Fall 2008 Update: Calm In Kenya

Thankfully, the political climate in Kenya has stabilized since our last newsletter. Life in most of the country is back to normal with most of the Displaced Persons Camps now closed. However there are still hosts of people stranded in a few of the camps. Where possible, people returned to their own homes, though the families whose homes and processions burnt have to find a new home. The government awarded those who lost their homes some money to hopefully have a new beginning.

Over the past few months, we asked God’s guidance for the next step in our lives and His plan for Living Love Ministries in Kenya. After much thought, prayer and wide consultation, it became very apparent that it was time to “decamp and move on”. We felt that our time in the city of Eldoret, albeit fruitful and rewarding, had come to a close - prompted by the political events earlier this year.

It became clear that we needed to start the LLM ministry projects in a relatively “stable area” from the political and ethnic standpoint. This will ensure the future safety of the capital investments, us, the staff and the precious lives of children God will bring under our care. As the “eyes and ears on the ground” for LLM partners and the donor community, we feel this is the responsible route to take.

Nakuru

After several weeks of “spying the land” to determine where God wants to use LLM and our family to meet the needs of hurting children, we felt led to Nakuru, a town 100 miles southwest of Eldoret and 100 miles Northeast of Nairobi. An interesting aspect of this town is that it became a “town of refuge” and home to hundreds of people who had fled their burning homes in Eldoret and surrounding areas. There are still thousands of homeless families, widows and orphaned children camped in tents in this area.