Corruption

"the act of corrupting or the state of being corrupt, moral perversion, depravity, perversion of integrity, rot, pollution, foulness, contamination."


The other night we had an awesome conversation at my youth fellowship about being IN the world but not OF the world. The speaker's question was, "what would kenya look like if all the youth determined to live by God's standards and not the worlds standards?" There were some great answers but the one that really caught my attention was corruption. We would not be corrupt.

Corruption in Kenya is often linked to government and police. However, a pastor in the audience challenged us all with a humble thought. He explained, "Most times we think corruption is for other people yet fail to realize that we are doing it to but in small ways. For example, after this meeting we know there is tea and mahambri (a local donut-type food). The church provides 1 cup of tea and 1 mahambri for each of us. Yet most of you go and take 3 or 4 mahambri which are suppose to be delegated for others. In the end, people don't get their share because you were greedy and took it."

We all laughed because we all know it is true.

My roommate explained to me the other day about the lunch program at his school. He said that they used to be able to go out of the compound at lunch and buy from some outside joints. However, the principal's wife decided to make a business out of it and opened a small lunch program in the school. The principal then banned them all from leaving school property forcing them to buy from his wife. And my roommate said the food is horrid. At the expense of his students, the principal is allowing his wife to make some money. Disgusting.

I then remember volunteering in a small Christian nursery school. The children used to give the snacks to  the teacher to keep in her desk so that the monkeys don't snatch them away. At the end of the day, the kids would line up to get their snacks from the teacher. As the teacher handed each snack to the kid, she would take a large sip or bite. If it was a juice box, she would push the straw in and take a few sips. If it was a bag of peanuts, she would rip it open and pour a whole bunch into her hands. I was mortified as I watched this supposedly God fearing teacher taking from her students what has been delegated to them.

Most people don't realize they are corrupt. Maybe they don't truly understand what corruption is. From what I understand from scripture and other definitions, corruption is taking something that wasn't delegated to you in the first place. 

So at the end of the youth fellowship, we all headed over for tea and mahambri. As I was chatting with a friend, she blurted out, "I am going to get another one. I'm so hungry. Do you want one?" Appalled, I asked her, "Did you not listen to what was said today? You realize you are taking from someone else what is theirs." "Yes I know but I am so hungry." She replies.

I don't think she was very impressed with my response as she didn't talk to me the rest of the night.

Peace

"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth"

Genesis 9:13

Last week was a huge victory for Kenya. As many of you know, Kenya had a referendum to vote on the new constitution. Wednesday was the big day when Kenyans hit the polling stations to cast their votes. I woke up not knowing what to expect. Everyone had their guard up especially after the post-election violence in 07/08. Missionary friends were telling me to stock up on food and phone credit and to make sure I am registered with my embassy. However, as I woke up that morning all was calm. I decided to go to town to visit some friends (the president declared it a public holiday so people could vote). I was amazed at the peaceful atmosphere everywhere I went. You wouldn't have known anything was happening. People just went on with their daily affairs and not much was being talked about concerning the voting. I was amazed. As the voting closed in the evening and the results were being tallied live on TV, everything was still at peace. People sat and watched all night long. The "YES" was quickly gaining a lead over "NO". By the afternoon the following day, YES declared victory. 

There was no big parties or celebrations. It felt like a normal day. The NO team conceded defeat and declaring that Kenyans have made their decision as to what they believe is best for their country. Leaders of both sides stayed calm, cool and collected encouraging their citizens to do the same. 

It was surreal. I couldn't believe the 'peace that surpasses all understanding' in this country. It was a great victory for Kenyans. They proved their earnest desire for a better Kenya. They allowed their hearts to be loving and considerate of others. And God was glorified in mighty ways. 

I was walking home yesterday and saw this amazing rainbow that stretched across the sky. It made me thank God for His covenant of peace (Is 54:10) with us. Amazing! 

A call for peace

Tomorrow is the big day when Kenyans will go to the polling stations to vote on the new constitution. I am excited the day is finally here. This constitution has been a hot topic since I arrived in Kenya in January. I am excited to witness Kenya's history in the making but I am anxious to see what happens. I have been reading fellow missionaries blogs and some of them are gearing up for the worst. After what happened in 07/08 post election violence, people are taking extra precautions this time. Many of them are registering with their embassy, stocking their houses with food, topping up with phone credit, filling their cars with gas, etc. It's good to be prepared. Even today, I went to the store and stocked up on a few things just incase I get stranded in the compound for a few days. 

However, the country seems quite peaceful. I don't think anyone wants to see the same thing that happened a few years ago which left over 1000 people dead. The country has mobilized 70,000 police officers around the country. They have recognized hotspots where violence could occur and has them under control. They even have police helicopters that will circle the country looking for any signs of violence. Leaders in business, church, and the state are all urging citizens to keep peace. It's looking good so far. 

