It’s hard to explain Kenya now. If I hadn’t lived there before I might not notice any appreciable difference on the surface. Having seen all the pictures and videos online during the violence and knowing where those places are I expected to drive through burned out homes, shops and general devastation. But in true temporary housing fashion most of the burned areas have been rebuilt, reclaimed and reorganized already. Toi market has risen from the ashes a much miore organized shopping area. Olympic is neatly lined with shiny new tin shops. The AIC church is rebuilding it’s roof. Mud homes are being rebuilt. However, below the surface there is still so much devastation.
Below the surface you learn that the Kikuyus who previously owned the majority of shops in the Toi market have been chased out by the Luos and Nubians. The market has been rebuilt with uniform shops and straight rows but the Kikuyus are being kept out. They struggle to create their own small market between Adams and Winner’s Chapel. Below the surface there is still prejudice, distrust and anger ruling lives.
I sat for an hour with my friends Evans and Humphrey just listening to them. They have aged. I asked them what the hardest thing is now and Evans responded quickly. “Seeing his face everyday.” he responded pointing at Humphrey. During the rioting they were running by a burning house when burning embers landed on Humphrey’s face leaving two scars, one on his cheek and another on his nose near the corner of his eye. These two small scars are so minor compared with the missing limbs or large burns or lost lives, but looking at these two young men’s faces and changed demeanors it’s impossible not to see that it keeps the memories and traumas of that time painfully fresh.
But they and many of those who we talked to made sure to say that they are so thankful to the Lord for the fact that they are alive. Evans summed it up, “Before December 27th we thought peace was a small thing. Now we thank the Lord every day that peace is returning and ask him to make it stay. Peace is not a small thing.”
More to come soon on how God showed up so clearly in chaos.
