Just over 10 days ago Jo stood in Christ Church Woking, speaking to many of you about a “season of shaking”. It is election year here in Kenya, and after the awful post-election violence of 2007/8, this is a nation holding its breath. There are also ongoing threats from the Somalian terrorist group Al Shabaab and a grenade attack in Nairobi on Saturday night was attributed by some to them, though they have denied it. Yesterday three armed men entered the TP Mashimoni compound during working hours and stole mobile phones and a laptop from 2 female staff members. No-one was hurt, but obviously the staff are shaken. Usually thieves in Kibera are opportunistic young men who are looking for items of value rather than intending to shoot, but please know this: WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS.
The trustees are fully aware and on board, and Jon has already been down and had a security debriefing with all the staff, and we are implementing recommendations that will increase the security at our Mashimoni Centre. The incident has also caused us to review security at our other centres in Kibera. Turning Point has been told by prayerful people here that we should expect opposition in this year, but that God’s word to us is “Continue building the walls, and do not fear.” Can we suggest you read Nehemiah Ch.4 and look at (a) the nature of the opposition (b) Nehemiah’s response to it (c) the way the people were organised from v.16 onwards. We need you to hold the shields and spears and bows and ‘stand on guard’ in prayer, so that we can continue to build. Often what appears to be a physical battle or attack is actually rooted in a spiritual one. You are vital to this work! Verses that might help you pray include Philippians 1:3-6 and 4:6-7, and Psalm 27.
The ‘Build the walls!’ event on March 3rd, our 9th anniversary of the work in Kibera, went extremely well. Those who attended from many different locations around the UK were very encouraged by meeting all together and “facing the same direction” as it were. After a lot of positive feeback regarding the various prayer stations we used to pray for TP and Kenya, we hope to be posting some of these on the TP website so that you can access them and use them in your own homes/small groups/churches. We would also like to build the connectivity between supporters in the UK, so if you have held a sponsored event, or led a prayer group, or connected in a particular way with TP, please start sharing these with us so that we can all learn from each other. The best way to do this is by emailing Emily who can then put it on the TP website, so you need to get in the habit of checking it more often! You will also find recent blogs on there from our Healing on the Streets of Kibera team.
Other updates: The Laini Saba centre has about 12 girls regularly attending now. They continue to receive counselling and Bible teaching, together with some food and an opportunity to play games and occasionally watch a film together. We are taking time concentrating on building relationships and trust with these girls, and gradually they are beginning to open up to Margaret, our social worker.
Up at the farm the mums are working very hard. There has been rain over recent weeks, which has eased their water shortage, and also excited them as they’ve been able to plant seeds and are starting to see them grow. Samuel, the Farm Manager, continues to try to offer guidance and direction to them, but being a young man he sometimes gets it wrong, and is having to work hard at gaining and keeping the mums respect. Check out this video to see for yourself how the mums are getting on.
The Kianda Centre School Preparation Class is running well. See the class teacher, Lillian, in action here. Incidentally, both these videos have been filmed and edited by Emily – she is a whizz!
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Asante Sana … that’s our sincere thanks for your support and our love to you all.