Reflections on the Msafara by Oscar and Muriithi

Msafara is Over

Time will judge just how effective the Msafara was in impacting Kenya’s destiny. And of-course reports will be written and audits done. However, off the top of my head and from my limited perspective several results of the Msafara seem evident…

300 Kenyans had a chance to visit and interact with the situation on the ground firsthand. They were able to see the extent of the country’s devastation for themselves. They learnt to care for the displaced. They were forced to deal with their own prejudices and to relate closely to people of other tribes. Each of these belong to a faith community and will return to it with a message of unity and hope. Especially powerful because many who came are the church leaders.

There was heartfelt reconciliation and a resulting unity among church leaders in the various towns we visited. Many leaders confessed that by taking sides in the political events, they had reduced their ability to care for all the communities they were responsible for. By repenting of this short-sightedness and committing to work with leaders of other tribes, they now model the way for the churches they lead to maintain peace in their areas and to care for those affected by the violence. And for church leaders to conduct themselves differently come the next election. There is great power for good when the church is united. An example - we were informed after Msafara left Naivasha, of an initiative by church pastors to ensure that the communities evicted from their town could return safely.

Many churches are caring for displaced people who are housed by their members. Because these people don’t live in the camps, they are ‘under the radar’ so to speak, and little support is going to the needy families caring for them. By delivering 65 tons of food and 5 lorries of humanitarian supplies to the pastor’s fellowships in the various towns, Msafara opened up new distribution channels that take care of, and support many of the most needy. The Red Cross has done a great job, but they can only do so much. We hope these channels will continue to be used by different agencies that are looking for alternative relief distribution channels

The hardest to quantify may be the most significant. In each town, united church leaders were able to engage in Spiritual Warfare prayer together over their communities. The bible teaches us that God answers prayers that are prayed in humility, unity and repentance. In 2Chronicles, God promises ‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, if they seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land’. I can’t wait to see the healing and turning around of our nation that will happen as God begins to answer the prayers that we prayed together!

What next after Msafara?

The initiative is ended, but the need is not. We were faithful to do that which the Lord called us to do – pray over 5 main cities in Kenya . . . and we therefore believe God will do a miraculous work as a result of our simple obedience.

Going around the country however, and meeting the IDP’s was heart-rendering! The need, the destitution, the hopelessness, their sense of despair, the children . . . it has reignited a desire to continue engaging in their plight, and work at ensuring their cause is not forgotten. We intend to close the Msafara office within a month, but to keep mobilizing food and medicines for the displaced. We can only do so much, but we must do what we can. We will therefore channel any new funds that come in towards the humanitarian work. At present, just as a single church, we have over 100 displaced children now in school under our care, and about 150 families under our support as we try and stabilize and ‘re-start’ their lives by giving them the psychological and financial support needed to get back on their feet.

Please pray with us.

Pastor Muriithi Wanjau/Oscar Muriu