This winter has been relatively mild here in Northwest
Indiana. Maybe that’s why the snowstorm that is blowing through as I write
seems all the more significant. While
this storm is by no means the biggest one we’ve ever experienced, it is a big change from what we’ve gotten used
to this winter!
In Uganda, where ECM operates ten projects, the political
climate has been relatively mild for many years. There have been occasional uprisings from the
dissatisfied, but for the most part the country has been stable, and the
economy has been on the upswing. Unfortunately, it appears that a storm is
rolling through the country, and prayer is much needed. In the middle of February, the country held a
presidential election, as they do every five years. Once again, as he has in
every election since he took power in 1985, President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected
to office. About fifteen years ago the
law was changed to allow unlimited terms for the president, virtually assuring
that in the case of Museveni, he would be in office until he retires on his
own, or dies. Aside from obvious political
issues with this policy, it has left many Ugandans feeling cheated and mistreated. So much that the possibility of post-election
protest and violence is very real.
Today, please take a moment to pray for the people of Uganda
as they navigate this difficult time in their country’s political history. Pray for our missionaries and staff who live
and work in various parts of the country, that their work would go on without interruption. Pray for the children and communities who we
strive to help. And pray that as we get caught up in the drama that is our own
presidential election, we don’t abandon those whom others have forgotten.
