Trouble in Kenya

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I truly hope you'll take a moment to read over this note. And after you're done, all I ask is that you pause for one short minute to pray.

I have not written about the situation in Kenya. Maybe some of you have heard, maybe not. I would like to share more with you now whatever the case.

On December 27th, there were elections for president in Kenya. Elections in Kenya are never peaceful, nothing like what we experience in the US. (Another reason to be thankful.) Rioting, tribal conflict, and killing, always mar elections in much of Africa and Kenya is no exception. (The picture to the left was taken in Mombasa.)

But this time was particularly brutal. The opposition party has claimed the elections were rigged. European Union observers agree. But the incumbent president has shown no intentions of stepping down. It is estimated that more than 600 people have been murdered and that more than a quarter of a million have been chased away from their homes. And these numbers are expected to increase as the demonstrations and riots continue even today. Here are some words from friends and coworkers who are still in Kenya experiencing the turmoil firsthand:

• “The disputed elections have caused the ugly head of tribalism to rear its head in a shocking turn of events. Most of the deaths have been the result of ethnic cleansing and violence against people who are perceived to be government friendly as well as shooting by police - in many places they are using live bullets to ‘disperse’ rioters.”
• “The country has been shattered and over 250,000 people have are now refugees in their own country.”
• “His Kalenjin [a Kenyan tribe] neighbors are mad at him and threatening to burn his house down and cause he and his family harm”
• “The situation is critical. There is widespread looting, clashes with police, and rioting.
• “Gunfire just outside their home.”
• “The Minister for Internal Security has banned all live broadcasts on TV concerning the situation.”
• “Things are not well here. Kuna fujo zhomu. [There are serious problems.] Shops are closed. People are hoarding food. Hali si mbidzo. [The situation is not good.]”
• “When you called I had just come from Malindi talking to Christine Khadija’s parents. Parents here are really worried for their children traveling upcountry. As I was typing this email, Luganje called too expressing his fears if the students travel to Nairobi. I encouraged them to leave everything to God. This is not easy brother because deep inside me I am also a bit worried. Always remember us in your prayers.”

The people are rioting. The candidates are arguing and spew bitter words at each other in the media. International mediators from all over have tried to bring peace and reconciliation. All have failed. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General failed. Condoleezza Rice has tried as well. Now let’s bring it before the only one who can bring true peace. Please pray now for peace, safety, and healing before things get worse.

October Update from Africa

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope this note finds all of you doing well and growing daily in your relationship with the Lord. As a family, we are doing well and looking forward to our first winter and holiday season in the US in nearly 10 years! Wow! Oh yes, we celebrated the holidays while we were in Africa, but Christmas with 95-degree temperatures just never seemed quite right! Our children may feel otherwise, as if cold is all wrong!

As you know, although we are not physically present in Kenya any longer, we are still intimately involved in the ministry there. We have regular communication with them so that we know how to pray and how best to continue to partner with them in the Lord’s work. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and celebration of our Lord’s birth, please remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world who do not enjoy the blessings that we know as commonplace. Remember especially the Giryama people of Kenya’s coast, those people we love so much. Here is Duncan Ziro’s most recent note concerning the work in Kenya. He jumps around a bit from subject to subject, but I think you can follow it:

