Kenya.

Steve's brother, Jon, and his family live in Kenya, where they run Kings Kids Village - an orphanage for children who have lost their families to AIDS. Please pray for them as they are in the middle of rampant violence and unrest and are responsible for many children and workers. Here is the latest update from Jon Stern - it's long, but important in understanding the scope of the situation. Our God is GREAT and His power will prevail...but I believe that prayer is going to be the key that turns the lock. Here's the letter from Jon:

Hello everyone, and sorry we haven't written an update
lately.......we've heard from some of you that you are hearing the news
and following that way - you are probably getting as much as we are -
EXCEPT for what's on the ground here at KKV......so that's why we are
writing an update today. The unrest is getting worse and worse, and
there is talk that now things will be really bad for the rest of the
week......and it has slowly encroached on to Nairobi and anarchy
ensues. The country is shaken to it's very foundations.

It is very confusing indeed, as no one seems
to know "who is the enemy" - people are running and moving out of their
living places, but don't know where they are going? Where can someone
hide? If you are one tribe you are being killed and if you are
another, you are killed also.......it's definite ethnic cleansing, but
with a political twist - people in high places are using the political
situation to bring in their own agendas.

Needless to say, we are praying to God that the real,
evil plans that are bringing this spirit of violent murder to our
country will be EXPOSED and brought down............roads are closed so
that goods cannot be bought or sold and transported and folks are
separated from their families from one side of the country to the
other.....today, one of the Ministers of Parliament was killed ......
people's businesses destroyed, whole housing estates burned leaving
people with no where to go...

Here at KKV, like I said before, we have been in a haven of peace. But
today, the unrest comes close. Many of our workers who live in this
area are fleeing their homes with only what they can carry - threats are
coming that whole housing areas will be burned. We have taken in all
of our employees and their families from these areas........today, we
went and bought mattresses for the floor and a good stock of food to
cover the extra mouths.....hopefully, enough for a whole week.....and we
are yet to see if more will still come - as many went home early to get
their children out of the schools and to see if their area is
threatened.

The saddest thing is the tension that is here - right here
among us......pointing of fingers and accusations and side taking. WE
told them ALL that if they are to come here to stay, they must leave all
that outside.....we are Switzerland - TOTALLY NEUTRAL, both tribally and
politically. These kids need to grow up believing they are Kenyans and
see how to work things out in a good, calm manner - not with prejudice
and violence. We will pour into them and pray and counsel the best we
know how - but we need much wisdom. We had heard about Rwanda - it was
said that it was 80% Christian in 1994 when the genocide happened. You
ask yourself, "HOW?" I never thought it could happen here in Kenya.
WE were discussing the other day that it was like someone opened up
"Pandora's Box"...... I can't even explain it, but this thing is strong
and it is deep. BUT OUR GOD IS GREATER and we are trusting Him to
rout this thing OUT of our beloved Kenya. On thing for sure - as
Christians we have our finest opportunities to minister and be a light
and blessing in these days ahead. We will take them seriously!

Otherwise, i don't know how to tell you to pray - just pray in the
Spirit and let Him guide you.....but please DO pray - we need God's
protection and KNOW we will have it AND we believe that God has the
only answers......no one else seems to get to the real bottom of the issues.

Thanks and blessings,
Jon and Molly Stern