Coffee with Christine

Finally, GOOD NEWS!! This evening at about 5 pm, the President and the Opposition signed a deal on the governance of the country. This particular issue is the cause of the deadlock in the mediation talks the last two weeks. The new deal includes the creation of the post of the Executive Prime Minister and two deputies and a 50/50 cabinet. We are all so relieved. Of course, the challenge is the implementation of the agreement. In the speeches that were given, all the speakers emphasied that the journey has just begun. Now, this new Goverment, can at least concentrate their efforts in the re-building of Kenya. Thank you all for praying with us and for us! This new development is the lift I needed. I am not sure if you "heard" my weariness in my previous post....I was a little overwhelmed. However, we will continue to pray that the work of reconciliation and restoration will begin in this broken nation.

I apologise for the lack of news this week, but generally speaking there really isn't much news. The talks are still deadlocked and the Western countries continue to issue threats putting pressure for the talks to succeed. I learnt that today is also Amnesty Day for Kenya all over the world. Friends of ours who live close to a slum near us (about 10 minutes from where we live), told us this morning that they heard lots of gun fire last night and screaming and commotion . The tension in the country is simmering just under the surface and we can feel it. Two days ago, Tony went to a "hospital" in the slum to visit one of our Sudanese student who was stabbed 7 times on his way home at about 7pm in the evening. His attackers did not take his phone or wallet. We are not sure what the motive of this attack was. While none of his injuries is life threatening, he is traumatised and is definitely in pain. Please pray for his speedy recovery, both emotional and physical. We co...

In the evening news today, the Opposition party announced that there will be countrywide mass action starting next Wednesday if there is no progress in the mediation talks. I am working on a newsletter but I thought I send this prayer call for even more prayers for Kenya.

Firstly, Happy belated Valentine's Day to everyone. I attempted my first black forest cake as a Valentine's gift to Tony and the girls and it was delicious. It's made from a cake mix, of course! This is the very last piece.... Vickie, our sugar/cookie addict with an empty cake plate. She beat Tony to the last piece of cake!! He wasn't happy about it :-) I was trying out the macro feature on the camera - this is a rose in our garden....pretty cool, huh? We had a busy week last week. On Monday I hosted a bible study for missionaries ladies - we usually meet once a week for some study time and prayer, Tuesday, we had the Valentine's Party for the Ladies Ministry, the same evening, I spoke in the Dorm Fellowship. Wednesday we had a special chapel thanksgiving service, Thursday, I spoke in chapel. Friday we had the charter, Saturday - a free day and Sunday, Tony spoke in 3 services!! All these are in addition to our regular activities...I took a few pictures... The ...

It's been a almost a week since my previous posting, and todate, we still do not have any "deal" in the mediation talks. Most Kenyans are tired waiting and some have even given up. Some even feel that once the mediation team leaves, we will be back to square one. Both sides keep coming up with different scenarios and proposals. I gave up following the news....since nothing seems to have any meaning at all. At one point, both sides would agree to something and then it changes within hours. Like most of my Kenyan friends. I am pretty frustrated as well. Please keep your prayers up for Kenya. The battle is far from over. On a more positive note, the camp in Tigoni (about 40 minutes from us) which has swelled to thousands of refugees within days are now closed. The reason is a good one. Some Kenyans who live in England collected money and send it with a couple here. The couple then organised for buses to transport the refugees and their belongings to wherever they wan...

We finally have some good news, at least, we think! Last night, the mediation team had a news conference and annouced that they have finally reached an agreement on "power-sharing" and the details are being worked out and will be made known next week. We almost heaved a sigh of relief...almost....we really have to wait and see what happens. It is certainly a good sign after the deadlock the last few days. We know that people camping in the make shift shelters are beginning to return to their own homes. Many of these people will return to almost nothing. At the refugees camps, our students told us that some had taken their "houses" apart and came to the camp with the "mabatis" (iron sheets), pieces of wood and nails they had pulled out when they dismantled their "houses" - actually simply structures made of pieces of wood and iron sheets. They are now ready to return to rebuild. Children are also ready to return to the routine of school. It seems ...

I apologise for not posting earlier....I did try quite a few times but the internet would go out on me and I got frustrated, so I quit! I was also hoping and praying that there would be a "breakthrough" in the mediation talks and Iwill be able to do a posting entitled "Crisis Over!". I can hope, can't I??! However, as of today, the mediation talks seems to have hit a snag. Once again both sides are holding strong stance on their positions and no one is yielding. Life for us as a family and as a university is as normal as can be - girls are back in school, altho they were sent home midday one day when an MP (Member of Parliment) was shot and killed and fighting broke out spontaneously in the city. Other than that one incident, they pretty much were in school. Campus life got busy with classes, chapel, fellowships and ministries that we are both involved in. Tony is also preaching most weekends in different churches and usually in multiple services. The Lord has...