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 continue to struggle with the esclating prices of basic goods. Many who live in the slum areas had their rent doubled as many displaced people are moving into the city - away from the areas of violence. This created an immediate demand for housing in the slums - the rent is about US$20 per month is now increased to about US$35. This may not mean much to most of you reading this blog but is the difference between having a roof on their heads or not - for many here. For most people here, the price increase is not the difference between eating less or more but most often between eating or NOT eating at all. One family I know is sending their children (two teenagers and another two age 8 and 9) to school without breakfast and a bag of popcorn for lunch. These kids are in school most of the day. Can you imagine sending your kids to school with an empty stomach and a bag of popcorn for lunch? These kids will probably get one meager meal a day. This situation is multiplied in most families on campus and across this nation.
Yesterday, we had a registered nurse take the blood pressure of the ladies of the Ladies Ministry here. One student had a reading of 199/132!!! She was then given some money to go to a clinic for another reading and to have a doctor's consult. She obviously has high blood pressure and the numbers of her BP tells us that she is actually a walking time bomb. The cost of the medication she will need on a monthly basis from now on is completely beyond her. The cost is relatively cheaper here (as we import most of our drugs from India and they are usually generic)
as compared to what it would normally cost at home. Her prescription will cost about $30 a month - same as the rental of her home!
Almost daily, Tony and I are confronted with these very immediate and real needs. We have limited resources to meet all of these needs. We are grateful for friends whose support empower us to give a helping hand to those in need. Please know that your sacrificial giving is makign a difference in the lives of many - thank you! Most of all, we have learnt and are continuing to learn to depend on God, to pray for and with those in need and to love them in their times of need, spiritually, physically and any other ways.
Pray for us that we may know how to effectively minister to those whom God will bring to our path. We know we cannot help everyone but we know that we can help some. Pray that God will show us who and how - daily!
How we need Him!
We continue to struggle with the esclating prices of basic goods. Many who live in the slum areas had their rent doubled as many displaced people are moving into the city - away from the areas of violence. This created an immediate demand for housing in the slums - the rent is about US$20 per month is now increased to about US$35. This may not mean much to most of you reading this blog but is the difference between having a roof on their heads or not - for many here. For most people here, the price increase is not the difference between eating less or more but most often between eating or NOT eating at all. One family I know is sending their children (two teenagers and another two age 8 and 9) to school without breakfast and a bag of popcorn for lunch. These kids are in school most of the day. Can you imagine sending your kids to school with an empty stomach and a bag of popcorn for lunch? These kids will probably get one meager meal a day. This situation is multiplied in most families on campus and across this nation.
Yesterday, we had a registered nurse take the blood pressure of the ladies of the Ladies Ministry here. One student had a reading of 199/132!!! She was then given some money to go to a clinic for another reading and to have a doctor's consult. She obviously has high blood pressure and the numbers of her BP tells us that she is actually a walking time bomb. The cost of the medication she will need on a monthly basis from now on is completely beyond her. The cost is relatively cheaper here (as we import most of our drugs from India and they are usually generic)
as compared to what it would normally cost at home. Her prescription will cost about $30 a month - same as the rental of her home!
Almost daily, Tony and I are confronted with these very immediate and real needs. We have limited resources to meet all of these needs. We are grateful for friends whose support empower us to give a helping hand to those in need. Please know that your sacrificial giving is makign a difference in the lives of many - thank you! Most of all, we have learnt and are continuing to learn to depend on God, to pray for and with those in need and to love them in their times of need, spiritually, physically and any other ways.
Pray for us that we may know how to effectively minister to those whom God will bring to our path. We know we cannot help everyone but we know that we can help some. Pray that God will show us who and how - daily!
How we need Him!
Comments