Just a short entry asking you for prayer for the nation of  Botswana.  Since April 18 government workers have been on strike seeking better pay.  Demonstrations have been peaceful which we are thankful for, but I have overheard some negative things directed towards white people (which could include expatriates and also the minority population of Botswana citizens) in some of the speakers' comments at the local group demonstrating in our village.  We pray that demonstrations will remain peaceful and that race issues, which are not typically part of the political landscape here, will not become a problem.

In addition, there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in cattle in South Africa which has led to a shortage of imported dairy items and a resulting price increase.  Additionally, an outbreak has been discovered in NE Botswana and so movement and slaughter of cattle in the country has been frozen for perhaps the next month.  This creates a difficulty for some of the citizens who depend on the sale and slaughter of their cattle for income to meet periodic needs for food, school tuition, etc.  The government is acting with the best interest of the nation at heart, but it is still difficult.

This combination of difficulties could spark instability in other African nations, but Botswana has historically been stable, peaceful, and orderly.  We thank God for that and ask for his continued blessing on this nation and for his guidance through this difficult time.