Weekend riots

Saturday night, vurugu- all sorts of chaos- was going on in town. Bob was on his way to town in the morning when someone told him about the riots and mobs that had shut down the town. Police and military personnel were patrolling the downtown area.
We are fine, just hanging out at home. The boys stayed home from school today, just to make sure everything is shwari (calm). Since they attacked churches so violently, it would not be far fetched to think they may attack a Christian's school.
Two church buildings have been vandalized and burned, one of which was the biggest church in the city, where Bob had done some teaching a couple years ago. A mob of two hundred or so attacked the place; no one was hurt, but a couple of cars were burnt.
The group behind the violence is a radical Islamic group, which desires the island to be an Islamic country, ruled by Sharia law. They have been gaining momentum in the last few weeks and months, inciting the public to demand the union between the island and the mainland be broken. They say the union weakens Islam on our island. Which, to be fair, is probably true! But most people here do not want to live under Sharia. There is way more freedom and rights here, particularly for women, than there is in countries ruled by Sharia.
There have been protests, and several incidents of harassment to local congregations in last few weeks. Breaking the union, strengthening Islam, and aggressiveness have been preached over the loud speakers of mosques.
There's a lot of people who feel cheated and oppressed here; lots of unrest. The union seems to be a fragile one. Politics is so important here. Mainly, I believe, because it is their only hope.

The neighborhood mosque

All of this trouble is incited by the enemy. I do believe it is his best attempt to halt the encroachment of his territory. The kingdom of God is increasing on this island every day. Believers are reaching out, and many souls are learning the Truth of Isa Al-Masih, Jesus the Messiah. The enemy is running scared. I have been working through Luke twelve the past week in Swahili, and immediately upon hearing about the riots, I thought of Jesus words, Nimekuja kuleta moto duniani.... nimekuja kuleta mafarakano... "I have come to bring fire upon the earth...I have come to bring divisions".  Yes, it is a battle, a battle between good and evil. But we know Who will prevail! And He will bring peace and hope and life abundantly. This incident has given us opportunity to speak of Him to those Muslims who really do want peace, in their nation, and in their souls.