Kenya in the News

I don't know if any of you have seen the recent news involving Kenya but I decided to tell you about it at the risk that more well meaning people will tell me that God needs missionaries in safer places like Hawaii and New Zealand and maybe I should go there instead. :) Anyway this is just a reminder that it is so important that we pray for our missionaries at all times but especially when things like this are happening.

A British man was killed and his wife was kidnapped from a resort in Kenya near the Somalia border in mid September. There has been several other kidnappings since then as well in the same area. These are the kidnappings referred to in the following post. Also here is a map of Kenya so you can see the proximity.

This is from another missionaries blog on October 19th

This has also been an interesting week for Kenya. In response to the kidnappings, the Kenyan army has entered Somalia and has starting going after Al Shabaab which is a group connected to Al Queda. In response to that move, Al Shabaab has threatened Kenya and has said they will go after assets in Kenya. The police have beefed up patrols around the country and have told everybody to be vigilant.

This warning was issued on October 22nd

EMERGENCY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
U.S Embassy Nairobi
October 22, 2011

This is to inform U.S. citizens residing in or visiting Kenya that the U.S. Embassy in Kenya has received credible information of an imminent threat of terrorist attacks directed at prominent Kenyan facilities and areas where foreigners are known to congregate, such as malls and night clubs. The Embassy has taken measures to limit official U.S. government travel to Kenya and U.S. citizens should take this information into account when planning travel and consider deferring travel at this time. The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor the security situation in Kenya and provide updated information as it becomes available. This notice expires on December 1, 2011.

Also from the same blog today, October 24th

It seems that Al-Shabaab is holding to their threats. Last night a grenade was thrown into a night club injuring around 14 and killing 2. Just now I read that another grenade was thrown into a bus station killing 1 and injuring many others. Both of those attacks happened in Nairobi about 15 minutes from where I live. We are not scared but are being vigilant because the warning includes any place where foreigners congregate which happens to cover a lot of the places we go to.

This is a facebook post from another missionary in Kenya today

Well, I am sure many of you have heard about all the things going on here in Kenya! We would ask you all to pray for us and this country. It is important that Kenya stand up to these terrorists. No matter what anyone says, they must be stopped. They are not peaceful. We are being careful and safe!!

When I was in Kenya last year I remember them telling me that they do not live in fear. They take precautions and they don't place themselves in dangerous situations. And they trust in the Lord that in the middle of God's will in the place he has called them is the safest place they can be. Please pray for God's protection and guidance for these missionaries as they reach the lost and minister to the people of Kenya.