Hi Everyone:
Just a quick update for you all.
Last night, I couldn't sleep. It was last night that I could finally release everything. Daniel was finally home safe, Faith was in England, everyone was in their beds. We were okay and then I just sobbed. I sobbed for the gun shots that I could still hear, praying that there weren't going to be more orphans created tonight, that innocent blood would not shed anymore. I just prayed and sobbed. I sobbed for so many people, so many children.
We, here in Kitale are pretty much shut down. We're in town now using the internet cafe. Almost every shop is closed; we managed to find the odd butcher or market stand open to buy enough bread, ground beef and vegetables to last a few days. They are charging higher than normal prices (especially the bread).
There is no phone credit in town; all is sold out, so we are trying to use our phones as little as possible. We have a few connections of people we know who may be able to assist us getting the phone cards as that is our only way to communicate right now (once we leave town and get home as our home internet service is down).
Because almost every day last week was a holiday and then the rioting started, there hasn't been much business in town. Therefore, there is a lack of supplies and most importantly, a lack of gas. All the gas stations in our town are closed and covered up as they have run out of gas.
There are more rumours spreading of more governmental things that will be happening today (this afternoon). I thank everyone for your phone calls, your text messages and your emails. It's been a wonderful support for all of us. We appreciate them and ask that you keep them coming, no matter what time of day or night it is.
I will continue to update you all as best as I can. I love you all very much and I am so thankful for each of you.
God Bless,
Meredith
Monday, December 31, 2007
Emails to Family/Friends - Chaos in Kenya
Just to update everyone on the craziness in Kenya
Email dated December 29th, 2007
Hi Everyone:
For those of you who may watch the news or have heard from others, yes, things are CHAOTIC in Kenya right now.
The national elections were on the 27th and as of this moment, they are still counting the ballots to see who won the presidential role. There has been some talk of stuffing ballots, losing ballots and everything else in between, for the past 24 hours.
This morning, tempers flared and all across the country there were riots, some massive, some minor. In Eldoret, there was some major rioting. Unfortunately Daniel and his friend Faith (who were en route on a bus to Nairobi) got caught in it. Thankfully, after hours and some scary moments, they are en route to Nairobi. As of right now, all is well.
There was a bit of a riot in Kitale this morning. Amanda, Aly and I were at the district hospital visiting one of our children, Lavender, who had broken her leg. Suddenly we heard screaming and saw people running. A lot of them running to the hospital for safety. I was in the room with Lavender when Amanda and Aly came running in, saying, "It's here, the riot's here". I told them to stay in the room, I called Jared (our intern) as he was in town, told him to get home immediately, called the rest of the group (people leaving with us) to make sure they were at home or en route there....and then we would go in to lockdown mode.
I ran outside of the hospital building to see pick-up trucks of people driving and screaming for the opposing presidental candidate. This being the same opposition party people that started the riot in Eldoret. I called one of our taxi drivers and within 15 minutes or so, he came to get us and Lavender and her guardian. There were barely any cars around, just the odd one (as they were starting tire and car burnings in eldoret) but our taxi driver got us home safely and we've remained here all day.
Daniel and Faith, after 6.5 hours and scary moments, have finally began the rest of the ride to Nairobi (from Eldoret).
Please continue to pray. The ballots/votes are still going up and down right now and if the current president keeps his title, we are prepared for an even more chaotic country. Pray for safety for Daniel and Faith as they continue on their way to Nairobi. Pray for safety for Faith as she flies out in the morning (2am Sunday, your time) and pray for Daniel on his journey back to Kitale, by himself.
Pray for this country. Pray that no more blood would be shed. Thank you.
God bless.
Meredith
Emailed dated December 30th, 2007
Hi Everyone:
Here's an update for you.
First of all, Daniel is HOME, safe and sound. He arrived at about 5:30 and I had never been so relieved and happy to see him. I just hugged him the moment I opened the gate; we all hugged him. We were just SO THANKFUL to God that he was home, safe.
To read about his past two days, check out his blog. I promise you, you'll want to read it: http://www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com/
The new president was announced at 5:30 pm this evening. It was the current president, Mwai Kibaki who won. The country was and is in a complete uproar. Out of the ballots originally counted in the polling stations, Raila Odinga (the tough competition) should have won. But somehow, en route to the Electoral Commisions of Kenya office, ballot boxes went missings, arrived empty, etc.
We've had rioting all over the country since the announcement was made, including Kitale. From our home, we could hear shoutings going on down at Shimo (the slums area near our home). We could gun shots on the other side of town, where dear friends of ours live. There are cars on fire, people being beaten, opposing tribes being chased away, beaten and even killed.
