Yesterday William and I were desperately trying to remember what we did New Years 2007/2008. Did we have a party in Kenya? Did we even stay up until midnight? Then we remembered...... oh yeah, we were having post-election violence!!!
We went home early because no one really wanted to be out walking around in the dark during those times. We were in bed long before midnight but we couldn't sleep. We heard gunshots in Kipkaren town.
The next morning we went to church to bring in the New Year along with everyone in our community. We sang a few songs had a brief message and then a fast prayer before everyone quickly disbursed. I was incredibly shocked. While I was thinking "That was the shortest Kenyan service I have EVER been to!" William grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards David Tarus' house. Then I realized that the service wasn't supposed to be so short!
Word had come that the violence had reached our community. There was a gang of young men at a neighbors house demanding that the man looking after the house give the livestock to them. The neighbor was away at the time. My co-worker Allison and I were told to stay in the locked house while the men went to try to stop the theft. They wound up appeasing the gang by giving them his highest quality bull. The group left with the bull and threats.
I remember sitting in the house with Allison watching the movie "Cars" with David's youngest son. While we watched the movie the men sat outside in a huge circle strategizing how best to protect our community.
Maybe January 1, 2008 should have been a clue to me that it was going to be a wild and wacky year to say the least.
Today I am thanking the Lord for a new day, a new year, and new beginnings. It is my prayer that we will see God do great things in our community of Kipkaren this year. I am praying for revival, renewal and new beginnings. Please join with me in praying for Kenya and the ministry of ELI during 2009!
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