monday, 31 december

4.00am local time
Nairobi, Kenya

PLEASE PRAY ROD AND MY FAMILY HOME!!!!!!!

It is after 4.00am here, I have been awake since about 3.00am, woke up to got to the bathroom -- surprise surprise in this stage of the pregnancy! :-)

The plan is for Rod and the gang to leave Naro Moru at 4.30am. They will travel in the dark for the first two hours, and then into dawn as they come into the city. There have been many people here in agreement that he is doing the right thing.

Please pray that the Lord would protect them as they drive (Rod, Cristiana [almost 5], Keith, Jen, Clay [10], Sierra [8], and Anna [3.5]). That the Lord would keep His guardian and warrior angels around them. That He would keep Rod and Keith completely aware and attentive to the surroundings and EVEN THE SMALLEST indication of any trouble, if they need to turn around or take a different route. That He would open the streets to them, and keep people away.

PRAY FOR HIS WILL!!!!

Thankfully, most of the area where they are travelling is very strong Kibaki supported territory. That means that the people are not out rioting. However, we are close to a state of emergency (the President said so last evening).

I really am not coming up with the words that I want to say.

Please also pray that Sally and I are safe here on our compound as I lay awake waiting for them to come home. Beyond all I want them to be safe, and not have “get-there-itis” and not be safe. I do have a single friend staying here with me tonight. We both needed it and it has been good to have another body in the house. The dogs have been quiet as well, so that is nice.

Please pray for peace, and even rest if that is possible for me right now.

It was good to hear both Cristiana and Rod’s voices last night. Cristiana told me they were going back to the cabin after dinner and then told me good night before I hung up.

The night has been quiet. Please pray that all stays that way into the morning. Raila Odinga is planning a separate ceremony in the afternoon (2.00pm) at Uhuru Park for his “inauguration/swearing in” as the “People’s President”. You may read into that whatever you wish, no one knows what will happen -- except the Lord.

WHO, just to remind me as I am writing this, IS BIGGER THAN ALL OF THIS!!!!!!

I am not sure what all has been on the news lately about Kenya, especially in light of the Bhutto assassination in Pakistan, but please be watching what you can and where you can. The media here has been banned from live broadcasts, so there may be little to find on the actual news. However, I have been able to find things on line.

Please also pray for those who we know who live in the slums. I tried getting in touch with Elly and Mama Jimmy last night and was unable, the networks were very busy. Please pray for their safety. And, for everyone else who is in the middle of the clashes and can do nothing about it, BUT PRAY!!!

I know there is more that I want to write, just not sure what it was! Please write back and let me know that you are receiving this and that you are praying. I have only heard from a few of you. when I do it gives me peace. Thanks!

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5.00am local time
Nairobi, Kenya

When I am afraid, I will trust in You
In God, whose word I praise,
In God I trust, I will not be afraid,
What can mortal man do to me?
-- Psalm 56:3-4

If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will hold me fast.
-- Psalm 139:9

You hem me in -- behind and before --
You have laid your hand upon me.
-- Psalm 139:5

For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter
of His tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
-- Psalm 27:5

All of these verses are ones that both come to mind and have been sent to us. Thank you for them. Thank you for praying!

I just talked with Rod, they are already about an hour out from where they left. They had already started driving close to 4.00am. It was good to hear him and Keith laughing about something! If they are able to drive straight through, they should arrive here somewhere around 7.30am or so. I will let you all know when they arrive! KEEP PRAYING!!!!!

Thank you Jesus, that there are so many people praying for us right now. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

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7.00am local time
Nairobi, Kenya

Thank you for praying my family home! They just arrived a few minutes ago . . . all worn out looking in the same dirty clothes from three days ago. But, incredibly beautiful to me! :-) Thank you soooooo much for your prayers. Please don’t stop now. We have an interesting day ahead of us.

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4.00pm local time
Nairobi, Kenya

Again, the whole family is back, and we are rejoicing for their safety!

So far we have just been sitting in the house today. Occasionally we hear sporadic gunfire, as there are some reports of thousands of people demonstrating within three blocks of us on two sides. Fortunately, what we are hearing is in all likelihood crowd control. Unfortunately, the Kenyan version of crowd control usually ends up with casualties.

We have received reports from national friends from other parts of the country that are finding themselves in the middle of battles between protesters and law enforcement.

The media has been shut down, so there is no news on the tv stations, and not much on the internet as well. Most of what we are hearing is stuff from just right here, within our own community.

Please continue to pray for not only our safety but also for our Christian national colleagues throughout the country.

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7.00pm local time
Nairobi, Kenya

Just a quick note to let you all know that things have been VERY quiet here this evening. We even let the kids get out of the house and run around on the compound -- just right close to the house. There are some of the usual sounds out there -- horns honking, dogs barking, kids playing. Just not really sure if it is the quiet before the storm, or if things could escalate again. We are taking no chances and staying home tonight.

We will bring the New Year in with some friends here on the compound. I will probably be here at the house with Cristiana as she sleeps. I need to rest too. With only having 3.5 hours of sleep last night, and then one hour before lunch, I am beat! It will be interesting to see who all stays awake how long out of our gang.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are still in basic lock-down mode for now. There is a scheduled “million man march” for Thursday for Raila Odinga’s party (the one who says he should have won). That could really make some things go south again. And, who knows what might happen tonight with the New Year celebrations. It will be interesting to see if there is much partying or just laying low in the slums as well.

So far, that is really where most of the clashes are. That does not necessarily make it easy on us, though, as we have people that we know and love who live there and are losing property and are very fearful. One of the biggest issues now has become food and water -- lack thereof. Please pray for the people as many of them are simply stuck where they are. I have been in daily contact with our gardener and house help, and a few others, and so far all are well. Our gardener’s family back home (in Kakamega, Western Province) has had some problems, being roughed up and a brother lost his shop [read that as his livelihood!] in a fire. Pray for them all! It is hard to know that there is nothing that we can do for them . . . except pray. And, they do know that we are praying!

Thanks for all of the responses to our emails. It is very encouraging to know that you are there! :-) Keep ’em comin’!