Thursday was a monumental day on the journey to end the violence that has plagued Kenya since December's announcement of Kibaki as the president.  On Thursday an agreement was made between Kibaki and Odinga. 

THE AGREEMENT

"Under the agreement, Odinga will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government -- more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield.

Odinga said: "We on our side are completely committed in ensuring that this agreement will succeed. The ball has moved partially from the hands of the negotiators and ourselves to the court of parliament."

Kibaki said that his government "will fully support implementation of the agreement reached under the national dialogue and reconciliation process until we achieve the results we all want."

CNN reported that "The agreement calls for an act of parliament within two weeks that would change the country's constitution, creating the position of prime minister to "coordinate and supervise" the government and its ministries. Odinga will assume that position.  The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 establishes that the president, vice president, prime minister and other ministers will form the government's cabinet -- with the addition of two deputy prime ministers who will be appointed by the president.  The act also stipulates that ministers cannot be fired without written permission from their party."

HEALING AND RESTORATION

Now is the time where healing begins.  I was reading of several accounts where Kenyan's were screaming with joy, "Happy New Year!"  Since their celebrations of the new year never surfaced, instead they got violence and bloodshed.  This signing of the agreement brings so much hope.  I have read many accounts of some Kenyans saying they just want to move forward and forgive.  Other don't know how they can forgive their neighbors who killed one of their loved ones.  All would agree that they are tired of the violence.  The displaced want to go home.  CNN reported, "despite the trauma of the past and the fear for the future, and while it may be true that it will take generations for these people to forget, everyone I meet is full of hope -- for peace, for a better life."

OUR LATEST RESPONSE VIA THE RELIEF FUND

 -  One ministry that many of the AIM staff have been involved with is helping teach at a Pastor's Training School that Pastor Timothy runs.  We sent the Pastor's Training School money to be distributed to each of the pastors.

 -  Food vouchers were purchased for a woman's bible study that AIM has been involved with in the past

 -  We also gave food vouchers to every single student at New Adventures School, the school AIM funds and helps run.

Our relief fund is running low and we want to keep helping and being involved in the aftermath of the elections.  If you are interested in giving please check out http://www.adventures.org/opps/kenya2008.asp .  You can even pass this link on to friends and invite them to participate in the restoration efforts.

This update serves two purposes:

1.  News on Kenya

2.  News from Eburru

      1.  Kenya:

CNN reported today, "Kenya's opposition party says it will embark on a "mass civil disobedience campaign next week" if its demands aren't met in the intensive negotiations aimed at defusing the political crisis in the tense East African nation.  The lawmakers are calling for the prime minister's job and proportional sharing of powers in any new government. If the demands aren't met, the movement pledges to start its civil disobedience by Wednesday and will employ such tactics as work slowdowns to apply pressure in the talks."

Both sides have agreed to talks…now it is a matter of waiting until Monday to found out the outcome and if the rest of Kenya will comply.

CNN continued…"If there is any community in Kenya unwilling to co-exist with other Kenyans in a manner that reflects the popular will of Kenyans; then that community is at liberty to exercise the principle of self-determination as is well-enunciated in the U.N. Charter and other international legal instruments..."

Kenya this week has been relatively calm this week.  There were a few killings…though deep down I wish I could say there was peace. I can't imagine what it is like to live in the tension our friends in Kenya are feeling.

Quick Allie thought….

I have been learning much about hope this last week.  And I realized I can't put my hope in the negotiators in Kenya or that Odinga or Kibaki will choose reconciliation.  But, we can hope in Jesus.  And we can hope that He will enable reconciliation.  That is what He is all about, isn't it!  I often misplace hope.

2.  Eburru:

I spoke with Pastor Steve this morning.  Many of you have been praying for Jeff, the elder from the Eburru church that has been missing.  JEFF HAS BEEN FOUND!  Jeff was found in Nairobi.  Pastor Steve said he was a little unclear of the details.  Pastor Steve explained that Jeff is not talking about it.  Jeff seems coherent in all other areas of his life, his just silent about his last few weeks.  The good new is…Jeff is home and safe.  Pray for his healing and the restoration of his family.

Right now there are 172 displaced people living in Eburru.  It seems to Pastor Steve that the numbers keep increasing.  Every Tuesday the church in Eburru distributes rice, sugar and other needed supplies.  They are also offering counseling to the displaced.

Pastor Steve asked that we pray for him.

First, that we pray for the Morgan House.  This is land and house that he recently purchased with the help of many.  There seems to be some controversy over the land.  As there seems to be much controversy over land in Kenya in general right now.

Second, He wanted us to praise the Lord together.  The church has steadily grown this last month.  Amen!  There was a transformer put in Eburru close to the dispensary (hospital) that they built.  (Now we need to pray in the wires and all other needed supplies).  The government has installed pipes for water.  How cool is that?!?

Pastor Steve said, "God is good and he is so thankful.  The devil always tries to discourage us, but we will prevail and continue to hope for the best."

May the hope of God hope through us.

Thanks for joining us in prayer and support.

My first time in a town called Eburru was in 2005.  Eburru is a town in the mountains, filled with Kikuyus, with no running water and electricity.  We helped put up a church which really just consisted of tarps tied together.  But they served their purpose well.

