Prayer Thread

[MithLuin]

nel, it is not a misuse of a prayer thread to ask for prayers for all those infected with or affected by AIDS. This concern has been on my heart for the past five years, and (though no one close to me has the disease), I always welcome reminders to pray for this issue. When there are 14 million AIDS orphans in Africa, it is difficult to name names, so I appreciate your blanket call for prayers for everyone - prayer is needed, certainly!

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I've just learned that my dear friend, teacher, and mentor, Mamady Keita, and his wife Monette, are (hopefully temporarily) stuck in in Guinea due to violence associated with recent strikes that have plagued the nation. They were supposed to fly out to Europe today, but apparently their flight was cancelled due to the violence. I would very much appreciate whatever good thoughts or prayers people can offer for the their safety, and for the well-being of all the good people in Guinea that I love, and a swift and peaceful resolution to the problems that have been plaguing the nation.

[WampusCat]

I will pray for a just and sure peace in Guinea, and for the safety and protection of all people there, especially your friends.

I confess that I have overlooked the situation there. I won't now. Thank you, Voronwë, for reminding me how easy it is to ignore chaos in another part of the world and to forget how closely we all are connected.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Thanks, Wampus. Unfortunately, the situation is getting worse. Martial law has now been declared, and all flights have been cancelled. I don't know when they are going to be able to get out.

From the Washington Post: Martial Law Instituted by Guinean Leader

[Jnyusa]

Oh dear. I'm thinking more about Africa these days because the nurse's aide who is helping me is from Liberia. Things are stabilized there right now, only to break out somewhere else. Prayers and firm hopes for Mamady and Monette to keep safe.

Jn

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Guinea has been the rock of stability in the region until recently, while all hell broke loose in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia and (to some extent) Mali. It makes me incredibly sad to see it happen there now too. The people there are so kind and patient. But I could see it building up over the years that I went there; there is only so much poverty and inequities that people can handle.

[Primula Baggins]

I'll pray, too. And go read more about it.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Prim and Jn, that means an awful lot to me. Thank you, dear friends.

[Primula Baggins]

Here are two informative links (both BBC News).

An article about the situation and the protests that have broken out:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/6358027.stm

A Q&A about the background:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6357581.stm

[Teremia]

V, I'm so sad to hear about the troubles in Guinea. My first year in grad school I went to Nepal for six transformative weeks over Christmas (can that be right? vacations must have been longer then), and in the 20-odd years since that visit I have often been distraught at what was happening to a once peaceful and still beautiful country.

Yes, and I spent some time in Yugoslavia, too, right before the place fell apart. It brings home the awfulness of war and suffering when you have a peaceful image of a land tucked into your heart, and then that image is destroyed.

It reminds me that all the suffering in the world is REAL suffering, the destruction of real beauty and real hope, and then my heart is torn into pieces all over again. We are often so numb to troubles elsewhere.

Thinking of you and the people and places you love.

[Rowanberry]

I hope things will go well for Mamady and Monette. I also hope for a peaceful solution for the political situation in Guinea, although I'm pretty sceptical about it.

[JewelSong]

Prayers for Berhael, whose mother has been ill for some time. Her Mom has slipped into a coma and is not expected to live more than 24 - 48 hours. Ber has been with her since Sunday.

There is a thread on B77 here. that I am sure she will check when she has the time.

[Primula Baggins]

Thanks, Jewel. I've gone and posted there.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes, thanks Jewel. I know that Ber's mother has been failing for a long time, and that it has been hard on Ber. I pray for a smooth, painless passing to the other side.

[Rowanberry]

Thanks for letting us know, Jewel. I'll try and find a moment to check that thread as well.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ber and her mother.

[JewelSong]

Ber's Mum died this afternoon, peacefully. Please keep her and family in your thoughts and prayers.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Thanks for letting us know, Jewel. I'm glad that it was a peaceful passing. Ber and her family are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

Meanwhile I got word today that Mamady and Monette flew out of Conakry on the U.S. Embassy plane that evacuated U.S. citizens to Dakar, Senegal. They will be flying out to Brussels tomorrow. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for a peaceful resolution of the still difficult situation in Guinea (where I have many friends), as well as in all the other hot spots in the world.

[truehobbit]

I'm very sorry to hear about Ber's mother - I hope her passing wasn't too hard.

It's good to hear your friends are safely out of Guinea, Voronwë, even though others are still there.

[Jnyusa]

Peace to Ber and the rest of her family. There's just no easy way to go through this.

Jn

[anthriel]

Jewel, thank you for letting us know about Ber and her mom. I will definitely keep her in my prayers.