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January 24, 2008 Update: Refugees still arriving in Nairobi as lawlessness continues

They arrive in Nairobi by the truckload — frightened and desperate refugees from outlying areas seeking protection from mobs of protesters. The mobs are expressing their outrage to the disputed reelection of Kenya President Mwai Kibaki by burning the homes and beating and killing people who belong to Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe.

According to Assemblies of God World Missions East Africa Area Director Greg Beggs, the reason refugees are still coming into Nairobi is that the police forces outside of Nairobi are not large enough or strong enough to protect people from the mobs — especially in remote areas. However, within the capital, the police force does offer some protection, though pockets of violence still do erupt.

Beggs says that the refugee-laden trucks he witnessed arriving came from the Nairok area. “One of the trucks went to a refugee camp — which is being run by an AG pastor — and was accepted,” he says. “The other truck went to a second camp, but was turned away, because the camp was too full.”

“We have reports that there is significant violence occurring in Kipkelion —  a rural area northwest of Nairobi. Many different tribes, including Kikuyu tribe members, are located in that section of the fertile Rift Valley,” says Beggs, who expects refugees to continue to flee to Nairobi. “Right now, in terms of relief, money is what is urgently needed. Food is available for purchase.”

“It’s important to note, that the violence is not targeting Westerners,” states AGWM Communications Director Randy Hurst. “What began as a political conflict, inflamed old tribal prejudices, so now it’s largely a conflict that pits tribe against tribe.”

AGWM Communications currently has a videographer and photographer in Kenya in Eldoret — the site of the church burning.

“AG Relief has transferred funds to assist Convoy of Hope with the shipping expense for 10 containers being sent to Kenya,” Hurst says. “Convoy’s containers, filled with donated supplies, will be vital to the long term effort.”

“The conflict in Kenya is similar to a major natural disaster as thousands of people are going to need significant help for months to come,” Hurst says. “The difference is, a natural disaster typically brings people together… this conflict is tearing Kenya apart.”

Hurst says that AG Relief is helping to provide blankets and food for the more than 64,000 AG refugees. Also, churches, individuals and organizations interested in helping meet the growing need can now provide for specific essentials: $24 will buy a 110-pound bag of beans, $13 will buy a 110-pound bag of maize and $5 will buy a warm blanket.

January 18, 2008 Update: Missionary personnel are asking for special prayer during the next few days.

Regional Director Mike McClaflin just returned from Africa. He shared that protests are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Many people are expecting major conflicts when the president tries to convene the parliament Tuesday.

Please continue to have your church prayer groups or prayer network pray especially for missionaries, national church leaders and the more than 64,000 Assemblies of God refugees camped out in churches. AG Relief is presently helping the Kenya Assemblies of God supply the refugees with food, blankets, and medical care.

AG missionary Bryan Burr, who also serves as the East Africa regional representative for Convoy of Hope, is coordinating all assessment efforts to determine the greatest needs to which AG Relief can respond.

January 17, 2008 Update: Greg Beggs, AG World Missions East Africa Area Director says the refugee situation is getting worse, and clearly, it is going to continue for weeks and even months. Rioting is still taking place in the streets. More than 64,000 Assemblies of God refugees are camped out in churches, and they now have refugees on the East Africa School of Theology (AG) campus, which is in session.

AG pastors and leaders are reaching out to the suffering. General Superintendent Njiri and Bryan Burr, who also serves as regional representative for Convoy of Hope, just recently delivered a truckload of clothing and food to the Limuru Kenya Red Cross Refugee Camp, which is being operated by a Kenya Assemblies of God pastor. The food and clothing they delivered was all donated by Kenya Assemblies of God believers.

“The greatest need at present continues to be cash to purchase food on the ground in Nairobi,” says Regional Director Mike McClaflin. “We need to keep offering all the hope we can to our Kenya Assemblies of God national churches who are bearing such a tremendous load as they care for the suffering.”

AG Relief is presently helping supply food, blankets, and medical care. Listed below are specific dollar amounts of what can be purchased in Nairobi, Kenya:

• $24 will buy 110 pounds of beans
• $41 will buy 110 pounds of rice
• $13 will buy 110 pounds of maize
• $5 will purchase a warm blanket

Executive Director John Bueno, Africa Regional Director Mike McClaflin and AGWM Communications Director, Randy Hurst met with Convoy of Hope president Hal Donaldson this morning. They are working together to conduct a massive relief effort. Convoy of Hope’s partnership will help to deliver at least five times the amount of food per dollar once container shipments begin. Containers are being prepared right now in Convoy’s warehouse to ship to East Africa.