To Jaime & the brothers there in the US,
I want to give you a few highlights of what we are doing here in Kenya. We appreciate your love and support.
There was a women’s seminar at Uzima Christian Training Center – Malindi. It was on 30th to 31st of August 2007. Nine women from Kilifi District attended the seminar. After the seminar these women felt the desire to teach those who missed the opportunity to attend Uzima Seminar. Mama Esther Kasiwa - the Women’s leader in Kilifi District called for a one day seminar. This seminar was aimed at educating other women. They shared on challenges women whose husbands are not believers face. The seminar was on 22nd September 2007 at Kibarani church of Christ. A total of 14 women from Mkoroshoni, Tumaini, Wayani, Kilifi Town Church and the hosting church Kibarani, attended the seminar.
Each woman brought 30 shillings for food, and water. Esther Kasiwa requested MCRC to help them with 300 shillings to add to their 420 shillings which we did. The women who attended talked about how they can help their husbands in providing for the family. Some of the suggestions were to start small businesses, help one another acquire tailoring skills and then contribute to buy cheap sewing machines.
In Kaloleni there was a youth leader’s workshop on 22nd September 2007. This was organized specifically for the youth leaders. The purpose of the seminar was to motivate youth leaders to become more committed and take the responsibility of nurturing others to Christian maturity. They were also taught on how to deal with their fellow youth. A total of 10 leaders attended the workshop. Fredrick Kaingu and Ngowa facilitated the workshop. What really motivated Fredrick to call for this workshop was what we observed during the August Youth seminar. Some of the Youth leaders who attended were shy and could not even take responsibilities like leading small group discussions.
The “Watoto wa Yesu” children’s class is doing very well. Every Saturday the kids come anticipating something new from their teacher Mr. Nelson Katsuki. During the week children pass by the library to ask one or two Bible questions they didn’t understand at school. Nelson cheerfully shows them where to find the right books for their questions.
Apart from the Watoto wa Yesu children’s program, we have the Miziji Bible study every Friday from 3PM to 4PM. (By the way “Miziji” means roots.) We meet at the office extension room. We have been studying the book of James. Our aim is to be deeply rooted in the word of God. We bought some Bible study materials from Bible League (they are in Kiwsahili). These study materials go for 30 shillings a copy. God is blessing us every week.
Last week but one I went to Kaloleni to check on the construction work going on. The fundis [builders] are nearly through with the plastering. This week they have been working on the floor. We hope that God willing by the end of this week everything will be ready.
Mrs. Johnson Ngala is a member of Tumaini church of Christ. She is also the wife to the Tumaini church of Christ leader Mr. Johnson Ngala. The husband worked as a mason till the devil struck. His right hand was pierced by a poisonous thorn plant which resulted into his hand being unable to hold anything. He even eats and does everything else using his left hand. The couple has a daughter who developed some complications forcing her to be operated. When the hospital bill came they were required to pay 7,605 shillings [$120]. That is when the wife opted to asking help from friends and church members. When she came to MCRC, she had managed to get only 400 shillings [$6]. That is when we decided to help her with 1000 shillings [$15].
Umwenga newsletter is back and Wilfred Kaingu is the editor. His is pure voluntary work. We did give him some 300 shillings [$4.60] in August because we needed him to help us facilitate the Vijana a Masihi youth seminar and he did not have money for transport. He is a very good teacher especially on development issues. We still need him to facilitate more workshops on development and self-reliance, which I personally feel it is one area people here need to be taught.
Esther Kabibi from Ganze did her high school through the help of an NGO called Plan International. She did very well. She has a Mean grade of B. Her desire is to do medicine. If Esther succeeds to join a University and study medicine, she will be the first girl from her area to have gone that far.

So there is the latest from Duncan and our other faithful brothers and sisters serving in Africa. Please continue to pray for them all as often as you think of them!

A Report From Our Friends in Africa

Below is a note from our friend and brother Duncan Ziro in Kenya. It is a brief report of what went on during the month of August. Many thanks to all of you who continue to support the ministry in Africa through Duncan, Fredrick and others. You’ll notice as you read below that there is a need for more monthly assistance to continue the seminars and meetings. Would you consider making a one-time or monthly donation to the ongoing work in Africa? Please visit our website at www.intercede-intl.org/donations for more info and always keep our African brothers and sisters in your prayers!

From Duncan:

Praise God!

The month of August is over. It is a vacation month here in Kenya so the youth and some of their parents who are teachers are at home for a one month holiday. This is a great time to hold youth and leaders seminars.

