April 28, 2008
This has been a relatively uneventful week as far as the political scene in Kenya is concerned. The President and the Prime Minister have been touring IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps around Kenya. The goal is for them to witness the magnitude of the problem and the conditions in which these people are living, but the news coverage has mostly been about controversy surrounding the order in which the various politicians speak. Apparently, that order signifies their relative importance. The current national crisis is how to get these people back to their homes and if that is even possible. We continue to pray for healing and reconciliation among people groups here. There will be much work to be done for quite a while.
Our work continues to go well. Horace traveled to Ngarendare last week to visit the group there. This was a trip that we had scheduled the previous week but had to cancel due to uncertainty about safety on the roads. Last week, there was rioting by a gang called Mungiki in some parts of Nairobi and surrounding towns. No one was quite sure what it all meant by the evening before our scheduled trip, so we chose to cancel. He had a good overnight trip on Thursday, and returned Friday afternoon. The farmers there are currently working toward lowering their input costs. Here, as in most parts of the world, we are watching prices soar which makes it very difficult for struggling farmers. We are taking steps to address this problem with all of the farmers.
Next week, we will be back in Mang’u. Though our business seminars are complete in that location, we will still maintain regular contact with them regarding the technical aspects of farming as well as finances. Particular loan repayment schedules are being recorded, and the work is tedious. Soon, we will see the fruit of their work being harvested. That is always an exciting time for all of us.
Family life is going well with the exception of a rugby injury. Horace, Jr. has injured his knee and has had to take a break. We return to the doctor tomorrow to re-evaluate. The doctor took a very conservative approach of a week’s rest before recommending further testing. If he feels there is still trouble, we will do testing this week to determine the problem. It has been very difficult for him to sit on the sidelines this past week. He really loves the game. Please pray that his knee heals and that he can return to normal activity. Thankfully, Mary Shea has been without injury although her routine of track and swimming has taken quite a bit of energy these past few weeks.
It is difficult to believe that the month of May is upon us. Thursday and Friday will be school holidays this week. Thursday is Labor Day here as it is in many parts of the world. The school has blessed us with the additional day which makes for a nice long weekend. We have no plans except rest and maybe a bit of spring (or fall as it is here) cleaning. After this break, begins the mad rush for the last month of school of sporting events, music concerts and recitals as well as scouting ceremonies.
We continue to be blessed by your prayers and encouragement. They mean so much to our family. Although, we do not anticipate violence here in Kenya, we do continue to request prayers for healing and reconciliation here. There are so many people affected by all that has happened since the December 27th election. It is very difficult to imagine healthy relationships between the different people groups here. We do know that all things are possible through the love of Jesus Christ, so please pray with us that He will touch lives here each and every day.
Have a blessed week!
Anne
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Ups and Downs in the New Kenya
April 21, 2008
Things are improving on the political front. The new cabinet – though bloated in size with 40 new ministers and 52 assistant ministers – has an interesting composition. For each minister, the assistant minister was selected from the opposing political party. The hope is that they will be working together to fix some of the problems that brought us turmoil after the recent election. Please keep them in your prayers as they take on that task.
As one man commented to me last week, you sleep happy and then you may wake up to chaos. That is what happened last Monday morning. Though we were in no danger, the first thing that I heard was that school was having issues with buses because of protests around town. Of course, I was thinking, “What could they be protesting? The cabinet has been named, and things appear to be improving.” Well, the trouble came from a group of thugs that has been outlawed called the “Mungiki”. They are somewhere between an inner city gang and the mafia. They are allegedly part of the paid criminals that were causing some of the unrest in the country after the election. Two politicians were recently arrested for funding their escapades. Last Monday, they declared a week of mass protest because their leader has been held in jail on a weapons charge. The leader’s wife was murdered last week, and the group is blaming the police. However, it is speculated that she was probably killed as a result of fighting within the organization. At the end of the week, the government announced that they wanted to “dialogue” with the Mungiki, and the protests were called off. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with that.
While we did not witness any trouble, we did cancel one of our classes due to uncertainty of safety on the roads. The school that our children attend had to cancel after school activities that Monday, but otherwise, it seemed to be a normal week. Thika did have quite a bit of trouble as businesses were threatened not to open because of the protest. Murang’a also experienced the troubles with businesses being forced to close. All reports are that things are back to normal now.
This week, we will try to get back on track with a make-up class. We are also beginning the task of sorting out the loan particulars for the groups in the different areas. Lots of number crunching is ahead in the next few weeks as we sort it all out.
We will write more later to update you on our groups. For now, please pray for continued peace and a willingness to let the healing process continue in this country. As always, we appreciate your prayers.
Blessings,
Anne
Things are improving on the political front. The new cabinet – though bloated in size with 40 new ministers and 52 assistant ministers – has an interesting composition. For each minister, the assistant minister was selected from the opposing political party. The hope is that they will be working together to fix some of the problems that brought us turmoil after the recent election. Please keep them in your prayers as they take on that task.