On our first night we held a church service and shared the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  A man named Jeff was inside the church.  He heard the Message of Hope, but at that moment, did nothing.  Hours later, at 2 am, Jeff found his way to Pastor Steve's house.  Jeff explained to Pastor Steve that he couldn't wait any longer to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and begin a relationship with him and wanted Pastor Steve's help. 

That was in 2005.  This summer I was back in Eburru.  The church is still growing strong, and is still using those tarps to keep out the rain and wind.  Between 2005 until now Jeff became and elder and leader at the church.  Wow!

Just today I spoke with Pastor Steve.  Pastor Steve explained that they have about 120 displaced people in Eburru.  He said it is not directly affecting them, but indirectly.  Most of the congregation has little to no money, and now they have extra mouths to feed.

Please pray for the provision of food and supplies for the beautiful, mountainous town of Eburru.

More heavy on my heart today is the next item of prayer Pastor Steve asked for…Jeff is missing.  He has been missing since last week.  People have been searching for him, but no leads have been made.

Please hope and pray with us for the return of Jeff.

An MP (Member of Parliament), Were, belonging to the ODM party and Luo which is Raila Odinga's tribe was killed earlier this week as he was entering his home near Kibera. This caused riots in the city and many other towns in Western Kenya. Kibera was a no go zone for an entire day. Several people were killed and some homes were torched. According to the press they counted up to 9 bodies in Kibera alone, though there could be more.

One of our hostel boys (this is a ministry that provides housing and education for street boys through a church we work with) Dominic Mutua was attacked in those skirmishes but was rescued by the police. He is now at the KenyattaHospitalundergoing treatment.  Please continue to pray for him.

It was reported that close to Pastor Timothy's church, The Blue House, someone was killed. 

Today another man for the ODM party, David Too, was shot dead in the city of Eldoret.  He was the second person this week to be assassinated.  "The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, said the killing was part of a plan to reduce the number of opposition members of parliament. A government spokesmen did not immediately respond to a request for comment."

CNN reported that "violence has killed at least 863 people and forced 261,000 out of their homes.  The violence is not stopping," a spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, Anthony Mwangi, told CNN on Thursday. "It could reach a point where it is difficult to reverse."

A U.S. diplomat has described what is happening in Kenya as "ethnic cleansing."

The gravity and reality of death is increasing.  "In one town in the vast Rift Valley of western Kenya, members of one tribe poked out the eye of a young man from the rival tribe and then hacked his body and burned him to death, residents told CNN."

Pray for resolution.  Kofi Annan is still in Kenya meeting with Kibaki and Odinga. 

The peace of God is powerful.  Even more powerful than what is happening to beloved Kenya.

We still have a relief fund set up.  And each week help different people from different places in Kenya.  This gits are making a world of a difference.  If anything, besides the comfort of our prayers,  they are helping giving hope.  Check out:  http://www.adventures.org/opps/kenya2008.asp 

Violence continues to reign in Kenya.  I wish with all my heart that I could give you an update of a peaceful weekend.  But life in Kenya seems to have gone from worse to horrible.

Just today around 2,000 people from rival tribes faced off on a main road amidst a once quiet tourist town, divided only by a handful of police who fired into the air to force their retreat.

One newspaper reported people from opposing tribes shouting…"This is Kikuyu land!" was the cry in Naivasha from one side, which called for revenge against the rival Luo tribe.  Others shouted, "We want peace, but we (also) want to fight them," said Peter Mwangi. "We don't want Luos here."

2 Corinthians 1:10 says, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us as you help us by your prayers." 

As you pray for Kenya and maybe even people you have come to love in Kenya remember that your prayers are helping…don't lose hope.

Amy Carmichael often said, "Hope of God, hope through me."  May the hope of God hope through us as we pray for peace and rest and resolution in Kenya.

Here is a quick update as to how are funds for the Kenya Relief Fund have been distributed.

Kibera

We have already sent a sum of money to 3 pastors that we work with.  That money was used to purchase food vouchers that those pastors passed out to their congregations.  This was especially special to us, because these are the 3 churches that countless teams have built into in the past and now we are able to continue serving alongside them.  Every time we talk to one of these pastors they are overflowing with thanks. 

Rift Valley

The next batch of money we sent over went to another pastor we work with, Pastor Simon.  Pastor Simon has been organizing relief work in the Rift Valley area.  He has been working with refuges from Eldoret.  This is that area where a church, full of people, was burnt.  He has organized people to either drive or fly people out of western Kenya to two specific towns.  He has a "relief camp" established in these two towns.

In one town there are about 90 families who have nothing.  Pastor Simon describes this as a little bit overwhelming.  So the money going to that area is helping with food, blankets, shelter, shoes…and then hopefully schooling for the kids.

Currently there are 30 families trapped in Eldoret.  Pastor Simon is working to get a truck there to get them out.

Many of you have given to our Kenya Relief Fund in response to the unrest and violence that has plagued Kenya these last few weeks.  I have heard violence described there as "reason, no longer rules" and some described the slums "as a terrifying place at the best of times…this is the worst of times."