Kenya YES team newsletter #7
Melissa Eby
2/8/08
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
This past two week have been filled with many highs and lows as we were trying to decide what the next step for our team would be. The first week back was a time for processing what we have experienced in Kenya and readjusting as we returned home. We were able to go home for the weekend to be with our families and reconnect with our home churches. When we return to HDC there were many mixed feelings as to what comes next. After hearing the possible outreach options and meeting with Discipleship Ministries it was decided that we would not continue as a team, and we will be going out separate ways on Saturday as we return home. We have no regrets as to our experience in Kenya and are thankful for the opportunity that we had to go there. We would like to thank you for all your prayers and support as we served.
Prayer Request
Returning home
Peace in Kenya
Protection for the missionaries in Kenya
Praise
Our time in Kenya
God bless,
Melissa for the Kenya team
Friday, February 8, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Home again, Home again, Jig-ity Jig
Kenya YES team newsletter #6
Ben Yutzy
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
"Get down!" I ducked behind the short wall of the hotel veranda. Gun shots coming from several different areas along the street caused crowds of people to run the other way. Vehicles flew past the hotel fleeing out of town as the popcorn fire of gunshots grew closer. Several police trucks finally drove past. Clair and I left soon there after.
After a sudden, unexpected outburst of violence in Nakuru, Clair Good (EMM representative for Africa) decided to take a chance with the town he saved going to last because he thought it the safest. I went with him. Shortly after leaving Nairobi, we noticed a crowd on the side of the road. Lying there in the middle of the onlookers was a victim of the Kenyan violence. That sight only foreshadowed what was about to happen in Nakuru that day.
Tractor trailers lined both sides of the street going into Nakuru, waiting for a police escort through the town. We made it to the hotel on the outskirts of Nakuru where we were able to meet with the local church leaders. How do you raise money for those that have been displaced when people are threatening you with burning your church if you do? How do you preach peace and forgiveness when people can't see past your ethnicity and think that you are only taking sides in the political/ethnic fighting with everyone else? These were a few of the questions that were facing these local church leaders.
Well, after a several weeks of waiting around Nairobi, it was finally determined that for reasons of safety we would have to leave the country. 11:00 Friday night we were told that we would leave and 12:00 the following night we were aboard the plane headed for the US. Such a decision came after the whole situation in Kenya only continued to worsen and no end appeared to be in sight. We are now safely back at Harrisburg Discipleship Center.
Praises:
We made it home safely.
Prayer requests:
For the return of peace to Kenya.
Pray that the Church in Kenya can reach out to those in need.
For direction for our team.
Ben Yutzy for the Kenya team
Ben Yutzy
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
"Get down!" I ducked behind the short wall of the hotel veranda. Gun shots coming from several different areas along the street caused crowds of people to run the other way. Vehicles flew past the hotel fleeing out of town as the popcorn fire of gunshots grew closer. Several police trucks finally drove past. Clair and I left soon there after.
After a sudden, unexpected outburst of violence in Nakuru, Clair Good (EMM representative for Africa) decided to take a chance with the town he saved going to last because he thought it the safest. I went with him. Shortly after leaving Nairobi, we noticed a crowd on the side of the road. Lying there in the middle of the onlookers was a victim of the Kenyan violence. That sight only foreshadowed what was about to happen in Nakuru that day.
Tractor trailers lined both sides of the street going into Nakuru, waiting for a police escort through the town. We made it to the hotel on the outskirts of Nakuru where we were able to meet with the local church leaders. How do you raise money for those that have been displaced when people are threatening you with burning your church if you do? How do you preach peace and forgiveness when people can't see past your ethnicity and think that you are only taking sides in the political/ethnic fighting with everyone else? These were a few of the questions that were facing these local church leaders.
Well, after a several weeks of waiting around Nairobi, it was finally determined that for reasons of safety we would have to leave the country. 11:00 Friday night we were told that we would leave and 12:00 the following night we were aboard the plane headed for the US. Such a decision came after the whole situation in Kenya only continued to worsen and no end appeared to be in sight. We are now safely back at Harrisburg Discipleship Center.
