Friday, February 1, 2008

A long month

Well, the first month of 2008 has finally come to an end in this part of the world. We apologize for not writing more. The whirlwinds have picked up in East Africa and each story of hope or disparity is followed by the other. It truly was a week of highs and lows...Kofi Annan's arrival, raging tempers in Nakuru and Naivasha, the infamous front page photo opportunity handshake with Kibaki and Raila, the evolution of Kenya's “ethnic cleansing”, peaceful days, the shooting of 2 members of the Kenyan parliament, enjoying chai and discussing hearty issues with Kikuyus and Luos...what is next?


The problems that Kenya faces at this point are no longer about elections, but instead about the history that dominates people, places and relationships; A history of regional and economical inequality that have surfaced through the boils of a flawed presidential vote. The path forward remains unclear, but I can say with confidence that it will not be solved until the gap between the powerful and the absence thereof is at least acknowledged. My inner struggles for the week have not been from the horrific scenes that the international media creates of this country, nor the extremely-underestimated death toll of 800 people that have lost their lives in the past month, but instead the disconnect between those in power (government officials) and those are fighting on their behalf. (primarily 18-28 year olds without jobs and family). Until the death of two MP's this week (separate incidents), leaders across the board have shown little empathy to their followers, have tucked themselves away in nice hotels, expensive SUV's and have neglected the challenge of leading a country in a time of crisis.


One of the pastors in our network this week reminded us of the notion that a crisis is where great danger and incredible opportunity meet. While the media wants us to focus on the extreme dangers involved with machette-swinging, tire-burning, car-stopping, ethnic cleansing youth, we are trying to understand where and if the great opportunities lie within this tension.


On one level, this question defines the work that CTM does in finding meaningful ways to engage in ways that defy the appeals of responding to dangers and carrying a torch that lights a path of opportunity. What opportunities exist from the unforgettable Kenyan 2007 Presidential Elections that allow us to better “serve grassroots leaders in hard places”? This is the ultimate question that we are facing at this time...both the immediate needs of building community within our own networks to model strategies of inter-tribal, inter-socioeconomic and inter-communal collaboration, something that few other groups are willing to explore.


On another level, the existence of danger and opportunity define the lenses that we see our Kenyan experience through during this time. While the husband, son, brother and friend in me recognizes the need to tend to the dangers of what is going on around us, I can't ignore the need to seek opportunities during this time. Opportunities of perspective, of personal transformation and of calling in a world of instability.


Over the years I have become immune to news headlines portraying conflict in Iraq, anything that ends with an “istan”, and countries that start with an “S” in Africa. When you are no longer an ocean away from the commotion, the realization that these are people's lives begins to hit home. Nobody signs up to live in a world of instability, to have to question the daily itinerary because of what is going on in various parts of town, nor to have to live in fear of what is going to happen the next day. As an American, I have come live off of a calendar in planning hours, days and weeks to come, failing to recognize that this is a luxury, rather than a precious gift, one that millions in the world live without. I also wonder where this situates me as a person that is interested in educating people in the US somewhere down the road. How is it that my work as an educator is rooting for the underdogs of this world whose destiny is shaped by today's events rather than dreams of the future. Perhaps it is a privilege to dream, to plan, to expect.


Sorry for the random rumbling. In case you haven't noticed, it is tough to figure out how and why God is rocking our little worlds over here. We are however, grateful for the many messages of encouragement and prayer that we have received during this time. It has meant a great deal to know that Kenya is not alone in it's mourning.


Press on...in prayer, in reading the news and in taking your life one precious day at a time...giving thanks and renewing hope along the way.

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