Kenya Devastation - Please Pray

Hi friends,

Greetings from Grass Lake, Michigan. As most of you know, we have been in the USA for medical reasons - surgery for our daughter, Danealle, and cataract surgery for me (Dave). We are both doing well. Danealle is back at work, and I had my final appointment with the surgeon yesterday, receiving a good report and a prescription for new glasses.

We had planned to return to Kenya on Tuesday, January 8. However, with the violence in Kenya following the election, it has been recommended that we delay our return for at least a couple of weeks. There is no domestic travel at this time, so we would have no way to get to our home once we reach Kenya.

Following are some reports concerning our city of Kisumu, Kenya, that we have received from some independent missionaries living in West Kenya, near Kisumu.

Kisumu is a mess. Rioters have destroyed many shops downtown and much around the bus stage. The city is under curfew, shoot-to-kill-and yes, they are killing. People are staying in and are getting very desperate for food and water. The rioters are burning houses, beating, chasing people from other tribes. Looters have cleaned out several car dealers and businesses. Pictures look as if a bomb hit Kisumu.

People are hiding out in their homes. Many homes have been burned. The water has been cut and often there's no electricity. Most people who have phones are out of air time on their cell phones so they cannot make calls. Bodies are lined up at the morgue with bullet holes. The pictures we have seen look like a war zone. Fires, beating, killings. Fifty people were burned to death in an Assembly of God church. One woman tried to get out, holding her baby out the window first. Someone grabbed the baby and threw him back into the fire. So grievous! Some are calling this Ethnic Cleansing. Now the word Genocide is being used on the media. We have been getting news from our Kenyan friends who have been in their village homes during the Christmas holidays, saying they must stay within their homes for safety. One friend called us to warn us not to come into Kisumu telling us, "We are dying here."

"Kenya is in the throes of a humanitarian 'national disaster' amid post-election violence that has left scores dead, tens of thousands displaced beyond reach of immediate assistance and many more destined to be dependent on aid for several months to come, according to the Red Cross."

Many of you have heard and seen news reports like these. There have been tribal clashes in the past, but churches were always a place people could go and be safe. We have no way of knowing if other churches have been targeted.

Please pray for:
1. Calm to come to the nation.
2. Protection for the innocent (hot spots are Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret)
3. Our brothers and sisters in Christ
4. The missionaries and their families

Thanks for praying!

Serving JESUS,
Dave and Damaris Thompson

What is "Glocal"

Here at BCC you may hear me refer to a word. The word is "glocal." What does that mean for Global Outreach? It means "global" and "local." We need to be a church that reaches out for Jesus globally, but also locally. We need to realize that BCC is not just a church to meet the needs of those that already attend, but locally, we need to see ourselves as a "mission post." We need to see every ministry as and evangelistic and discipling ministry. Every small group, every ministry, every student sent out from emc is a missionary.

Also, we have to see that BCC can and IS impacting the world "Global." Only God knows how much the moneys, efforts , food, training, literature, vehicles, and people are affecting the Kingdom of God. I bet we took part in thousands of salvations! From our own emc students going into ministry, to the students at Global Bible schools, to food given out overseas or right here in Bedford, to your monthly faith promise, it is mind-boggling to know how many people have been touch for the Gospel. We don't realize the impact we are making. it is awesome! People know Jesus and will be saved because or our giving of money, time, and effort!!!!!!!

What I do know is that we are not supposed to slow down, or stop in our efforts. We must move forward in the Great Commission. We need to stay on focus, on purpose, and be missional. We are a mission post for Jesus Christ. Mission posts exist to win souls! We need to be Glocal, like God is. Let's have an awesome Global Outreach Month! Pastor Nate Elarton