Andrew and Sandy Morgan - Kenya |
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mp news
Written Tuesday 22 January 2008
Dear All,
School life continues much as normal and there are now about 95% of students back in school. Here on site we feel a little like we are on an island, very much cocooned at this turbulent time. Most of the time we feel quite relaxed, but occasionally we hear of something which raises the anxiety levels.
MOLO Andrew and I visited Molo late last Monday afternoon to go to the refugee camps to see if we could help, but there had been a recent delivery of food and there were crowds of refugees all across the road, so it was not a good time to call! I was hoping to go to the refugee camps in Molo today on my half day, together with Mary Northway (school doctor) who was going to run a clinic for the morning, in the hope of me being useful in some form or other. However, tensions are running high in Molo today and there are makeshift roadblocks which we can't get past - so the trip has had to be cancelled. The women at the card project are unharmed, although two have had to leave the area completely because they are 'the wrong tribe' and under threat. I had hoped to see the rest of the ladies this afternoon but that won't be possible now.
ELBURGON This small town to the south of here has been on the news over the weekend due to further clashes and loss of life. Today, there continues to be tension and there are roadblocks and restricted travel through the town.
GENERAL Every day we hear stories of fear, houses and property being burnt, threats, violence and murder. It is heartbreaking. Near to Molo B is sleeping outside at night, together with her family, friends and neighbours, so that they can keep lookout. They are too afraid to sleep inside for fear of being trapped inside and their houses set alight. E is one of our Kenyan staff too afraid to leave the school site, even for basic shopping. She is of the 'wrong tribe' and would be an almost certain target if she ventured too far. G had just built his first house in Kericho and moved in there early December. In late December his compound was invaded by about 50 people, and he and his family fled for their lives as their house was burnt down. Amongst this group was a friend of his who helped him to build the house.
We have been horrified to see that the police have still been using live ammunition against demonstrators in Nairobi and in Kisumu. There is a real sense of despair and shock amongst the Kenyan staff that such things are happening here in Kenya and it seems impossible to see a way through to stem the violence. The studies in Amos that I started with the Grad Gaps last term have suddenly come alive and are startlingly relevant. Our studies in staff fellowship this term on 'grace' have been particularly helpful. Yesterday evening we looked at Gideon with his meagre army of 300 - he had to realise his need to rely totally on God and not on human strength. We feel that very much at this time.
MEDIATION We are pleased to hear that Kofi Annan should arrive in the country today.
GIVE THANKS...
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For safety here at school.
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That school life can go on almost as normal.
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For a good and positive start to term.
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For a safe place to live at this turbulent time.
PLEASE PRAY...
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For continued safety, especially now that we are also responsible for students as well as ourselves.
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For justice and peace to prevail. For the root causes of the present problems to be brought out into the open and dealt with. Pray especially as Kofi Annan and others arrive - that there would indeed be an improvement as a result of their visit.
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For violence to stop.
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That we would be able to do something useful to help support refugees.
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For the staff generally - some of our UK staff are finding the situation very hard to cope with.
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For the Kenyan staff - there is a lot of despair about the future and fear in the present.
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For recruitment - adverts are going out now for recruiting UK staff for next year - please pray! It's not going to be easy this year.
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For the Senior Management Team - Paddy Moss, Adrian Palmer, Chris Young, Andrew Morgan and Noj Northway and for Giles Roberts who oversees the estate and security, as they make plans and decisions at this time. Great wisdom is needed. We really appreciate everyone's care and prayerful concern.
Written Friday 25 January.
As we write today we have seen the photos of Kibaki and Odinga shaking hands, and we are heartened to hear that they have met and started the long process of negotiation. Please pray for humility and progress in this.
The school site remains safe although we are not complacent. We continue to keep abreast of the situation in the immediate vicinity and neighbouring towns and value your prayers for continued safety and wise decisions.