Tuesday 25th January was Police day and a day off school, this was when the first organised protest started. After this they arranged to meet on Friday after prays, from there the protests have gone from strength to strength. They are calling for President Mubarak to resign after 30 years in power because they are fed up with the corruption, poverty and unemployment.
Shops, banks, phones and the internet have all been closed over the past week. What did we do before mobile phones and the internet? We have shopped where and when we can, stocking up on basics. We had managed to shop at Carrefour (equivalent to Asda) on the Friday morning and stocked up on tinned goods and pasta, and the day before we had been to the bank and withdrawn all the money in my account so we were fine for money and food. As other shops have opened and closed we have picked up other bits and bobs and loo rolls (when these run out we are on the next flight out of here). The Grand Mall is closed and protected by the shop keepers from looters. They sit at the entrance and stop any looting. They have also painted some of the windows white.
At the end of the streets the doormen and some of the residents have put roadblocks up to deter the looters, this is all very good natured, even the ones that check your cars and adds to a secure feeling within the community.
The other impact on day to day life has been the curfew than came into effect on Friday the 28th. I was sat at church at the time when they announced there was a 6pm to 8 am curfew being put into place, as it was 5:50pm at the time I walked very quickly. Geoff and I had been discussing what the next moves might be on the way down to church and this was one of the options we had come up with! (Sorry to disappoint you Nick, but he walks me there and then comes back and picks me up afterwards, he did wait outside once but the police asked him to move on!). The protestors ignored this curfew so it was brought forward to 4pm and then 3 pm and they still ignored it. Thankfully, today (Wednesday 2nd), it has moved once again this time to 5pm.
We can also hear the sound of the army helicopter circling the city, reminiscent of being on Bransholme, and gunshots during the curfew. When the F16’s flew over the protestors we heard that too as we were in their turning circle.
Yesterday Maadi Community Church started a daily pray meeting at 12 noon, which Geoff escorts me too and then waits until it finishes to walk me back! We went to a school meeting first today where the Director gave his opinion on what was happening and added some background to the characters involved in the political changes that are happening. He also came with some money for those people that needed some.
Today the internet has been restored, thank you to everyone who sent a message, I think I’ve managed to reply to you all now. Some of the banks are now open and shops are restocking their shelves with local goods. The protestors are still in the square and are planning for another day of protests on Friday. we shall have to wait and see what happens then.
Please pray for calm during this time of transition, the safety of all God’s children out here and that He will be glorified in all that happens.
It’s messy but His hand is in everything.
As an outsider it's difficult to imagine just how tough this time is for you - glad you were able to do a blog update so we can get more of a feel for life there at present. We keep you all in prayer.
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