The Mission Ministry wants the congregation to be aware of the effect that the recent events in Kenya have had, and continue to have, on our mission partners there.  As you may know, much of the violence has been in western Kenya, where all the projects we support are located.  We have continued in direct phone and email contact with our mission partners.  Their faith and hope are strong, but they continue to be concerned about the violence and its impact on the country, even as they seek to help other displaced people.

In the first days of the violence, the United Orphanage and Academy in Moi's Bridge (a short distance from Eldoret), was overwhelmed by a flood of more than 100 people from the local community seeking refuge on its grounds.  These refugees have now been resettled to other safe places, and on January 14, the Academy opened for the 2008 school year.

The towns within Njoro and Elburgon presbyteries (near Nakuru) have experienced a lot of damage, loss of life, and displacement of people.  Violence continues to flare up from time to time.  

Two pastors who have been good friends to us have suffered devastating personal losses.  One was driven from his home and property, with little likelihood that he will be able to safely return in the future.  Another was attacked and robbed in his home, and although he and his children were injured, they are now okay. 

Because many fields and graineries have been destroyed and many farm animals killed, food is both scarce and expensive.  The Session has approved a special offering to help our mission partners, both for their own needs and for them to assist the refugees staying with them.  You may contribute by making a check payable to OPMH and putting "Kenya" on the purpose line.  The money we collect will be wired directly to the orphanage and to the Elburgon Presbytery in western Kenya.
 
Please keep all the people in Kenya in your prayers, and especially pray that Kenya's leaders will work toward a meaningful and lasting peace.

For more recent news of the situation, see The Guardian's Kenya coverage. 

More about the Meeting House's mission partners in Kenya.