Praises:
We made it home safely.
Prayer requests:
For the return of peace to Kenya.
Pray that the Church in Kenya can reach out to those in need.
For direction for our team.
Ben Yutzy for the Kenya team
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Kenya YES team newsletter #5
Kenya YES team newsletter #5
Monica Stoltzfus
1/23/08
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
So this week still finds us at the Mennonite Guest House, not sure what is coming next. We are still hearing reports of election violence in Kenya, in places like Eldoret, Kisumu, Narok, Mombasa, and even some in the outskirts and slums of Nairobi. We are praying that the situation will soon be under control, and we will know our next move.
Clair and Beth Good have been here a little over a week, and were able to take us to visit Olepolos, where they had served for several years. This area is predominantly the Mossai tribe, which is pretty different from where we lived in Songhor among the Lous. The roads were clear for a couple of days in between protests, so we drove out Sunday morning to experience the church service. It was different from the church we are working with in Songhor, with a lot more tribal dancing and songs for worship. We understood very little of it, as it was in Mossai, but it was still really neat to see church done a little differently. While we were there, we visited another refugee camp, similar to the one we saw in Songhor. However, these refugees seemed to be better off with more supplies and tents for shelter. Yet, it was still sad to see how little these people had. We returned Monday evening, glad to have a break and to get out of the Mennonite Guest House for the weekend.
The other highlight of our week was on Friday when we went to the Mossai market. This is where many local Kenyans bring clothes, crafts, wares, etc. to sell mostly to tourists. It was a little overwhelming at first when we walked in, because there were people constantly pressing in, trying to sell us their handicrafts, and there were wares everywhere. It was also a new experience to barter, not knowing how much to pay, and knowing that we were probably being taken advantage of. But it was a lot of fun, and we bought some really neat souvenirs.
Praises:
Prayer requests:
Thank you for all your prayers,
Monica Stoltzfus for the Kenya team
Monica Stoltzfus
1/23/08
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
So this week still finds us at the Mennonite Guest House, not sure what is coming next. We are still hearing reports of election violence in Kenya, in places like Eldoret, Kisumu, Narok, Mombasa, and even some in the outskirts and slums of Nairobi. We are praying that the situation will soon be under control, and we will know our next move.
Clair and Beth Good have been here a little over a week, and were able to take us to visit Olepolos, where they had served for several years. This area is predominantly the Mossai tribe, which is pretty different from where we lived in Songhor among the Lous. The roads were clear for a couple of days in between protests, so we drove out Sunday morning to experience the church service. It was different from the church we are working with in Songhor, with a lot more tribal dancing and songs for worship. We understood very little of it, as it was in Mossai, but it was still really neat to see church done a little differently. While we were there, we visited another refugee camp, similar to the one we saw in Songhor. However, these refugees seemed to be better off with more supplies and tents for shelter. Yet, it was still sad to see how little these people had. We returned Monday evening, glad to have a break and to get out of the Mennonite Guest House for the weekend.
The other highlight of our week was on Friday when we went to the Mossai market. This is where many local Kenyans bring clothes, crafts, wares, etc. to sell mostly to tourists. It was a little overwhelming at first when we walked in, because there were people constantly pressing in, trying to sell us their handicrafts, and there were wares everywhere. It was also a new experience to barter, not knowing how much to pay, and knowing that we were probably being taken advantage of. But it was a lot of fun, and we bought some really neat souvenirs.
Praises:
- That God has kept us safe here at the Mennonite Guest House amidst all the unrest in Kenya.
- That we will get to see John Mutisya today!
Prayer requests:
- For Gordon Obado, one of our outreach coordinators, and his family as his wife passed away last week. They had 3 kids of their own, and adopted 2 more. The funeral was yesterday in Songhor.
- That Bishop Clyde and his family would have safety in Songhor.
