January 28, 2008
The wait-and-see environment in Kenya took a turn for the worse over the weekend. Violence and ethnic cleansing that had erupted after December’s disputed presidential election resumed full force, leaving many dead and hundreds displaced. Thus far, negotiations between opposing governmental parties have yielded no substantial resolution. The country is fracturing along tribal lines, with people taking the side of the president’s tribe or the opposition leader’s tribe.
Baptist Mid-Missions’ only in-country missionaries, Stephen and Edna Muindi, report that they are safe and their city is basically quiet. The Muindis live in a city that was earlier touched by some of the worst violence, as mobs indiscriminately attacked anyone belonging to the president’s tribe. However, this weekend’s violence sprang up in areas to the south and east of the Muindis’ city.
All roads going out of the city are barricaded, making long-distance travel impossible. Food is still available in stores, which are open during mornings only. The Muindi children were able to return to school last week, but the decision to send their children is one that Stephen and Edna must make each day. The Muindis’ church met for regular worship on Sunday. Numbers are still down; some of their members had to flee the city, and roadblocks have prevented them from returning.
Stephen and Edna are thankful for the prayers of God’s people. They list three major areas for prayer:
1. The country of Kenya: that the political process will stop the violence.
2. The church: Stephen is a shepherd hurting for his sheep; pray especially for displaced people.
3. Safety of the Muindi family and church.
To read earlier articles about the situation in Kenya, click here.