I've been on the phone or text messaging friends in that area all evening to remain in contact with them to ensure that they are safe. One friend has gun shots going off only meters from his home. This is only five minutes from us.
We have opened up our home to anyone of our friends and their families who needs to be in a safer place but unfortunately there are no ways of travelling for most now (and even earlier).
I went in town this morning and it was like a ghost town. There wasn't one single public transportation vehicle driving around; almost all the stores were closed minus a few restaurants and one grocery store. It was the calm before the storm.
I've just been given some news; I won't say what it is as of yet due to rumors speculating but I ask for prayer; HUGE prayer. If this rumor is found out to be true, the riots of today will seem like nothing with the riots of tomorrow.
Please know that I am safe. I am very safe where I am at right now; we all are. Please know that the Canadian High Commission here in Kenya has been wonderful. They have called me a few times to check in on me and confirm that I am in a safe place. For those who don't know, I registered myself with the Canadian High Commission (Canadian Embassy) when I came in March. That way, should anything arise and the country is in chaos, it is the Embassy's responsibility to get me to a safe place and if not possible, out of the country. They have been wonderful today in calling to ensure that I am okay and to call them at any time, under any circumstances.
Continue to pray. We need it. Thanks to everyone at NAC today for your prayers. I heard about the service and I can't thank you all enough for your love and support.
Blessings & Love,
Meredith
Please keep this country in your prayers; it's really needed right now.
Email dated December 29th, 2007
Hi Everyone:
For those of you who may watch the news or have heard from others, yes, things are CHAOTIC in Kenya right now.
The national elections were on the 27th and as of this moment, they are still counting the ballots to see who won the presidential role. There has been some talk of stuffing ballots, losing ballots and everything else in between, for the past 24 hours.
This morning, tempers flared and all across the country there were riots, some massive, some minor. In Eldoret, there was some major rioting. Unfortunately Daniel and his friend Faith (who were en route on a bus to Nairobi) got caught in it. Thankfully, after hours and some scary moments, they are en route to Nairobi. As of right now, all is well.
There was a bit of a riot in Kitale this morning. Amanda, Aly and I were at the district hospital visiting one of our children, Lavender, who had broken her leg. Suddenly we heard screaming and saw people running. A lot of them running to the hospital for safety. I was in the room with Lavender when Amanda and Aly came running in, saying, "It's here, the riot's here". I told them to stay in the room, I called Jared (our intern) as he was in town, told him to get home immediately, called the rest of the group (people leaving with us) to make sure they were at home or en route there....and then we would go in to lockdown mode.
I ran outside of the hospital building to see pick-up trucks of people driving and screaming for the opposing presidental candidate. This being the same opposition party people that started the riot in Eldoret. I called one of our taxi drivers and within 15 minutes or so, he came to get us and Lavender and her guardian. There were barely any cars around, just the odd one (as they were starting tire and car burnings in eldoret) but our taxi driver got us home safely and we've remained here all day.
Daniel and Faith, after 6.5 hours and scary moments, have finally began the rest of the ride to Nairobi (from Eldoret).
Please continue to pray. The ballots/votes are still going up and down right now and if the current president keeps his title, we are prepared for an even more chaotic country. Pray for safety for Daniel and Faith as they continue on their way to Nairobi. Pray for safety for Faith as she flies out in the morning (2am Sunday, your time) and pray for Daniel on his journey back to Kitale, by himself.
Pray for this country. Pray that no more blood would be shed. Thank you.
God bless.
Meredith
Emailed dated December 30th, 2007
Hi Everyone:
Here's an update for you.
First of all, Daniel is HOME, safe and sound. He arrived at about 5:30 and I had never been so relieved and happy to see him. I just hugged him the moment I opened the gate; we all hugged him. We were just SO THANKFUL to God that he was home, safe.
To read about his past two days, check out his blog. I promise you, you'll want to read it: http://www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com/
The new president was announced at 5:30 pm this evening. It was the current president, Mwai Kibaki who won. The country was and is in a complete uproar. Out of the ballots originally counted in the polling stations, Raila Odinga (the tough competition) should have won. But somehow, en route to the Electoral Commisions of Kenya office, ballot boxes went missings, arrived empty, etc.
We've had rioting all over the country since the announcement was made, including Kitale. From our home, we could hear shoutings going on down at Shimo (the slums area near our home). We could gun shots on the other side of town, where dear friends of ours live. There are cars on fire, people being beaten, opposing tribes being chased away, beaten and even killed.
I've been on the phone or text messaging friends in that area all evening to remain in contact with them to ensure that they are safe. One friend has gun shots going off only meters from his home. This is only five minutes from us.
