Dear Friends,
Kim and I wish you a happy New Year! We pray that God will use all of us in 2008 to bring him further glory.Last Thursday, December 27th, Kenya held its national elections. The race was predictably tight. On Saturday the head of the electoral commission said that he could not certify the election results because of irregularities. Yet on Sunday he named incumbent Mwai Kibaki as the president. Kibaki was inaugurated the same day despite confessing later that he was not sure who won.European Union observers have stated that the vote count contained irregularities. It was reported that the American State Department in Washington initially congratulated Kibaki. Later the State Department officially stated that it had concerns about irregularities in reporting the election results.Since Sunday more than 300 Kenyans have been killed and 70,000 displaced in intertribal violence. The leader of the opposition, Raila Odinga, called for a million person march in Nairobi today to protest the election results. Thousands attempted to attend but were met by security forces as they attempted to reach the downtown area. The protest march has been rescheduled for either tomorrow or next Tuesday as Odinga attempts to keep the pressure on Kibaki.
JOE'S THOUGHTS ON VISITING KENYA
I do not see this unrest lasting for more than a week or so. Right now gasoline supplies are disrupted in some places and there has been a run on the grocery stores for food. Soon the citizens will turn on the politicians if they don't visibly work for a solution. Additionally, Kenya is the transit sight for all of Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda's fuel and imports. The longer the unrest stays the more pressure neighboring countries will put on Kenya to find a solution. Kenya is not Rwanda circa 1994. Kenya has nearly fifty tribes to Rwanda's two and all those tribes have an economic interest in seeing the unrest solved quickly.
It would not be wise to travel to Kenya in the next few days. The airport is on the far southeast side of town and you have to travel near the city center to get out to quieter suburbs like Karen where NEGST is. But my guess is by this time next week the situation will have calmed considerably. The Kibera slum that houses so many of todays protestors is in the challenger Odinga's district. He is their elected politician and they will listen to him if he tells them to stand down when a compromise has been reached. Yes, you will always have a few opportunistic thugs but, by and large, the violence is committed by unemployed youths who feel that the politician who has the best chance of improving their lots has been cheated out of an election victory.
Once things calm down in the center of Nairobi then business will continue as normal. These are my thoughts only. It will be up to the organizers of the Grace/FMC trip to NEGST to decide to continue the trip or not. But it is best to view the current situation as a dogfight between two seasoned politicians over the results of a questionable election. As Africans say, "When elephants fight, it is the grass that is trampled." So far more than 300 have been trampled to death.
We ask you to please pray for the leaders of Kenya. Pray that they will push for peace and that some resolution will come from the election.
In Christ,Joe and Kim Cluff
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Updates from the US Embassy in Nairobi
It looks like the political rally for today was not cancelled afterall.
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Warden Message
January 3, 2008
This warden message is being issued to alert American citizens in Kenya to an ongoing political rally. The rally is being organized by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and is attracting large crowds and a significant police presence in and around Uhuru Park in central Nairobi. The rally is disrupting transportation and commerce. Currently, the main thoroughfare to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is blocked and not passable. Similar rallies and other large-scale gatherings may also occur in other cities throughout Kenya.
Even events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. American citizens should exercise caution when traveling throughout Kenya, particularly in Nairobi’s city center. American citizens should avoid public rallies and large gatherings, and should carry a mobile phone or other means of communication.
The Consular Section at the US Embassy in Nairobi will be closed to the public on Thursday, January 3. The Embassy will reassess the security situation on Friday, January 4. Updated security information will be available at http://kenya.usembassy.gov and at http://travel.state.gov.
Americans living or traveling in Kenya are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website at http://travelregistration.state.gov to obtain updated information on travel and security within Kenya. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254)(20) 363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170. The Embassy's international mailing address is P.O. Box 606, Village Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya. Mail using U.S. domestic postage may be addressed to Unit 64100, APO AE 09831. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov.