A brief video is being prepared that can be shown when an offering is taken for this crisis. When it is available, directions will be available to help download it.

January 10, 2008 Update: The Kenya crisis is not in the news as much as it was a few days ago, but the situation is still volatile throughout most of the country.

Kenya Assemblies of God district leaders and pastors from across the country report that nine districts and 298 churches have been affected by violence following the recent national election. By actual count, 64,159 Kenya Assemblies of God church members are homeless, and 298 AG churches have stopped holding services because all the people have fled. Ninety-eight churches are damaged and unusable—15 of them have been burned to the ground.

Leaders of the Kiambaa church, located just outside Eldoret, now confirm that 50 people were burned alive or beaten to death by an angry mob as they ran out of the burning church as reported late last week. Of the 100 seriously injured, 16 people, mostly children, have burns over 90 percent of their bodies. The pastor of the church, Stephen Mburu, sustained six machete hits to the head. One blow slashed through his mouth, inflicting a major cut and knocking out his front teeth. He is hospitalized, and his wife, Lucy, and their six children remain in the town near him. Please pray for them.

As the number of displaced people grows, churches are struggling to provide food, blankets and medicine for the tens of thousands who are in need. The national fellowship is requesting help, since the crisis will unquestionably extend for many weeks or months. The greatest and most pressing need right now is cash to help churches purchase food locally for distribution.

Immediately after the Kiambaa attack, offerings were sent from the Suffering Church fund. Now that so much of the country is affected, a special AG Relief account has been established “AG Relief Kenya Refugees 891167-9 (60).”

When more detailed information is available, updates will be provided about opportunities for U.S. AG churches to assist the Kenya Assemblies of God further by helping to rebuild churches that were destroyed.

January 7, 2008 Update: Current death-toll reports from Kenya low

Today, Kenya Assemblies of God Superintendent Peter Njiri met with Assemblies of God and other leaders, listening to reports of the death and destruction that has taken place since violence erupted in Kenya following the December 27, 2007, presidential elections.

According to Njiri, the official death toll is being reported as 486. However, based on the reports of pastors and other church leaders he believes the death toll will exceed 1,000.

“I’m overwhelmed by the death and destruction,” Njiri says. “Much of it is not reported yet in the media. What we’re hearing from our pastors is much worse.”

Although tensions are high in Nairobi, the smaller towns are often in worse condition as they don’t have a strong police presence.

Njiri says that currently there are more than 30,000 Kenya Assemblies of God people who have fled their homes and are camped at AG churches, police stations and agricultural show grounds (fairgrounds) in the areas of Burnt Forest, Eldoret and Nakuru.

“That’s 30,000 Assemblies of God people the Kenya AG is carrying for,” explains AGWM Communications Director Randy Hurst. “That does not include the many others including nonbelievers the church is also ministering to and feeding.”

Thirty-year veteran world missionary Bill Kuert, who has spent his career in Kenya, reports that the AG Bible School in Nairobi is nearly inaccessible as the roads are filled with danger, and the few buses that are running, are charging double and triple the normal price. In addition, financial ruin could be ahead for many — a few examples: tea plantation workers have fled leaving the crop unharvested and dairies are unable to get milk to the processors.

“Apart from the loss of life, perhaps the greatest loss that has been experienced in Kenya is a loss of trust among neighbors,” Kuert says. “There have been so many stories to the effect that ‘my neighbor's attacked me, robbed me and then destroyed my property. These are people that I have lived with and worked with for many, many years. I could not believe they were doing it to me.’”

Although the violence has tempered somewhat as both political party leaders appear open to negotiation, the fear and uncertainty is still very real. A reported 300,000 are now categorized as “displaced.”

“Even if they have a home to return to, many fear returning,” Hurst says. “We’re thankful for the US AG churches who have given to the Suffering Church Fund. We sent more money today to help the Kenya AG feed the thousands coming to them, but the need is growing by the hour …when you’re fleeing for your life, how much food can you carry with you?”

