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