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Warden Message
January 3, 2008
This warden message is being issued to alert American citizens in Kenya to an ongoing political rally. The rally is being organized by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and is attracting large crowds and a significant police presence in and around Uhuru Park in central Nairobi. The rally is disrupting transportation and commerce. Currently, the main thoroughfare to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is blocked and not passable. Similar rallies and other large-scale gatherings may also occur in other cities throughout Kenya.
Even events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. American citizens should exercise caution when traveling throughout Kenya, particularly in Nairobi’s city center. American citizens should avoid public rallies and large gatherings, and should carry a mobile phone or other means of communication.
The Consular Section at the US Embassy in Nairobi will be closed to the public on Thursday, January 3. The Embassy will reassess the security situation on Friday, January 4. Updated security information will be available at http://kenya.usembassy.gov and at http://travel.state.gov.
Americans living or traveling in Kenya are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website at http://travelregistration.state.gov to obtain updated information on travel and security within Kenya. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254)(20) 363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170. The Embassy's international mailing address is P.O. Box 606, Village Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya. Mail using U.S. domestic postage may be addressed to Unit 64100, APO AE 09831. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov.
US Embassy in Nairobi Advice 1-3-2008
We received this update from the US Embassy this morning. The opposition rally for today was cancelled. That is a positive sign.
We are advising Americans in Kenya to stay indoors and keep a low profile. There are no reports of American citizens being injured.
Please see the most recent travel and security updates available from the State Department. Please continue to check these websites for updates.
Security Situation in Kenya -- http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/crisis/crisis_3914.html
Warden Message -- http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/warden_20080102.html
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy - Nairobi
We are advising Americans in Kenya to stay indoors and keep a low profile. There are no reports of American citizens being injured.
Please see the most recent travel and security updates available from the State Department. Please continue to check these websites for updates.
Security Situation in Kenya -- http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/crisis/crisis_3914.html
Warden Message -- http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/warden_20080102.html
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy - Nairobi
Judy Parker's Husband, Jerry has heart procedure
Chet Wood forwarded this e-mail from Judy about Jerry's heart procedure. Please pray that it goes well and that it is not too much of a distraction for Judy during this time as she prepares to go to Africa and serve at NEGST. It is always conforting to know you are in the hands of a Believer as well as a skilled surgeon. Whether we realize it or not, we are all under the care of the great Physican.
Jerry has been admitted to Methodist Hospital this afternoon, Jan 2. He has had tachycardia episodes quite often since October, 2007. His Cardiologist is an Electro Physiologist, Dr. John Miller, who has a 98-99% success rate with this procedure. There are many of these Cardiologists/Electro Physiologists; however, Jerry’s doctor is rated one of the top five in the nation and even of the world! We didn’t know just how respected he is until today. We have long known that his doctor is very skilled, but this confirms that Jerry is in the best of hands with this procedure. This is not a life-threatening condition, just has made his life rather uneasy. His tachycardia occurs in the lower chamber of his heart and can be fixed. We have made the decision to have it done and was planning to get it scheduled. However, today he had at least four hours and many events so he went to the hospital where they could watch him go in and out of tachycardia! He felt light-headed and some pain in his neck when these occurred, not the “typical” heart pains.
Tomorrow he is scheduled to get it fixed -- sooner rather than later! They decided that since he’s already in the hospital and he is planning to have it done, why not do it and get it over with. It’s a procedure that can wait or until the patient gets tired of this nuisance! At this point, we have not told his Mom or my Dad as they both get over-wrought easily. We will tell them after he gets home and is doing well. We feel very confident in Dr. Miller’s abilities, not from him, but from his colleagues and online information. He is also a Christ-follower and has attended our church. We knew of his specialty but didn’t ever think we would need his expertise! We know Jerry’s in good hands at the hospital and we are trusting the Lord to bring him through. Will update you when I bring him home.
Trusting in His everlasting arms!
