There were many gunshots last night. Around 9:30 or so there were 8-10 quick shots and then a few minutes later some return fire. A few minutes later there were more. Our guard dogs started to bark and run around the compound, and that started the dogs on the other compounds barking, all but Tya, the big dog. He was whining at the screen door wanting in, he's such a big baby!!!!!

Our guards have whistles and they began to blow them, but stopped very quickly. We don't know why they stopped, maybe they were taking cover. All the shots seemed to come from the front of the compound, out on the road. They started out sounding very close then gradually got farther away, and the last late shots sounded from behind the compound. But all this went on for a few more hours, with a few shots here and there. It was about 1 or 2 when the last shots were heard.

This morning at the clinic I asked one of the staff what all the shooting was about last night. He just laughed and said two drunk men in Kopatutum were fighting over a woman and shooting at each other and their families. Another staff member said these ones from Kopatutum are are always fighting about something, either cows or women and shooting all the time. (Even though the Army has been there and took all the guns!)

When I got back to our compound I was informing Craig about what I had heard, and he said that the construction workers told him that warriors from Moroto came and did a cattle raid on Kopatutum and got all the cows. At least everyone agreed that all this happened at Kopatutum!!!!

No body wants to tell us what really happens here so we hear all kinds of stories!!! Somebody should really be writing all this down!!!!


Some good news!!!! Abura, the nursing assistant at the clinic, and his wife, Sarah, had a baby girl on the 21st. This is number 4, all girls. I think they are going to name her Ngiro Lydia, but they haven't decided for sure yet. Cute little dark eyed sweetie. Both baby and mom are doing great!!!!! Dad is very proud, although they don't really show much emotion.