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Below is a letter from Rev. John Calhoun of the Methodist Church in Kenya. Please read, be in prayer, and consider donating to aid those suffering in Kenya.
 - Erekenyo IDP camp, Western Kenya
Update from John Calhoun, April 2008:
Dear friends in Christ,
Greetings and peace to you from Nairobi. Over the past number of weeks, events in Kenya have only rarely made international headlines. For this, we are all grateful. Ever since the signing of the peace accord brokered by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in late February, Kenya’s political leaders have slowly been inching closer towards a lasting peace agreement. Then finally, just as the patience of the citizenry was about to evaporate, last week the Kenyan president announced a grand coalition government, including an equal number of cabinet positions for the two parties. After nearly four months of political wrangling and widespread violence and bloodshed, Kenya is charting a new course that hopefully will lead to peace and prosperity.
Once again, I wish to thank all of you who have remembered the Kenyan people in your prayers over these months. Leaders and members of the Methodist Church in Kenya are so grateful for these prayers, messages of support, and financial contributions that have been received from all around the world.
Sadly, although the political deadlock is presently being unbroken and the widespread violence has subsided, the humanitarian crisis continues and relief efforts go on. Tens of thousands remain homeless, dependent on the goodwill of neighbors, churches, and international aid organizations for their very survival. The Methodist Church in Kenya continues to play an active role in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. The MCK is a founding and active member of Tumaini na Undugu (Hope and Brotherhood), an interfaith network that since early January 2008 has provided pastoral and psychosocial care to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and has distributed food, clothing, shelter, and other forms of material assistance valued at more than $450,000.
 - Recipients of humanitarian aid in Kisumu, Western Kenya
At the same time, MCK congregations in the affected areas are also caring for the displaced and needy in their own communities. Since the conflict started, the MCK has raised more than $34,000 from partner congregations and supporters around the world. Local MCK congregations have contributed many tons of food, clothing, and other humanitarian goods. Many of these resources have already been distributed to those in great need. Our most recent distribution took place last week in Kenya's Western province, near the shores of Lake Victoria. MCK officials traveled to Kisumu, Kericho, Migori, and other towns to meet with local leaders, consult with Methodist pastors and members, and visit the makeshift camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Under the supervision of Bishop Kennedy Okidi of the MCK's Western Synod, church officials purchased foodstuffs, firewood, blankets, soap, and other goods valued at $4,500. These items were then distributed to meet the needs of more than 3,000 IDPs temporarily residing in six camps.
As the homeless and disenfranchised will remain dependent on the generosity of others for some time, the Methodist Church in Kenya simply asks our friends around the world to remember the people of Kenya, and to continue offering your prayers, thoughts, words, and support for the relief efforts ongoing nationwide.
Again, we invite you to be a part of our ministry to those in need. To make a US federal tax-deductible donation, please direct your donation via the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Fully 100% of your donation will be immediately transferred to Methodist communities in the region that are providing direct humanitarian assistance to those in need. You may give in the following ways:
1) Write a check payable to "UMCOR," with the message "UMCOR Advance #982450 - Kenya” on the memo line of your check. Mail the check to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.
2) Make a donation online by visiting UMCOR's dedicated web page for online donations.
You may also make a donation (not US federal tax-deductible) in support of relief efforts in Kenya by sending an international wire transfer directly to the bank account of the Methodist Church in Kenya. Please contact me at calhoun(at)methodistguesthouse.org for more details.
May God bless you for your steadfast prayers and generous support for the people of Kenya. May the peace of Christ be with you, and upon us all.
Yours in Christ,
John
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Rev. John Calhoun
Coordinator of Humanitarian Relief and Church Development
Methodist Church in Kenya
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