Letters From War

Chaos in Kenya

I hope you're keeping up with the world around you, but if you're not, here's a bit of an update. The normally peaceful Kenya is undergoing some serious violence problems right now due to the fact that they are voting for their first constitution since they got independence from Great Britain in 1963. This may een result in Civil War at some point. This fact alone is important because Kenya has never had any type of civil war. There have already been several deaths associated with political rallies. Even so, being in Kenya when there is violence around is kind of like being in America on 9/11, right?

There is a big rally in Kakamega today (22kms or about 13 miles away) and Pres. Kibaki is there...lots of violence is expected. Some MPs have been summonned by the Attorney General for court because they've been training 600 youth in the bush and 200 in Nairobi to cause trouble in certain places on the 20th...the MPs aren't going. They're refusing. All "No" campaigns in Western Province (where I am now) have been cancelled because Kibaki (who is for yes) is touring here...that's the root of much of the violence.

The guys we were supposed to be with in the community today have bailed on us because they're voting yes, so they're in Kakamega... Politics is ruling the mission right now.... They even lied to us about changing the schedule...gave us some crap-o reason for cancelling today's activities. So right now--today is a free day and tomorrow is a free day...too much idleness! It's horrible! But I'll live. I'm washing more clothes (dirty or not) to keep myself busy.

Prayers readily accepted.

posted by Jamie @ 11:53 AM