Church burned down in Eldoret

I've been spending time reading credible news sources like BBC, Associated Press and Reuters to find out what's happening in Kenya. I have not been able to figure out where exactly the church in Eldoret is that had burned down. But it's in Eldoret, indeed. It's really sad to see what's happening.

Please keep praying for peace.

Staying in South Africa

I received news today that things aren't looking good at all in Kenya. Not at all. The news doesn't portray things so badly because the government is now controlling news. Here's a eye-opening article written by a missionary in Kitale, a city close to my home in Kipkaren. Seriously, till I read his account of how things are, I didn't realize the extent. I had been told that even around our base in Ilula, homes have been burned down. Last night, 80 people stayed at our base, seeking refuge. People are starting to run out of food and water. According to The Standard, 24 people have been killed in Eldoret. Violence is focused on the Kikuyu, the ruling tribe. Busses are stopped and Kikuyus are pulled from them and attacked.

I've been asked to stay in South Africa until things have calmed down. All teams for January have been cancelled.

Please pray for peace in Kenya! Please pray for safety for our children, especially. Please pray that food supplies will miraculously last at our children's homes and at our bases even as people have come to seek refuge. Please pray that we'll continue to be able to receive news. According to Daniel's blog, (he's the guy who lives in Kitale), communication with the outside world is gradually being cut off. He and others are trying to flee to Uganda.

I will try and call my directors in Kenya this afternoon to hear how things are at Kipkaren and Ilula. Please, please pray for peace in Kenya.

Kenya Update

Some people have been asking me about what's happening in Kenya after the elections. I've not spoken to my colleagues and don't know anything more than what I've been able to read on http://www.eastandard.net/. There's also this article on NY Times. Things aren't looking too good. There have been riots and strikes across the country, especially in Nairobi. And in the west of the country (umm, that's where we live). It seems like the government has put a block on news from around the country. Not good.

Please join me in praying for peace in Kenya.

New Year's Culture Shock

I'm at my sister Liesl's house, soaking in every moment with my nieces. We had a fun day at the Vaaldam. (Americans would call it a lake, I guess.) Went fishing, took a boat out on the dam and had a good time visiting with family (actually, my brother-in-law's family). Decided to enjoy a barbeque (South African "braai") at home with the kids and watch a New Year's concert on television. It's the top 24 Afrikaans artists. I recognized only ONE. OK, if you include a boy's choir that performed, make it two. But I didn't know any of the other artists. And I don't regret it. In fact, it's been a shock to watch most of the artists. Wow. I simply cannot relate. I'm having culture shock. Big time.

It's about 10:30, and I'm ready to head to bed. Clara's fast asleep. Anja's wide awake since she slept the entire 2-hour drive from Vaaldam. She doesn't quite grasp the idea of New Year's yet. Clara, on the other hand, had been announcing all evening, "This is the last time I'm taking a bath this year. I'm not going to eat again this year." And so on and so forth. Like only a 7-year-old can do. But I love 'em, nevertheless. Lots and lots.

It's been an amazing joy and blessing spending time with these two nieces as well as with my brother's kids. That's one of the hardest things of living so far - not seeing nephew and nieces grow up.

On this note, a happy New Year to you and yours. By the time the clock strikes 12 over in the US, I'll already be up on this side, ready for another fun day with family and friends.

Hannah went to be with Jesus

I just got an e-mail from my friends in Kipkaren. Hannah passed away yesterday morning. I am so very sad that I am not there for the funeral and to support the family. I am sad that I won't get to joke around with my friend any longer. I am sad that I simply won't get to see her any longer.

But I rejoice in knowing she's with Jesus. I rejoice in that fact, and in knowing that for the first time in years, she is without pain! During our last visit, my colleague Juli visited with Hannah about the fact that Jesus had gone to prepare a place for us where there will be no more tears, pain or suffering. Hannah told us that if she goes there before us, she'll take greetings to the Father. That's so like Hannah. She often joked.

But when I showed the the picture of the two of us (above), she looked serious. "Just look at that..." she said. But moments later, she was joking once again, asking me if I'd send her some chicken livers for Christmas. And she urged us again not to worry about her.

Oh, how I wish I could visit with the Bande family, to cry with them and sit with them. To talk with Nancy, who has sat by her mother's side for the past 4 years.

Thank you for those of you who've been praying for her and believing with me that Jesus will heal her. Her daughters and I visited a number of times about the miracles God has done in their lives through this season of Hannah's tumor. We talked about how we know God can heal her, but we shouldn't miss the fact that he's also doing other works. They told me how they as sisters spend time every evening worshiping Jesus, something they had never done before. They shared how they've grown in their faith, despite their frustrations with knowing God could heal their mom in an instant. He chose not to. He chose to take her home instead. In that, we rejoice.

A-DOOOOOOOR-able

That's my nieces. Keep in mind that it's almost been 2 years since I saw them. That means they were 5 and not even 1 when I last visited. So at 7 and 2, their personalities have changed. A lot. Clara's been talking almost non-stop, telling me every joke she knows. Came to plonk on my bed with me when I was taking a nap. And talked more.

