Dear Partners,

I have received numerous inquires about the unrest in Kenya and the effects it has had on the work of Maasai Development Project, so thought I would give you an update.

As you saw in the media after the December 27 Presidential elections in Kenya, rioting broke out due to the fact that the opponent’s tribe felt that the elections were rigged. What started out in a few key places like Nairobi and Kisumu began to escalate and turn into tribal wars. It seems as though once the emotions get set in high gear, all the past differences, hatred, and desire for revenge of past grievances take over until chaos runs rampant.

Travel became almost impossible for the first few weeks and is still not advisable in many areas. Some of our workers working in Kajiado District actually live in Trans Mara, a 6 + hour commute by public transport. As a consequence a few of them were unable to get back to their stations after the Christmas holiday. As of this writing, all but one worker is now back at their stations of duty and working. The children are all safe and back into their respective schools as well. We will give you more of an update on that at a later date.

Mr. Ogoti Kenani, our MDP Administrator has written the following: "I am glad to write this to you and thank our God for His mercies toward us. We have gone through terrible times and one cannot fathom how human beings can turn to be worse than animals. Mans inhumanity to another can reach such a low level that life of another becomes meaningless with people taking pleasure in taking life from a fellow being and destruction of property in joy. But in all this, we thank God for the restoration of some calmness though not complete, we still do need prayers for our nation. It has not been possible to travel freely out of Nairobi towards Narok and Kisii is out of the question for the moment. Workers reported late but all but one are back at this time."

On the advice of several workers in Kenya I have had to postpone my February trip. I will plan to go in May instead. The mission trip headed by the DeWitt’s has also been canceled. There is another one planned for late August and again in December. You can keep updated on these trips here on our web site. Or if you are interested in participating on one of these trips you can contact Kim DeWitt at 989-743-1083 or e-mail her at letmeshine4him@yahoo.com .

We just received word that there was some looting at the site of our 15 acre plot, 20 meters of our chain link fence surrounding the property was cut and stolen. We are thankful that the guard on duty was not hurt. Please pray that our home/office will be kept safe and that looters who may wish to try to break in will see the angels of God surrounding and protecting the house.

Thank you for your prayers and may God bless each one of you as we continue to move forward in the work of God.

Jan Meharry

Director