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.