Tribal conflict.

The road leading into farm.

In the most recent weeks, the village where the farm is located made national news, but not for good reasons. What started as tribal tensions escalated to tribal fighting and killings. On October 4th we started receiving multiple phone calls that one of the farm workers had used a gun to shoot at a man who was from a different tribe than his own. The man shot at was brutally killed by other weapons and another man was also killed on this same day. This came as such a shock to us and we really didn't want to believe that someone we have known and become close to, was capable of taking someone else's life. This had traumatic effect on everyone living in this village and women and children gathered up their belongings to go to safer locations. Some had to pass through deep waters where crocodiles live but they were so scared to remain in the village that this was worth the risk.

Despite all this happening, Jason continued to drive to the farm each day to make sure the animals were fed and crops got watered. He said it was eerie driving through the village because it was empty like a ghost town. There were a few farm workers from a neutral tribe who showed up to work, making it a skeleton crew. After a few days police started coming to the village to begin an investigation. The police were surprised to see permanent painted houses with no one living in them and planned a meeting to bring the warring tribes together. A little over a week ago a huge police helicopter landed in the village we think for the first time ever, making history. National Police officials came to facilitate peace talks with representatives from both tribes and their chiefs. Jason was asked to say something. He talked about these tribes living in unity throughout the years and working side by side in harmony. In Islam the law of a tooth for a tooth or an eye for an eye prevails which perpetuates the vicious cycle of revenge and bitterness. He shared with them how this way leaves us all toothless and blind and asked them what then and where will it end. He used this opportunity to speak from the Gospels where Jesus tells us to love our enemies and to forgive those who do us wrong. Then he was asked to pray for peace and close the meeting by one of the Government offcials. The people were requesting a solution so people could move back to their homes and life could return to normal. Children had not been attending shool because of all this fighting and the end of the year exams were coming up. The Government officials had all the people shake eachothers hands as a sign that they would stop fighting. The officials also promised a police presence to be in the village 24 hours a day. This gave hope for teachers and students to actually be able to move back and finish off the school year. The officials asked if Jason and our team would help transport people who had moved out of the village back to their homes, which he agreed.

Last week people began to call us for a ride back to the village. The women farmworkers began showing up to work. There is still fear and trust needs to be built back between the tribes but we see this as a start of restoration taking place- such an answer prayer. Thank you everyone for praying for peace. Some ways to keep praying is for those who killed to have remorse and turn away from their wrong doings, and turn themselves in. Then for the one tribe who has received so much loss that they would truly forgive their "enemies" and not walk around in fear. The Witt girls and I finally went to the farm yesterday and were able to bring one family back home with all their belongings. When we got to greet different women they were verbally processing the trauma that has effected them. I could sense anger and hatred towards those who have killed because at this time there has been no justice served. I really can't begin to know what it's like to be in their shoes. My own heart takes comfort from God's word. Matthew 10: 28 says "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell". The reality is that those who don't know what the Bible says cannot draw strength and comfort from what it says. Another victory that has happened is that a few women farmworkers have asked to know/hear Bible stories for themselves. Yesterday we gave one lady an audio Bible. When she heard Mathew in her Mother tongue she was smiling in pure delight and even laughing. (We are so thankful to Carol Freeman for providing us with audio Bible's, called Kalumis) At first she was trying to keep it as a secret but eventually she told some other ladies and 1 other requested an audio Bible. Please pray the foundation would take root in their hearts and that they would belive in Jesus and be saved.

Crops are always needing water in this dry parched land.

Police officers were surprised to see permanent painted houses empty

We have heard that the killings took place around this water tower that's in the center of the village. 

We were able to help families return to their homes with their belongings. 

Ashley, Marissa and I have not been coming to the farm because all women and children had moved away from the village. We praise God the there has been peace and normalcy has begun to return. I am greeting Marissa here upon arriving at the farm after not coming for many weeks.

Showing H@l!m@ how to listen to an audio Bible. 

Samara was hiding in the cement mixer and Marissa captured it.