The latest (Feb. 7) update from former Demon assistant basketball coach (1999-2001) Joe Peterson, a teacher and missionary in turbulent Kenya:
Joe Peterson's E-mail Update
Serving at Christ's Gift Academy in Mbita, Kenya
On Wednesday afternoon I had just finished escorting a visitor to the gate at Christ's Gift Academy and I began walking back up the hill towards the dining hall. The beautiful and loud voices of close to 300 children filled the air and warmed my heart. All of our students were in chapel and they were singing louder than I have ever heard them sing before. I think the reason is because they were so happy to be back in school, learning along with all their friends and having some sense of normalcy. School opened back up again on Wednesday and we have had two great days of school. There are a couple children still missing in each class so we are trying to follow-up on those situations to see if they have been displaced due to the violence or if they are sick or if they are stuck somewhere and not able to travel. It was four weeks ago that schools were scheduled to begin the new year. We have tried to open three other times this year, but have been forced to close down because of the rioting and threats. This time seems different. The local community leaders have been trying to educate the villagers about proper ways to hold demonstrations and trying to encourage them to leave schools, churches and hospitals alone. Also, the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, made a strong statement last weekend that all children should be going to school and anyone that is hindering them from attending is not supporting ODM's cause. Secondary schools and primary schools in the province have almost all opened during the course of this week.
Things have been a little more peaceful over the past few days. However, all of that is on the surface. It is a fragile peace. When you look just a bit deeper, you will see a country full of people who are suspicious of one another. People are anxious, angry and bitter, full of fear and frustration, and slowly slipping into deeper and deeper heartbreak and hopelessness. People are wary that, in an instant, riots could break out. One event or decision could spark a tidal wave of more violence. This is not the Kenya we all know and love. It is not the nation we are so proud of; a nation that has been a centre of peace for decades in a region so full of war and destruction.
The mediation talks led by Kofi Annan had been very successful as the two sides have come to conclusions on some key issues such as stopping the violence and bringing unity. In the last day or two though, they have come to the core issue which is a stumbling block… the elections. The President's side is insisting they won fairly and anyone contesting it should take it to court. The opposition side is saying the election was rigged and they can't trust the court system so there should be a re-run of the election. It is hard to see how a resolution will come in this situation. Both sides are very stubborn and don't seem willing to budge. It is only God that can make a way where there seems to be no way.
With the secondary schools finally opening, it has created another very chaotic, hectic time trying to get our students to secondary school. Some were happy with the schools that selected them; others are trying to get opportunities at better schools. That is not easy because transportation is still difficult. One of our brightest girls courageously left today to venture to a prestigious National School deep in the heart of Central Province where several Luos have lost their lives at the hands of another tribe (Kikuyus). Another one from our first graduating class is at a school in the same dangerous location. She called yesterday and eagerly told me about how God is using her to witness and share the love of Christ with girls from their rival tribe, the Kikuyus. She was excited to explain how she was helping to bring unity among the tribes at her diverse school.
Beginning secondary school is a very involving process to shop for a long list of things that are required by each school, fill out all the necessary paperwork, get medical check-ups and travel to school. By the end of Friday, 17 of the 26 will have reported with the remaining ones reporting sometime next week. Twenty-two of these students are orphans. Some have wonderful caregivers that are really assisting them and taking on their responsibilities well. But many of our boys only have aged grandmothers or other dire circumstances in which they aren't getting much assistance from their homes. It helps me to realize the difficult situations many of our students come from. Several of these students have basically raised themselves. It is a pleasure to be able to assist these mature boys who are very responsible, hard-working and grateful.
We have seen the hand of God open up many doors for this class. So many of them have received opportunities at schools that usually only take the highest scores. I truly believe God has poured out his blessings on this class for their effort, character and servant's hearts they have displayed in the last two years. We are excited for them as they step out on this new adventure. They need your prayers as they adjust to life in a new surrounding and leave their homes for these new boarding schools. These are missionaries that we are sending out to share the love of Christ and bring unity amongst the tribes, especially at a time when our country is deeply divided.
Joe Peterson, Christ's Gift's Academy, Mbita, Kenya
