Disappointing News

Dear NEGST team,

As you know we have been monitoring the situation in Kenya. We had hoped to wait until Friday to make a decision based on feedback as agreed from our Brothers and Sisters in Kenya, the NEGST and Nairobi Chapel leadership teams. However, Grace Community Senior Leadership made the decision that they are not comfortable with the risk associated with sending a team at this time. (see e-mail below that was received this afternoon from Keith Carlson). They are looking for a period of sustained peace which could not be realized by waiting three more days. We, as I am sure you are, were looking forward to this trip and are disappointed about not being able to go at this time.

We are planning a meeting this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church to discuss our options for re-scheduling for later this year in September and/or early January 2009. Because of new information and conflicts with September, we are considering another alternative of January. Grace has agreed to cover the ticket change charge of $ 300.00 per person and any increase in airfares. We encourage all to attend in person so we can discuss these latest developments as a team. If you cannot join us in person, please dial into the conference bridge at 1-888-725-8686 and conference ID 4587320# at 7:35 p.m.

Please continue to pray for the people and leaders of Kenya that they can reach a peaceful solution. We realize these last two weeks of uncertainty have been an inconvenience for you, but it is small compared to the suffering our Brothers and Sisters in Kenya are experiencing and we want to keep them foremost in our prayers.

Ed Fischer
Qwest Communications
Global Account Manager
Government and Education Solutions
410-694-4745 Office
410-299-1947 Cellular
edwin.fischer@qwest.com

From: Carlson, Keith [mailto:keithc@gracecc.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:34 PMTo: Fischer, Ed; Phil ArnoldCc: Elliott, Aaron; Bloxsome, Kathleen; Rodriguez, Dave; Shore, ChrisSubject: Nairobi Trip

Dear Nairobi Team,

Let me first of all say how grateful I am to each of you for giving of your time, energy, and resources to be part of the Nairobi short term trip. I was encouraged meeting most of you at the weekend retreat, and am always so hopeful of what God is going to do on and through a team when they travel overseas together.

Obviously the last couple weeks have been an extraordinary time in Kenya’s history, and none of us could have predicted or envisioned the events as they have unfolded. We have been burdened as a church for our dear family of Nairobi Chapel and Mavuno Church, and all the other relationships we have throughout Nairobi. We have been praying, and are grateful that things have not deteriorated any further, and seem to be moving toward reconciliation, albeit slowly.

We don’t have any protocol for political insurrections in our short-term trip preparations, and have never faced a situation quite like this before. We have tried to walk through this prayerfully and with understanding towards our friends in Nairobi and the commitments you have made as a team.

Our original plan was to wait until Friday to make a final decision. Ed and Phil communicated that with you on Saturday. We wanted to get as much information as possible, and allow some more time to play out in regards to the volatility of the situation. And there were not any penalties from the airlines for waiting another week. Ed and Phil were doing a very good job caring for you, and seeking the best information possible to make the wisest decision in consultation with me and other leaders at Grace.

But after further consultations, I have decided that no other information will change the decision at this point and we need to postpone the trip until the fall or next January. The situation in Kenya will not be stabilized enough for us to be comfortable with the risk we would be taking for your safety. I know that this is difficult for everyone involved – the people receiving the team, each of you, your families, your workplace. We want to trust God, follow Him, and take risks for God’s kingdom. But this risk seems to great, especially since we can reschedule the trip for a time when the situation has settle down, and you can accomplish the purpose of the trip then. If you have any questions or would like to talk further with me, I would be very happy to talk with you.

Again, thank you for trusting God and we’re trusting God that you will be able to go to Kenya in the near future.

Serving with you,
Keith

Keith Carlson
Pastor of Outreach and Leadership Development
Grace Community Church