Previous Letter

Where's Kenya?



 
Home page

Web Editor - Don Tarvin
Updated 14 Apr 2008

April 8, 2008

Dear Praying Family,

It is now 10:30 PM here and I believe 3:30 PM New York Time.

We have three urgent prayer request. (where to begin)

#1. There is an African Proverb that says, "WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT THE GRASS GETS HURT"

It has been about two months now since Mr. kofi Annon has left Kenya. When he left all things were ok. The two elephants, Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga, even today are still fighting. We have a new government in Kenya. The new government formed a new parliament. Then the two leaders, who agreed to share power when Mr. Annon was here, are now going back on their word. Now they are fighting on how many members of the cabinet they should have and who should select them President Kibaki or Prime Minister Odinga. Folks it does not look good.

The outcome does not look good at all. The national people we live and work with tell me once again they are afraid. But dear praying friends, the Bible tells us that the heart of the king is in the hands of the Lord. We for sure are sure glad when the riots were in full swing that we did not leave Kenya, not that Marty and I are supper spiritual, but that we want God to use us to be an encouragement. Due to the unrest in our government the price of food has doubled in price. A small loaf of bread that was 30 shillings which was $.50 now it is 40 shillings which makes it $.60. For breakfast the average Kenyan drinks tea (with milk and sugar) and eats bread. This is all they eat. The Kenyan use to put margarine on their bread and on celebrations buy a little jam. People in our church tell me that they no longer can afford bread and milk. All they drink is a cup of tea and sugar in it.

So how can you pray? Please pray that all the unrest in our government will come to an end and that the two elephants will stop fighting. The Kenyan says the grass that the elephants are hurting is the nationals.

#2 Recently I wrote you to ask you to pray about getting a tent. Our members of our church have started a land and building fund. This evening the land lord told us we have one month to vacate his building. Which makes it the first of May. Now we are definitely between a rock and a hard place. The members of our church, Fellowship Baptist, have faithfully been paying their own bills and were on time paying their rent for over 3 years now. AND NOW THIS! HOW CAN YOU PRAY ?
   A. Pray that the Lord will supply a tent. We have looked all over Nairobi and the cheapest price (from the oldest tent factory here, Tarpo) is about $5,000.00
The leaders of our church will hold an emergency meeting this Friday and pray and come up with an idea in what we can do.
   B. Pray if it is the Lord's will the Lord will soften the landlords heart and allow us to stay there. Which will give us more time to locate a piece of land and put up a tent upon it.

#3 There was another urgent prayer request but for now I cannot remember it. One my mind frees up I will share it with you.

Well dear praying friends, it is late and tomorrow is another full day ahead of us. Oh, I just remembered the Third request.

PRAY FOR LABORERS TO COME TO AFRICA AND HELP US. MARTY AND I ARE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER. YOU MAY SAY IF YOU ARE TEACHING THE NATIONALS TO BECOME SELF SUPPORTING THEN WHY IS MORE HELP NEEDED.

We went downtown last week and talked to the Kenyan Government and ask for the stats in how many people are living literally out side of our front gate. The need is massive. Then once you leave this part of Nairobi the need becomes greater. Then our other 6 churches have the need in their areas to take the Gospel to those who still have never heard.

Well it is late and I do need to head to bed. We love and pray for all of you. Do keep in touch. We may not be able to reply right away but we will do our best to answer your emails.

KEEP LOOKING UP OUR LORD COULD RETURN TODAY.

Love and Prayers,
Larry and Marty
John 15:16