Many of you have read my posts on the IDP Camp and some have even seen my team's blog, where much of the posts and videos are dedicated to the one particular camp, aside of Kijabe, Kenya. They mass atrocities perpetrated against these people are absolutely appalling. A few former Real Life participants are working to improve conditions in the camp and eventually get them off the land they are currently squatting on. The goal is help them to be self-sustaining and productive. I say this because there have been some developments in the news…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will be trying six leaders who orchestrated the mass violence that lead to deaths of 1,200 people and displaced over half a million people. The CS Monitor, BBC, Expicta, and Guardian have been covering the issue and the development of this trial for some time. The violence was perpetrated in December 2007, right after Mwai Kibaki won the election. In essence, because their guy didn't win, they stirred up ancient tensions and began using the minorities as scapegoats. This would be the sum total of ethnic frustrations and tensions between the Maasai and the Kikuyu tribes, the Maasai being the ones starting the conflict.
Now this is a situation in which I find it hard to be completely neutral because let's be honest, I spent three months in Kenya and I saw the conditions these people have lived in. I have seen how their lives, livelihood, possessions, homes, and jobs were stripped from them, all because of a difference of opinion. I have seen the affect that the government has played or really, not played in bringing them justice and more importantly, aid. I have listened to stories of horror, heart-break, and pure hate. At times, it was and really, still is hard to see God in the midst of such injustice.
That had to be placed on the table because I am by no means unbiased, I would be liar if I said I was. I am compromised by the things I have seen and experienced. I am by no means calling for blood or death, that is not my call to make and I would rather there be peace. I would choose not judge these people for what they have done because I have heard stories of forgiveness that have blown me a way. Such grace, in such overwhelming odds. I think this time, there is a lesson for me to learn, yet again.
Another great blog Nick. This is very enlightening to me, as I was unaware of this latest development with the ICC trials. Thanks for continuing to give a voice to these people in Kenya that we all love so much! I’m with you on the biased deal. Indeed we’ve all been compromised by what we’ve seen and experienced and the stories we’ve heard. But God is moving in incredible ways and the forgiveness taking place is shocking, challenging, and so encouraging. Thanks for sharing this.