We are guardedly optimistic that calm may be returning to the nation of Kenya. Some parts of the western area of the country are still very dangerous (some major roads are still blocked by 50-100 or more armed thugs/ protestors), and many people still feel unsafe in their own hometowns. However, in Nairobi residents are beginning to emerge, matatus (public transport mini-van taxis) are picking up their regular routes again, and businesses are opening their doors again.
Tomorrow's (Tuesday) rallies/ demonstrations called for across the nation and around the capital city of Nairobi by the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, were called off today after he met with the Senior Africa official from the US government. Odinga feels that international mediation may begin this week, and that is why he canceled the rallies (which were banned by the police anyway).
This news is good because it may encourage Kenyans to continue on with rebuilding their lives instead of continuing on with the violence. It will take some time for the politics to be sorted out to any degree. The number of those killed in these days of unrest has risen to almost 500. The number of displaced people has risen to 250,000. Many are still stuck up country as the main highways/ roads are blocked by armed thugs, so buses will not risk taking any passengers back to Nairobi.
Rosslyn Academy has postponed their start date to next Monday, January 14. We pray that by then it will be safe for our school buses to travel all around the city, taking students to and from school. Rosslyn's bus drivers are understandably concerned about their driving routes. Parents are understandably concerned about their children's safety. The school is in constant dialogue with our Embassy for their input on the safety issues.
We had a really nice weekend. We could sense the tension lifting in our area. We took the kids to Rosslyn to ride their bikes Saturday afternoon. Sunday we all went to church as usual. There were 269 people at ICF. Some of our kids' classes were very full! Kevin preached a great sermon on 1 Timothy - avoiding legalism but keeping the main thing the main thing (the Gospel of Christ).
After service, some friends of ours who work for our embassy invited us to go their house for lunch and then to swim at the pool on their compound. We thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with these friends. Our kids were really happy to get to play with their kids, we had a great lunch, and the kids had a blast at the pool. Both of our girls ended up spending the night with their girls. Kevin picked our girls up after his Rosslyn teacher's meetings and brought them home - they were tired but happy. We'll see if their girls want to come over to our house later this week.
Kevin is spending this week working on his classes, chapels/ sermons and various projects around the house. We are beginning to sort things and prepare for packing up our belongings for storage when we go on furlough in 5 months. Wow, that is not a lot of time!!
Thanks for all the emails assuring us of your prayers and concern. It means a great deal, and we don't take your prayers lightly. We love you!!