On 7th of August to 10th of August, we had a youth seminar in Kaloleni. 43 youth attended. 38 youth paid the 50 shillings [about 75 cents] registration fee, so we collected a total of 1900 shillings. The total cost of the seminar was 10,900 shillings [roughly $170].

We had a leaders meeting for all leaders in Kilifi district on 25th August 2007 at Kilifi Primary School. 21 church leaders turned up for the meeting. The cost of the meeting was 1,537 shillings [about $25]. This is food and rental fee for a room at Kilifi Primary School.

We have done a lot of internal borrowing to make these meetings happen. I communicated this to the MCRC board and together we decided to skip a month (there will be no board meeting in the month of September) so that we don't run short of money before the yearend.

Brother, I pray for you as you work hard to make sure that we get funds for the ministry. Thank you very much for your prayers and support. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve in his ministry. I am learning a lot of things. Continue praying for me and Fredrick.

Pass our greetings to all brethren over there.

Short Report

Hello again to all our friends and family!

Mulungu ni mudzo!

As most of you know, we have returned to the USA, but our efforts are still with our African brothers and sisters. We are thrilled to report that INTERCEDE is doing well and succeeding in its mission to “stand in the gap”. (Please visit our website often at www.intercede-intl.org.)

Just last week we created and handed out several flyers that listed specific needs for the ministry in Africa. Those needs were:

1. A new computer for Duncan and the ministry of Maarifa Christian Resource Center
2. Funds for a floor in Kaloleni (from dirt to cement!)
3. And assistance to send three young people to Nairobi Great Commission School beginning in January.

We are happy to report to you that 100% of the funds needed were raised for all three needs and will be sent to Africa for the continued ministry to the Mijikenda people! Thank you!

Mulungu ni mudzo! God is good!

We’re Home and We Need Your Help!

Yes, Jaime and Ginger have returned home from Kenya, but the ministry continues through INTERCEDE…

Mama Dama is a mother… again.

Dama is now mother to her six grandchildren whose parents died four years ago from AIDS. She has no job and has faced numerous days with no food for herself or her grandchildren. She barely manages to survive from day-to-day. There is little hope for her or her grandchildren for the future.

This is INTERCEDE’s story too. It is our desire to intervene and to help – to intercede – on behalf of people like Dama and her grandchildren.

Will you lend a hand? If you could change the life of Mama Dama, would you?

Graduation

I cannot possibly express the joy and sense of pride I feel at this moment. After more than 4 years of hard work and many prayers, Duncan Wanje Ziro graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Daystar Christian University.

Although we moved home a little over a month ago now (more on that another time), one of our dear friends in Lubbock blessed me with a round-trip ticket to Kenya in order to be with Duncan during this momentous event. (Thank you!) Duncan’s parents and several good friends were also on hand to support him on graduation day. In fact, this was his mother’s first trip to Nairobi ever! She had never traveled far from her small village on the coast. And what an incredible trip this must have been for her, filled with pride at her son’s accomplishments!

As for me, I could go on and on about this good friend from a small rural village. How far he has come indeed! I am proud of him. Not only did he finish and finish with very good grades, but the desire of his heart is to return to the coast and to his people to share Jesus with others, using his education to bless those around him. God is good!

On more than one occasion, my eyes swelled with tears as I recounted all the good times – and struggles – we have endured together to reach this point. Yet as the Guest of Honor spoke, I too was challenged with his words, “It isn’t how far you have come, but how far you will go.”
I am proud of what Duncan has done, but it is true, how far will he go now? What will he do for the kingdom in the future? I cannot wait to see and to hear of the victories!

Some may wonder why it is we went to all this effort or why we were so concerned with helping Duncan get his degree. The simple answer is quite best: because it was always our intention to “work ourselves out of a job”, teaching and training our African brothers and sisters to take our place, blessing them with the same tools we had access to in order to more effectively take the good news of Jesus to a lost world.

Please pray for us and for the next phase of our mission. As we settle into a new life in the US, it is our earnest hope and prayer that God will bless INTERCEDE as we strive to partner with young men like Duncan.

