We’ve almost kicked them out, but we really shouldn’t complain as they are only seeking refuge from the rains. The local meteorological department is celebrating a rare correct prediction – Kenya’s long drought is over thanks to El Nino rains that have now continued for months. We are also thankful for the water in our taps – the pressure is often lousy, but we have water and it is usually somewhat clean. Yet, even with overflowing reservoirs, there are still signs everywhere of people hauling water. Why? Existing water systems are designed for a fraction of the residents of Nairobi and other places. Poor maintenance is also a problem. We have water because the limited water supply is piped to the “better” housing/business areas and the masses in the slums and poorer housing areas receive little or none. 
Few of this multitude have running water in their homes, but rely on public water taps shared with hundreds/thousands of others or they pay exorbitant prices for water, too often unclean water, when the public spout runs dry!
As I shared in last week’s prayer update, there is a downside to the heavy and continuous rains – flooding, mudslides, etc. Daily, the paper carries reports of a new mudslide causing destruction and death and of whole villages/parts of cities and towns under water. Once again, this most often affects the poor of Kenya more than the wealthy as those with less or no money are more likely to live in the risky areas. I do want you to pray for good health and adequate fresh water for those with water problems, but I am also sharing these facts because it is too often the poor of Africa who also lack access to our Savior’s Living Water.
Last Sunday as I and my female friends received roses from the men of our church, I thought of the many women in Kenya who were most likely not celebrating Mother’s Day. Many of them live in the densest populated 
areas of Nairobi and other towns, the slums and other low income housing areas. Between a lack of education and/or money, and sometimes a lack of basic sanitation which leads to dirty clothes, bodies, etc, these people do not always feel at ease in traditional churches. Often their limited resources also leads to hungry people who do not have time or energy for religion.
Another Kenyan group in need of water are the people of northern Kenya. Most live in small dispersed villages with limited resources such as water, electricity or even accessible education. More urgently, too many of these people are also members of people groups who have yet to claim the love of our heavenly Father. Pray that our Savior’s Living Water will be shared with all people in Kenya/Africa in a way that they can understand and accept. Pray that those God is calling to share his salvation with these people will not just respond, but respond quickly! Your prayers do make a difference – Thank you, BERT
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