We have had another day of extreme caution here in Mbeya. The Mwanjelwa market was closed and riot police were patroling the streets. We made it to the interviewing centres by going on round-a-bout routes. As we interviewed bombs went off and people ran into the church for safety.

3 people were killed yesterday and things were completely out of control for a while. Today there is tension, but slowly signs of normality are returning.

The main job today was the interviewing of all the secondary school students that we sponsor. It was a big job and a small part of the team concentrated on that.

The other half of the team had a fabulous day visiting "Star Time" in various locations - which is when several hundred of the sponsored children come to each centre, sing songs, play, hear stories, play sports and then have a wonderful nutritious meal and get a chance to see the doctor if they need to. The team helped serve the children food and got involved in other ways.

Sadly we could not fulfill our plan of visiting homes. The situation had made things too tense and the local team felt we could cause too much of a stir.

Tomorrow is our LAST DAY in Mbeya - and it's Sunday! The team will go in different directions (assuming they can). Two different people will be preaching mnorning and afternoon at Airport Church. Then there's some at Mabatini. A group of 8 is going 50km to Tukuyu (towards Malawi) and will be seeing what's going on there.

Love to all of you there. Thanks to our families for letting us be here and not panicing too much! Thank you to all of you who are praying for us ... but most of all praying for all the people here who so desperately need a better world to live in.