- That we would have patience amidst all the unknowns right now, and that we could use this time in Nairobi to reach out to others.
Thank you for all your prayers,
Monica Stoltzfus for the Kenya team
Monday, January 14, 2008
Our week in Nairobi
Hello Everyone,
We are still here in Nairobi and will probably be here for at least another week. This past weekend Ryan Showalter from EMM came to visit and it was good to see a familiar face from back home. Last night Clair and Beth Good flew in and they will be spending time here in Kenya until about the 26th. They have lived in Kenya for many years and wanted to come and spend some time here, evaluating the situation. It will also help them decide how safe it is for us to return to Songhor and when that will be possible. We are in a lot of unknown right now.
We didn't have a very eventful week last week. We caught up on three weeks worth of emailing and did what we could to help out here at the Mennonite Guesthouse. We are able to cook our own food in the house we're staying in next to the MGH. It has been interesting to shop for groceries. More than once we have asked one of the workers in the store if they have a certain item and more than once we have gotten a blank stare. There seems to be a language barrier even when the other person understands English.
Sunday we went to an awesome church service here in Nairobi. We attended Mamlaka Hill Chapel. They had a mix of Swahili and English worship and the preaching was in English. It is a growing church with, I would say, about two hundred people and three services. Through the church we got connected with someone helping at Jamhuri Park where about nine thousand families are staying as refugees because of the crisis. Yesterday morning we went to see what we could do to help. It was good to see what was happening there and to be able to help out in the areas that we could. It was interesting to see how the situation in Jamuri Park compared to the situation at the police station near Songhor. There was definitely a lot more people at the park, but it was also a lot bigger than the police station. The Red Cross was there and supplies seemed more available. There are planned riots for the next three days so we're not sure how safe it is to be out much, but we're hoping to go back to Jamhuri Park sometime to help again.
That's really the extent of our week here in Nairobi. Hopefully the next time we send an update we'll have a better idea of what the weeks ahead hold. For now we're learning to trust God with the future and all of the unknown.
God bless,
Becky Jordan for the Kenya team
Praises:
-This has been a time for us to reflect on what we have experienced the last month and to be able to have some time as a team
-There are opportunities for us to serve here in Nairobi while we're waiting to see how long it will take for things to settle down here in Kenya
-We're safe here in Nairobi
Prayer Requests:
-The nation of Kenya and the families that have been affected. That food, clean water, shelter, and medicine will be provided for the many refugees around the country
-For Gordon Obado who we have worked with in Songhor. His wife just died unexpectedly on Sunday. Please keep him and his children in your prayers.
-That God will give EMM wisdom in deciding when it is safe for us to return to Songhor
-Continued team unity
We are still here in Nairobi and will probably be here for at least another week. This past weekend Ryan Showalter from EMM came to visit and it was good to see a familiar face from back home. Last night Clair and Beth Good flew in and they will be spending time here in Kenya until about the 26th. They have lived in Kenya for many years and wanted to come and spend some time here, evaluating the situation. It will also help them decide how safe it is for us to return to Songhor and when that will be possible. We are in a lot of unknown right now.
We didn't have a very eventful week last week. We caught up on three weeks worth of emailing and did what we could to help out here at the Mennonite Guesthouse. We are able to cook our own food in the house we're staying in next to the MGH. It has been interesting to shop for groceries. More than once we have asked one of the workers in the store if they have a certain item and more than once we have gotten a blank stare. There seems to be a language barrier even when the other person understands English.
Sunday we went to an awesome church service here in Nairobi. We attended Mamlaka Hill Chapel. They had a mix of Swahili and English worship and the preaching was in English. It is a growing church with, I would say, about two hundred people and three services. Through the church we got connected with someone helping at Jamhuri Park where about nine thousand families are staying as refugees because of the crisis. Yesterday morning we went to see what we could do to help. It was good to see what was happening there and to be able to help out in the areas that we could. It was interesting to see how the situation in Jamuri Park compared to the situation at the police station near Songhor. There was definitely a lot more people at the park, but it was also a lot bigger than the police station. The Red Cross was there and supplies seemed more available. There are planned riots for the next three days so we're not sure how safe it is to be out much, but we're hoping to go back to Jamhuri Park sometime to help again.