Judy
Jerry has been admitted to Methodist Hospital this afternoon, Jan 2. He has had tachycardia episodes quite often since October, 2007. His Cardiologist is an Electro Physiologist, Dr. John Miller, who has a 98-99% success rate with this procedure. There are many of these Cardiologists/Electro Physiologists; however, Jerry’s doctor is rated one of the top five in the nation and even of the world! We didn’t know just how respected he is until today. We have long known that his doctor is very skilled, but this confirms that Jerry is in the best of hands with this procedure. This is not a life-threatening condition, just has made his life rather uneasy. His tachycardia occurs in the lower chamber of his heart and can be fixed. We have made the decision to have it done and was planning to get it scheduled. However, today he had at least four hours and many events so he went to the hospital where they could watch him go in and out of tachycardia! He felt light-headed and some pain in his neck when these occurred, not the “typical” heart pains.
Tomorrow he is scheduled to get it fixed -- sooner rather than later! They decided that since he’s already in the hospital and he is planning to have it done, why not do it and get it over with. It’s a procedure that can wait or until the patient gets tired of this nuisance! At this point, we have not told his Mom or my Dad as they both get over-wrought easily. We will tell them after he gets home and is doing well. We feel very confident in Dr. Miller’s abilities, not from him, but from his colleagues and online information. He is also a Christ-follower and has attended our church. We knew of his specialty but didn’t ever think we would need his expertise! We know Jerry’s in good hands at the hospital and we are trusting the Lord to bring him through. Will update you when I bring him home.
Trusting in His everlasting arms!
Judy
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
From John Gray, Pastor in Australia
Here is a letter from John Gray, who just returned from a visit to Nairobi, Kenya and with Oscar at Nairobi Chapel.
G’day Ian,
We are back in the country and safe. While I am still on LSL I thought I needed to email you concerning the headlines we are seeing on the news re Kenya. Would you pass this info onto God’s people at St Paul’s with a view to raising prayer support – and, if possible - some finances.
And so I hope you will forgive me getting right to a very serious matter.
I have just spoken with Oscar and things are a nightmare for Kenyans. Oscar used the phrase: “This is what happened in Rwanda”.
At that point my blood chilled and everything became very surreal for we have just spent time in his church, his home and with his people. We visited families in the slums of Kibera and saw some magnificent work being done. To think that people are being hacked to death where we walked and visited …
Here is the update.
It seems that the President’s decision to claim victory in the elections is “out of character”. That decision has led to very serious violence and terror. Militia are now forming. Officially, there are some 25k displaced people in Kenya. Oscar estimates that number to be 3 – 4 times the official figure. There are, eg, some 5k people living on the showground right opposite the Nairobi Chapel (NC) site. These are mainly women and children who fled Kibera slums where much of the hacking to death is taking place. On this point I suspect Max and Hanna will be feeling quite heavy hearted for a major hot spot is right where he ran a clinic. The NC is trying to provide food and water and compassion for these people.
The violence is taking place along tribal lines. The 2 main tribes are Kikuyu and Luo. If you are from the wrong tribe you are in mortal fear. (Hence Oscar’s comment re Rwanda).
The churches are trying to work out how to respond to the humanitarian crisis which sees food and fuel supplies cut off because people are fearful to trade. Women are being gang raped. While the cities are relatively safe it is only at the moment. If things are not resolved in the next 2 weeks the situation will descend into total chaos.
Oscar is part of coalition of churches trying to be compassionate in voice and action. They have been on TV and Radio but there is much to do.
We need to pray that
the churches can find food and water. IF so, NGOs like World Vision can provide finance and transport. But we may be called upon to help out financially too (would you therefore ask our people to see if they can set aside some money so we might be able to respond quickly if called upon. How much? God only knows)
for protection for church leaders like Oscar, the Catholic and Anglican A’bps as they seek to provide leadership to a ravaged nation
that the gospel which proclaims there is no Jew or Gentile would translate into “no Kikuyu or Luo”
for protection of those who do gospel work in the slum of Kibera – they are the only light in a very dark place.
