http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080228/wl_nm/kenya_crisis_dc_24

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyans moved to put one of their country’s darkest chapters behind them on Friday after the president and opposition leader agreed to power-sharing aimed at ending a bloody post-election political crisis.

President Mwai Kibaki and his rival Raila Odinga signed the deal setting up a coalition government on Thursday after a month of often bitter negotiations punctuated by riots and ethnic violence around the east African nation.

The two men had come under huge pressure from world powers and Kenya’s 36 million people to find a solution to forestall more bloodshed and help repair the country’s reputation as the region’s business, tourism and transport hub.

As word of the deal spread, overjoyed residents danced, sang and ululated in the streets, while messages of praise and offers of help flooded in from overseas…

After much prayer, we are moving forward with plans for a Mission to Nakuru departing Atlanta on Monday June 2 returning to Atlanta Saturday June 14.

We do realize that there are many things that may happen between now and then but we would like to get an indication of who is interested over the next 2 weeks.

Please let me know if you are interested – feel free to call me at 404-309-0080.

Thanks and Blessings, Jeff

“Jeff,
I and Beatrice together with our daughters are doing ok, we are trusting God for Rahabs and Anns college Rahab need to change from Moi university since that was at the heart of the source of last skirmishes.
The situation has greatly improved, Nakuru has been very peaceful though the curfew still there .Other parts of the country have also gotten back to normalcy. Violence is reported in very isolated cases and only in the farming areas.
Worship at Tumaini church is back after three weeks of closure. Upendo (Githima) and Amani churches of our parish are yet but hoping to open in the next few days.
Our Tumaini Bethany children home is ok, the school is now back to normalcy except for the low turnout, but we believe we will recover with time.
The peace talks have been very tough but progress has been positive, there is however a lot of anxiety. Need for continued prayers especially for a lasting solution is important.
We can generally say that peace has returned, the challenge is with the IDPs. Zablon still the chairman for the IDPs in Nakuru.We have also been visiting other camps outside Nakuru under the TUMAINI NAUNDUGU RESPONSE (hope and brotherhood response) taking food and other supplies.
Kindly note we appreciate every concern, prayer and support you continue giving us, it really counts towards the lives of the IDPs.
Sammy”

The high level mediation seems to be going as well as it can, and this is being reflected in a radical reduction in the level of unrest on the streets. Here’s an update from Reuters:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080214/pl_nm/kenya_crisis_dc_6

Here’s an update from Sammy in Nakuru:
“Thanks so much for your continued help in kind and much more in your prayers.
The situation has improved quite consinderably,there is peace in Nakuru and in all other towns,
.We believe that the situation will continue like that.
The only challenge that now faces us is the issue of those displaced persons,assistance now appears to beggin being scarse as people and organisations withdraws or some giving at alow pace.
PCEA surbub has close to 10 families whose houses got burnt down to ashes afew others got their household items either looted or burnt,they are now either housed by friends or relatives.
We as a church are still giving people food donated both locally or by your relief support you have contnued to give us.
This situation may have to continue for quite a while.
The koffi Anan talks so far appears good but agiain need for serious prayers is important especially to be sure that the agreement to be reached is Godly for the good of the entire nation.
The situation of our projects is ok we do however have many children who have not yet reported back due to the displasements this number estimates to about 30%.
Our Tumaini Bethany children are ok the learning is back to normal.
We have been consulting on constructinn and it is our feeling that we can start the school dormitories to see whether we can have them in use in our second term in the month of may even if in part.
God bless,
Sammy
“

Good news!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080208/wl_nm/kenya_crisis_dc_211

…You are in our prayers everyday. How are the elections in the US? Barrack is doing very well. How do you think it will go? We are all praying for the best for your country.

God Bless
Regina.

I just received this update from Sammy – please continue to pray!

Jeff, the situation has greatily improved,cases of violence for the last one week have been very minimal and quite isolated,Nakuru has in many ways gotten back to normalcy.
Our children went back home on saturday,the school is on now since yeterday( monday) Except for the low turnout due to the displacements.
Let us continue praying especially against the spirit of revenge which should be discouraged.
I will be joining a group formed between the PCEA,ANGLICAN.METHODIST EQUITY BANK AND THE KENYA BROADCASTING CORPORATION on thursday to travel to Naivasha.We will take supplies and a message of hope to the victims there.the gruop is a joint initiative towards peace and ressettlement.
God bless,
Sammy

We are continuing to monitor many different sources and remain in prayer about mission schedules for the summer. God willing – we will continue to plan for the June 2 – 14 mission trip. More information to follow, but if you are at all interested in joining that team, please let me know.

Click here for story

From Sammy:
“Brethren your prayers are not in vain, your continued support towards the crisis in Nakuru is a wonderful ministry and God will bless you mightily.
We have had a very peaceful moments in the last three days,the good news is that the two factions have agreed to stop violence within the next 7 days.
Kindly continue praying for the Kofi Anan mediation team and the two functions.
Let us also continue to pray for the healing, resettlment, resources and other needs of the IDPs God bless

Sammy”