Urgent Help Needed for Kenya

Dear Friends,

As you may know, Kenya is now in the midst of chaos, unbridled violence and on the verge of complete breakdown. The upheaval began more than a month ago when political parties began to argue with one another over the results of the nation’s presidential elections. And while the politicians fight among themselves over who will assume control of the national
government -- those who are desperately poor are suffering most.

While much of Kenya’s media gives conflicting reports of the crisis, our missionaries are witnessing the violence, death and destruction first-hand! A few days ago, I received a letter
from Fr. Ludwig Peschen -- a Missionary of Africa who is also a physician. Fr. Ludwig lives and works in Nairobi (Kenya’s capital city) with other missionaries in an effort to provide
emergency relief to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected by the recent violence in Kenya.

“Kenyans are still being killed and injured on a daily basis,” Fr. Ludwig writes. “It is even becoming worse day by day. At the same time, a minister of the new government says that
everything is normal in the country . . .

. . . but nothing could be further from the truth.”

“After the elections, violent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties
and the police took place immediately in front of our house in the Ngong Road. No need to get
out to see what happened; we witnessed it from our windows.”

“We learned that a large number of women and children were fleeing the Kibera slums (one of Nairobi’s poorest regions) for the safety of Jamhuri Park,” Fr. Ludwig continues.“When we arrived there, we found that no help had arrived for the women or the children. The Kenyan Red Cross was fully occupied in Western Kenya and was not able to cope initially. So we missionaries gathered some food, and started a first food distribution for women and children. We were able to give some biscuits to the boys and girls as well as maize flower, some sugar and soap to the women. Everyone was required to sit down on the ground in order to avoid disorder and chaos. To my surprise, it went very well, and the women and children were really very grateful.”

“It was the first time that they had received help,” his letter continues. “However, the most important thing was that we were there together with them, listening to their unfortunate
stories, listening to their worries and just being present. Stories about missing children, rape,
violence, and destruction, lost income, misery of any kind. One story after another.”

“In the midst of this, we became aware that we were bearers of hope in Christ's name. But it was only the beginning.”

Since that time, the number of displaced people arriving in Jamhuri Park has increased dramatically. The park has become a big refugee camp. On Thursday, there were more than
6,000 people counted. Others are expected to be brought from Western Kenya to this more
central and safe place. There are some 2 or 3 huge wooden houses, with about 300 mothers and children in each. Meanwhile, other women and children are needing soap, personal hygiene items and milk. There is also a need for plastic sheeting and tents for temporary shelter. Just as important is that we are there to reassure them that they are not alone in their suffering!”

My friend, I am hoping that we can send at least $40,000 to provide relief to the innocent people Fr. Ludwig wrote about in his letter . . . especially the women and children who
-- through no fault of their own -- have been brutally attacked, victimized and driven from their
homes. With our help, at least they might have some of the basic necessities they need to
sustain themselves and their children. Please know that whatever amount you send -- whether a large donation or a smaller one -- perhaps the most important thing is as Fr. Ludwig described: “to reassure them that they are not alone in their suffering.”

Your Missionary Friend,

Fr. John P. Lynch, M. Afr.