Sunday, August 27, 2017

Week 35 DTF Aug 21

Woweee...almost 2 weeks of this.  Well that is just 2 Preparation days without letters.  I have had worse.  We know the area where he is would not have violent activity so we are exercising our faith and anxiously awaiting some stories and pics from him about how he spent his time.  Still praying for tensions to diminish and peace to prevail, also for comfort for those who have been hurt during these elections.

These are updates from the Mission Pres and Senior Missionary couple who work in the Mission home/office.


 Hello All,
I sent a message this morning from the office but it looks like it didn't send.  We're back to normal today.  Transfers are happening today through Saturday.  It's a crazy busy time.  Missionaries going home, missionaries coming, training, transfers.  With more than 90 missionaries in two countries, things are hopping!  Thank you for your prayers.  Everyone is safe.
Love to all,
Sister Torrie

On 2017-08-16 2:14 PM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
President Msane's Wednesday update:
“The long awaited announcement from the opposition leader unfortunately did not happen yesterday, as it was postponed to today. Though our missionaries will continue to be sheltered in place until we have a better view of the environment, we have had to effect some key movements and have plans in place for more essential movements to happen even later today should this be possible. We still hope and pray that the calm and peace experienced in most areas will continue, as the country strives to restore normality.
Your support and prayers continue to be appreciated, and we remain very grateful the


On 2017-08-15 7:03 PM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
Hello All,
Following is President Msane's Tuesday update.  I know that it was written several hours ago but it just came in and since it was written, we have learned that the opposition is now NOT going to make a statement today.  We will await further news.
Sister Torrie

President Msane's Tuesday update:
“We await the opposition leader’s speech today to know what the way forward is likely to be. Our missionaries are again sheltered in place until we have a better view of the environment. We hope and pray that the calm and peace experienced in most areas continues to grow, and normality is achieved.
Thanks again for your support and prayers.”


On 2017-08-14 2:08 PM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
President Msane's Monday election update:
“The reserved mood and tense environment in Kenya is currently a result of what was raised in yesterday’s update (given hereunder in italics). In line with this, and generally Kenyans still being very cautious about leaving their homes, all the missionaries serving in Kenya have been told to stay within their estates for today’s preparation day. This is a slight relaxation from the sheltering-in-place we had where they had to be in their own apartments. Any requests for essential travel outside of the estates today will be handled case by case. The plan for tomorrow is to go back to sheltering in place for the day until a review which will be done when we are aware of the opposition’s announcements and some of the reactions thereto.
The transfers, which were due to be held in the beginning of this week, have been put on hold pending the review after the mentioned meeting tomorrow. I have spoken to the missionaries that are finishing their missions at this time to let them know of this change and ask them to be patient until we are reasonably confident that the travelling required for transfers can be done safely. The families affected by these changes will be communicated to accordingly.
Consequently, please also note that the normal Monday communication for these missionaries who are serving in Kenya will not be forthcoming. We apologise for this happening two Mondays in a row, but trust that you understand the context and how it is effectively beyond our control. We continue to appreciate your prayers as we all work through this together.”

President Msane's Sunday update:
“Though there are still tensions, and some worrying activities in the areas of concern, overall the situation is relatively calmer.  The areas of concern are still the same, suggesting that protests to date have not spread out.  We await an indicated announcement from the opposition leader scheduled for this Tuesday.  The opposition is telling people not to go to work tomorrow.

Consequently, the next two days will give an indication of what this week and the near future will be like.  The missionaries attended church today, and yesterday they did some of their essential shopping to restore their emergency storages.

We still hope and pray for calm and peace, and thank you for all your su



On 2017-08-13 5:39 PM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
President Msane's Sunday update:
Though there are still tensions, and some worrying activities in the areas of concern, overall the situation is relatively calmer.  The areas of concern are still the same, suggesting that protests to date have not spread out.  We await an indicated announcement from the opposition leader scheduled for this Tuesday.  The opposition is telling people not to go to work tomorrow.

Consequently, the next two days will give an indication of what this week and the near future will be like.  The missionaries attended church today, and yesterday they did some of their essential shopping to restore their emergency storages.

We still hope and pray for calm and peace, and thank you for all your support.

Hello All,
Things are pretty quiet here in Nairobi.  We're all still in our flats.  We're waiting on the latest report from President Msane and I will send it as soon as I get it.  All the missionaries are fine.  We haven't had any power outages and the cell phone systems are working so that has been a blessing.  All missionaries have checked in with the Assistants each day so we know they are all fine.  I'm sure they're going crazy cooped up in their apartments.  But it may be business as usual this coming week.  I'll keep you posted.
Love,
Sister Torrie

On 2017-08-12 9:48 AM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
President Msane's Saturday morning report:
The final results were announced last night.  President Uhuru Kenyatta won, thus getting himself the second term.  There were protests already from last night in some areas.  We will see how it goes today.  In the meantime, we will still stay sheltered in place.


On 2017-08-11 11:02 AM, LeRon and Colleen Torrie wrote:
President Msane's Friday morning election update:
Yesterday was a quieter day than the one before it, though lower level protests / disruptions were reported.
 The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is still busy aggregating result forms and comparing with the data that was transmitted electronically so as to establish if there is any variance. In the event that there are some discrepancies, the data from the hard copy forms takes precedence over the electronic data and will therefore be used to declare the results. This process is likely to be completed today and the final results announced as soon as possible thereafter.
 Given that the Kenyans themselves largely stayed indoors yesterday, the protests that happened in the last few days including some disruptions even in areas that were otherwise expected to be quiet, the different announcements made to date on the outcome by different parties as to which party won the presidential elections, and the uncertainty on the actual timing of the final announcement of the results, the missionaries have been told to continue sheltering in place until we see the reaction to the final results.
 We will continue with the daily review and updates at this stage.”



On 2017-08-10 9:01 AM, LeRon & Colleen Torrie wrote:
Thursday morning update from President Msane:

The first day of counting in the Kenya elections did not go as calmly and peacefully as the actual voting did. To quote one of the reports received: “Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Mr Raila Odinga on August 9 alleged that the results of the August 8 presidential election had been compromised and were therefore fraudulent. With ballots from 94% of polling stations counted, incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, of the ruling Jubilee Party of Kenya (JPK), had secured 54% of the vote to Mr Odinga’s 44%. (Source: Control Risks)” There were isolated protests in a few areas that are opposition strongholds, with burning of tyres and stones thrown at the police who fired teargas and reportedly some live ammunition at the protesters.
“Control Risks Comment: With a JPK victory increasingly likely, members in opposition strongholds and closely contested areas should monitor developments, exercise high levels of caution, and be prepared to stand fast directly following the official announcement of the results. Members in the former Nyanza and Western provinces (Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kisumu, and Migori), coast regions (Kilifi, Lamu, and Mombasa), the south-east (Kitui and Machakos), and the vicinity of low income, high density neighborhoods in the capital Nairobi and Mombasa over the coming hours should minimize movement as a standard precaution.” 
This is largely in line with how we understood the potential risks from before the elections, and our missionaries were moved away from these areas last weekend and sheltered in other relatively safer areas.
Consequently, our missionaries will continue today to be sheltered in place. We will review our status on a daily basis from now on, as we continue to monitor the situation in the public environment. It is possible that the status may be changed by proselyting area as against generally from here going forward. 

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