Saturday in Nairobi

Hello from Nairobi. We are having a beautiful weekend. When I think of all of the people in the IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps, I am thankful the weather is pleasant. To think just 6 weeks ago many of these people were living peacefully in houses that they had worked to build, and now they are sleeping in emergency shelters and tents – a truly sobering thought. They deserve better than they have received.

It is quiet where we are. I would say that we are nearly back to pre-election normal here in Nairobi. Kofi Annan had a press conference yesterday in which he expressed optimism that a deal is “close”. He also stated that he had not intended to be here this long, but he does expect to remain in Kenya until a satisfactory deal has been made between the two sides. The media buzz is saying that the goal is some sort of coalition government, but there has been no formal agreement. Obviously, much work needs to be done, but all agree that things seem to have moved much more quickly than expected. We hope and pray that all of this progress continues toward meaningful agreements and peace. Kofi Annan has also called a meeting with Kibaki and Odinga for Monday. The committees representing the sides will continue negotiations Tuesday.

International pressure is mounting on the parties believed to be responsible for violence with denial of visa rights for them and their families to many countries, including the US. There is also discussion of freezing assets in foreign countries. While President George Bush is currently on a tour of Africa, he will not be visiting Kenya. The goal of his trip is to highlight the successful development initiatives that the US is involved with in Africa. Although the international press often ignores these things, there is actually quite a bit of humanitarian investment in Africa by the US. He is, however, sending Condoleeza Rice to Kenya. She is expected to be here less than 24 hours, but she will be meeting with Kibaki, Odinga and Annan while she is here.

Interesting media tidbits this week that I am sure don’t make the international news concern the role of the church here. The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) had quite a strong self-condemning statement this week in that they confessed that many in the pulpit have been preaching partisanship rather than healing of the gospel. While it is a relief to see this confession and move toward healing within the churches, it is also distressing to think that our religious institutions could have been part of fostering the hate and tribalism that exists. With this confession, one hopes, will come some sort of move to foster a healing and reconciliation process within the churches.

Our work is continuing to build back up to a normal pace. We are thankful for that. Thursday, we traveled to Mang’u with Dave Chaves, a fellow Anglican missionary who helps us out with our projects. We also took along James Njeru, who is a CCS (Christian Community Services of the ACK) employee helping with our projects. Horace visited shambas to view the passion fruit’s progress, Dave taught discipleship classes, and James and I taught the business classes. When I teach the classes, a translator is necessary in most all areas where we work. It was a good day in which we covered some beginning planning steps to improve our businesses. Things go very well, and the farmers are receptive to the lessons. Our hardest lesson of the day was to think creatively to solve problems. Quite naturally, naming the problems is easy, but thinking of creative solutions is a bit tough. We find that so many farmers and small business owners here tend to do the same things that everyone else does. This only floods a market and increases competition to an impossible degree. We talked quite a bit about how to find out what the market wants and needs are and how to find ways to address business that are different from everyone else.

There are a few minor problems on the passion fruit, but otherwise the crop looked quite good. Horace feels they will be under control shortly, and he didn’t see anything that was a major cause for concern. One of the hardest lessons that he faces teaching is that the flowers and fruit at this point must be pruned to allow proper growth of the vine. It is understandably difficult for these farmers to “waste” these fruits, but it is necessary for the future of the plant. Poles and wires will go up soon for the trellising of the vines.

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging messages. We will be posting again early next week.

Have a blessed weekend!

Anne