On 27th of December 2007 we voted peacefully. Things seemed okay until the results were announced. That’s when we saw tension building up and people began talking in low tones. Nevertheless we never thought we were in danger. We continued working and thought the bad feelings would pass. There was certainly no indication that it would affect us at our home, hotel (our business place) and our Nakuru House Church Network.
We were just preparing to begin our house church fellowship when we heard noise along the road. We heard gunshots from town. Within an hour our house was surrounded by a loud mob. I had to make decisions very quickly. I called the provincial police officer but he was busy trying to handle the situation in town and couldn’t take my calls. The crowd’s intention was to burn us in the house. I tried to think how Meshack, Shadrack and ABDNEGO PRAYED IN THE FIERY FURNACE BUT……I COULD NOT JUST PRAY. Then I called the officer in charge of the local prison that I had been talking to about our House Church Network work. He reacted very fast and came to pick us up. I cannot imagine what would have happened if he had not known me.
The crowd was so charged, we almost did not get out. The officers fired in the air but the crowd had no respect for the power of the gun, they were so heated up. But narrowly we managed after the police killed one of them before our own eyes. One of them had to die for us to leave!
Many people in our city lost their lives at the hands of the police and clashing. Some areas of the country have become no go zones for some tribes of Kenya. More than 500 houses have been burned in Nakuru alone including some that belonged to our Nakuru house church network. The raiders loot before setting the house ablaze.
We were taken to the prison camp where we started sleeping. We were later transferred to the stadium. The situation was terrible: cold at night, raping incidents, no rule nor law in this camp at night. It was survival of the fittest.
Some of the women and even children in the following pictures were victims of the violence.
BECAUSE OF YOUR HELP, MANY NEEDS HAVE BEEN MET:
1. My wife and children have been moved to safety!
2. We had three girls and five of house church women raped before their husbands and children. Some of the needed medical treatment has been taken care of.
3. Some illnesses (pneumonia) have been treated.
4. Food has been provided at the camp.
MORE NEEDS NOT YET MET:
1. Additional medical treatment for some of the rape victims.
2. Additional medication for those who have contracted pneumonia.
3. Additional food needed.
4. Money to bury house church members who have been killed.
5. Transportation and police escort to relocate some of the families.
6. Additional clothes, shoes, blankets, and clean drinking water.
(Note from Roger: we will be providing Isaac with additional funds immediately.)
Your prayers and support are making a difference.
Here’s what I think I’ve learned so far. Darkness runs, and a silent night becomes holy when I by faith believe I am not alone. I remind myself of His faithfulness in the past and the reliability of his word. I recommit to giving him my all, and I with gratitude receive even the dark night of my life. My silent night becomes holy when I remember what is REALLY important is life beyond this life, and focus on getting others there. You and I have silent nights, too. Maybe not this kind, but other situations where hopes are dashed and taunting demons about a forlorn future seem to materialize from nowhere. The evidence seems clear to me—silent nights become holy nights when HE is with me. I’m going to act like that is true by faith, and pray that you will too. “You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.” II Samuel 22:29