Duncan is one of two young men we currently sponsor to continue our mission of carrying the Good News to those who do not yet know our Savior. Will you continue to help us? Please pray and continue to send your financial support for Duncan and others.

How far will you go?

Home?

This is a strange and even difficult time for our family. We are moving home – but where is that?

It has been said that, “home is where you hang your hat”. That must be true only in Texas!

Some say that home is where your family is. Which family? We have family everywhere!

The Son of Man said, “I have no home”, obviously referring to an earthly dwelling in which to lay his head. At times, we can certainly understand what He meant.

For roughly nine years we have called Africa home. For about eight years prior to that, we referred to Lubbock, TX as home. When we are in Africa, we speak of home as the USA. When we are there, we speak of Africa as home. So oddly enough, we’re never “home”!

Our girls don’t seem so confused. They know where home is. But too, their parents are concerned about them all the same. They are more African than American, more so than we probably realize now. What problems will they experience that children their age don’t usually struggle with? What will other kids say and think about them? Will they be unique because they grew up in Africa or weird and treated as outcasts?

Although those thoughts do cross our minds from time to time, we aren’t so concerned. To be outcasts in the view of the world isn’t such a bad thing as long as they have a firm grasp of who they are.

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." – 2 peter 3:13

As a family, we’re excited about the future and that excitement transcends the fear of the unknown. Children generally take their cue from their parents. So as long as we present a strong, united (and even excited) front, they will follow suit. We’re not overly concerned about their adjustment to life in the USA, or ours for that matter. It is sad to be saying goodbye, but exciting to think about what God has in store for us next.

We would appreciate your continued prayers. This is an emotional roller coaster for us, excitement and joy mixed with much apprehension. But God is faithful and will carry us through.

Disaster

Dear friends and family,

As you know, many of our dear African brothers and sisters have been suffering greatly. If you recall, the United Nations declared a famine in Kenya in March of this year due to a serious drought. We wanted to help our friends on the coast, the hardest hit area, and you were ever so generous in helping with funds to purchase food.

Nearly three to four months ago, we sent you a message encouraging you to rejoice with us, the rains had begun. After such a long dry period, the people were planting again and looking forward to a bountiful harvest. Little did we know then that the rains would not stop, and would in fact, increase drastically.

The picture you see is the front page headlines from November 24th’s edition of The Standard. It is a disaster. Flooding has caused wide-spread panic, fear and even death across much of East Africa and especially Kenya. I’m not sure you can read it, but the third paragraph reads, “In the Coast Province alone, the victims are estimated at 200,000 – all marooned in ever surging waters.” The UN is again saying that help is urgently needed in Kenya. They are conducting emergency airlifts into regions of the coast because roads are swept and bridges destroyed.

And yes, we have many friends who are affected by the floods. Their homes are being washed away (remember, they are nothing more than dried mud huts) and hopes of a bountiful harvest have been dashed.

At this time, we would simply ask you to pray. This is traditionally the time of the year when we all give thanks for what we have been blessed with. It is a time of joy, good-cheer, and gift-giving – a time to share with family.

Please pause and pray for your African brothers and sisters who continue to suffer. Many will celebrate Christmas with no home. Many will miss the joy of giving and receiving as we know it. Others still will ring in the new year not with shouts of joy, but with tears of pain for lost family members.

Pray.

Holidays 2006

As is tradition with many families, we too enjoy putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving!

And then again, like so many, we take a break for leftover… pizza?

Happy Holidays from the Swifts

Victories

Hello again friends and family, brothers and sisters!

October 22 is a special day for us for two big reasons. On this day in 1997, our second daughter, Autumn Grace, was born. For that reason, it will always be a special day, full of wonderful memories.

The other reason is because on October 22, 1998, we landed in Kenya to begin our lives and ministry in Africa. And oh what an adventure that has been, full of joy and sadness, struggles and accomplishments, victories and defeats.

