14th June
A week of the unexpected. On Monday (8th June) the death of Gabon's president Omar Bongo was announced. As he had been in power for 41 years this threw the country into new and chartered waters and there was initially quite a bit of tension in the air. However, two days later the speaker of the senate was sworn in as interim president, in line with Gabon's constitution, and that seemed to calm a few nerves. Although there is an increased military presence in the main towns and more and stricter checks on the roads (so I am told, I've had no reason to travel more than 10 km outside Léconi so don't speak from experience) life seems to be continuing calmly and quietly – in fact it's far quieter than usual because bars and clubs are closed out of respect, that means no loud music blaring into the night (and day). We are praying the calm and peace continue through the funeral in Franceville on Thursday (18^th June) and on through the organisation of elections for a new president which should be organised withing 45 days. Praying, too, that all all parties and players continue to repect the constitution and maintain Gabon's long peace and stability.

How has all this affected me and my ministry? Well not too much so far except that a team of eight who were due for a four day visit next week have had to postpone (they were due to come through Franceville precisely the same days that the former president's body was due to arrive, followed by the funeral and it would have been rather difficult for them to move around and get out here without undue delay and hassle so they found it prudent to postpone the visit). This week may turn out differently as I suspect my language helper may want to go off to the funeral on Thursday, even though at present she is saying she will be here as normal. Otherwise I continue with various activities and this past week have enjoyed getting out with a few people to test the recent translation of Genesis 4. It's been widely accepted. If only it were always that simple!