Anja, on the other hand, is still a little more shy of me. But she is a little worker bee! At dinner, when she heard someone say something about napkins, she excused herself and came back with a napkin for each of us. And a smile. Before getting out of the bathtub, she had to make sure that every toy is put away. In the right place. But she does it with a huge smile and the cutest chattering.

I think Liesl, the girls and I are going to see a movie tomorrow. Imagine. I'd actually have a Saturday of doing fun stuff!

I'm going to curl up on a chair with one of the girls now. Will post a photo of them tomorrow.

Cry, my beloved country

Over and over for the past two days, Kenyans were eager to hear what I thought about Zuma, the new leader of the ANC. The man who will most likely become my country's new president. Because in South Africa, you vote for a party, not a candidate. And the leader of the winning party becomes president. So now that Mbeki is no longer leader of the ANC, it's not likely that he'll stay out his term as leader of the country. At least, that's the way I understand it to be.

Anyway, as I was explaining to people that it's a sad day when a man who completely lacks integrity is likely to become your country's president, they chuckle. That's what Kenyans do when they expect a simple, polite answer and you give your real opinion. It's nervous laughter. As in, "What on earth am I supposed to say to this response of yours?"

As I was explaining to some about last year's rape case. (Though Zuma was acquitted and supporters branded the victim as simply wanting to slander the politician's name, it was obvious that it was a case where the victim became the accused.) One man dared to tell me, "Oh, he's just human. You should forgive him for the rape." I don't know the victim. But I am sorry for her. And for my country, because it's likely that this man may soon be our President.

After the case, Zuma resumed responsiblilities as a politician, though no longer as VP. And this week, he took over leadership of the ANC. I was delighted to read today that a new case is being brought against Zuma for corruption charges. According to this article, "Zuma's financial adviser is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of soliciting bribes on behalf of Zuma." But the case against the politician himself had been thrown out of court last year for lack of evidence.

Until today. Less than two days after Zuma took over leadership of the ruling party, it was announced that "enough evidence had been gathered to charge him at the end of a marathon corruption investigation."

It is my sincere hope that this case won't be treated like the former one, and that this man can join his financial adviser in prison so that someone more suitable can take over leadership of the country. Someone we can respect.

Who that is, I don't know. I guess I'll have much to learn in the next two weeks at home.

Adele's Update | December 2007

Dear friends,

I am heading to South Africa tomorrow morning for a 2-week break with my family. It's a break I'm looking forward to after an intense few months of ministry. After Christmas morning service and a cold lunch (because it's very hot at home right now), I'll be spending Christmas day on the beach with my family. :) I'll be thinking of those of you who'll be bundled up and braving the cold weather up North!

As we head into the weekend and a week full of celebrating the birth of Jesus, may you have amazing times with family and friends.

• If you would, please pray for Kenya during this coming week. There's a presidential election on December 27, and things are pretty volatile right now. You can follow news online at The Standard.
  
• Due to the upcoming elections (and probably many other factors that I don't understand), the Kenya schilling has dropped drastically in the past 2 months. (It traded at KES67.02 to $1 early October and KES62.54 today, and dropping daily.) You can imagine how such a drop affects money that's being wired from the US for our ministry as a whole as well as salaries. (You can read more here.) Please pray for the Kenyan economy to stabilize rapidly following the elections!
• This week, a group of almost 20 men and women graduated from our AA program in Kipkaren. With Christmas and New Years possibly being the hardest time of the year in terms of temptation to drink once again, please join me in praying for these alcoholics to be able to remain strong in their commitment not to drink.
• Tomorrow, people from around Kipkaren are coming to our children's home for our first "Loving Day," a day during which the community will have a chance to get to know our children better. Please pray that the children will feel loved, and that those who are coming to visit and who are giving sacrificially to make this day special for the orphans, would equally experience God's love through the children.

This year has been one of the most challenging ones so far, and one of the most amazing at the same time. It has been a humbling year, and a year in which I learned to cling to God with all my life. Read the attached letter for more on this year's events, as well as a glance at what's lying ahead in 2008. (Click on the miniature to download a large version of my Christmas letter.)

Thank you so much for being part of God's work in East Africa through your support.

Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2008!

Adele


Christmas Letter 2007, originally uploaded by Boyznberry.

Another full day.

It's after 1. I have a headache and want to sleep. I had written an update about the events of today on the ELI blog.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be at a management meeting in town, after which I'll be leaving for Nairobi to see Don and Amy Rogers, our directors. They're coming to Kipkaren on Thursday, the day I need to leave for Nairobi en route to South Africa. So I'm going a day early in order to see them. It'll give me one day to get work done before flying home.

Ah! I can't wait.

All Smiles

Dennis, smiling, originally uploaded by Boyznberry.

Click on this picture of Dennis to see more photos of the ELI Children's Day celebration of last week.

This Friday has been declared a "Day of Love" at Kipkaren Children's Home. Community members have been encouraged to "adopt a child" and to come and visit the child as a family. Community members are also digging into their pockets to buy new shoes and clothes for all the kids.

Unfortunately, I will not be here on Friday to take photos of the events. Nevertheless, you can be assured that the children truly will be loved!