Thousands died in Nakuru, Kenya as Kikuyu tribesmen
led by the Mungiki sect attempted to remove or eradicate anyone not
of their tribe. The pictures center and right below are of
what used to be the home of our friend, Joseph Mambo. By the
grace of God he and his wife were able to escape being killed and
made their way to Mombasa. Many others were not so fortunate.
The
highways between Naivasha and Bungoma are lined with thousands of
burned out homes and businesses just like these.
There
were two IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps in Nakuru. The
Agricultural Society of Kenya show grounds housed 3000 Kikuyu and
Afraha Stadium (shown below) housed 1600 Luhya, Luo and Kiisi. Each
of the 8 foot dome tents accommodated as many as 9 people plus
their possessions.
Life in the IDP camp is both challenging and discouraging.
After a lifetime of work, everything has been taken away.
Cooking is done over wood-burning stoves. Water is carried
from the reservoir. Most rest on the hard ground without even
a mattress or bedroll. With the rainy season upon them, malaria
is a major concern. In the midst of all this the young men find a
few minutes to play a little soccer.
Much time was spent going from tent to tent praying
for various needs.
(Right upper) These
women had developed an insulated basket that would save fuel by
holding in the heat and continue cooking the food after it had left
the fire. They were selling them to support their families.
(Right lower) This child was stricken with malaria
but God healed her.
(Below left) This man had been a bicycle
repairman, an important job in a society that uses bicycle as a main
source of transportation. As he was headed to work he was attacked.
The multiple fractures of both arms and the lacerations on his head
and back are evidence of the unfeeling viciousness of the attackers.
(Left) This woman's husband had been
killed in the clashes. Her future was uncertain and she was afraid
of how she would continue on.
There were 72 AIDS victims living at the stadium
camp. After teaching about the woman with the issue of
blood, 15 came for prayer. Several of those are confirmed to
have been healed.
(Left and
Right) Blessing the children.
(Left)
Kent with a few of the children who had been orphaned by the
clashes.
(Right) A crowd of children are our
constant companions.
The
spiritual and emotional toll was greater than the physical
devastation. A lot of time was given to listening to the IDPs tell
their stories and helping them work through the trauma.
(Below) Teaching an early childhood class about how
Jesus helps us when we are afraid.
(Below right) Friendly's Restaurant in Kettering,
OH gave us 2 cases of crayons for the children.
The first thing on the IDPs list of needs was
mattresses for the children. The first group of
mothers are at the church, collecting their mattresses.
