Missionary family affected by Kenya’s post-election turbulence.
January 18, 2008
The Muindis report that this week’s demonstrations, although disruptive in other areas of Kenya, were peaceful in their city. The protesting and rallies are settling down, and the opposition party will resume talks with the government.
The Muindi family are safe and sound in their home and were able to go out to purchase food this morning. They are looking forward to a weekend of ministry and ask prayer that those who have not been able to leave their homes to attend church will be able to come out again.
January 14, 2008
Last week’s optimism unravelled after Kenya’s opposing political factions failed to reach a settlement. The opposition is calling for three days of rallies, beginning Wednesday, January 16. Stephen Muindi reports that fear is growing among Kenyans. Schools are scheduled to reopen next Monday, but to safeguard their children, the Muindis have chosen not to allow them to return yet. Gas prices are rising, but fortunately food is now available, although in limited quantities.
Pray that God will prevent this week’s rallies from turning violent and that a settlement will be reached soon.
January 8, 2008
This morning, Baptist Mid-Missions made contact with Stephen and Edna Muindi, who spoke positively about recent developments. Kenyans have high expectations that order will be restored through the ongoing political negotiations, and the result has been a quieting of last week’s violence.
Stephen, who volunteers as a hospital chaplain, was asked by the Red Cross to organize a relief effort for 450 families that had fled to his city. This occupied most of Stephen and Edna’s time today and gave them excellent opportunities for spiritual outreach.
Twelve from the Muindis’ church had been living with Stephen and Edna for protection, but they have since returned to their homes. The Mundis have two to three days worth of food left but hoped that banks would reopen today or tomorrow, with stores to follow suit. An evacuation contingency is still in place, but if today’s calm continues, the plan will no longer be needed.
January 7, 2008
The Lord continues to shelter Stephen and Edna Muindi within the volatile atmosphere in Kenya. Food and water are in short supply in their town, but the Muindi family has enough supplies to wait out the next few days. Baptist Mid-Missions is preparing a contingency plan to evacuate the Muindis to another location in Africa, should the violence intensify. However, Stephen and Edna are awaiting the outcome of current negotiations between rival political factions before they decide to evacuate the country.
In addition to praying for the safety of the Mundis and their church, please pray for understanding to be forged in Kenya’s political arena and for the ethnic cleansing and violence to stop.
January 4, 2008
After disputed results from the December 27, 2007, presidential elections in Kenya, the country is in turmoil from riots and killings. Thousands have been displaced from their homes.
Baptist Mid-Missions has one missionary couple in country. Dr. Gary L. Anderson, BMM president, has issued this statement about the couple’s current condition. We will post updates as we receive them.
I am sending this request to the entire Mission Family to enlist your prayers for the nation of Kenya and more specifically for Stephen and Edna Muindi who are Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries working in a location within their homeland that is making lots of news right now. They are in a genuine hot spot and are at considerable risk.
Please pray for resolution of the unrest in Kenya and for the safety of the Muindi family. Our last word from them indicated there is very limited food and water, and no avenues are open right now for relief to reach their area. We will try to keep you posted on any changes in the circumstances. Thank you for praying. God reigns!
Gary L. Anderson