BuiltWithNOF


World Mission Partners

As a church, we support Christians overseas and in the UK as they bring Christ and practical Christian care to others. The latest prayer letters and news are on the noticeboard at the back of church. For further help or information contact our Missionary Secretary, Glyn Roberts.

    Jason and Alison Fell - Operation Mobilisation, Egypt

    Marcus and Tamara Throup- South American Mission Society, Brazil

    David and Rachel Williams - Crosslinks, Kenya

February 2006 Prayer letter

David and Rachel Williams


Dear Family and Friends,
 
I cannot believe that another month has gone past already. Many thanks for your continued prayer for us here.
 
I am feeling a lot better.  I have had time to think and pray about the past year, and David and I have spent time reflecting on how it was for each of us. I have started going to a small Bible study with 4 friends on Wednesday morning and have really appreciated spending time in the Word on my own and in the group. It is all rather informal with several babies and toddlers around while we discuss, but that is fine and I enjoy the cuddling the babies! We have been open and honest in our prayer requests and are seeing specific answers to prayers for which we are very thankful. 
 
Phoebe, who helps us at home, came back from her Christmas break and within a few days got malaria. We are no longer surprised when this happens, as it usually does, but this time it has been more complicated for Phoebe. After we treated Phoebe for the malaria she got some terrible mouth ulcers and very sore throat. I took her for a test and treatment - we found out together that she is, as we had suspected, HIV+ve. Even though we had in our hearts known that Phoebe had HIV, it was still a shock and I have been feelling very sad for her. We are not sure that Phoebe, despite talking lots with her, really knows what is going on. Her first question to me when we came out of the Doctors room was " Mama Tom, I don't understand what is positive and what is negative." Since then I have been investigating where we can take Phoebe to see if she needs anti-retrovirals , which are now available free in Kenya.  She is going down-hill and  we are concerned that she should start treatment as soon as is indicated. Unfortunately my plans  to help her with this have been delayed. Yesterday her family called her home as her mother is seriously ill in hospital. We are praying for Phoebe's mother but also for Phoebe that she will get back here soon for some treatment, before things get too bad. For Phoebe and her family they are not only struggling with their mother being sick but also have the stress of wondering where they will find the money for her hospital stay and possibly a funeral, which for the Luos from Western Kenya is especially expensive.
 
We had a last minute encouraging visit from a close friend last week. Lizzie booked a ticket and was with us within 3 days. During her 5 day visit, I was able to do a whistle stop tour of our life in Nairobi as well as staying overnight near Lake Naivasha - courtesy of a very kind Christmas present. I loved having Lizzie here and she was happy to be with us - having not been to Africa for 20 years.
 
Tom and Sam have settled back into school well. They are both also playing hockey this term so that has occupied Saturdays for the past 2 weekends. Tom is at the stage of lots of weekend homework and revising that needs doing which is tough when they do not get back from school 'til Saturday evening. Jonathan is fine. His year had their first school trip a couple of weeks ago. They camped near Mt Kenya and saw lots of animals near an education centre.
 
Kenya, as you have probably heard on the news, is going though a drought. In many parts of Kenya food aid is needed, especially in the north. Masai with their cows are a frequent site in Nairobi now - on their way to find some pasture the other side of Nairobi. As usual the government has been criticised for mishandling the food relief. The World Service today was reporting that many countries in Africa are now affected by the drought - and on a worse scale than 1984. The cost of food is going up dramatically, also affecting the poor in Kenya.
 
Give thanks for:
 
  • A good start to the year at college.
  • I am feeling alot better.
  • The boys all fine at school.
  • Good friends who visit us.
 
 
Please pray for:
 
  • Phoebe's mother and for Phoebe to be able to be treated this month.
  • Food to get to the people who need it in Kenya and also other parts of Africa.
  • Tom and Sam have exams next week - mock IGCSE maths for Tom.
  • The team who are leading the week on preaching at the college.
  • Safety and security in Nairobi.  
 
With love from us all here
 
Rachel and David
 
________________________________
 
Kibera Paper
 
Rachel Williams: +254 733 761455
Nillah Mamba: + 254 721 456976
PO Box 72584, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
 
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Missionary Focus: Nairobi

Our Missionary Links, David and Rachel Williams, are serving with Crosslinks in Nairobi.

 

Nairobi is the capital city of the Republic of Kenya in South Africa. Kenya is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia and the Sudan, with the Indian Ocean to the east.

 

·        Prayer Point - How often have we heard about these troubled countries on the News?

 

Most of the population of Kenya are farmers, in spite of the fact that only about 20% of the land is suitable for cultivation and even so is sometimes subject to drought . Because most of this land is in the highlands surrounding Nairobi, this is where most Kenyans live. The main exports are coffee and tea; other crops are grown simply to provide for local needs. As a result, Kenya is quite a poor country compared with industrialized countries such as those of Western Europe.

·        Prayer Point - Think about the devastating effects of drought on the farming community…

 

The people themselves are made up of over a hundred different ethnic groups, each with their own language. Swahili and English have been chosen as the national languages and most people speak at least one of these, as well as their own local language.

·        Prayer Point - Communications! Acceptance of people from different cultures and ethnic groups.

 

Kenyans are a comparatively religious people, but not all Christians. There are many Protestants and Catholics, but African traditional religions are widespread, and Islam and Hinduism are also popular.

·        Prayer Point - Missionaries need to be very sensitive in presenting the Gospel to people of different cultures from their own.

 

Nairobi itself is developing rapidly and dominates the country’s economy. Situated at the junction of the railway line connecting the highlands and the lowlands, it is a well-known destination for visitors to the region. Industry  (food processing, brewing, clothing, textiles, transport equipment and petrochemicals)  is mainly located around Nairobi, and it has been estimated that 60% of the country’s salaried workers live in the city, including most government employees.

·        Prayer Point -

 

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