As of today, our beautiful daughter turns 9 years old (and I'm considering moving deeper into the jungle on account of my beautiful girls!) and we enter our ninth year of ministry in Africa. It’s incredible to think that we have now completed a full eight years and are beginning our ninth. My how time flies. I tend to be nostalgic and sentimental (this is Jaime) and I could write all day long about this land and its wonderful people. Since I was 17 years old, I have dreamed of living and ministering among the African people – that is 20 years ago for those of you who don’t know how old I am! But let me not do that here and now. I want to talk with you some about those victories, victories that you have made possible through your love, kindness, generosity and prayers.

Within months after our arrival, we noticed the tremendous need to minister to young people. On any given Sunday fellowship, there would be 10-12 adults and 30-40 young people and children. And yet, to our amazement, there was no ministry targeting the largest percentage of the population! (We would later realize through research, that 71% of the African continent is under the age of 25!) And so began in 1999, our efforts at youth ministry among the Mijikenda. We called it, Vijana a Masihi or in English, Youth for Christ (we were really creative!).

And I am happy to report to you that Vijana a Masihi is alive and well even today. Here are some excerpts from a report sent to me just a few weeks ago by Fredrick Kaingu in an area known as Kaloleni:
“Once again Vijana a Masihi-Kaloleni had a very successful meeting. It was held at Kizurini Primary School from the 8th-11th of August. It was a nice meeting which lasted for three days. We had a good number of 25 youth in attendance, aged 15 and above. The youth had a nice time and enjoyed lessons focused on spirituality. The next meeting will be from the 5th-8th of December. This time we hope our building to be ready… we are in the process of planning a fundraiser to help with the costs of our seminars.”

Isn’t this wonderful? I think that what is so exciting to me is that we have done what we first set out to do – replicate ourselves. It really was our goal to “work ourselves out of a job” and as much as I still want to be there with Fredrick, I know he’ll do so much better without me. He’ll carry this ministry far beyond our wildest dreams and reach young people we could never have touched.

I want you to know now, I love Fredrick. This guy has weathered so many struggles and yet remained faithful. (I’m having trouble seeing the computer screen as I write, just thinking about my friend.) His family is not Christian and yet he remains faithful even when they question him. When his father fell some 50-60 feet from a coconut tree (he was “tapping” the tree for the local palm wine brew), Fredrick didn’t ask, “why God”. When his fiancée was insisting on spending literally thousands of dollars on a wedding he knew he couldn’t afford, he wouldn’t borrow and go deep into debt “because it isn’t right Jaime.” Instead, he insisted on a simple, affordable wedding that he could afford. His fiancée left him for that reason. “It was best this way Jaime. I learned her heart wasn’t in the right place.” When all of his chickens died unexpectedly – his sole source of income – he didn’t blame God or come begging for more. When I give him and the youth money to help with whatever, he has proven extremely trustworthy and honest, accounting for every last cent – and doesn’t even take anything for himself despite the fact he lives in a TINY 8x8 mud hut with a leaky roof!

Fredrick Kaingu from Kaloleni. He is the reason we came. Fredrick’s story is most definitely one of our greatest victories. We sponsored him through Bible school, served side-by-side with him for many years, encouraged him through some tough times, and now we feel confident that he is more than able to continue the good work that was started through us. He is my friend, he is my brother and I look forward to many more years of service with Fredrick.

Please remember Fredrick in your prayers. Remember the youth he is working with too. And pray about the future. We cannot leave a dear brother like him alone, we must continue to partner with him and encourage him. I believe God has provided us with an opportunity to do just that through INTERCEDE. We can and will continue to partner with good friends like Fredrick as now he takes the gospel to the Giryama.

Home

Hello to all of our friends and family! We are home!

It is always good to spend some time with family and friends in the US and it was good to see you. This trip was a bit special, so we didn’t get to spend lots of time with everyone, neither did we get to see all of you. But it was a good visit, albeit quick.

