28th January 2008 |
Hullo Dear Friends,
We are still here in the sunshine of Kenya! Yes the sun has shone all through this very difficult and ugly month of violence and offence. Those of you that are able to reach our
Blog Site will have kept abreast of the developments that commenced as the Votes for the General Election began to come in on the 28th January. Both sides did some under-
hand hanky panky with the Votes and the Government ‘appeared’ to come in first but
without a big majority. The Presidential Election that was going on at the same time
was also beset with similar troubles and although the Electoral Commission found in
favour of President Kibaki and he was Sworn in, the Opposition strongly objected both
to his Swearing In and the general result. IMMEDIATELY violence flared up, and
although this was supposed to be due to the anomalies of the Election it became more
than obvious that it was also being used as a means of Ethnic Cleansing in certain
areas in respect of certain Tribes. OUR AREA initially became one of the hardest hit. Eldoret
exploded into riot, cars set on fire in the main streets of the Town, shops burned
and people killed. The Town is three kilometers from Testimony Faith Homes, and
although we are within the Town Boundaries, the actual troubles have not come
near our gates! The Lord had given us – immediately – Psalm 91 as our comfort and
stay and in particular the words – ‘IT SHALL NOT COME NEAR YOU! – it hasn’t.
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At one time we had more than 70 adults and children from the worst affected areas camping on our compound in the School buildings (School had not opened). Many of
them had their homes burned to the ground and everything they possessed destroyed.
It was and continues to be very distressing for them and thousands more. In ONE DAY
200,000 of the Town’s population left in huge convoys of vehicles in terror of their lives. More than eight thousand displaced persons who had nowhere to run to were camped in Churches,
Public grounds and places like ours. (More than 10,000 still encamped as of today) Food and supplies ceased to reach us, and for the first days of the trouble there seemed little protection or opposition to what was happening. It was chaos. The Town was virtually closed down and empty.
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How did we cope? The Lord was good to us, and provided not only for our usual needs
as a community of some 140 souls including staff and children, but also for the extra
souls that came for refuge and safety. Gifts of maize and milk came in almost daily
for us. The first TEN days was the worst, and since then things have eased off, and
are semi normalized. We still have the Army patrolling the Town streets! The Town
still seems to be half empty – not everyone that left wants to return! Most of those
displaced and camped out have returned home to desolation and continuing ‘fear’ and
others have gone away to other locations. WE are where we were, and where we will
BE. Our daughter Elisabeth and our two grandchildren also being with us throughout
from England. Quite an anxious time for them, and for Prem at home in Rochdale.
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MANY of our own staff have been affected. Six have lost their homes and possessions.
More than half are living in areas where they feel their lives are unsafe. Even this week
more than 8 have been killed and their homes burned to the ground here. It was just
three kilometers away from us that the Church and those in it at the time was burnt
to the ground. We have – through the gifts of many loving and caring friends – been
Able by the Grace of God to distribute more than £2000 of help and aid to dozens of
those in need around us. Thank you Father! Thank you all.
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AND NOW – a month later – the President and the Leader of the Opposition have shaken
hands! Well done! But violence IS continuing. A lot of talking going on as usual in
Kenya, but nothing has yet been actually achieved. How safe is Kenya? How safe are we? Probably NOT as safe as we were – but life has to go on, and as far as we are presently able we are proceeding as normally and as untroubled as we may
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The School opened finally this last week (21st) and we have been glad to see almost ALL
students returning, and our Boarding Hostel full. The Homes are untroubled and
children and staff well and happy. The majority of the 30 of our number that are
attending College or University are boldly and courageously returning to commence
a new Semester. Damaris and Wilfred have returned to Teacher Training College.
One of our older GIRLS taking a Diploma in Hotel Management in Nakuru (160 kilometers
away) rang yesterday to say the Town was in uproar with thugs, police, army and other
rioters killing and burning. Her College is in town but residential. She was scared,
but she is SAFE thank God.
We still need your prayers very seriously. We know you will not fail us in this.
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WE CONTINUED TO BUILD the new Guest Hostel all through this period of unrest and
turmoil! AMAZING. The Building is now up to the Ring Beam, and a picture is included here to give a little idea. We commenced in November so progress has been good. It is hoped to complete by March.
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OUR FAITH IS IN GOD! We are unmoved, and if you were here you would discover a very
peaceful oasis in the midst of an almost paralysed society. Our children are relaxed
and happy, the sun is shining, the wind whispering amongst the leaves of the trees,
and all serene and beautiful. He HAS kept us in perfect peace. Many are seeing it,
marvel and FEAR (stand in wonder towards, are amazed by) GOD. He is with you too just
where You are.
Much love
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John & Esther |
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