We are in Kenya 1-02-08

Just a very quick email about the situation with not a lot of time before we may be kicked off the Internet. It has been a very interesting, and long few days. We knew that the elections had taken place before we left. However, we did not know the trouble and situations that would follow. Our flights went as planned except for the fact that we were upgraded to Business Class all the way. That meant being able to sleep in a comfortable position during our 16 hours in the air. The meals were the same as in Economy Class but KLM has better food than most – even though we are not fans of airline food.

Once on the ground in Kenya we noticed a difference. The airport was not nearly as crowded as usual. We thought that was because of it being New Year’s Eve but were told that people had been told to stay off the roads etc.

Just before we got off the plane I mentioned to Ray that I had a feeling that two taxis would be there to meet us. I had inquired about the guesthouse taxi but had not made any firm plans and also the Principal at RITT has arranged for transport for us. God works in mysterious ways. Our regular driver from Eldoret was not able to come to Nairobi because of all the violence and mob justice. The driver from the guesthouse was at the airport to pick us up. The streets were virtually empty. Our driver drove very fast. It is quite unusual for Nairobi city to have no pedestrians and traffic!!! Usually there is more traffic and people than you really want to see. Later we began hearing about all the rioting, looting, burning and slaughter of people.

We were very tired and slept very well that first night. The next morning a friend came to visit and we also talked to the principal from RITT. We were able to call him in Eldoret. We found out that they are not able to call Nairobi from Eldoret. We plan to call him again on Thursday morning. He told us he thought it would be safe for us to fly up to Eldoret and for them to pick us up at the Eldoret airport. We found out that all domestic flights had been cancelled and also the rail service. Private vehicles were not on the roads but some taxi transports were still trying to be out and about without much success. Then we began hearing reports that all of Eldoret was burning. Of course, we immediately became very concerned about our friends up in Eldoret.

We received a visit from a CRWRC person and a phone call from the East Africa Team Leader telling us that we were not to leave Nairobi and it would be best to stay put at the guesthouse compound. We weren’t too happy about this but knew that it was in our best interest and agreed to do so. We had a cousin who planned to fly into Nairobi early on Wednesday morning and we planned to do a few day safari before going up to Eldoret to begin our work. As the situation became more unstable here in Kenya we decided that we had better try to call Nelle before she got on her plane in Cairo to tell her not to come – that it was not safe – that we would not be able to meet her at the airport (although we certainly would have gone to the airport to get her if we had not been able to reach her before her flight). We had an “all points” bulletin out to all the relatives to try to contact her as we could not get a hold of her on her cell phone. Someone did manage to get a hold of her from the US and she was able to email us that she had cancelled her flight to Nairobi . What a disappointment for us and her. We had called the travel agent to tell them that we had been told by our agency not to leave Nairobi . So now we are trying to see what our alternatives will be for another safari so we don’t all lose the $$ we put into it. (Anyone want to go on a safari at a later date with us?? With tourists canceling in Kenya it probably wouldn’t be hard to get a reservation.)

We then started hearing that 100’s and 100’s of people have been killed and lots more injured in the Eldoret area. Thousands are homeless and we are very concerned for our house manager. Who knows when we will get up there? We will have some decisions to make in conjunction with CRWM. Right now we feel safe at the guesthouse where we are. We have a 9’x14’ room with two twin beds and a sink. We originally had a larger room with our own shower and toilet but decided it would be best for us to move so that a family with small children could have those facilities. We now share a bath and shower with other guests who are arriving all the time because of evacuating from where they live. A Dutch couple from Eldoret just arrived tonight and we hope to talk to them in the morning about the situation there.

We have been able to see some of the news on CNN and get some news on the Internet. Tomorrow there is a big rally in Nairobi for the opposition party – the party who lost. It is true that the elections were truly rigged but we believe it was on both sides. There is a lot more we could be said. A lot more will be understood by us after tomorrow and we should know more the direction we will head. R ventured out for a power walk today – he really has cabin fever. (Right now he is watching a game on TV in the lounge.) I don’t think I would have felt safe out for a walk. He did talk to one of our Catholic sister friends and she has been here for over 40 years and said they were not going out either. Fuel supplies are getting low and a lot of the grocery supplies are emptying out of the stores. Uganda has suspended its flights because it depends on fuel from Kenya and the tankers are not on the roads to deliver fuel or food supplies. We have heard that a lot of people are “camping” out at the airport in Mombassa because they have no other place to go. I am sure that may be the same at the Nairobi airport.

We have tried to call our children in the US but have not been able to get a connection beyond Kenya .

Fortunately, we know that some of our emails have been getting through although even those lines are congested and the Internet is very slow. We took our laptop along with us and are able to connect to wireless from our room – we will see how long that is possible. For now we feel safe and secure but tomorrow may be a different story. We know that God is in control and since we are not “new/inexperienced” on the field, we are not worried for our safety at this time. We will just roll with whatever comes along and make decisions accordingly that will not jeopardize our safety or the safety of others.

More later. Pray for wisdom, justice, peace and love to reign in this dear country.