In the midst of the Krygyzstan storm

My husband and I have been ministering in Krygyzstan now for a month. Many of you may have caught the news on the toppling of the government here as a result of riots throughout many cities on the 6th and 7th. The government offices were taken yesterday in our town by the opposition party and they are within a block from our home. We were not at  home at the time, and after many hours of delay, we were allowed to return. A ministering team from Canada had to make an emergency exit out of town to get to the airport before all roads were closed. After a frightening mobbing incident, they thankfully made it safely to the airport and out of the country.

Today things are calm here, but there is an unsettling sense of what is ahead.  The events of the last 24 hours will have a deep impact on our work and ministry here. For example, a speaking opportunity with Krgyz women and men on Saturday was canceled out of concern for our safety in the capital city of Bishkek. Our work with government officials on child welfare and foster care issues is in question because the people we worked with are probably no longer there. We have no idea of what is the future for this country. It is unclear who is in charge and if there is any rule of law from anywhere.  We appreciate your prayers for many people who now are without jobs due to the destruction of many business and offices. Also many families are burying their dead as a result of the riots yesterday. We are staying very low and out of sight at this point.

Kyrgystan news video footage from events of yesterday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCR--ZnyDzI 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L1srqYLnu8

When David and I got up yesterday morning, he was preparing to go with the LAMb men's team to a prison and I was preparing to be with the LAMb women.  I thought early yesterday we have so much to blog - the extreme makeover of a home for a destitute family, the visit to the prison and seniors home.  How a few hours can make such a difference.  We will be sharing these stories sometime over the weekend. 

As we have said...the journey continues and we are here for such a time as this. Our prayer is that God will use us as we minister to these precious wonderful people. Thank you for sharing our journey with us.