We have opened up our home to anyone of our friends and their families who needs to be in a safer place but unfortunately there are no ways of travelling for most now (and even earlier).
I went in town this morning and it was like a ghost town. There wasn't one single public transportation vehicle driving around; almost all the stores were closed minus a few restaurants and one grocery store. It was the calm before the storm.
I've just been given some news; I won't say what it is as of yet due to rumors speculating but I ask for prayer; HUGE prayer. If this rumor is found out to be true, the riots of today will seem like nothing with the riots of tomorrow.
Please know that I am safe. I am very safe where I am at right now; we all are. Please know that the Canadian High Commission here in Kenya has been wonderful. They have called me a few times to check in on me and confirm that I am in a safe place. For those who don't know, I registered myself with the Canadian High Commission (Canadian Embassy) when I came in March. That way, should anything arise and the country is in chaos, it is the Embassy's responsibility to get me to a safe place and if not possible, out of the country. They have been wonderful today in calling to ensure that I am okay and to call them at any time, under any circumstances.
Continue to pray. We need it. Thanks to everyone at NAC today for your prayers. I heard about the service and I can't thank you all enough for your love and support.
Blessings & Love,
Meredith
Please keep this country in your prayers; it's really needed right now.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas Day...
Here are a few photos of our Christmas Day morning....
Ian with his new hat on.
The stockings hung by the chimney with care (this is the day before christmas - stockings are still empty)
Our beautiful little Christmas tree...
Caleb with the New Kids On The Block sleeping bag - that Amanda STOLE from him.
Eva & Caleb (the newleyweds) with Eva's white elephant gift: "Chuck's Beard" (aka Todd).
Ian with his new hat on.
Jared and his stocking...
Jared showing off his new hat...
Timo proud of one of his many hats....
Todd wearing one of Timo's many hats.
After a long cold night of making Frosty, the Snowman, this is what is left of him the next morning.
Children's Christmas Party Pics...
So here are some pics. There are many to choose from.
Me, chopping up (and not really eating) the raw meat.
Waiting for juice...dressed up in their best outfits.
Jared's Juice Stand - serving the guests when they arrived.
Beautiful Jacky...hanging out on the grass
Naomi, mentally and physically challenged. The doctors said she would never walk. Oh yeah, look at her now.
+2.JPG)
Ruth with her girls, Naomi & Emma. Ruth is one of the most amazing women I know.
A grandma raising her three grandchildren that are in TI's program. She's an awesome woman.
Jacky suggesting everyone take her for a wheel barrel ride.
Three-legged races...
Anne & Amanda cooking up the chapatis (they made over 100+) of them.
Anne (the second Anne) & I cutting mangos.
Faith, Aly & Patience cutting up 15 cabbages.
Faith & Aly with the finished cabbage project.
Carolyne & Lavender arriving at the party (just beautiful girls)
Jared's Juice Stand - serving the guests when they arrived.
Beautiful Jacky...hanging out on the grass
Naomi, mentally and physically challenged. The doctors said she would never walk. Oh yeah, look at her now.
+2.JPG)
Ruth. One of the most amazing women I have ever met. She is a mom to at least 25 children, including mentally and physically challenged children. She is the most joyful person and her heart for the children is one I hope to be like someday.
Ruth with her girls, Naomi & Emma. Ruth is one of the most amazing women I know.
Naomi & Emma enjoying the hammock.
The tree house fixed up/repaired by Todd and painted by many others.
Todd standing under his artwork. :)
The line-up for the slide...a first for many kids.
A grandma raising her three grandchildren that are in TI's program. She's an awesome woman.
Joyvin fears the slide...
Joyvin's brother John takes her down the slide; she's still fearful.
Joyvin needed some comfort after the slide...
Playing good ole volleyball
Jacky suggesting everyone take her for a wheel barrel ride.
Molongo climbing the rope to the tree house.
Jared attempting to climb the rope of the tree house; Molongo pointing and laughing at Jared.
Sack races...
Three-legged races...
Tug-of-war....girls won....okay, so did the boys.
Daniel and Todd showing up their jumping over the rope skills.
Introduction Speech and Prayer Time.
Emily praying...really hard.
The Food Table.
Children waiting to be served.
The two Anne's serving.
Faith & I serving...
Beautiful Baby Ruth - getting hungry maybe.
Ruth & Emma cleaning their hands.
In front: Vivian. In middle: Dalma and grandmother
In back: Dennis
Kids of the Kingdom Children's Home - sponsored by GrassRoots Canada
Hope Bright Future Children's Home - sponsored by North American people through TI.
That's me - in the middle of the group.
All of the party goers on December 24th, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
