Esther Hall is a missionary to Kenya. Among other ministry, she leads an orphanage there. Joyce visited the orphanage on our recent trip. What follows is a communication she has sent to her support team. It provides meaningful insight into the status of the situation in Nairobi and beyond.
"Thanks be to God!!!! Well things here in Kenya are still very unstable and scary. We are past the second day of planned rallies. The first day it rained in the morning and in Nairobi most people tried to go to work. In Kibera (Nairobi slum) there were people killed and groups were shot at by police.
All around Kenya there were different clashes. There are times the police used teargas and shot bullets (in the air or at them) against people gathering and holding signs. But at the same time were other places the groups were throwing stones at police. There are so many people here who are discouraged, poor, under represented, oppressed and have nothing to lose.
Kenya has experience growth in many areas but still 60-70% of Kenyans are poor. Their government officials (Parliament members) have a salary of $100,000 a month while most Kenyans make $50-200 a month. The election results have brought to the surface all the problems from the last hundred years. Keep praying for the leaders of Kenya. Their families live in Europe or America so they are far removed from this crisis.
The demonstrations are shutting down travel throughout the country in several spots. Prices are going up since most shops close early and supplies can not reach some remote areas. The day before the planned rallies people flocked to the stores to stock up on supplies not sure how long we would be indoors. Praise God there is movement in the city. Those areas on the outskirts of the city seem normal.
This is affecting Uganda and other landlocked countries that used Kenyan roads for their supplies. To say the least the tension is high and tribal fighting is displacing thousands of people. Single mothers and families are living in tents around police stations for protection. It is really bad for many of the poor of this country.
I am doing fine. I am living with missionaries friends Dotun and Ami. We are about 20 miles outside of the city. Yesterday we stayed in and today we went to their Nairobi office. We are watching the news (CNN & BBC) to see what is happening in the city. The President did shut down live media for quite a while. Now we get spotted live news from Kenyan news reporters.
Many have asked how I do feel, mostly shocked and sad. There is so much happening to these wonderful people. At the same time you can smell victory for the kingdom of God. If the church will raise up over tribal issues and stand firm for Christ there will be an amazing turn around. Pray for the church leaders to stop taking sides and stand for Christ."
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