Sadness among the Celebrations

I expected today’s newspaper to focus on Kenya’s celebratory mood as the new US President is inaugurated. The lead picture in today’s Daily Nation is of Obama, but the headline that stretches across the front page is not one of joy, but of sadness. “Strike teachers arrested”1 is one of many articles within the first five pages stating that only two weeks after the new school year began, “Learning paralyzed as union declares Day One of national boycott a success … The Teachers Service Commission … said the strike had only succeeded in primary schools, with learning continuing in secondary schools … Teachers are demanding a … salary increase … with the least paid teacher’s basic salary rising to Sh13,750” (approximately $175 per month).

Please pray for a quick, but positive resolution as “Millions of pupils miss lessons” (Daily Nation, 01/20/09, p.4). Pray that all that happens will lead to long term benefits for both teachers and students. Pray that Christians among the teachers and negotiators will be bold ambassadors of their Father’s love and that they will depend fully upon His wisdom during this difficult time. Pray especially for peace for the Standard Eight students who will face national exams next October/November which will determine their future educational opportunities.

Pray also for the current “FOOD CRISIS” as “Debate rages on over second grain handler as millions face starvation.”2 Pray for resolution of the problems which have led to a few politicians and individuals benefitting financially and causing additional shortages of food during this time when the country is facing drought as they heal from the effects of last year’s post-election chaos.

Pray especially as “Thousands stare hunger in the face in arid North,”3 an area where the majority are among the people groups of our world that face another hunger – they do not know of our Father’s love and salvation. Pray for these people where schooling is not an option as parents are joined by “young children … in their daily search for means of livelihood as hunger bites.” The daily livelihood likely only brings in Sh100 (approximately $1.25). One woman, whose “husband died as a result of thirst … as he searched for pasture and water” for their animals, says, “‘We work the whole day for just one meal’ … hunger is sapping her strength … ‘Death is just on the horizon.’” These people need a miracle – They need water and food – They need available food items to be priced fairly – They need their animals to stay healthy so they can sell them for good prices rather than the animals dying due to the lack of pasture and water or being weak when sold – They need a break from locusts invasions which worsens the availability of food for the people and animals – They need quick response by government and aid agencies – They need the few Christians in the area to be bold witnesses of our Father’s love and salvation! Bert Yates
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1 “Strike teachers arrested” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517064/-/u1bo6r/-/index.html
“Sacking threats fail to deter pay protest” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.3) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517024/-/u1bo38/-/index.html
2 “Debate rages on over second grain handler as millions face starvation” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.14) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/516910/-/u1b6s6/-/index.html
3 “Thousands stare hunger in the face in arid North” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.30) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/516884/-/70t1m7/-/index.html