That's really the extent of our week here in Nairobi. Hopefully the next time we send an update we'll have a better idea of what the weeks ahead hold. For now we're learning to trust God with the future and all of the unknown.
God bless,
Becky Jordan for the Kenya team
Praises:
-This has been a time for us to reflect on what we have experienced the last month and to be able to have some time as a team
-There are opportunities for us to serve here in Nairobi while we're waiting to see how long it will take for things to settle down here in Kenya
-We're safe here in Nairobi
Prayer Requests:
-The nation of Kenya and the families that have been affected. That food, clean water, shelter, and medicine will be provided for the many refugees around the country
-For Gordon Obado who we have worked with in Songhor. His wife just died unexpectedly on Sunday. Please keep him and his children in your prayers.
-That God will give EMM wisdom in deciding when it is safe for us to return to Songhor
-Continued team unity
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Pictures
These are some of this sights we saw due to all of the election violence...
The first pictures of all the people are refugees who were hiding out at the Songhor police station. You can see that there were people and their things everywhere.
(Above) The kids loved the camera, and couldn't get close enough to Melissa as she was taking the pictures.
(Both below) The multitudes of refugees...
I don't think that any of us really realized the scope of what was happening until we got to Kisumu. Things were much different from when we had been there just weeks before...
(Above) This was the road into Kisumu when we were driving to the airport. This car had been set on fire and used as a roadblock by protesters earlier in the week, crippling transportation into out out of the city. The whole road to Kisumu from Songhor had been covered with rocks and bonfires, but it got worse the closer we got to the city.
(Below) Our internet cafe/restaurant in Kisumu. It was sad to see "our spot" so destroyed. It was only one of hundreds of businesses that had been destroyed by the protesters and riots.
(Above) A normally bustling street in Kisumu that had been trashed. Businesses were burnt or smashed to bits, trash covered the street, and it was eerily empty compared to the last time we had been in the city.
(Below) A huge hardware store, completely gutted by fire. Again, this was one of many
destroyed buildings.
The first pictures of all the people are refugees who were hiding out at the Songhor police station. You can see that there were people and their things everywhere.
(Above) The kids loved the camera, and couldn't get close enough to Melissa as she was taking the pictures.
(Both below) The multitudes of refugees...
I don't think that any of us really realized the scope of what was happening until we got to Kisumu. Things were much different from when we had been there just weeks before...
(Above) This was the road into Kisumu when we were driving to the airport. This car had been set on fire and used as a roadblock by protesters earlier in the week, crippling transportation into out out of the city. The whole road to Kisumu from Songhor had been covered with rocks and bonfires, but it got worse the closer we got to the city.
(Below) Our internet cafe/restaurant in Kisumu. It was sad to see "our spot" so destroyed. It was only one of hundreds of businesses that had been destroyed by the protesters and riots.
(Above) A normally bustling street in Kisumu that had been trashed. Businesses were burnt or smashed to bits, trash covered the street, and it was eerily empty compared to the last time we had been in the city.
(Below) A huge hardware store, completely gutted by fire. Again, this was one of many
destroyed buildings.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Kenya YES team newsletter #3
Melissa Eby and Ben Yutzy
01/08/2008
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
Twas' the Night Before Christmas, and all throughout Kenya
Not a creature was stirring not even a panya (rat);
The lantern was hung from the rafters with care,
In hopes that electricity would soon be there;
The YES team were snuggled all tight in their beds,
While visions of sugarcane danced in their heads;
When out on the compound there arose such a clatter.
I jumped through my net to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw back the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a matatu (public van) proclaiming hope for a new year.
The elections were said to bring changes for all,
For the candidate of choice would do nothing so small.
