Landslide Update 2

It had been a dry week in Kijabe since our last update. Road work has continued, the water supply to the hospital has been restored, and things were getting back to normal.

Then two nights ago there was another mudslide, this time a kilometer south of our house- three are still missing, feared to have perished after being trapped by the mud. The Red Cross was quick to send a rescue team to dig out those buried alive, and the local media outlets picked up the story as it unfolded. It seems the devastation is not over yet.

In talking with the clinic’s audiologist today, he is very worried about the next several months. The floods have destroyed the crops and clean water supply for thousands if not millions in Kenya. Rebuilding infrastructure will take time, meanwhile the gardens will be empty and the water pipes dry.

There is still rain falling across Kenya, keeping rivers above their banks, washing away efforts at rebuilding. Many bridges have washed away entirely, and people are using the make-shift bridges seen in the video above to carry on with their lives. The government has promised to rebuild the damaged roads, but the locals are skeptical. Almost 30,000 people have been relocated to displacement camps established around Kenya, where resources are stretched thin. A long road to recovery is ahead, even while the damage continues to pile up.

The hospital, RVA, and the local church are all collecting donations and providing support to the affected communities. Disaster brings a community together, and it is beautiful to see the hands and feet of Christ work in such a tangible way.

We appreciate your continued prayers for the community.