My friend Elsen in Nairobi writes: "Yes, lack of rain is causing some big problems here & now. Lots of cattle way up on the mountain, and saw herds in Nairobi Park the other day as well. We are ready for the rains here now..... Seems just to be getting hotter and drier though. Masses of skinny & slow maasai cattle here in the suburbs."
Kenya is going through its fifth year of drought. Oxfam reports that 23 Million people in East Africa are headed for severe hunger. The rains that came in June were too little and too late. Animals are going hungry as they seek to find the last bits of dry grass to eat. Rift Valley Academy is in a constant state of water rationing but the school can continue to function due to the deep well supplying clean water. The people in the surrounding communities are hurting as many depend on their own crops to survive.
Ephantus,
our main contact with Feed My Lambs writes: "May God continue pouring his
blessings on you, this is a message from very hungry and desperate Kijabe Town
people. We
decided to visit them
unannounced on the August 20th to
give out food. There has been a very good turn out
since we started going there, we wanted to know whether it's due to our
regular visits since we noted how desperate theses people are, and we
were
extremely impressed that the church was full. We thank God for that.Things has been working well with us here despite being busy and the price of commodities going up. When we went to purchase the food, the cost was so high that we had to hold off until this month and put together two month's food package money to be able to cover every one. This coming Sunday we will fellowship at the Escarpment church and give the rest. We are still praying as we look forward to your coming back."
Last
week I received a letter from Kimani.
He is the orphan we are
helping who is now in 11th grade. He writes:
"The weather here is pathetic and I am now worried since it has been
sunny everywhere and no sign of rain. Essentials such as
water
are becoming a major bother to everyone but we are hoping with the
situation no matter how hard it is . It is our hope that it
is
going to improve or otherwise a severe famine might follow.
You
see in every circumstance we go through we sometimes argue and value
the possibility of God being unfair, but I know there is always a
reason."Mother Theresa once quoted, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." Thank you to those who have helped out with some of the practical needs in Kenya. James writes: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:15-17) In this time of recession, aid money from the West has significantly decreased and the UN is unable to supply all the food that is needed. Please consider how you can help in a practical way.
Though the fig tree
does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the
stalls,
yet I will
rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk
3:17-18
p.s. In the last few days it has rained at Kijabe and elsewhere. Please pray that the rains will continue!
To financially support our mission in Kenya, please click here.
Blessings,
Michael, Bernadine, Julianne
and Evan
You can see more information on our website
at
www.kijabe.org
