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(0)Dear family and friends,
Just wanted to write to you all to let you know that we are here in Nairobi taking Jessica to school. We want to thank you all for your prayers for us in these days. We want to describe for you our safari to Kenya yesterday as we saw firsthand the Lord's protection over us. Some of you who receive this will know the names of the towns we describe; most of you will not.
We left our home in the bush about 6:30 yesterday am. As you know, there have been many problems in Kenya of late so we were not sure which route to take. Because we do not have email at our home, we were unable to consult with the mission as to what they knew about conditions. We heard news from our colleagues who listened to news on the radio and called Rift Valley Academy. From these sources we thought things had settled for us to take the usual route through Isebania and Narok and then through the valley. At the TZ/Kenya border we enquired again and folks there said that we would not be bothered as we are from TZ and white people who had nothing to do with the elections anyway.
So we proceeded to pass through the border and on our way. From the border to Migori we did not have trouble. We had heard that Migori might be a trouble spot and indeed we did see police there, but we passed through with no problems. After Migori we noticed that there was no traffic on the road, not many people and shops were closed. We had no choice but to keep going. As we traveled we came to several spots where there were piles of rocks blockading the road, other piles of debris and a tire on fire right in the middle of the road. There was also a spot where a guard rail had been ripped from its spot and pulled across the road leaving only a small passage to get through. Each of these roadblocks we were able to get through just praying protection from the Lord and that our tires wouldn't hit spikes, thorns, nails, etc. At one point we were going slowly over some large rocks when a tall young man came to Brad's side of the car and started talking. Brad just got past him as quickly as he could. Eventually we came to a spot outside of Kisii where we began to see public transpot again and people out and about, so we figured we were in a peaceful section.
Going through Kisii was no problem and even past that for a ways. As is our usual routine we always stop at Sotik to get lunch, but as we approached that town we noticed that there was lots of rubble at the side of the road including burned out cars, charred electric poles and electric wires down. Then we discovered that the gas station/cafeteria was closed. We turned around and retraced our path to another gas station and found that closed as well, so we were forced to keep going and of course in those conditions we did not want to linger. Things seemed to be better until we got outside of Narok. There is another petrol station/cafeteria just outside Narok we thought we could stop at, but that too was closed. We went a little ways further and stopped at a well known tourist place to use the rest room. That, too, was not doing much business. As we sat in the car waiting for Jessica, we heard gun shots and knew we were in trouble. How could we pass through that town?
One of the gas attendants and another gentleman told us we could not pass through as the road was closed and that the area was very dangerous. They suggested we wait there, for how long we did not know. We continued to hear gun shots and then all was quiet. We stayed parked for a few minutes and then the same gas attendant came and told us that we needed to put some green branches on the front grill work of the car. We had seen many cars with such branches on their grillwork and had commented about that wondering what the significance was. When we asked, the man said that having branches on our car would show folks that we were in agreement with the demonstrations that had been taking place against the Kenyan gov't. for the last 3 days. We questioned him again and pointed out that we are from TZ and would this actually help us get through. He seemed quite confident and said, "Utapita tu bila shida", meaning "You will pass through without a problem."
Well, there was nothing else we could do, so we prayed (Brad prayed with his eyes open) as we left. Let me tell you, we were very nervous as we made our way through town. Numerous rocks were in the road that we had to get around and there was a police truck with about 15 men in full riot gear at the side of the road. We prayed right out loud that God would protect us and keep us from being in the cross fires. The road is very bad through that town as it is, so it wasn't like we could just race through. We had to go slowly to get around the potholes and the other blockades that had been laid out. There was even a large truck that was turned over in the middle of the road that we had to get around. By the grace of God and His protection we made it through and didn't hear one shot. People at the side of the road just looked at us curiously but no one made attempts to harm us. I guess it was a good thing we followed the advice of the gas station attendant and had the branches on the car. From that point on, the rest of the safari was traveled peacefully. However, we were very hungry.
Our food situation in TZ has not been real good since we returned although God has supplied (another email, I'll tell you about that). Needless to say, I had nothing to take on our safari , not even bread (we have not had bread in about 1 1/2 weeks) except 1 litre of water. Completely out of the ordinary routine of travel to Kenya, Brad had decided to get gas in Tarime, TZ before we crossed the border and we also bought a few bunches of small bananas. God was in that, too, as we were able to eat those bananas. However, by time we got to Nairobi which was about 4 pm, it was going on 20 hrs. since we had had anything to eat and with all the stress of the trip, we were very tired and had headaches. Supper at Mayfield wouldn't be for another 3 hrs. so we decided to stop at Java House for a bite to eat. We were covered with dust and just about limped out of the car as we had not wanted to stop even to stretch with the dangers of the road. Well, that food tasted so good, the sandwich roll was absolutely delicious and we had strong cups of hot Kenyan tea. Soon we felt revived and continued on to Mayfield. Boy, to finally come into the gate at Mayfield, well, we just breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God over and over for His protection. We immediately took to the showers and enjoyed LONG hot baths (that's another blessing; we've been taking cold sponge baths every night at home since we don't have power for running the pump to bring in our hot solar water). We went to bed early, had wonderful peaceful sleep and woke up refreshed this morning.
We took Jessica to school this afternoon. The area is peaceful around the school, so we feel good about leaving her there. The school has cancelled many events that would take students into town, so we are thankful she will be safe as far as we know. We will be at Mayfield until Tues. so I''l probably write one more time to let you know our plans. Please keep praying for peace in Kenya and for our safety as we return home to TZ. God has significantly shown Himself to us in these last days and we are grateful for His constant presence.
With love and thankfulness for all of you,
Brad and Barb (Settles)
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