by Rae Burnett, from West Africa
This is to help us pray with knowledge for those who are suffering in Africa as we thank the Lord for our abundant blessings and prosperity. Donations for famine relief will be used 100% by indigenous missionaries to minister physical help in Jesus’ name.
As Americans look forward to Thanksgiving celebrations, millions throughout the enormous continent of Africa remain trapped in the familiar cycle of drought followed by flooding, producing crop destruction and famine. Of course, it is always the children and the elderly who suffer the most.
The following information focuses specifically on Kenya. It is equally applicable to at least 30 other African nations.
The disaster began with many months of drought throughout Kenya, resulting in nationwide famine. Many lives were lost, especially in the desert and savannah areas in the North East. This is also an area of great strife because of many Somali refugees who have settled there. They take over with violence and illegally mandate Islam through sharia law in a country which has freedom of religion. Now they are also starving.
The unreached nomadic Turkana tribe was very much devastated by famine and hunger. People are starving to death with no water and no food. Animals succumbed to death in large numbers. The government of Kenya declared this situation a national disaster but has hardly helped with the overwhelming need.
Add this to the national destruction resulting from last year’s election violence, plus the global economic crisis-especially the devaluation of the dollar-and Kenya is really in crisis. Churches have been affected deeply.
One leader writes, "Members who want to help others, instead must move from one place to another in search of food and survival for themselves and their families. You cannot easily evangelize hungry people. So we have to feed them and their children before preaching to them and also provide some food for their families afterwards. There is a great demand of assistance from our members in churches within these affected areas. It’s our prayer that God will touch people and friends to help us assist our people.
"The El Nino rains that have followed have increased the nightmare. Many families have been displaced by floods and have become sick because of diseases caused by flood water. A great need of medical attention is needed towards this displaced people. If we have the resources, believers can even benefit from this disaster by bringing help in Jesus’ name, thus opening new doors for the gospel. Please pray for God’s provision towards this need."