progressively more "hot" here in Guinea. The two major ethnic groups which are aligned with the two candidates running in the presidential election have been in conflict. Up in the mountains the Fula people have burned the houses of some Malinka people and chased some of them out of their homes.
Here in Conakry the youth have been out protesting and the forces of order have had a hard time controlling the situation. Some have reported that the security forces have responded with overly-harsh treatment of the demonstrators. A number of people have been killed in the confrontations. The security forces often shoot into the air to scare off demonstrators, so it's not too uncommon to hear gunfire in the distance. Because of the confrontations, the president has declared a state of emergency in order that the military can help the police control the situation.
We are at home feeling quite safe. The people are as friendly toward us as normal. We have a prayer retreat scheduled to start tomorrow, and we hope to continue with these plans as much as possible.
The people around us are scared and they are lacking the basic necessities. Amadu called me, letting me know he was using up his last bit of rice today. Although he's been paid, he can't cash the check at the bank since the banks are closed. And even if he did have money, the stores are all closed out of fear the merchandise will be stolen. In addition, he lives in a "hot" neighborhood. When the police break up a demonstration they often chase the kids into the neighborhoods, entering courtyards of innocent people.
Please pray for the people of Guinea in these challenging times. Pray for us as we seek to help those around us. Pray that God's people here would be lights that shine forth God's love brightly!
Thanks for your prayers,
Jim for Becky and the girls too
