Dear Friends and Supporters,
We know that many of you have been praying for us and for Kenya as the news of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi was making the headlines in U.S. papers and on various television stations. This has been a long week for us and knowing that so many of you were praying has helped us get through it.
Our first news of the attack on Westgate came from our daughter Michelle. She and other high school students from Rosslyn Academy were having a retreat outside of Nairobi but they would be leaving early because of a robbery at Westgate Mall. This struck us as strange since the kids were nowhere near the mall. It soon became very clear, however, that this was not just an ordinary robbery. The shopping mall had been stormed by an undetermined number of terrorists. They were intent on causing as much harm as possible–throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons at shoppers.
We watched the news reports horrified—scanning the fleeing crowds for familiar faces. This was a mall we frequented and it was a real possibility that friends could be there. We wondered about the fate of that friendly checkout clerk at the supermarket and the polite and cheerful security guards who always screened us as we entered. Throughout the day on Saturday we got in touch with friends to make sure they were okay. We heard stories of those who had been trapped, families separated from one another and most miraculously reunited.
Al-Shabab, a militant Islamist group from Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack. By Saturday evening they had taken hostages. Over the next few days we would hear the stories of those that were confirmed dead as well as the growing number who were being reported missing. The days of uncertainty seemed to drag on and on. During those days Kenyans came together—donating blood for the injured, bringing food to the police, military, and Red Cross volunteers, comforting and counseling those who were wounded and traumatized.
As the siege of the mall ended on Tuesday evening a large fire burned lighting up the night sky. Later we learned that part of the mall had collapsed slowing efforts to identify any unclaimed bodies–which may include the terrorists themselves. Even now we struggle to comprehend all that has happened. Some questions may never be answered. However, slowly the stories of what happened within the mall are coming out. We have learned of one our St Paul’s University students who survived by hiding for nine hours in a walk-in freezer in the supermarket. Another student was shot an unbelievable ten times but survived. Next week he will undergo surgery to remove the final bullet which is lodged in his chest.
During this week we have been grateful to be able to gather with fellow believers for prayer and mutual support. Despite embassy warnings to “shelter at home” a few of us gathered for worship on Sunday morning as usual where Rowland had the challenge of leading. On Monday Jane lead the intercessory prayers during St. Paul’s morning chapel. In both cases, we were grateful for the leading of the Holy Spirit in times when we were at a loss for the right words.
We have also been grateful that an incident which could have caused division has not. There are many Somali refugees in Nairobi and we feared that they might be targeted in retribution. This has not been the case but we see an important role for the Islam and Christian-Muslim relations program at St. Paul’s in continued healing. The more we learn about each other’s faith the better. Most Muslims want peace just as much as we do; it is only a tiny minority of extremists that are holding the rest of us hostage. The Islamic leaders that are against violence are afraid to condemn Al-Shabab for fear of being attacked.
As Kenya has moved through three days of mourning we know that for some their lives will never be the same, including two students at our daughter’s school who each lost a parent. When terrible tragedies like this happen it is difficult to hear Christ’s teaching to “love our enemies.” Yet we know this is true and the best way to move forward. Pray for us and all of Kenya as we attempt to live out this truth. We want to affirm the words of Desmond Tutu: “goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate.”
Rowland and Jane VanEs