United Methodists provide relief, prayers for Kenya

A UMNS report By Linda Bloom*

United Methodists were responding to emergency relief needs in Kenya following post-election violence that displaced up to a quarter of a million people.

The violence, which also left hundreds of people dead, occurred after the Dec. 27 re-election of President Mwai Kibaki--a vote disputed by the supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga.

On Jan. 10, The Associated Press reported that former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will lead a panel to mediate between the two political leaders in Kenya. Ghanaian President John Kufuor, president of the African Union, said the rivals also agreed to end the violence.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief was assisting with relief efforts for displaced people. Through the denomination's East Africa Conference, UMCOR was providing food and shelter to Kenyans who have fled to Uganda. Schools, churches and other structures were being used as shelters both in Kenya and Uganda.

East African Bishop Daniel Wandabula highlighted the need for assistance. "As a church we empathize with all the people that have suffered from this injustice, violence, loss of lives/property, and the overall disruption of daily lives," he wrote in an open letter sent Jan. 7. "We pray for the return of peace to Kenya, and a more lasting settlement of the conflict."

East African United Methodist churches joined churches throughout Kenya in offering prayers for peace and reconciliation during Jan. 6 worship services. The National Council of Churches of Kenya sponsored a peace march the day before.

Daily needs
UMCOR was working to bring food, water and other necessities directly to the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Karen where many people sought refuge.

John Makokha, a United Methodist communicator who lives on the campus, helped to provide food and water to those being sheltered as UMCOR dispatched a truckload of supplies there.

Makokha said the violence had prompted hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes.

"Hundreds have camped in churches, police stations and provincial administration centers," he wrote.

UMCOR also was in contact with the Methodist Church of Kenya and anticipated assisting Action by Churches Together partners in their response. "We continue to monitor the situation and are working diligently to bring relief and assistance to our sisters and brothers in Kenya," said the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's chief executive.

While the streets of the capital "are again quiet and peaceful during the day," intercity transport within Kenya was disrupted, increasing the shortages of supplies, according to a Jan. 7 report from the Rev. John Calhoun, a United Methodist missionary based in Nairobi who coordinates humanitarian relief and church development for the Methodist Church of Kenya.

Calhoun, a clergy member of the New York Annual (regional) Conference, is one of seven United Methodist missionaries assigned to Kenya. His wife, Noel Calhoun, works with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kenya, which was among organizations aiding internally displaced persons and those who have fled to neighboring Uganda.

Methodist congregations in western Kenya also were trying to provide humanitarian assistance, according to Calhoun. Western Kenya, and in the east along the Kenyan coast, suffered the most violence because Odinga has his strongest support there.

'Signs of hope'
The Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Kenyan Methodist and chief executive of the World Council of Churches, said in a Jan. 9 statement that "while the situation continues to be critical, some signs of hope can be seen."

The council welcomed the decision of Odinga, the opposition leader, to call off public rallies and of Kibaki to invite Odinga and religious leaders to a Jan. 11 meeting.

"Peace efforts should be supported by the government, the opposition and the whole civil society," the statement said. "We call on the political leaders, especially President Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga, to refrain from taking decisions that might frustrate the process towards dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

"At the same time we want to recognize and applaud how the churches of Kenya are doing their part in pursuing the common good of their communities and country. There is an urgent need to put an end to the mayhem of violence, and the churches of Kenya know they have a leading role to play in the process of peace, reconciliation and healing."

The Rev. Michael Kinnamon, chief executive of the U.S. National Council of Churches, offered support to the churches of Kenya in a Jan. 8 letter to the Rev. Mvume Dandala, chief executive, All Africa Conference of Churches.

"As you know, the U.S. National Council of Churches condemns violence as a repudiation of God's love and grace, and we know this view is held by the vast majority of Christians and persons of faith in Kenya and throughout Africa," he said. "We are praying for you and all those who have the courage to proclaim God's command to live in justice, peace and love with one another."

Dandala, a South African Methodist who is based in Nairobi, had arranged for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel peace laureate, to visit Kenya on Jan. 4 and initiate dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Donations to assist UMCOR's response in Kenya can be dropped in local church collection plates or mailed to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write "UMCOR Advance #982450, International Disaster Response-Kenya" on the memo line of the check. For credit card donations, visit UMCOR's website at www.umcor.org for online giving information or call (800) 554-8583 to give over the telephone.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York. Michelle Scott, John Calhoun and John Makokha contributed to this report.