The past three weeks in Kenya has completely changed the face of the nation that we originally came to know. In the week leading up to the election we witnessed the growing passions for particular candidates amongst the different tribes and regions. In the surrounding area, where we happened to be living, there seemed to be absolutely no difference in opinion when it came to the presidential election as it is largely comprised of the Luo tribe. As a result of the election being December 27th, Christmas and New Years were not the main focus during this season.
What we witnessed in the aftermath of the announcement that the president would remain in power was a complete breakdown of a society. In our area sugar cane fields were set ablaze, logs burned in the middle of the street and rocks strew about the roads in an attempt to lash out from the unfairness they felt concerning the election. We spent the past two weeks largely confined to our compound, unable to go anywhere because the roads were impassable. From our compound we were able to witness large groups of protesters traveling to the nearest town and forcing people of neighboring compounds to join them with threats of physical abuse. Our compound was passed by out of the respect that the village has for the Bishop who we are living with.
We didn't begin to realize the magnitude of the situation until we learned of what was taking place at our local police station. Hundreds of Kisii and Kikuyu people had fled there to escape growing animosity between the different tribes. On Friday their situation was starting to get desperate, about five hundred people were living there with little access to water (much less clean water), food, shelter, proper sanitation or medical care. Upon hearing of what was going on we went to the little shopping center in our village and purchased what small amount of corn maize that was available. We arrived at the police station to find hundreds of people and their possession crowding all around us. It was a terrible sight. There was one toilet facility for all of them and no place for most of them to sleep. Leaders had been selected to maintain order of the chaos we saw going on. Soon after we got there two incredibly packed bus loads of people arrived bringing about 80 people each. By the prompting of the leaders we prayed with the many people that gathered around us. What little corn maize we brought, 20 kg, was given to the leaders to be handed out to those most in need, especially young children.
The following day we went back to the Songhor shopping center (think multiple roadside stands) and purchased all the water treatment supplies that were there, three bottles that would treat 600 liters of water. We hiked up to the top of the hill and were stunned to see the size had grown to 1114 and almost half were children. Their faces gave evidence to the helplessness that they felt. Children pushed and shoved to be in the pictures. A doctor, himself a refuge, had set up a temporary clinic, but supplies were few. All they really need is safe transportation back to their tribal land.
EMM thought it would be in the best interest of our team during this situation for us to be stationed in Nairobi. We will remain at the Mennonite Guest House until it is determined that it is safe enough for us to travel back. We do not feel like our safety is at risk but continually ask for your prayer as this national struggle plays out.
Praise:
Safety and good health
Prayer:
For the healing of Kenya and tribal reconciliation
For those that are displaced
That upon returning to Songhor we would might be able to find purpose for what we will be doing there
Mungu Hawabariki (God bless),
Melissa and Ben for the Kenya team
Melissa Eby and Ben Yutzy
01/08/2008
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
Twas' the Night Before Christmas, and all throughout Kenya
Not a creature was stirring not even a panya (rat);
The lantern was hung from the rafters with care,
In hopes that electricity would soon be there;
The YES team were snuggled all tight in their beds,
While visions of sugarcane danced in their heads;
When out on the compound there arose such a clatter.
I jumped through my net to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw back the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a matatu (public van) proclaiming hope for a new year.
The elections were said to bring changes for all,
For the candidate of choice would do nothing so small.
The past three weeks in Kenya has completely changed the face of the nation that we originally came to know. In the week leading up to the election we witnessed the growing passions for particular candidates amongst the different tribes and regions. In the surrounding area, where we happened to be living, there seemed to be absolutely no difference in opinion when it came to the presidential election as it is largely comprised of the Luo tribe. As a result of the election being December 27th, Christmas and New Years were not the main focus during this season.
