Projects and Partners

Time to Pray for Kenya January 31, 2008

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Dear praying friends,

It says in James 5:16b, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” If ever there was a time to pray for the nation of Kenya in East Africa, the time is now. As you know, Kenya has been in the news for the last month or so because of tragic unrest in the country following national elections. The problems are deep seated and complex. The whole region in East Africa is affected. The news media tell us that over 800 people around the country have been killed and over 250,000 men, women, and children have been forcibly displaced and are internal refugees. As of today the chaos continues.

At present we have four WMPL missionaries in the country and all are safe and well. Three are in a remote area in northern Kenya where they feel the effects of food and fuel shortages and high prices. One missionary is in Nairobi. Our partnering church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, and partner mission agencies, minister throughout the country of Kenya.

We have heard that perhaps as many as 10 ELCK church buildings have been destroyed. I am trying to verify this. The most visible and reported church vandalism took place the ELCK property in Kibera, Nairobi where a church, parsonage and nursery school were gutted by fire. Praise the Lord that no one was hurt there on that day.

I am told that there is a need for food, clothing, medicine, blankets, mattresses, and mosquito nets at present. Later will begin building reconstruction. Please pray that the Lord would show mercy to the land of Kenya. Pray that there would be a political solution to the current impasse and true peace and justice would be restored. Pray that the leadership would seriously address the underlying reasons for this current situation. Pray that Jesus would be near to His faithful and that many more people would seek Him. Pray that immediate needs would be met in His powerful name. Pray for safety, strength, patience and perseverance for ELCK leadership as they address the needs of their flocks and their neighbors.

I will update this message as I receive further word from church leaders, mission partners, our missionaries, friends and family (I have a daughter and son-in-law serving in northern Kenya). Please keep praying prayer is “powerful and effective”. Oh yes, we have set up a relief fund here at WMPL if the Lord should move you to respond in this way.

Thank you!
Mike

Africa Program Coordinator
World Mission Prayer League