A Sea of Tents

Yesterday was a great day! After spending the majority of our time in meetings, it was great being out with the people doing ministry and having the opportunity to fellowship with them. We visited two Refugee Camps. The first was at the Show Grounds in Kitale and the second was at Endebess. Lucy was nervous to go to Endebess as this is where we found her. There are a lot of bad memories for her there. She stayed close to my side. There are 5,500 refugees at the Show Grounds and 8,000 at Endebess. It was a sea of tents at both camps. The small tarp covered shelters have now been replaced with large tents that can house a family. There was one family of seven that did not have a tent and was living in a 5x20 shelter on the camp. You have no idea just how small that is! This family was from Mt. Elgon. They fled their home and have no idea what will be left when they return. They had a 15 year old daughter named Sylvia that was so bright and had such a good heart. I could have spent all day talking to her. I sense God has great things in store for her. At these camps, you see people with what ever they were able to grab before they fled. Some were able to leave with their cows which would at least supply them with milk for their family. I spent most of my day with the children. All it took was squatting to their level, smiling, and extending my hand. Before I knew it, I was the Pied Piper with many children in tow. When my hands and arms were covered with the hands of my little friends, they began holding on to my legs as we walked through the camp. These children who had lost their homes and in some cases; families, amazed me. It was remarkable how a smile and loving touch could brighten their faces. There was one girl who was about ten that kept a bit of a distance yet every time I turned around, there she was. After extending my hand and giving her the traditional greeting, “Jambo Sana. Habari Yako?” (Hello! How are you today?) I gently touched the side of her face and told her she was beautiful. The smile that brightened her face will forever be embedded in my mind. Mike stayed at the house to get some rest. He jokingly said before I left, “You’re not going to bring back another child are you?” There was one small boy who was about 2 years old whose parents were killed during the violence. If it were not for an extended family that had taken him in, Lucy may have had a brother! Sr. Freda conducted a medical clinic at the first refugee camp. It was run so efficiently. I assisted in dispensing de-worming medication to all the children. Children in America hate taking medication yet these small ones lined up and could not wait to receive the treatment that would provide some relief. Most of the refugees at both camps were from Mt. Elgon. I was really surprised to learn this. It breaks my heart that these people are displaced. The Saboat people have been struggling for so long. It is the rainy season and they are anxious to get back to their shambas (farms) to plant so they will have food for the year. According to the Member of Parliament that was speaking at Endebess, the government will need to assist them with seed and fertilizer. Even if their homes were burned, it would be better to live in a tent on their own land then to be in the camp. I pray that God, through Fruited Plains, will reach every village on Mt. Elgon with “Miracle Maize” and fertilizer. How great it will be to reunite one day with the new friends I met in the camps back on the mountain as we rejoice together over God’s provision. The thought of this brings tears to my eyes! Please continue to pray for the spiritual and physical needs of these amazing people.