What we witnessed in the aftermath of the announcement that the president would remain in power was a complete breakdown of a society. In our area sugar cane fields were set ablaze, logs burned in the middle of the street and rocks strew about the roads in an attempt to lash out from the unfairness they felt concerning the election. We spent the past two weeks largely confined to our compound, unable to go anywhere because the roads were impassable. From our compound we were able to witness large groups of protesters traveling to the nearest town and forcing people of neighboring compounds to join them with threats of physical abuse. Our compound was passed by out of the respect that the village has for the Bishop who we are living with.
We didn't begin to realize the magnitude of the situation until we learned of what was taking place at our local police station. Hundreds of Kisii and Kikuyu people had fled there to escape growing animosity between the different tribes. On Friday their situation was starting to get desperate, about five hundred people were living there with little access to water (much less clean water), food, shelter, proper sanitation or medical care. Upon hearing of what was going on we went to the little shopping center in our village and purchased what small amount of corn maize that was available. We arrived at the police station to find hundreds of people and their possession crowding all around us. It was a terrible sight. There was one toilet facility for all of them and no place for most of them to sleep. Leaders had been selected to maintain order of the chaos we saw going on. Soon after we got there two incredibly packed bus loads of people arrived bringing about 80 people each. By the prompting of the leaders we prayed with the many people that gathered around us. What little corn maize we brought, 20 kg, was given to the leaders to be handed out to those most in need, especially young children.
The following day we went back to the Songhor shopping center (think multiple roadside stands) and purchased all the water treatment supplies that were there, three bottles that would treat 600 liters of water. We hiked up to the top of the hill and were stunned to see the size had grown to 1114 and almost half were children. Their faces gave evidence to the helplessness that they felt. Children pushed and shoved to be in the pictures. A doctor, himself a refuge, had set up a temporary clinic, but supplies were few. All they really need is safe transportation back to their tribal land.
EMM thought it would be in the best interest of our team during this situation for us to be stationed in Nairobi. We will remain at the Mennonite Guest House until it is determined that it is safe enough for us to travel back. We do not feel like our safety is at risk but continually ask for your prayer as this national struggle plays out.
Praise:
Safety and good health
Prayer:
For the healing of Kenya and tribal reconciliation
For those that are displaced
That upon returning to Songhor we would might be able to find purpose for what we will be doing there
Mungu Hawabariki (God bless),
Melissa and Ben for the Kenya team
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Kenya YES team newsletter #2
Monica Stoltzfus
12/18/07
You can better read our letters, with pictures, at yesteamkenya.blogspot.com.
This week started out eventfully since we last wrote. We got to experience 2 church services at the Songhor Mennonite Church, the 9th and the 16th. Their praise and worship is incredible. They would just break into song, dancing and clapping to beautiful harmonies. The service on the 9th started pretty small, but the congregation grew as the morning continued. The rains the night before had left travel difficult, as many of the church members live a distance from the church, and any rain turns the dirt paths to mud. Even the smallest rain effects travel, which has really made me grateful for the transportation in the U.S. I will never complain about Pennsylvania roads ever again!
Sunday afternoon, I ended up getting sick on my stomach. When 24 hours later I still hadn’t improved, we went to the hospital. Due overloaded transportation and the few paved roads with more potholes than blacktop, the miserable trip of 14km took two and a half hours. When we arrived, I was tested and we found out I had gotten Malaria. But we had caught it relatively early, and with treatment, I quickly improved. Other than this, it has been a praise that we have had really good health!
Praises:
Ÿ For relatively good health, and my quick recovery from malaria.
Prayer requests:
Ÿ Our second and final week of Swahili classes begins Wed. We are learning, but we ask that you continue to pray that we will come to understand more of the language. It has been a blessing, though, that many people understand English.
Ÿ Continued team unity.
Ÿ We will also begin more of our actual outreach next week, so you can keep us in your prayers as we transition.
Ÿ Christmas is coming up rapidly, which leads to thoughts of home and family. Pray that we can have a blessed holiday and won’t be dealing with a lot of homesickness.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. It has been an adjustment, but Kenya is beautiful, and the people are very hospitable. It’s beginning to feel a little more like home.
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