The situation in Kenya only worsens

Just when I think it can't get any worse.....

Last night Sarah called to tell me that they had received word that Julius's brother, Melitus, has been murdered in Nairobi. He had recently been elected to Parliment (equavalent to a US Congressman) and, although the government declares that they don't know the motive, I can't believe that the killing was not politically motivated.

My biggest concern right now is for the safety of his family, who are friends of mine. Julius will go to Nairobi to help make arrangements not only for the funeral but also to find secure living arrangements for siblings Emmanuel and Juliana and Emmanuel's three children. I can't imagine that if people were willing to shoot Melitus is cold blood that they might not also target his family. Emmanuel has already be subjected to robbery, jail, and plice beating.

I have decided not to return to Nairobi next summer. I believe that my money is better spent helping Julius and his family. Perhaps I can go again the next year, if and when things have settled down there. Now I need to help in other ways. My prayers go up every day but sometimes I am skeptical as to whether it makes any difference. I know, in my heart, that it does but I've been praying every day and many people I know have been praying everyday and things just seem to get worse.

I'm just being pessimistic, I know. Prayer works. Emmanuel is alive. The children are safe. God works in mysterious ways and he doesn't always give me exactly what I ask for. God knows what is in my heart and I can only pray that His will be done. But, Damn! I sure want what I want. And I want Julius to be safe while he is in country and that he is able to find a way to get Emmanuel, the children, and Juliana to safe haven.

The New Year and the Trouble in Kenya

I am deeply troubled by what is happening in Kenya today. I know that ordinary Kenyans like my friends Emmanuel, Kym, Kwame, Nelson, Gloria, Angela, Grace, Margaret, Salim, Helen, Gordon, and Pamela want nothing more than to be safe in their homes and on the streets. They want peace.

I'm sure that powerful politicians have exploited this business of tribal rivalries to concentrate their own power and/or to gain power. The people that I know don't care if their neighbor is Luo or Kukuyu or Louya (I know I'm not spelling some of this right). They care if their neighbor is a good and decent person.

I have depended on what I hear from Julius and Sarah to know what is going on with Julius's family and our friends. I have not called because I don't want to have my friends waste their precious cell phone energy on reassuring me. Julius tells us that the members of his family and his closest friends are safe. I don't know about the good women from the autism unit. I am concerned about workers at Villa Teag. The sisters and the children and the old dears at Missionaries of Charity should be safe in their "fortress."

Had I not gone to Kenya with Soulfari Kenya last summer this would have meant little to me. I would have been saddened that there was more strife in the world but I wouldn't have faces to remember and actual names to put on people who are suffering from these dreadful events.

One of the faces and names that I remember and think most about is Francie. She is seven, I think. When I knew her last summer she spent all her time when she was not in school with her father. She is shy but quite bright. To my knowledge her mother is not in her life. Some other friends and I pooled some money so that she could go to boarding school this year. She is on the Christmas holiday from school now so is staying with her father in Dandora. It is summer in Nairobi and I'm sure it is quite hot. I'm afraid that she is having to stay inside to avoid the violence. I am worried that her father isn't able to get food for her. I am afraid that she is afraid.