Returning to Kenya

Once again, God has shown that my plans are not His plans! As many of you know, Kenya has gone through two months of civil unrest, violence and chaos following the December 27th elections (for more info see my blog at http://deniseroberts. myadventures.org). Due to this, I was unable to return in January as previously planned.

We have been in contact with our friends, staff and the kids via cell phones and email. They are now reporting that calm has returned and held for over a month. We are praying that the new power sharing coalition between the rival politicians will lead Kenya into a new stability and a form of democracy that benefits all Kenyans.

Through this time we’ve been able to get relief in via wire transfers and some dedicated staff members who have been our arms, legs, eyes and ears on the ground, but it has come time for us to go and see for ourselves how Kenya, Kibera, our friends and the ministry have been affected by violence and divisions that have been accented by it.

Therefore, Lord willing, I will leave for Kenya May 12, along with Scott Nelson (my supervisor) and Jason Driver (guy who was in Kenya with me the first 3 months in 2006). Scott and Jason’s schedules and other responsibilities only allow for a 7 day trip. Due to the uncertainty of the situation I will be unable to stay longer until there are other staff members there as well; I appreciate AIM’s concern for my safety. I also have obligations for fundraising this summer that were set up before the chaos. I know this time will be frustratingly short as my list is already impossibly long (and that’s without anyone there knowing I’m coming) but I trust that God’s provision of this time is full of His plan. Our first priority is checking on our staff, friends, kids, ministries and the situation in general. We aren’t really sure what we are going to find, how Kibera has changed and how the lives of those there have been impacted. I will be taking tons of pictures to update everyone. I will also be having one-on-ones with as many kids and staff members as I can to see what trauma they have seen and how we can pray and assist them in dealing with it. I also have a long list of people we haven’t had contact with (friends from shops, church, and just neighbors) who I want to check on and see how they are.

Please be in prayer for me as I prepare my heart and mind for this time as well as for the trip itself. Pray that God would make his plan clear for this time and as we plan for the future.