Sister Freda

Hey Folks!
No, it's not Steve this time, but rather, me, Megan Affleck. Thanks so much for checking the blog daily and for your ardent pleading before the Lord's throne. Below is a copy of the e-mail I received the other day from Sister Freda. Her insights paint a poignant scene that breaks my heart, but encourages my fervent prayers to the Lord.

In Him,
Megan
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Dear Megan,

Greetings from Kitale , Kenya . The once peaceful country has now become war torn.

Today, as Pastor Steve Rutenbar and I headed towards Kachibora Refugee Camp 35 Kilometres East of Kitale Town on the foothills of Cheragani Hills, we saw many abandoned homes; these houses were burnt by arsonists after announcement of Presidential election results. As one woman described to us is that the grass thatched houses were set on fire, while the stone houses, petrol was used to set the houses on fire. There are other refugee camps, on Kitale Show ground, which is a Kilometre from the town centre, Wamuini Refugee Camp which is 5 Kilometres West of Kitale Town and Endebess Refugee Camp which is 15 Kilometres North West of Kitale Town.


We arrived at Kachibora Refugee camp; we saw rows of very small tents, which housed family members of up to 7. Entering the tents we saw dusty and flea infested floors, there were no blankets or anything to cover the floor, most houses had little or no earthly belongings. We met mothers and sick children. In the camp there were cows and calves tethered securely on the posts at the side of the camp.

The women made make shifts Kitchen that were composed of three stones and what was used as firewood was maize stalks which emit a lot of smoke and burn very fast to cook the very little food they have been supplied with. Other women were washing clothes with filthy water.

Many women and children were lined up for the precious commodity of water which was brought by Red Cross tanker. This water was not enough for over 20,000 people living in the camp. Men were sitting in small groups discussing and pondering what next.

Talking to some people we learn that on the night of 30th December 2007 immediately after result of the Kenyan elections following the dispute of elections hell broke loose all that did not belong the tribe that is indigenous that region were driven away by the arsonists who razed their houses, and killing some of them.

So day and night, women, children and men walked miles to get to the nearest police station which was many miles away to seek help. Help come several days late as the roads, everywhere was blocked, women and children had run through the night. One woman who was then seven months pregnant , with a toddler on her chest and another on back with two younger ones on her side, she ran non stop to the centre only to have a miscarriage a few days later. Another one who is 56 year old widow with her nine children left their home after their house was torched and all her sheep and goats perished. She was glad that she was alive with her children. She ran and thanked God for her miracle of life.

Another man who was a senior pastor was ordered out of his residence and shot dead. All his cattle were stolen. Policemen and other government officials have been killed in these tribal clashes.

Hunger, disease, devastation is felt all through the camp. Women, children, and men sleep on the bare ground. They have nothing to cover, no clothes to wear, no shoes, no medication as the medicines are scarce, and those on Anti retroviral have no medicine and this will affect their health in that they will have to start their doses all over again when the it is available. There was one woman who asked for a bible.


Pastor Steve is preparing to stay in the camp praying for these people and giving them moral support. Please Megan pray for him.


God’s blessings!


Sister Freda.