Going to Kenya...

With the situation in Kenya escalating to violence following the elections after Christmas, I went through a somewhat frustrating time during my first week in Africa. We heard many different stories as to the level of unrest and potential threat to safety. By Saturday 19th January we had to make a decision as to whether we could travel there and advice from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office was recommending against all but essential travel to Kenya. Although it was generally believed that Naivasha, where I am now, was safe, flying into Nairobi would have been against FCO advice, meaning that I would not be covered by any insurance, should anything happen to me.

On Saturday therefore, a decision was made that I could not travel to Kenya given the climate of tension and unrest described by our Kenya friends and the FCO. If it had been purely up to me, I think I would have been somewhat selfish and travelled anyway. Not because I am reckless or irresponsible, but because of a commitment to Mission Care International’s partners and knowing that it is precisely at times of trouble that I could encourage and express something of God’s love when it is most needed. However, given the news we were hearing, I fully accepted and respected the decision that I could not travel to Kenya and started to think about reorganizing my trip.

At that point I felt absolutely gutted. It was really hard to have to think about not being able to go, but everything was completely out of my hands, and of course, the dire situation for the people of Kenya was far bigger than my own personal disappointment. I spent time praying for the people of Kenya, particularly for the politicians, that they might be able to move to reconciliation and restoration, and for the Kenyan tribes, that they might overcome land and race tensions and live peacefully. I continue to pray these prayers, even though the tension has subsided somewhat.

Now, I am safely in Naivasha, in the process of settling into my home for the next seven months, Sunshine Cottage (more information on the cottage to follow soon). Due to the decreased tension and the planned visit of Kofi Annan and others for reconciliation talks, the FCO changed its advice on Sunday 21st January, meaning that travel was safe again. I joined with three members of the Mission Care team and flew out of Uganda early Monday morning, much to the joy of our Kenyan partners.

Please do join me in continuing to pray for Kenya as the country seeks to return to its former stability and move forward from the unrest of the New Year.