"Just because it is calm...doesn't mean that there is peace."

My friend Naman shared this with me... very true.

Answered Prayer

Praise God because last Friday, Teresiah returned after about 2 weeks of being gone. She found a friend and was kept safe, but we are glad that she is back. Jon came back, but left the next morning. He keeps running away from the Children's Home and from his grandma's house. She is old and can't handle this stress. She asked him if he is trying to make her die before her time. Pray that Jon stays in one place and that he will stop playing around with his future.

Kibera

Annelie and I were able to visit some friends at their church. The church is situated on the edge of Kibera, the secondest largest slum in Africa, with an estimated population density of 300,000 per square kilometer. Our fellow short-term SIMers have been pulled out of Kibera for security reasons. We thought that this visit wouldn't happen, but we prayed that God would make a way so that we could greet our friends again and see what Kibera looked like after all that has happened. I will post some pictures and let them speak for themselves.







To see more pictures... follow the photo album link on the right under "Kibera - the aftermath".

New faces at the home

On the left, Sarah, holding a neighbour girl, Frecia
Me and Lillian
Martin

Because of the tribal clashes, we have three new children here at St. Nicholas. The youngest that we've had since I've been here - around the ages 5, 6 and 7 - we aren't sure. Each of their mothers have been brutally murdered - either burned, cut or hanged.
One night, I was putting Lillian to sleep and as I said goodnight to her, she wasn't seeing me. As she looked up to the ceiling it seemed that she was watching something; perhaps reaching back into her memories, the tears welling up in her big brown eyes. I knew she was trying to hold it back, but I just held her and told her over and over, "Ni sawa. Ni sawa. It's ok. It's ok. Just cry." I have never felt more inadequate as a person in my life than at that moment. God's lesson to me that night is that He is the Father to the fatherless and will watch over Lillian and all the children in this home better than I ever can. In my heart, I have committed Lillian over to God's protection and know that she is in the safest place that she can ever be.

still here...

Just want to let any faithfuls know that I am still in Kenya. I'm trying to sort out what I'm feeling, seeing and hearing this last month and a half. All I can say is pray for Kenya and those in other countries experiencing fear, displacement and war. I know God is in control, but these situations have shown me the deep heart of mankind - bent on evil. Truly, we need a Saviour!

Father of the fatherless

Pray for these two children who have run away. Two weeks ago, John Karanja, ran away and was returned by his grandmother who lives a 10 hour walk away. He ran away again yesterday.

Teresiah ran away a few days after John did, but she hasn't returned. It has almost been two weeks. Pray for safety and protection over them and that God will watch over them as He did before they were brought to St. Nicholas Children's Home.

Who am I to be so blessed?

This New Year's Eve has been quite a different one than I have ever experienced. My midnite phone calls weren't to wish people a Happy New Year, but to see if they were alive and well. Praise God because most of my friends are fine. There are a few that I can't get in contact with and others that I couldn't talk to on Monday night, I have now talked to or heard from. If you're wondering what I'm writing about... let me brief you with the words from our director.

"The presidential election process in Kenya has resulted in serious civil unrest in many points across the country. News updates can be found at www.bbc.com and other international news agencies in regards to the ongoing problems...
All SIM Kenya personnel are safe and accounted for. SIMers in Nairobi, where much of the trouble has been centered, have been able to leave their compounds for food and other supplies. All compounds in Nairobi have walls and security guards as well as other measures for safety. Other SIM personnel in Kenya have reported that they are safe.
On Thursday, 3 January, a rally is being planned that may lead to further increased tensions. Please be in prayer for Kenya, the many Kenyans that have been affected by the disturbances and for a peaceful resolution to the problems."


Yes, I am safe in a compound, but what about all the children that I work with, my fellow teachers, friends, staff workers, neighbours or youth? I have always been blessed with so much! I don't think I have really seen with how much I've been blessed with until this last week. Safety, freedom, food, money, shelter, family, friends, GOD! We think that everyone has a human right to these things, yet not everyone does. And I have done NOTHING to deserve it any more than the mother I passed begging on the street.

I can't say much about what's going on, but please pray for the country of Kenya and while you're at it - thank God for what He has blessed you with this day, this year.


Dear Almighty God,

You are Jehovah.
You are all-powerful and all-seeing.
You see what is happening here in Kenya.
You see the hurting, angry youth.
You see the confused, innocent children.
You hear the shouts of frustrated men; disappointed in their leaders.
You hear the cries of scared women who are trying to provide for their families.
You alone, God, are the One that we can run to in this time of trouble.

Please stop these people from all the fighting, looting, killing and burning.
God, we speak against the spirit of hate; the spirit of disunity; the spirit of fighting and killing!
Saviour, we ask You to restore peace in this nation.
Lord, we put our trust in Your Sovereign Hand - that You can bring the leaders of this country together to work out a solution.

Father, Keep Your people - my friends safe.
Provide food and shelter for them.
Show us how to pray for this situation and what actions to take.

We pray this believing and trusting that You are able...
In Jesus' Name. AMEN.