Still, it is good to be home. It is good to sleep in our own bed and to unpack our suitcases. Well, almost. Seven of our bags didn't make it. Since last week, we've received only two, so five are still floating around out there somewhere. What's worse, British Airways can't tell us where they are! What kind of security is that??!!

Our girls are happy and haven’t stopped running, playing and riding bicycles since we got out of the taxi! But jet lag was bound to catch up to us all…




We love and appreciate each of you. More soon! (Once we all wake up!)

God's Timing

Hello friends and family! Below is a brief report from our dear friends and co-workers on the coast. Luganje Nyale, Mike Karabu and John Kenga are coordinating the food relief efforts among various Giryama families who are in need. We are so very thankful for their efforts and willingness to assist us and God's people. This is an excerpt from them along with photos of some of the families...

“God’s timing is perfect.” This is one of the many thanksgivings of the few recipients of the food aid from Swift African Ministries. Many of these recipients came from poverty stricken families. One need not ask what these people need, a glance of them will tell you their suffering has been with them for some time. Apart from the rags on their bodies, the small thatched and mud houses will surely tell you more. But babies with wrinkled faces will make you shed tears. The other thing which will come into your mind is how and to what extent you can help because almost everything needed urgent intervention and people ready to stretch a helping hand. This is the actual situation in Kaloleni, Kilifi and Malindi area.

Mama Nyevu Mwanyule is a widow caring for 9 children most of them in Primary School. Her husband died five years ago from AIDS and being HIV positive, she lives a life of being constantly sick. Her second born daughter has a baby. They live by baking local bread to sell at the nearby market for the daily meal. They were very happy to have received this aid and prayed for continuous donation. May God bless you all.

Church of Christ Primary School was taken as a family to be assisted in the food aid. It is handling children from poor families who cannot afford quality education in the public or private primary schools. The Chairman of the school, Mr. Karani Baya (on the right) wishes to provide good education for these families. It has a total number of 120 children, from Kindergarten to class 2 (second grade). The dreams for the Church members are to provide good classrooms with facilities for better education. We do really pray for all those who donated and pray for more donations in aid of these children. God Bless you all.

Jaw Breaker!

This is a shot of Jaime just hours after his fateful collision with a charging rhino! (or something like that!) He’s lucky to have gotten away with nothing more than a broken jaw!

Despite the all the pain, swelling and stitches, Jaime is doing fine today. The doctors in Mombasa actually did a very poor job of diagnosing the injury. Fortunately for us, Jaime asked his dentist to check things out 2 weeks after the injury because his teeth were still not fitting together properly. The dentist recommended a facial surgeon who, after a head CT Scan, saw that the jaw was severely broken in two pieces.

Last Wednesday, the 5th of July, he underwent 6 hours of surgery to put things back in place. Today a week later, he’s doing much better, with minimal swelling and almost no pain. His jaw is and will be, wired shut for two full weeks. (Lord willing, the wires will be removed on the 19th and all will be well.)

Thanks for all your emails and continued prayers!

Memaw

My grandmother died a few days ago. My mom’s mom passed away in East Texas. She just had a birthday a matter of days before her death; she was in her mid-80s. Her funeral is tomorrow (Monday) in Hobbs, NM.

Just hours after I heard, I called my mom and spoke to her for quite some time. She was doing ok, but it never is an easy thing. And for me, it isn’t easy being 10,000 miles away from family at a time like this. I wish I could be there to hug my mom.

Within minutes after calling my mom, I called my granddad (pawpaw is what we call him). He couldn’t even speak to me the first few moments of the call. I could hear clearly through the receiver how tough a time he was having. His wife of 65 years was gone. Can you imagine how incredible it must be to live with someone for 65 years and then in the twinkle of an eye, they’re gone? I can’t. I wish I could be there to hug my pawpaw.

