Hi Everyone

Yesterday was an interesting day.  We could hear horns, music and commotion on the street outside of our compound.  There were cars and tro-tro's (Buses) going down the street with flags and banners.  It was all to do with the elections, which will be held tomorrow.  The couple that we had dinner with sent a memo saying, that they got caught up in a demonstration.

Stephaney Jean Powell <sjpowell@ldschurch.org>	4:02 AM (7 hours ago)
to gordon.powell, me

From: Greg W Haws
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 10:51 AM
To: Africa West Public Affairs; Barbara Ann Taylor; dagonet70@gmail.com; deloresdickson@yahoo.com;delynnheid@gmail.com; John B. Dickson; glasita2002@yahoo.com; Gordon Keith Powell; J. Gregory Dunn; Greg W Haws; Helen Elaine Houssian; William Houssian; LeGrand Curtis Jr.; Mark J Taylor;padova4@hotmail.com; PEHGhana@ldschurch; Joseph Sitati; Stephaney Jean Powell;slydunn@gmail.com; Richard Smith; susanwarner1962@gmail.com
Subject: Street Activity

Fellow African Missionaries and friends,

Yesterday Sister Haws and I were down on Labadi Road near the La Ward and we became involved in a near riot.  Actually we were not involved, we were just observers.   A large flatbed truck that was totally overloaded with campaign people exchanged road space with a tro-tro.  A few of the women on the truck were injured and their men friends frantically carried them to nearby taxis to take them off to somewhere for medical treatment.

What followed then was the subject of our message.  The driver of the tro-tro was attacked.  His riders fled.  He had nowhere to go.  He could not move his vehicle or get out.  Both he and the two tro-tros behind him were carrying people waving flags for an opponent of the candidate that the big truck was supporting.  We could not determine how he was going to escape.  One man even climbed in the back door to further attack him.  They broke out his windshield.  Arms and fists were flying everywhere.

Finally, a lone officer in Kakis came to take control of the situation. 

All the while we were crammed in the traffic, not able to go forward, or escape.  We did not feel in danger, but we did observe the extremely high level of emotion that is associated with this election.

We think we all should be cautious today and tomorrow as we travel.

Elder and Sister Haws

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So because of this, they asked everyone to stay off the roads tomorrow during the elections.

They have also asked us to move from our apartment while the fix the air conditioning in this building.  We went to look at some apartments today -  they are larger than the one we are in, but certainly not as convenient.  They are require climbing alot of stairs and they are a distance from the office.  There is also no laundry, which means we would have to bring our clothes to this building to wash them.  It will not be fun to keep moving, but I don't think we are going to have a choice.  I am still hoping to get out soon, so that I can take some pictures.  We love you all -Mom/Judy