On sunday, our pastor was speaking on loving one another. It was a very timely service as this time we are called to love one another. This is not a test of whether to vote YES or NO, it is a test to love one another unconditionally. So my prayer is that LOVE would reign in Kenyans hearts as they vote tomorrow. May they stand firm on Christ, not on their politicians. 

NAIROBI, Kenya — Leaders in Kenya are calling on the country to carry out a peaceful referendum.

Wednesday's vote is the first national ballot since postelection violence in 2007-08 left more than 1,000 people dead.

Kenyans are voting on whether to accept or reject a new constitution that would reduce the powers of the presidency. But the draft also has raised emotions over land rights, abortion and Muslim family courts.

Police officials said Tuesday they are better prepared to deal with any post-vote violence than during the 2007-08 violence.

President Mwai Kibaki asked his countrymen Tuesday to embrace one another as brothers and sisters after the vote.

Politicians and analysts predict that the referendum will be largely peaceful.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

I need to stop wearing my green t-shirt

I have a nice green t-shirt that I must stop wearing. I wore it on friday and I got too much attention. It is not a provocative t-shirt. It is not low-cut or a belly shirt. It's not super tight nor does it have any design or words on it. But the fact is that it's green and right now in Kenya, green is a significant colour.

Green is the official colour of the "YES" campaign.

Kenya's history is in the making right now. They have written a new constitution that is going to be voted on next week (August 4th is the big day). It has been no end of controversy. I guess rewriting your constitution is a pretty big deal but it has created so much drama and conflict that we are all praying for the results of the referendum next week.

I was talking to some of my friends about the post election violence in 07/08 and they never thought it would have the outcome that it did. It was a matter of minutes and the whole country was in chaos. We are not anticipating the same reaction to the referendum but you never know. All we can do is pray pray pray.

In short, majority of the christians are NO for the constitution because of the legalization of abortion. But the rest of the country is YES for the constitution. Most of my christian friends will be voting NO and are very boldly shouting their opinion.

So on friday when I happened to wear  my green shirt and the friend I was with also happened to wear a green shirt, we got a lot of attention. It didn't help that there was a YES campaign rally happening right in town that everyone was attending....wearing their green shirts.

I have decided to put my shirt away until after the referendum. I don't really want to be associated with one side or the other. First of all, I don't even get to vote since I am not a citizen of this country. Secondly, I really would be torn as to which side to be on especially concerning the abortion issue. Now, I am definitely against abortion. In no way do I think it is ok but I have grown up in a country where it is legal and it never seemed like that big of a deal. I explained this to a friend a mine and he said, " yes, but Nikole, this is Kenya. If kenyans suddenly are allowed to abort, they will all start aborting regardless of their morals. This is what kenyans are like." So I am torn.

One thing I do know is that, laws and constitutions do not change people's heart. We can't rely on laws to keep us from sinning. We must have hearts that are turned to Christ and He will change them Himself.

Sad day for Kenya

There seems to be too many sad days in Kenya.

Sunday was another one.

Kenya has just rewritten their constitution. They have the proposed draft out  for the public and the voting will be at the beginning of August.

This constitution has been no end of controversy. It comes up in every conversation. Copies of the draft are found everywhere. People will spend hours debating the fine details of the proposed draft. There are a couple of issues that are causing great conflicts especially between the church and the government.

1) Abortion is becoming legal in Kenya. The constitution allows for abortion although it has to be approved by a doctor on certain terms and conditions.

2) This constitution gives way for a more Islamic influence in the country. It's a big issue as Kenya has been founded on Christian values. But Islam is growing and they are demanding their rights.

These two issues in particular are huge sources of controversy. It's a bit difficult for me. I have grown up in a country where abortion has always been legal and where religion is separate from the state always. I think many Kenyans believe that life will not move on if this constitution is voted in. It's life life will end as we know it.

So on sunday, a big "NO" rally was held at a local park in Nairobi. Thousands of people came out to show their support against the constitution. Church leaders lead the rally making speeches and prayers. The rally was closing and as the final prayer was being prayed, an explosion occurred.

People raced around not knowing what had happened but seeing smoke and hearing people yelling. The place turned into chaos. The last I heard, 6 people were counted dead and over 70 were injured.

I don't quite know what to think. It's sad. It's sad that such extreme action is being taken which is costing people their lives. Christ needs to capture our hearts. Christ is the solid rock on which we stand. Even if abortion becomes legal, a person rooted in Christ wouldn't even think about it. Even if Islam is growing and becoming powerful, Christ still dwells in our hearts and that can't change.

Pray for Kenya. Things only seem to be getting more tense as the days go by.