January 4, 2008 Update:  Please continue to pray for the escalating crisis in Kenya.

Kenya avoided a potential massive conflict yesterday when Raila Odinga, the opposition leader to President Mwai Kibaki, called off a planned protest march into Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.

According to reports, Kibaki had deployed forces throughout the city to maintain control if the event took place. However, the potential for disaster is still possible as Odinga has reportedly rescheduled the march for Tuesday.

Kenya has been a symbol for stable democracy and peace in a region that has often been torn by conflict.

As reported on Wednesday, a horrific massacre occurred the day prior when a mob surrounded the Assemblies of God church in Eldoret. The church was filled with mostly church members who had fled to it for safety. The mob lit the church on fire, trapping mostly women and children inside the burning building. Dozens perished and many of those escaping were either beaten by the mob or suffered severe burns.

Access to Eldoret by land has been cut off. Rioters have dug deep ruts into the roads, making them impassable, effectively isolating the area and keeping aid from reaching the town by land.

This crisis is not expected to be short lived.  Over the next several weeks or even months, the Kenya Assemblies of God will be helping to feed and clothe many who were forced to flee their homes.

January 3, 2008 Update: The Kenya crisis is escalating. In many places throughout the country the situation is critical.

Yesterday’s update gave information concerning the massacre of Assemblies of God believers in the AG church in Eldoret. The same sort of mob mentality that resulted in that tragedy is increasing in various places in the country, especially outside Nairobi.

Greg Beggs, AG East Africa Area Director says that some of the Kenya AG district leaders and pastors have been calling the church leadership and missionaries in Nairobi, reporting that many AG believers throughout Kenya have fled with others into churches and police compounds. The worst reports come from a town in Northern Kenya where a mob of thousands surrounded the police station threatening to kill all those gathered inside.

Fortunately, the opposition to President Mwai Kibaki called off the demonstration for today, because they saw the potential for violence getting increasingly out of hand. But, they have scheduled another march for next Tuesday.

Greg requests prayer for the AG churches and believers in Kenya and for God to intervene in the country.

There will be another report again tomorrow afternoon.

January 2, 2008—Original report: In the aftermath of the disputed Kenya presidential election results, the violent rioting has now impacted the Kenya Assemblies of God.

According to reports, mostly women and children had taken refuge from the rioting in the Eldoret AG church. On Tuesday, a mob surrounded the church, doused it with flammable liquid and lit it on fire, accusing those inside of voting for President Mwai Kibaki.

Kenya AG Superintendent Peter Njiri reports that at least 50 people died in the blaze and about 80 were hospitalized with severe burns. “Most of the victims were members of the church,” Njiri says.

Since the post-election violence began, nearly 300 people have been killed, as ethnic clashes erupted. In addition to being burned alive, people have been shot, beaten and hacked to death with machetes.

“This is entirely a political conflict that has unfortunately inflamed tribal prejudices,” explains AG World Missions Communications Director Randy Hurst. “What needs to be remembered is that the Assemblies of God has church members from all the major tribes, who not only live in peace, but worship together in the same congregations.”

President Kibaki has called for the opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, to meet with him and publicly call for calm, but Odinga refuses to do so until Kibaki admits he did not win the election. Odinga is also calling for one million people to come and march in protest in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Thursday.

AG East Africa Area Director Greg Beggs, who lives in Nairobi, spoke with Hurst earlier today, expressing his deep concern about the opposition’s march to Uhuru Park in Nairobi, asking people to pray that the march does not erupt into more violence.

In the midst of the rioting, innocent individuals and families are suffering as stores have closed or have been completely depleted of stock.

“Right now the urgent need is for food,” Njiri says. “We have two AG churches in Nairobi with more than 500 displaced AG people camping in them.”

According to Hurst, AG World Missions has already disbursed aid from the Suffering Church fund to provide food for the next few days.

Mike McClaflin, AGWM regional director for Africa who is presently in Togo, West Africa, states, “We would be grateful for any contributions our AG churches or believers could make to help relieve the suffering in Kenya.”

Currently, Kenya is one of the fastest growing Assemblies of God fellowships in the world, with more than 10 churches being planted every week in the country. To date, there are almost one million members in more than 3,100 local congregations.