On our return trip, I spotted the basket weaver again – this time walking with her handiwork on her back in a large plastic bag which had doubled as her ‘display mat’. She looked so dejected and so tired. After having read/heard this week of the escalating cost of living in Kenya, which in August was 17.1% for the poor in our city – 4-6% higher that the inflation rate for the middle and upper class (1), many scenarios passed through my mind.
Had the woman made any sales at her ‘shop’ today? Did an evening meal for her family depend upon her returning home with a few shillings to purchase a bunch of greens? Had she eaten today, even drank a cup of chai, sweet milky tea which has recently become less sweet and milky in many homes? Was she sick, but unable to pay for needed care? Did she have kids, possibly grandkids who are AIDS orphans, who would not complete their homework after dark (always 6:30-7 in our equatorial part of the world) as she had no money for her kerosene lantern? Or had her kids been at home today as she has not paid their school fees and they will be home again tomorrow if her purse is empty. Their fees may be less than one restaurant meal for the lady buying flowers, but more than the basket weaver has.
None of my thoughts may explain why the woman looked so sad, but as I shared in yesterday’s, September 24th Prayer Nudge from East Africa (2), “… for the third time in three outings, a Kenyan salesperson suggested a less costly option as I sought an item on my grocery list. This puzzled me until I remembered that the … costs of foods and services are skyrocketing … millions of people in Kenya with limited or no income are doing without and … suffering.” Would you pray with me for the basket weaver I spotted yesterday. Pray that business and government leaders will find ways to halt the financial problems occurring also in other parts of East Africa and our world. Pray that decisions will be made that are good for all economic groups rather than leading only to increased money/power for a few.
I asked you last week to join us in praying for missionaries (national and international) from East African Baptist churches ministering to the hunger, thirst and illnesses in one area affected by Horn of Africa Drought (3). Prayers were answered and three groups that traveled to northern parts of Kenya, reported people receiving physical and spiritual food and healing! Please continue praying for safety, sensitivity, good health and that relief efforts will go smoothly. Pray especially for spiritual strength and wisdom as God’s children minister in His name. (Photo in today’s 2011 Prayer Nudge from East Africa is of a Turkana child who received food last week.)
Thank you for praying for Jack as he taught the 3rd year Youth Ministry class at Kenya Baptist Theological College last week. Pray for these 11 students and other men and women from East Africa as they study amid difficulties. Pray that the problems will be resolved and KBTC will be faithful in preparing God’s children to serve as His witnesses, teachers, leaders and shepherds.
Pray for Jack and a colleague as they travel tomorrow to teach in a Bible School in central Kenya. Pray also as we travel next week with this colleague and his wife to ‘gather information’ on Bible Schools inn western Kenya. Pray for safe travel and that we will see/ sense/ experience what God wants included in future plans. BERT YATES
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(1) “Panic as shilling hits lowest level” – DAILY NATION, September 27, 2011 – http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Panic+as+shilling++hits+lowest+level+/-/1006/1243546/-/wkmykkz/-/index.html
(2) 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/
(3) For more on how you can minister in our Father’s name to the Horn of Africa Drought Crisis, go to: http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis
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