Numbers are important. Counting can be important. The Presidential elections here in Kenya are disputed because of numbers.... some numbers were apparently adjusted or unverified.
The news is still giving us numbers... of those killed in the post-election violence, of those displaced from their homes, their homes burned or destroyed, those who are running for their lives to save themselves from horrific crimes against humanity. The current numbers are over 700 dead, and 250,000 displaced. Above are pictures of a refugee (internally displaced persons) camp, and a young boy at one of the camps.
Some friends of ours shared a sobering story with Kevin. They have been helping out at a refugee settlement near where they live (Tigoni - 30 minutes north of Nairobi). A family came straggling into the camp - they had obviously traveled far and long, fleeing for their lives. They brought all their earthly possessions that they were able to carry -- not much. They had children. One of their children was very, very sick with pneumonia from having been out in the cold, rainy nights. The leaders at the refugee camp called for an ambulance, but by the time the ambulance arrived, the child died.
It's a terribly helpless feeling. And it is sad to us that this child's death won't make it into the counting of the casualties.... But to God those may be the most important numbers.... those who are innocently suffering during these tragic times.
We continue to feel safe in our neighborhood, and are still able to get out and about. The kids are back into the routine of school, and enjoying being with their friends.
But now & then (besides watching the news) there is a reminder that all is not well. One day last week one of Rosslyn's school buses took 3 hours to get to school. There was a permitted memorial service/ prayer rally held by the opposition party on the other side of town, in the area of one of Rosslyn's bus routes. A large number of people attended, and dozens of caskets with the slain were out on display. The police were nearby, their presence a reminder for the crowd to remain calm. Unfortunately some young people, angry with the government, started throwing rocks at the police & the police vehicles. Before long it began to get out of control so the police shot tear gas canisters into the crowd. That only angered the people more.... so they started burning cars, they set a building on fire, and the news showed them damaging all kinds of property -- breaking windows, smashing cars, etc. The Rosslyn school bus was able to avoid that specific area, so the students weren't in immediate danger, but with everyone else also trying to flee the area, they were stuck in traffic for several hours. The school is using a security company to check out the bus routes every morning before the buses head out on their route. A calm area can very quickly become hostile and dangerous.
A lot more violence has been going on in Nakuru, a town 2 & 1/2 hours north of Nairobi. Gangs of young men are seeking out members of the President's tribe, and they are hacking them to death with machetes. It's horrific. The enemy is working hard to steal, kill and destroy.
We believe God is bigger than the enemy's plans and that He has a better plan. We also believe He is in the midst of the suffering. Kenyan Christians are standing up and reaching out to their opposing tribes, regardless of their differences.
Our colleague took these pictures that we are posting. His assignment is relief and development, so he has been out in several of the refugee camp areas, assessing needs and evaluating conditions. He has helped us decide how to use the offerings that International Christian Fellowship collected for the internally displaced people. ICF's offerings have helped two refugee camps in our area. Our mission has been very involved in many other locations as well, and we know there are so many other great missions that are also doing their part. It's nice to see people working towards the same purpose to make a difference in the midst of tragedy. God sees each one, and each need. He knows the most accurate numbers - each one.
Thanks for praying for us & for Kenya.
