Kenya: Prayer For A Friend

Late on Sept. 23, I received an unsettling text message from a friend in Kenya. He wrote: “The al-Shabaab have attacked at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and they are killing innocent people. I request you to pray for Kenya and me.”

I had read about the hostage situation unfolding the day before in Nairobi, so I was already concerned for his safety, and I wondered how the beautiful city mall I had been to the year before could have been the place of such chaos and terror.

In March 2012, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of others interested in a missions outreach to Kenyan children and adolescents. The group of thirty was from all over the United States, and we sat down just outside the Westgate Mall to enjoy a meal at a restaurant that caters to American tastes. The aroma of hamburgers wafted through the air along with Kenyan specialties such as Kenyan stew and masala chips, which are similar to French fries. Laughter bubbled up from conversations being held in a variety of languages, and the sounds of engines running and car horns beeping in congested traffic lines punctuated the sunny afternoon.

 

After our meal, our group shopped at the Nukumatt store located in the mall. While there, we passed through a security check and bigger bags were left in the front of the store. For the most part, I felt safe visiting this stable and friendly country. Kenyans are a beautiful people that have great resilience. The Christians I spoke with during my trip stressed vast improvements that were being made; “hope” was one of the key words used amongst almost everyone I spoke with.

 

Christians in Kenya do face persecution, especially in villages located near the border with Somalia. In recent years, the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab, which has ties to al-Qaeda, has attacked several churches and killed pastors in villages near the Somali border.

In the attack on the Westgate Mall, it is reported that the militant group released those who could prove that they were Muslim by reciting a verse from the Quran or giving the name of the Prophet Mohammad’s mother. Non-Muslims were killed. News reports indicate that more than 67 were killed and around 175 people injured in the attack. Two of those who were killed were employees at the Nukumatt store, the store I had walked through to buy tea.

As my friend reminded me, Kenya does need prayer. While he appears to be safe for now, many Christians near the Somali border face extreme danger from al-Shabaab. Christians throughout Kenya need continued prayer for protection as well as boldness in their faith and hope of a bright future.

Ann Kay is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.