Oscar and his family made a decision just a few hours ago to take some of the displaced people into their home. They have decided to take in people from both Kikuyu and Luo. This, he said, could be dangerous if those taken in decide to go tribal. They could “do you harm or burn your house down”.
Oscar is need of prayer for wisdom for as he speaks he walks a knife’s edge. If the govt perceives him poorly they would take the land NC sits on away. If one tribe or other perceives NC poorly, their tents could be torched. NC could lose everything … or, it could be a great moment for the name of Christ.
So, my brother, would you communicate something of this email to our people? Would you ask them to pray as indicated. Would you ask them to prayerfully set aside money for food and water should we need to send some. IF we do need to send it, it will need to be available quickly.
We live in such a great land and know nothing of what Oscar and his people are living through.
Apart from this our time in Africa was very good and I began to feel my spirit catching up with me once more.
I am more than open to call from you if you want more info - I will keep you updated.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
John.
G’day Ian,
We are back in the country and safe. While I am still on LSL I thought I needed to email you concerning the headlines we are seeing on the news re Kenya. Would you pass this info onto God’s people at St Paul’s with a view to raising prayer support – and, if possible - some finances.
And so I hope you will forgive me getting right to a very serious matter.
I have just spoken with Oscar and things are a nightmare for Kenyans. Oscar used the phrase: “This is what happened in Rwanda”.
At that point my blood chilled and everything became very surreal for we have just spent time in his church, his home and with his people. We visited families in the slums of Kibera and saw some magnificent work being done. To think that people are being hacked to death where we walked and visited …
Here is the update.
It seems that the President’s decision to claim victory in the elections is “out of character”. That decision has led to very serious violence and terror. Militia are now forming. Officially, there are some 25k displaced people in Kenya. Oscar estimates that number to be 3 – 4 times the official figure. There are, eg, some 5k people living on the showground right opposite the Nairobi Chapel (NC) site. These are mainly women and children who fled Kibera slums where much of the hacking to death is taking place. On this point I suspect Max and Hanna will be feeling quite heavy hearted for a major hot spot is right where he ran a clinic. The NC is trying to provide food and water and compassion for these people.
The violence is taking place along tribal lines. The 2 main tribes are Kikuyu and Luo. If you are from the wrong tribe you are in mortal fear. (Hence Oscar’s comment re Rwanda).
The churches are trying to work out how to respond to the humanitarian crisis which sees food and fuel supplies cut off because people are fearful to trade. Women are being gang raped. While the cities are relatively safe it is only at the moment. If things are not resolved in the next 2 weeks the situation will descend into total chaos.
Oscar is part of coalition of churches trying to be compassionate in voice and action. They have been on TV and Radio but there is much to do.
We need to pray that
the churches can find food and water. IF so, NGOs like World Vision can provide finance and transport. But we may be called upon to help out financially too (would you therefore ask our people to see if they can set aside some money so we might be able to respond quickly if called upon. How much? God only knows)
for protection for church leaders like Oscar, the Catholic and Anglican A’bps as they seek to provide leadership to a ravaged nation
that the gospel which proclaims there is no Jew or Gentile would translate into “no Kikuyu or Luo”
for protection of those who do gospel work in the slum of Kibera – they are the only light in a very dark place.
Oscar and his family made a decision just a few hours ago to take some of the displaced people into their home. They have decided to take in people from both Kikuyu and Luo. This, he said, could be dangerous if those taken in decide to go tribal. They could “do you harm or burn your house down”.
Oscar is need of prayer for wisdom for as he speaks he walks a knife’s edge. If the govt perceives him poorly they would take the land NC sits on away. If one tribe or other perceives NC poorly, their tents could be torched. NC could lose everything … or, it could be a great moment for the name of Christ.
