ANother coup in Mali: Coup Coup

From: Judy <jhpuckett55@yahoo.com> Subject: ANother coup in Mali: Coup Coup To: Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 11:00 AM Email below from Shirley who is still in Senegal. However, some other missionaries have returned to Mali but are not yet in the capital where the new trouble is. You can read below: they still need your prayers. You read in emails over the last month or so, that Believers, especially in the northern part of Mali, are being persecuted in ways we have difficulty even imagining. How can we sit in our safety and security and NOT pray for them?     Coup- Coup May 2, 2012 Hello My Friends, Here is another update on Mali.  It just seems that things cannot or will not calm down and go back to life as we knew it.  Honestly I doubt that Mali will ever be life as I knew it again.  Too much has happened and this has lingered so long.  I am just continuing to pray that in the end what comes out is a much stronger, better Mali than before.  I do not see how this can happen but I have faith in a Father who can do "all things." Yesterday there was a counter-coup attempt in Mali.  From the news I have been able to gather the coup leaders (or junta if you will) tried to arrest the leader of the "Red Berets" the elite fighting force that was also the Presidential guard for the ousted president.  The Red Berets fought back in an attempt to overtake the TV/Radio station and control of the airport.  There was also an attack launched at the barracks where the junta leaders have set up their control center but no one has said who was directly responsible for that attack.  The counter coup was put down and apparently there were some deaths but no official counts have come forth. Today there are roadblocks all over Bamako and our embassy has recommended that all US citizens again take shelter and not venture out. We have a group that is in the country right now but still far away from the capital.  Their plan had been to head back there today or tomorrow.  For now they will stay put to see what happens.  Some are in nearby villages where the group is staying and some are at hotels. Pray for their safety, guidance and wisdom in making choices about what they are to do and when. ..Pray that the political conflict in Mali will come to an end soon. Pray that the believers will continue to stand strong and support one another during this time.  Pray that the grain distribution to those suffering from the famine can proceed in spite of everything.  Pray for our personnel as the follow what God would have them to do at this time.  . Thank you for being there and for "holding the ropes" Shirley