from Virginia

Here is the latest email I received from Virginia....


Hello to everyone,

Wow, what a week! It's been a full week of adventure to say the least. It all began last Tuesday, Nov. 2, when my roommate Matilda got a phone call from a friend of ours who told us to stay inside the house and close our blinds. The unrest was beginning to happen in the city. The political situation here is not good. The party that is the head of government was not who the people voted for (they skewed the votes of the people). Because of the dishonesty of the government and the unfair outcome, the people are angry.

Tuesday was when they decided to show their anger. After Matilda came into my room to close the blinds, we began to heargun shotss. That was the beginning of a day full of gunshots, grenades, people screaming, dogs barking, and me and Matilda sitting by the closed blinds, peering through the cracks, trying to hear what we could. I know standing by the window while gunshots are going off isn't the smartest thing, but my curiosity got the best of me. What a scary feeling though.

To save you from all the details, we spent a couple of days inside our house. The embassy advised us to stay inside and prepare to be in there for a couple of days (good thing we had enough bread and water to last us a few days). Friends of ours called us to see how we were because they heard we were in one of the most dangerous spots in the city where most of the unrest was going on. Eventually a couple of days later, while the unrest and violence was still going on in the city, our friend came to pick us up and we stayed at his house for the week. We finally came back home on Monday. It's good to be back home.

During the whole week, people went on strike, so none of the taxis or shops were open, they did this for two reasons: one- to show the government their disapproval, and two- if they did open their shops or drive their taxis people who were rioting in the streets would throw rocks through the windows of their shops or cars, or burn the cars. It was a crazy week to say the least. We have been told that more than 40 people have died, hundreds injured, and 10,000 people have been taken to prison.

The situation has died down now, but many people are expecting spontaneous rioting and unrest, so we will see. It's not fun being stuck in the house for days and knowing people are dying just around the corner. There are many other areas in Ethiopia that are fighting, so please keep this country and the people in your prayers.

On a lighter note, last night I was reading and God began to lay heavily on my heart that I should start a Bible Study. I don't know if it will be me actually leading the group or if a Christian couple that I know would, but I do think it is something that God is leading me to start, so please be praying about that, for wisdom, guidance and for people to be open to coming when I invite them. I'm so excited to see lives changed!!!! I will give you more updates on my life once it resumes back to normal. I would love to hear from each one of you and know how you are doing, so don't hesitate to write.

With love,

Virginia