So, my brother, would you communicate something of this email to our people? Would you ask them to pray as indicated. Would you ask them to prayerfully set aside money for food and water should we need to send some. IF we do need to send it, it will need to be available quickly.
We live in such a great land and know nothing of what Oscar and his people are living through.
Apart from this our time in Africa was very good and I began to feel my spirit catching up with me once more.
I am more than open to call from you if you want more info - I will keep you updated.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
John.
News from a Doctor in Eldoret
You can read an e-mail below from Dr. Joe Mamlin, in Eldoret, Kenya where much of the post election violence has occurred. A special thanks goes to Fran Quigley who forwarded this message to one of our team members, Anita Austin. As some of you know, Indiana University has a joint project with Moi University located in Eldoret.
Dear Friends,
I find comfort as I take a moment amid the madness here to catch you up a bit on what we see on the ground.
First, let me assure you that Sarah Ellen and I are safe and fine. We feel fortunate in getting the US community out of here for the time being. Our British friends will fly out on a charter today if we can find fuel for the plane.
As far as I know, we have not lost a single AMPATH staff member or patient. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to run clinics since there are no matatus [van-taxi] running. It took almost three hours for one of our pharmacist to walk by foot to give us access to drugs. Most staff are busy securing safety of loved ones and most patients are either afraid or can’t travel. We will have some fairly unique decisions to make if we can’t move supplies around safely and soon.
I took heart in an ER this morning when I no longer needed to step over a body.
Eldoret is quiet today but all roads in and out remain blocked by unpredictable gangs. Many residential areas of Eldoret are insecure and many of our friends are simply scared to death. We are doing all we can to help with the food and shelter needs of our Kenyan friends seeking safety.
We can find food as of today since a few markets reopened. And we have our farms. Can’t get the food out to patients so will harvest food to help feed our compound and the many refugee centers that have popped up in churches and jails.
We have seen some things over the last few days that cannot be described in this note. We have witnessed sad evidence that we as a human family have a lot of growing yet to do. When you think a moment, you realize the IU-Kenya Program is at its core symbolizes what is so critically needed by Kenyan leadership. This is not a program dedicated to building medical schools or even stamping out a pandemic. At its heart, it is a program that screams “Yes” in a world to ready to say “No”. This program puts love and compassion front and center. Those values build the rest. When that message is embraced here, we can go home. We are unable to stop what is now happening, but we are rock solid in keeping to our core message
Deep in our heart, Sarah Ellen and I believe Kenya will find a way to move back from the abyss now staring them in the face. As they reclaim their lives, programs and pride the IU-Kenya program will be there for them. Please do not be discouraged. Stay with us as we stay with our Kenyan family. Shortly they will need us all more than ever.
Pray for each other as we go forward with hope one day at a time.
Joe and Sarah Ellen
Fran Quigley
Indiana-Kenya Partnership
1001 West 10th Street
Wishard Hospital, OPW M200
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 630-6882
www.iukenya.org
Dear Friends,
I find comfort as I take a moment amid the madness here to catch you up a bit on what we see on the ground.
First, let me assure you that Sarah Ellen and I are safe and fine. We feel fortunate in getting the US community out of here for the time being. Our British friends will fly out on a charter today if we can find fuel for the plane.
As far as I know, we have not lost a single AMPATH staff member or patient. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to run clinics since there are no matatus [van-taxi] running. It took almost three hours for one of our pharmacist to walk by foot to give us access to drugs. Most staff are busy securing safety of loved ones and most patients are either afraid or can’t travel. We will have some fairly unique decisions to make if we can’t move supplies around safely and soon.
I took heart in an ER this morning when I no longer needed to step over a body.
Eldoret is quiet today but all roads in and out remain blocked by unpredictable gangs. Many residential areas of Eldoret are insecure and many of our friends are simply scared to death. We are doing all we can to help with the food and shelter needs of our Kenyan friends seeking safety.
