My church is doing the devotional, Streams in the Desert , this year. If you want to read it with us, it can be found online at http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/devotions/classics/charles_cowman.html
I've been concerned today about issues going on in Kenya. To hear about the sweet people of that country being in such turmoil seems crazy. There is great poverty in Kenya, but also, great wealth. Please pray for these people. It hurts my heart because I can picture many, many faces that are there that I love, and I am worried for them. I know that the news can sometimes dramatize situations, but I feel a strong desire to pray before things escalate any further. There have been dramatic periods of violence in the past for African countries, and to be honest, this scares me to even hear that there is any lack of peace among the people.
Violence sometimes spreads faster than disease, and can escalate in a matter of minutes. It's a storm of anger and fear that must be tamed. Pray for still hearts and quiet voices and wisdom and discernment for Kenya and all the people groups there. Pray for protection of the people.
This event has made me realize how blessed the nation of the United States is. We take for granted our freedoms on a minute-by-minute basis. Currently, we're gearing up for an election. Can you imagine if the candidate we chose didn't win? We might have had issues with the Butterfly Ballot at one time, but can you imagine if such an argument turned into a machete fest?! We banter back and forth on the news over which candidate wants to spend tax dollars and which one wants to save the penguins. There might be t-shirts about it. But nobody usually burns a church. My heart is also quickened to remember not to ever judge someone else's sin by thinking that I am (or my country) above these actions.
Evil is evil and knows no single ethnicity or location. Sometimes I think when we hear about tribes in Africa fighting, we assume that the people are uncivilized and so far away. As long as no Americans are injured, we tune it out. Who has more value to God? An American or an African? That might seem like a strong question to ask, but I feel that as modern, post Y2K, Americans, we are sometimes spoiled brats with too many toys that have been brainwashed with pride that goes beyond honor for our country and turns into arrogance and entitlement--if we are not mindful and careful--and thankful to God.
The candidates that we have for our next election in the U.S. are possibly secretly corrupt in some way, but by the grace of God and the forefathers of our country, we have checks and balances to maintain order. Above all else, God must be the center of our country's values and beliefs.
Pray for Kenya. There are many Christians there. More handfuls of people claiming Christ in Kenya than in the U.S. at times. Missionaries have been focusing on discipleship to draw believers to a deeper head and heart knowledge of Christ. Pray that through this situation, God's goodness and plan will prevail.
God is good. All the time. Because that is His nature.
Dear God, relief, peace, and comfort for these people.
My friend Robyn e-mailed me this today. Please read.
Paraphrased note from my friend, Robyn:Comfort the Children International needs your help! Due to the political unrest in Kenya, we are currently supporting hundreds of refugees in Maai Mahiu, and we expect that number to quickly grow. Wehave been receiving text messages, phone calls & emails from our Kenyan friends giving us first hand accounts of the violent situation at hand.
Here is the latest:
-70,000 refugees and rising due to the mass displacement from riots,tribal warfare, burning of homes, business, etc..
-300 and rising is the current death toll-most shops are closed so people are unable to get necessary food andliving items-for those stores that are open prices are rising which locals cannotafford (ex. 100 shilling phone cards are now 150 shillings)
-masses are standing in lines for hours just to purchase milk
-still not safe for most people to travel out of their homes-current count is 300 refugees in Maai Mahiu and rising
-CTC fed rice and beans to 150 of those refugees today who are allliving and sleeping on the floor of the African Inland Church floor-these people have no food, no water, no shelter, no beds, etc...
-this is no longer solely about the election, but you now have tribes acting out brutally killing other tribes over the heated undercurrent of tribal conflict
CTC is in a unique position. We have 2 people on the ground in MaaiMahiu supporting relief efforts. It is a no overhead, hands on approach. We are able to directly help the people of Kenya. Your contributions will go straight to the people in need! Please, we need financial help. If you can donate anything, please visit our websiteat www.CTCInternational.org to make a contribution to feed these refugees.
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