International Teams has been touched by the violence directly, someone connected to one of our teams was killed about a week and a half ago.
Here is the latest from Stephen Freed, the Director of International Teams/ International.
Dear Fellow IT-ers,
We are requesting continued fervent prayer for our workers in Kenya,
their families, and the entire nation.
As previously written to you, Kenya is in a condition of violent
reaction following the December national elections. Old wounds of
tribal, land, and disadvantage issues have arisen following concerns
over fraud in the election.
As of February 4, estimates are approximately 350,000 persons have been
displaced from their homes, with many homes being burned, and fear and
threats spreading. Approximately 1,000 people have been killed in a
wide variety of locations. With the potential cycle of revenge and
retaliation for acts of violence, there is much to pray for. Asking God
for the power of His restraining Holy Spirit to stop the evil of greed,
hurt, and revenge.
Our workers in the Rift Valley area have gone through much trauma and
direct threats and losses. Our teams in the Molo area near Nakuru have
had neighbors homes burned, are often sleeping outside at night to be
safe from a possible sudden burning of their own homes, have had to flee
on numerous occasions, and are desperately trying to protect those they
are serving. At the same time they are having to make difficult
decisions about staying in their immediate towns. We honor and respect
their incredible hearts of service as they minister to hundreds of
displaced persons.
Our teams in the Nairobi area are also being forced in numerous
instances to move from their own homes out of fear. Belonging to a
certain tribe, and living in an area where another tribe is in the
majority has led to threats and great risk. These teams have endured
the fear of losing contact with loved ones, and the difficulty of moving
from place to place.
Currently Nairobi is in a state of uneasy calm. Circumstances change
from day to day. Violence has decreased in recent days as opposing
party leaders are finally beginning to talk and negotiate. Our teams
are ministering to many internally displaced people who have gathered at
certain locations waiting to see how events will turn.
As of today we continue to plan to hold an East Africa Regional
Conference right in Nairobi. Some of our new African partners and
workers may be unable to travel to this conference because of safety
issues. We welcome your prayers.
Across other nations in Africa we rejoice (as we do in Kenya as well) at
the development of powerful mission movements. Please pray with us as
we welcome many new workers and partners, and find a whole new "IT"
emerging in East, Central, and Southern Africa - as well as Sudan and Egypt.
Warm regards,
Stephen
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