Civil Unrest in Burkina--

Wanted to send out a request for continued prayer. The civil unrest here has intensified. . . . not to the point where I feel that we are in any actual danger. . . but at the same time, things have not calmed down but have in fact greatly intensified.

The brief history is that about 2 1/2 weeks ago a police officer beat and killed a 10th grade boy for involvement in a typical 'love triangle'. The police officer and the girl were not married but were involved romantically and then the boy also became involved with the girl.

Immediately after the event, the government tried to cover up the brutality by saying that the boy died from meningitis. The first week the students went on strike and through violence six people died and 100's were injured. The second week the government closed all of the schools in Burkina hoping to disperse the students and calm things down. But, the violence continued in most of the major cities. Last week, the students demonstrated in Yako and threw bricks through the doors and windows of the courthouse and attempted to enter into the governor's courtyard.

Today was the first day back to school and again the students have been demonstrating all over Burkina often with violence. In Yako this morning, they marched and surrounded the police station and with bricks and whatever else they could find, they completely tore down the wall around the compound, entered and completely burned down the police station. All official documents have been lost, the building was destroyed, motos and bikes which were parked next to the building have been destroyed, etc. A couple of police men were injured but no one was killed.

At the university in Ouaga, students burned down the library!

Tomorrow is a national holiday, the international day of the woman, and the students have already declared a student strike for Wednesday.

Would appreciate your prayer support to calm the high emotions and the violence that is rising on just about every front. Also, please pray that the children can return to school so that this year will not be a complete loss.