Nairobi Arrival Update

First, we have to pause briefly and thank all of you who have send e-mails communicating that you are praying and about your interest and concern for us. We had over 60 e-mails in our in-box when we opened it this morning. We can't adequately tell you how much we appreciate your interest and concern and prayers.

We arrived in Nairobi at about 9AM on January 2 and were welcomed by 8 men from the missionary compound and ANU. The arrival and the trip from the airport were quiet and uneventful. We saw two trucks with soldiers in them, but neither truckload seemed to be on high alert. In fact, one of the trucks was parked by the road and several of the soldiers were stretched out napping in the shade. More on the political situation later.

After we arrived, Professor Marangu, our new University boss, arrived with hugs and words of welcome. Nan and I were given the keys to our new car and Rod Reed, a religion faculty member, and I went to the Nakkumatt (the Kenyan Walmart) to get some groceries for our temporary apartment here in the compound. They were nearly out of meat, fresh fruit and eggs, but things seemed calm in the store. We stopped for gas and were told there was a thousand shilling (enough for about a third of a tank) limit on gasoline.

Nan picked up a bug and was exhausted from the flight. She has been sleeping off and on for 24 hours but seems to be getting over the bug. It's good to be able to rest and relax.

In regard to the political situation: the opposition candidate had scheduled a rally for today which the government said could not be held. We are being told that there are some clashes between government troops and opposition supporters near the Nairobi Central Church of the Nazarene (similar to those pictured in the earlier post). The US Embassy is telling Americans to stay where they are. The conflict seems to be entirely between opposing Kenyan political parties and tribes with no specific danger for American or British expatriates. Don Gardener, the East Africa field director, said yesterday that so far Kenyan Nazarenes seem to be safe although understandably concerned. There have been no reports of Nazarene injuries or property damage. We'd appreciate your prayers for the safety of the Kenyan Nazarenes and for all the Kenyans in the slums around Nairobi and in Kisumu, where much of the violence has taken place. Right now, there are no plans for the Nazarene missionaries in Kenya except to stay put and keep a low profile.

Mood-ometer report: Nan's health is a concern, although a relatively small one. We'd appreciate your prayers for her. We know it may be hard as you look at video footage and hear of the very real casualties of this conflict to believe it, but we do not feel in any danger right now. We are concerned for Kenya, our new adopted home, and its people, and for innocent people who are caught up in the conflict and we know conditions can change rapidly. Right now, though, we feel safe and able to rest and --most importantly-- in the center of God's will. Thanks again, very much, for your prayers and interest. We love you all.

Yet Another Change

We received news this morning that we will be leaving as scheduled for Nairobi tomorrow (New Years Day). It is believed that this is a narrow window of opportunity for us to get into the country before an expected increase in violence on January 3rd (when the opposition leader who lost the election will declare himself the winner).

We will be taken to the guarded/fenced missionary compound in Nairobi to wait out the disturbances.

Last night when we attended the Methodist Church in downtown Dublin they did a traditional Wesley Covenant Service. The prayer of John Wesley below is especially poignant and applicable at this time....
"Lord, make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands:
put me to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal."

Amen! THAT is true freedom and peace.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Nan & Mark

Challenging News from Kenya and Change of Plans

First a little background: When we were in Kenya in October, political campaigns were in full swing. We saw two different large rallies for the incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, and his key rival Raila Odinga. A week or so ago, the elections were held, and the early returns showed the rival Odinga ahead. After some delays, new reports showed the incumbent ahead and President Kibaki's party declared themselves the winners. Obviously, this made the rivals unhappy and suspicious and there is some unrest in the country. One missionary wife in Kenya reports that there has been some violence and some looting, although there have been no election-related deaths reported.

As a result of the unhappiness about the elections, the situation is challenging for ordinary Kenyans and for Nazarene Kenyans and missionaries. The missionaries are staying inside their compound in Nairobi. They report that their street is uncommonly quiet with no sounds of traffic outside.

The picture to the right was taken just outside the Central Church of the Nazarene in Nairobi. We'd ask you to pray for Kenya in general, but especially for the Kenyan Nazarenes and others who live in the slums of Nairobi. Because they don't have refrigerators, they need to shop for groceries every day. With the shops closed because of the unrest, the poor are unable to buy fruit, meat or eggs. Please pray for all of Kenya, for a safe resolution to the election turmoil, and especially for the students and staff of ANU and for the Nazarene missionaries.

Change of plans: We have been monitoring the events in Kenya from our comfortable situation in Ireland. We have felt no waivering of our love for and sense of commitment to Africa Nazarene University or the work of the Lord in Africa. Even so, we received word from our field director, Don Gardener, and from the University Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu that they want us to delay our flight to Nairobi until the unrest stabalizes. Right now we're making alternative plans for a week to ten days. Worse things could happen than being "stranded" temporarily in Europe, but we choose to believe that the creative and redemptive Lord we serve will guide us in turning this surprise into something that benefits the Kingdom. We are safe and warm and dry, but we covet your prayers for our brothers and sisters in Kenya. We'll keep you posted.