Kenya

Here is an update about Kenyan United Church of God members.


http://members.ucg.org/announcements/01032008EastAfrica.htm
Kenya Update—by John Elliott, senior pastor, East AfricaKenya's Daily Nation newspaper reported Jan. 24, "President Kibaki and the Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga have met for the first time since the disputed General Election, and shaken hands before a battery of journalists" ahead of face-to-face talks. This came late in the day after a mediation contingent, led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, met privately with both sides. Nothing has changed yet, with both men insisting that they won the presidential election. The real basis of Kenya's violence lies not in politics, nor in ethic hatred, but in the fragility of daily life and the despair of any hope. But Kenya is expected to calm and return to normalcy, thanks to the basic decency of ordinary Kenyans whose priorities are hard work, educating their children, fearing God and enjoying a few sodas. Kenyans know that only they themselves can prevent fresh chaos and that the entirety of political leaders are to blame.Interruption of supplies, fuel, food, transportation and a potential collapse of the tourism and agricultural industries are a foreboding reality. As Aidan Hartley wrote in the Jan. 11 New York Times, "On the political front, perhaps the best we can hope is that Big Men will reach a deal and the tribes will put away their machetes and rifles." Then the local residents can "return to their daily struggle to survive."Last Sabbath, our deacon Antonio (full names withheld for security reasons) visited the Elburgon congregation where Kalenjin tribal violence is being reported in the news. The Kalenjin tribe, best known for their marathon champions, have used the current tribal strains to demand a clearing of all tribes from their ancestral lands. Portions of their Rift Valley lands were taken by the British during colonial rule. Afterwards, the British sold the lands to others instead of returning them to the Kalenjins. Now they claim for themselves the huge Rift Valley region of Kenya from Tanzania to Ethiopia, insisting that all others leave.A few UCG members have come close to the violence in the Rift Valley and in Migori. Last night, Geoffrey, our local congregational leader in Elburgon, slept outside with his neighbors to try to keep bow-and-arrow-wielding Kalenjins from burning their houses and maize crops like they had done other houses nearby. In Migori, our deacon Moses does not feel safe anymore. He is a Kisii living in Luo lands where he serves as postmaster. This week some neighbors began stoning their house until others intervened on their behalf. Moses needs to relocate his family to their tribal home. Most Luo schools have not reopened yet. Reportedly the teachers and children have been threatened that they would be burned if they attended school. In one area citizens looted and burned the district hospital. In the city of Kisumu, citizens reportedly looted and burned nearly every business. However, all of our brethren of all the tribes and affected areas have been spared any loss.Many members continue to be affected by the disruption of services and supplies, particularly our Lou members in Western Kenya where our deacon Otieno says, "We are now in another world. Commodities prices have hiked up; transportation is too high; life has changed dramatically. But this is where we are now. We are just praying, since only God is able to solve the problem and bring our country to normal life we were used to." The interruption of transportation used to bring maize and other foods to that famine-parched region has pushed prices of available food out of reach for many. A Good Works project this month quickly supplied the immediate funds needed for needy brethren to purchase the increasingly expensive food they require. A question frequently arises from compassionate Church members, "What can we do to help?" While many feel an urgency to send in funds, we have already received sufficient funds for the current needs through the Good Works project that was quickly funded in January. Those funds are already being distributed according to needs, particularly in Western Kenya. Most other areas have food and necessities available at this time. The current funds will hopefully cover any extreme needs the brethren have there through March. We will continue to monitor the situation and will announce future needs should additional funds be required.At this time you can help most by remembering all of our brethren worldwide in your prayers. While our area is receiving a lot of attention, such situations are mirrored in countless other regions where daily life begs for the return of Jesus Christ's government. As Antonio told me today, "Thankfully, we are all safe and doing well. We are praying for peace in the country for the sake of being able to continue doing God's work."May God continue to bless us all as we serve Him,John Elliott