Coffee with Christine

You are probably tired of pictures of our puppy but I couldn't help posting this adorable picture of my two babies. WOW! The internet and electricity stayed on!!! And this is my second post this evening. It's 11.12 pm right now. Kathryn's soccer team won their final game for the season against Hill Crest with a 6-0 score. Yeah! She didn't score but had a couple of great assist. Tony (and me too!) are so proud! Kathryn and her best friend, Eirin.

The week of Good Friday, Tony preached a series of revival meetings at the NPC (Nairobi Pentecostal Church) in Woodley, across town. It took us more than an hour to drive there and back each evening. Despite heavy rains that started the day of the meetings, hundreds turned out for the meeting. Tony preached from 2 Samuel 6 for all four services. The series of meeting ended on Good Friday about being passionate for God. Many humbled themselves and sought God at the altar after each service and we took time to pray for them. One of the most precious thing that happened is these two little boys responding to the altar call and praying - how precious! Kneeling in the presence of God, seeking His face! These pictures were taken by our daughter Kathryn. While we were all away at these services, our very vicious and ferocious guard dog, Max is keeping guard at home. Here is Max in action.... Isn't he cute!

Let's see, last Friday our internet went kaput, something about the relay point being messed up. Sunday, we had no power and since our water supply is pumped from the borehole on campus, we don't water either!! AND our phonelines are also down!! When it rains, it pours!! We have had the one of the worst power interruptions lately. The last couple of weeks, the power comes and off over a dozen times DAILY! When the power is on, our internet would be off, when we get the connection back, the power is off!! How "fun"....NOT!! I wanted to do this short post, just in case, some of our friends and family are worried! I have more pictures and even some fun things to post but will do once I get all my other stuff done since BOTH the power and internet is on right this moment! :-)

Vickie fell in love with this little boy who was just clinging on her the whole time. Vickie's experience in the church nursery became very helpful as she plays with the children. The women at the camp cooking for their families in this makeshift "kitchen" This man shared with Tony that in this little tent are all of his belongings that he managed to salvage before the attackers came to burn and pillage. As you can tell, he really didn't have much, some clothes and simple kitchenware. He would be considered one of the fortunates ones. Many fled with just clothes on their back and some not even that. There are over half a million IDPs in the country. The resettling of the IDPs will take time and resources. Please remember to pray for them as they work towards rebuidling their lives and that somehow in this process they find the one True God who will never leave them or forsake them.

On Monday, Tony went with Vickie's class to visit a internally displaced camp- this term simply means people who are refugees in their own country. The people in this particular camp had come from Western and Northern Kenya where most of the violence had taken place. Tony visited with some of the women and listened to their stories of survival. The man in the picture below, Robinson, ran for his life when the attackers descended on him and his family. He has 9 children and also grandchildren. His whole family were separated during the skirmishes but they found each other in this particular camp. Such an amazing story. The ladies in his picture are members of his family.

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...