03/04/2024 Kenya (International Christian Concern) – In October 2023, al-Shabab terrorists attacked Lamu West, burning six homes, attacking trucks on the road, and killing innocent people caught in their path. Given the rise of al-Shabab attacks in the area, many villagers have fled their homes to live inside IDP camps where security is better.
Kaingu was a driver killed while transporting goods. He left behind his wife and two children whom ICC provided assistance to.
“My husband left us unexpectedly. We were with him in the morning before he left with the truck to deliver goods to Lamu. We prayed and hoped to see him in two days, only to be contacted by his boss in the evening that he had been shot dead by the al-Shabab terrorist while heading to Lamu. We were shocked and began to cry. I could not even comfort our two little girls who loved him deeply. This was a great loss to us as a young family and we wished that he could have been with us longer. But we strongly believe that the Lord has His plans that cannot be thwarted. He does whatever glorifies him and what builds us in faith… We have been praying for strength to cope with this loss and we are seeing Him answering our prayers. We thank you for following up our case and coming to visit us twice. We also thank you for the food aid and financial assistance you have given to us,” said Mary, widow to the late Kaingu.
ICC also supplied meals to the IDP camp, and provided school supplies to the children. One Christian resident of the IDP camp expressed his profound gratitude for ICC hearing their cry.
“The past four months have been difficult for the Christians here in Lamu. The attacks on Christian villages by al-Shabab begun in June and they are continuing. We have lost loved ones and property and now we live in IDP camps. Our farms are inaccessible and so the situation continues to worsen. We have got no means of making ends meet, and the government has stopped supporting us. We depend on well-wishers, but when aid comes to the camp, only a few of us get it since everybody cannot get it, said Peter. “But ICC has done something special for us. They called us to the church where we received assistance, both physical and spiritual. Thank you for remembering all those that their houses were burnt and loved ones killed and treating us as a special group. You have warmed our hearts and we pray that the Lord blesses you.”
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