I told them both the same thing though: just think of memaw (that is what we called her. She always called me “Oscar” if I called her grandma!). Think of memaw right now. As difficult as this may be for those of us still here on this planet, she is laughing and running around in heaven, giddy like a young girl again. Yes, she is in heaven, of that I have no doubt. For her, there is no more pain, no more loss of memory (she was suffering from Alzheimer’s), no more sadness. She is just beginning, a new beginning; one that will last forevermore.

I will miss her, but I’m happy to have had lots of good time with her. Before we moved to Africa, I used to relish her incredible sandwiches every Monday (I love Fritos with a crispy lettuce sandwich!). For nearly eight years, I had the privilege to work near memaw and pawpaw and would stop in for lunch every chance I got. Every Monday, I ate lunch with them and if I stayed long enough, I even got a bowl of beans and cornbread for dinner (Mondays were always bean day at memaw’s!). I spoke to her a couple of months ago on the phone. I'm not sure she knew who I was, but I like to think she did.

I could go on and on and on with my memories. I could sit here and type out a long page expressing how deeply she will be missed by me and my family. I could tell you how incredibly difficult it is NOT to be there now with my family to comfort those who are still living. But I would rather think about memaw right now. I’d rather think about how much fun she must be having and the smile that I know is on her face.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” Memaw, enjoy your crown and I’ll see you again soon.

jaime (oscar)

25 cents for your green grass?

Dear friends, please to continue to pray earnestly for our Mijikenda brothers and sisters.

I spoke to the coordinators of our food relief just today. They were meeting to discuss food distribution in Kilifi District this week. The testimonies they gave me tore at my heart, so much so that I had to share them with you.

Stephen Thethe from an area known as Mihongohi Chenda (the place of nine poles) says that the families in his area are suffering greatly. The church there sponsors a preschool for children from the nearby villages. The preschool recently asked parents to give 20 Kenyan Shillings per week (about 25 American cents) to feed their children while at school. To date, not one single parent has been able to come up with that amount of money.

And if that doesn’t pull at your heart strings enough, Luganje Nyale from Kaloleni area gave an equally disturbing report. He says that the rains have brought some relief. Now that the rains have helped green the grass, many families have begun eating grass to relieve the hunger.

Please continue praying for these people. And if you have an extra few dollars, please consider sending it to help feed a few desperate people on the coast of Kenya.

Food Relief

Many of you have heard about the struggles our brothers and sisters in Kenya have been living with recently. Severe drought and high temperatures throughout much of 2005 and early 2006 caused many problems for the Mijikenda people.

Earlier this year, as we wrote of these struggles in our newsletters, some of you responded, asking how you could help. So we put together a small proposal, asking for $2000 per month to assist with food relief among our Mijikenda friends. We are so very thankful for the abundance God has provided for us, through you and your generosity. Thus far, we have received almost three times the amount we asked for! Thank you!

This is a 6-month commitment, so we hope and pray that the Lord will continue to bless us. We do not want to let up or lose steam as the months come and go. The more money donated, the more hungry families will be assisted. So please, if the Spirit is encouraging you to give, then please contact us on where to send your donation.

In the picture you’ll see Jaime with four of the Mijikenda leaders who will be coordinating the food relief. From left to right is Luganje Nyale from Kaloleni, Mike Karabu from Malindi, Stephen Thethe from Malindi and John Kenga from Kilifi. These men are the ones who will be coordinating, advising and overseeing all distribution of food assistance among various families on the coast. What’s more, they have exempted themselves and their entire families from receiving any assistance, despite the fact that the drought seriously affected them as well.

Please continue to pray for all the Mijikenda people as well as our distribution efforts. The rains have begun, but the harvest is still several months away and many of the people have no seed to plant. Pray too for these men. It is their responsibility to determine the areas of greatest need, identify specific families in those areas, and then distribute food in the best way possible. Pray for wisdom and guidance and for the opportunity to share the gospel with those who may receive assistance, but do not yet know our Savior.

Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!
May God bless you all richly as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.


Hannah and Autumn had an Easter play at school last Thursday. Can you spot them in the crowd of brightly-colored kids?

