Dear Friends,

Great claps of thunder woke us up Sunday morning, Election Day in the DRC, as a huge storm began dumping its water on the earth.Torrential rains fell in many parts of the country, undoubtedly causing delays in the opening of polling stations.Probably because of the rain, voter turn-out was also lighter than expected, but many friends have told us with pride, that they voted.Here in Kinshasa, the rain fell until nearly noon.Once it stopped, we watched people making their way on foot to and from polling stations around us.

Many churches held their Sunday morning worship services on Saturday. We worshiped at the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa, as we often do.The congregation, smaller in number, still represented many nations, and different walks of life: UN peace keepers, missionaries, business people, diplomats, students, professionals.These are days of tension and uncertainty here as we anticipate the announcement of the results of election, but it is a privilege to stand with God's people in this nation at this historic time and pray for hope and a future.

God hears our prayers.

Just keeping in touch,

Katherine