FAMINE

The word itself is feared. The letters printed upon the page have an appearance all of their own, distinctive ominous. To those of us who love the Lord the word calls to mind visions of Bible times. We recall how the patriarchs in their turn suffered the want of bread. None of us can know of course the whys and wherefores of these things. The God who created us also created the planet upon which we live. He Himself has given each their portion. It is true that some portions are more fruitful than others, (depending of course on how we value true wealth) but the fact remains that in His providence God has set our boundaries. He has given the Continents. He has made the seas, ordered the climates, and, perhaps most significantly of all He has "made of one Blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth". Acts 17:26

Responsibility

Making excuses or proportioning blame for Kenya's present famine crises cannot negate our obligation as Christians. Nor will statistics suffice to stir our hearts and evoke response. Statistics are cold things. There is nothing personal in them to evoke sympathy. Perhaps a few real life incidents will bring the blight and curse of famine home to our hearts. Perhaps then we can evaluate it in terms of human suffering.

Old woman collapses

On Sunday morning 5th March 2006 Irene and myself were just about to leave for church service when my mobile rang. It was the local Pastor telling me of an old woman who had collapsed in the village and was in a serious condition. We made our way to the patient and ascertained that she was not dehydrated and found that her pulse was strong and regular.

I ordered some tea and food and said we would call coming from Service.

Our basic aid did the trick and on our return she was much better. She had only been hungry and exhausted. Only hungry and exhausted, as if that were not enough. In the year of our Lord 2006, and when the capital of Kenya boasts skyscrapers, tens of thousands are still hungry and exhausted, and far too many have died already.

First Orphans

The first orphans in our new centre have been rescued from famine conditions. Five children were discovered by my manager and we went to see what we could do. The children were living alone, with only a relative nearby. No parents, no food, only that supplied the previous week by my manager. A girl child of 9 years had been preparing the grains for porridge using two stones to grind with. She was dressed in a torn dress that exposed her back to the hot sun. The water she was using was muddy and came from a filthy plastic container. One by one the mud and wattle houses that comprised the family holding were collapsing with decay. We asked the children in the presence of the relative if they would like to come with us. The relative was relieved that her burden was lifted while the children happily put together their few remaining rags and got into our truck. That the centre was not yet quite ready was of small significance. The children needed help and we provided it. The finer points can wait till later. At the time of going to press we have brought in 100 children rescued from similar circumstances.

Hungry Grandmothers

Old women, well advanced in years are to be seen daily leaving our compound with full kiondos (baskets). Faces gaunt and weatherlined, backs bent crooked with a lifetime of hard toil, carrying a little food to their grandchildren, orphans, for whom, now in the eventide of life, they are become sole custodians and providers. The plague of Aids has swept many into eternity and this has brought the sins of the fathers to be visited heavily upon the children. The fact of famine is with us, it is at our door already, it surrounds us like an evil murrain. Famine, disease, death, the cycle is inexorable and so final, so tragically final.

Food for work

As often as we can we give food for work. This entails men and women clearing bush, grass cutting, school ground cleaning etc. Just whatever work may be helpful to us while at the same time providing them with an opportunity to do something for themselves while maintaining the dignity they deserve. Very many, men and women, come for these details. The work is from 9 o.clock am, till 1.00 pm and for this I give a total of five kilos of grains, four of maize and one of beans. It is demonstrably not sufficient, but it provides some small sustenance where otherwise they would have nothing and they are very grateful for it.

Pray for us, it is a hard time. We have our limits of assistance, and when those limits are reached someone must be turned away. It is a trying experience, an emotional challenge. Pray for us.