DAY SEVEN

DAY SEVEN

Last night was quiet in our neighbourhood. Houses were still being burnt down in other areas of town.
The RALLY of yesterday afternoon was finally cancelled at about 3.30p.m. and rescheduled for today. Once again it did not take place, and has again been rescheduled. ANOTHER Church was burnt down in Nairobi but nobody killed thank God.

Generally things have become physically quieter, however. Eldoret is beginning to function again, and more shops have opened though our Bank has been closed. Foodstuffs are dwindling still, and new stocks seem slow to arrive - though the main roads are open there is still the occassion barrier and trouble.

Householders here are also being attacked at night in their homes at gunpoint and whatever food they have demanded. It is not clear if these are the poor of our own Town or gangs of thugs that have come in from outside. More busloads of people feeling intimidated and threathened have been leaving the Town through the day. MANY of our own Kikuyu staff have left town and obviously will fail to rejoin us.

Teachers, and students of certain ethnic origen may not return to school - we have delayed the scheduled Opening until the 14th January, but we may still not be able to function even then. Many have been so terrified that they may never return to this town. - something obviously meant to happen by the perpetrators.

We still have 60 plus souls camping out with us in whatever covered space we can find for them, and of course we must also feed them. Wonderfully others in the town have risen to the challenge and actually brought donations of basic food stuff to the door and so far we are all fed, satisfied, and safe. We ARE secure in His Love.

'D' is having to leave us indefinately. His involvment with politics (he did not succeed in winning his seat) has offended some and there seems to be a plan to take him out of circulation - it seems a very real threat on his life. He is not presently safe in staying in this area. Thus we are losing him in a most unexpected way....

I personally am feeling administratively rather isolated, and rather like losing a limb. However, as in all else confronting us I know that HE Who is Lord of All is behind and with all of this, and will provide my need as He does so for the work in general. Please pray for D, and for his family. They will be seperated initially until he finds his feet.

Our Builder is also a Kikuyu and has not been seen since the trouble started. All the workmen have ceased to come and build and although we are up to the ring beam all is now at a standstill.

Our President, who is 76 and a man of quiet disposition finally addressed the Nation yesterday afternoon. It was not very inspiring or encouraging in comparison to the energetic and pressing character of the Opposition Leader who has himself only encouraged the trouble to continue.

The Red Cross has put the number dead in Eldoret as 89.

Well many things continue to be shaken. We have continued to enjoy perfect peace, and it has been a continuing miracle to walk and talk in our compound with a total sense of security.

The threat to our WATER supply has been withdrawn with government troops taking possession of the Water Works to safeguard the Town supply. Wonderful answer to prayer. Electricity also seems safe.

Some have asked about Joshua and Miriam Mbithi - they are just about two kilometers away from us - and I am glad to say that they are also safe with their 17 infant children, though also expdriencing all kinds of violence beyond their compound. They are much as we are in their strong convicition that the LORD is encamped all around them, and He definately has proved it in every way as He has for us.

We thank you ALL for standing with us, and for praying for us.

God Bless you and keep you day by day.

John and Esther