A note from Duncan

Below is an email that Duncan Ziro sent to us just today (April 8th). He is the young Giryama man that many of you are helping to attend Daystar Christian University. Please pray for him as he begins exams soon and closes out another school year.

Hi dear friends

I trust that you are all full of health, joy and love.

By God’s grace through your support, I am continuing with my studies at Daystar University. I want to inform you that I very much appreciate your prayers and financial support. I pray God to bless you each day of your lives as you minister to the lives of many in the world.

I am about to start my end of semester exams which will end in May 12th. I trust God to lead me to the end of this semester and throughout my study period in Daystar.

God bless you and keep you my dear friends.

With much appreciation
Duncan Ziro Wanje

Update on Duncan Ziro

Our good friend Duncan is doing great this semester at Daystar Christian University. We are thrilled to see him doing so well – the first Giryama we know to have the chance for a university education! It’s all because of people like you – Thatcher, Brandt, Conder, Garner, Talley, Bookout, Lipscomb, the ladies at New Braunfels, and others – that Duncan has this opportunity. Thank you!

Duncan is working on a double major, Bible and Community Development. This semester, he is enrolled in 15 hours. His classes include Romans, Intro to Economics, Modern Africa, History of Christianity and Rural Appropriate Technology. He continues to perform really well too. His GPA for the Fall 2005 semester was 3.45! That’s incredible for anyone, much less a young man who grew up in a mud hut!

Duncan recently sent us an email. Here are some excerpts from his note:

Hi bro!
I am fine in the Lord and my hope and prayer is that you and your family are fine too. Please pass my greetings to mucheo na anao [your wife and children].

Naenderera na mashomo tototo [I’m doing well with my studies]. I remain with 31 credit hours before I graduate. This is like two semesters.

I want to thank you very much brother for your support and for just being a friend. I also want to thank all brothers and sisters who have committed themselves to see that I do my bachelors. If it were not for such friends God have touched, I would be at Bore [his home village] I don’t know doing what – maybe nikihega mathali [catching mice for food]. God bless you abundantly.

Yes, God bless you all abundantly. What a huge blessing you have been to Duncan’s life and to our own as well.

U.N.: Famine Approaching Kenya

Food Expected To Run Out In 30 To 60 Days
(AP) EL WAK, Kenya The U.N. food agency will soon run out of food needed to feed some 3.5 million Kenyans facing prolonged drought because it has received a fraction of the required funding, officials said Saturday.

The World Food Program has enough cereal to last until April but will run out of other staples by month's end, program spokesman Peter Smerdon said.

The program needs $225 million to buy more than 33,000 tons of food each month until February 2007 but has received only $28 million, he said. "If we don't get any more food aid it will be a catastrophe," Smerdon said. "We are already on the edge because food is running out and we are supposed to be feeding people until February next year."

World Food Program Executive Director James Morris arrived Saturday in El Wak, 420 miles northeast of the capital, Nairobi. Food program officials called the village an example of the effects of prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa, where 11.5 million people need food aid.

Dozens of people have died of hunger in drought-stricken parts of northeastern and eastern Kenya, according to local media. The government has declared the situation a famine and a national disaster, but has not given a death toll.

"We will urgently need more help in the next 10 days because it takes time to buy, ship and distribute food. It is not something you can do overnight," Morris said. "If we get a break in the food pipeline, then malnutrition will go up very seriously."

El Wak resident Mohamed Ibrahim, 55, said that 160 of his 200 camels and 97 of his 100 cattle had died.

"We don't just need food, we need other kinds of help as well," Ibrahim said. "People say we should change the way we live but there are no towns, no businesses, no agriculture that we can do."

Ibrahim Younis, emergency coordinator of a feeding center in El Wak run by a Belgian aid agency, said more children are coming to the group for help.

"The key problem is water because these children are malnourished and a lack of hygiene means they get diarrhea, which pushes them over the edge," he said.