Last Update for an April Monday

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