We can find food as of today since a few markets reopened. And we have our farms. Can’t get the food out to patients so will harvest food to help feed our compound and the many refugee centers that have popped up in churches and jails.
We have seen some things over the last few days that cannot be described in this note. We have witnessed sad evidence that we as a human family have a lot of growing yet to do. When you think a moment, you realize the IU-Kenya Program is at its core symbolizes what is so critically needed by Kenyan leadership. This is not a program dedicated to building medical schools or even stamping out a pandemic. At its heart, it is a program that screams “Yes” in a world to ready to say “No”. This program puts love and compassion front and center. Those values build the rest. When that message is embraced here, we can go home. We are unable to stop what is now happening, but we are rock solid in keeping to our core message
Deep in our heart, Sarah Ellen and I believe Kenya will find a way to move back from the abyss now staring them in the face. As they reclaim their lives, programs and pride the IU-Kenya program will be there for them. Please do not be discouraged. Stay with us as we stay with our Kenyan family. Shortly they will need us all more than ever.
Pray for each other as we go forward with hope one day at a time.
Joe and Sarah Ellen
Fran Quigley
Indiana-Kenya Partnership
1001 West 10th Street
Wishard Hospital, OPW M200
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 630-6882
www.iukenya.org
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008 Happy New Year, but not so happy in Kenya. With the recent presidential elections, there is a lot of political unrest. You can read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7166932.stm. Please pray for Kenya and their people that they can peacefully resolve their differences. I was encouraged to receive an e-mail earlier today from NEGST Vice Chancellor, Douglas Carew. He wrote:
Ed,
We flew back into Nairobi yesterday morning. There was an uneasy calm as we drove from the airport to NEGST, but no serious incidents of violence. Most of the violence appears to have been restricted to certain parts of the city and to some hot spots in the West of the country, two hundred miles or so from Nairobi.
What we have at the moment is a serious political crisis that has been attended by some severe localized violence and widespread uncertainty. Church and other leaders are making efforts at reconciliation. We are praying and hoping that the situation will not degenerate and a peaceful solution will be found soon. We are monitoring the situation and should be able to advise more appropriately before your meeting on Saturday.
Do keep us and Kenya in your prayers.
Blessings,
Douglas
I also heard from Dr. Chet Wood, he added his thoughts:
Ed,
I am sure the Douglas will give you good guidance. My own experience of such riots is that they are very localized and that one can avoid them by asking locals where the hot spots are.
Chet
At times like this it really helps to put things into perspective. Here in the United States, we take the transfer of power rather calmly. What is the real message here? I now, more than ever, am very interested in visiting Kenya and understanding why this is the crisis it is.
We must remember to keep Kenya, and its people in our prayers.
Ed,
We flew back into Nairobi yesterday morning. There was an uneasy calm as we drove from the airport to NEGST, but no serious incidents of violence. Most of the violence appears to have been restricted to certain parts of the city and to some hot spots in the West of the country, two hundred miles or so from Nairobi.
What we have at the moment is a serious political crisis that has been attended by some severe localized violence and widespread uncertainty. Church and other leaders are making efforts at reconciliation. We are praying and hoping that the situation will not degenerate and a peaceful solution will be found soon. We are monitoring the situation and should be able to advise more appropriately before your meeting on Saturday.
Do keep us and Kenya in your prayers.
Blessings,
Douglas
I also heard from Dr. Chet Wood, he added his thoughts:
Ed,
I am sure the Douglas will give you good guidance. My own experience of such riots is that they are very localized and that one can avoid them by asking locals where the hot spots are.
Chet
At times like this it really helps to put things into perspective. Here in the United States, we take the transfer of power rather calmly. What is the real message here? I now, more than ever, am very interested in visiting Kenya and understanding why this is the crisis it is.
We must remember to keep Kenya, and its people in our prayers.
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