As one man commented to me last week, you sleep happy and then you may wake up to chaos. That is what happened last Monday morning. Though we were in no danger, the first thing that I heard was that school was having issues with buses because of protests around town. Of course, I was thinking, “What could they be protesting? The cabinet has been named, and things appear to be improving.” Well, the trouble came from a group of thugs that has been outlawed called the “Mungiki”. They are somewhere between an inner city gang and the mafia. They are allegedly part of the paid criminals that were causing some of the unrest in the country after the election. Two politicians were recently arrested for funding their escapades. Last Monday, they declared a week of mass protest because their leader has been held in jail on a weapons charge. The leader’s wife was murdered last week, and the group is blaming the police. However, it is speculated that she was probably killed as a result of fighting within the organization. At the end of the week, the government announced that they wanted to “dialogue” with the Mungiki, and the protests were called off. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with that.
While we did not witness any trouble, we did cancel one of our classes due to uncertainty of safety on the roads. The school that our children attend had to cancel after school activities that Monday, but otherwise, it seemed to be a normal week. Thika did have quite a bit of trouble as businesses were threatened not to open because of the protest. Murang’a also experienced the troubles with businesses being forced to close. All reports are that things are back to normal now.
This week, we will try to get back on track with a make-up class. We are also beginning the task of sorting out the loan particulars for the groups in the different areas. Lots of number crunching is ahead in the next few weeks as we sort it all out.
We will write more later to update you on our groups. For now, please pray for continued peace and a willingness to let the healing process continue in this country. As always, we appreciate your prayers.
Blessings,
Anne
Monday, April 14, 2008
Nairobi News
April 14, 2008
Today, Anne and I were running errands in Nairobi, and as we drove around from location to location, we couldn’t help remarking on how much potential this country has. Compared to other developing nations, Kenya is industrious and resourceful in spite of its extreme poverty and multiple infrastructure problems.
It appears the government is slowly working its way out of the election controversies. Yesterday, a new cabinet was named, whereby both parties are represented equally, achieving the first in a series of challenges for reconciliation in the upcoming years. I believe Kenyans are up to the task.
It is for some of these reasons that we believe so strongly in working here. We see the potential for change, and we really want to honor God by being a part of it in some small way. Our four new groups are progressing nicely. In Kabete, we have 50 farmers who have recently planted bird of paradise seedlings. These plants will generate a healthy income for all of them for many years.
In Mang’u and Murang’a, we have nearly 100 farmers planting growing passion fruit. Recently, a representative of an international NGO, the Horticultural Development Corporation, told me we need to be planting more passion fruit because currently farmers cannot meet the demand for the export market here in Kenya.
In Ngarendare 60 farmers are planting mobydick flowers for export. Most of them are new growers of this particular flower, but they are eager to learn. We recently went on a tour of some larger flower farms in nearby Naro Moro to learn about the production and grading of this particular flower. The tour had the desired effect: all came away with a sense of optimism, seeing how others were growing the plant successfully.
Unfortunately, there are those here who don’t seem to want their country to succeed. Crime here is rampant, and there are those who still wish to stir up civil unrest. Consequently, we are on our guard always. We are not traveling in areas that may be potentially dangerous, and this unfortunately slows our progress at times.
A fellow Anglican missionary friend of mine recently told me he thought it would take a full generation to fully heal the bitter animosity that exists amongst two of the major tribes in Kenya. I must admit that I agree, regardless of my optimism, but I will close by saying that I believe the vast majority of Kenyans do want genuine peace and reconciliation among all people of this land. Please pray that the few who don’t want peace do not get their way.
All God’s Blessings,
Horace
Today, Anne and I were running errands in Nairobi, and as we drove around from location to location, we couldn’t help remarking on how much potential this country has. Compared to other developing nations, Kenya is industrious and resourceful in spite of its extreme poverty and multiple infrastructure problems.
It appears the government is slowly working its way out of the election controversies. Yesterday, a new cabinet was named, whereby both parties are represented equally, achieving the first in a series of challenges for reconciliation in the upcoming years. I believe Kenyans are up to the task.
It is for some of these reasons that we believe so strongly in working here. We see the potential for change, and we really want to honor God by being a part of it in some small way. Our four new groups are progressing nicely. In Kabete, we have 50 farmers who have recently planted bird of paradise seedlings. These plants will generate a healthy income for all of them for many years.
In Mang’u and Murang’a, we have nearly 100 farmers planting growing passion fruit. Recently, a representative of an international NGO, the Horticultural Development Corporation, told me we need to be planting more passion fruit because currently farmers cannot meet the demand for the export market here in Kenya.
In Ngarendare 60 farmers are planting mobydick flowers for export. Most of them are new growers of this particular flower, but they are eager to learn. We recently went on a tour of some larger flower farms in nearby Naro Moro to learn about the production and grading of this particular flower. The tour had the desired effect: all came away with a sense of optimism, seeing how others were growing the plant successfully.
Unfortunately, there are those here who don’t seem to want their country to succeed. Crime here is rampant, and there are those who still wish to stir up civil unrest. Consequently, we are on our guard always. We are not traveling in areas that may be potentially dangerous, and this unfortunately slows our progress at times.
A fellow Anglican missionary friend of mine recently told me he thought it would take a full generation to fully heal the bitter animosity that exists amongst two of the major tribes in Kenya. I must admit that I agree, regardless of my optimism, but I will close by saying that I believe the vast majority of Kenyans do want genuine peace and reconciliation among all people of this land. Please pray that the few who don’t want peace do not get their way.
All God’s Blessings,
Horace
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