Update 6 - Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017

Today has been a good day! It has been calm all day pretty much country wide (as far as we have heard). We had good services in Kisii Town & have had good reports from several of our other churches. So far, Bible BC of Rongo is the only one that was not able to meet on the church property, but they met in a members home for today's services.

The opposition leader did go into the large Nairobi slums today to speak to his supporters, but unfortunately he was NOT asking them to remain calm. He told them they have the right to demonstrate their grievances & urged them to do so.

So today may have just been the calm before the storm, but our prayer is that the opposition's followers will see that peace is the only way for Kenya to go forward.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Serving Him in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
Missionaries in Kenya

Update 5 - Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017

The Kenya Red Cross has said that 24 people have been killed during the protests & 93 have been treated for injuries. A majority of these were in Kibera (a slum area in Nairobi), in Siaya, & in Kisumu.

Our church in Rongo has been directly affected as well. The Pastor called us this evening to let us know that protestors had uprooted the church's sign & had thrown it into the middle of the road to make a road block. The Pastor told us that the streets were all on fire with burning tires & other debris.

We have been in contact with many of our churches, & so far everyone is safe although there has been some minor property damage.
We are thankful to say that Kisii Town (where we live) has remained calm, & today appeared as a normal day around town; so that was good to see.

Please be in prayer for services in all the towns & villages across Kenya tomorrow.

Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

Serving Him in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
Missionaries in Kenya

Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017 - 4

There still hasn't been an announcement for president, but the electoral commission made a statement that they believed they would have all forms by tomorrow (Friday) at noon and an announcement tomorrow late in the day or Saturday. (According to the law of Kenya, they can take up to 7 days to tally the votes! Hopefully we will not be waiting that long. 😊)

Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

Serving Him in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
Missionaries in Kenya

Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017 - 3

(This was in Kisumu, 2 hours from us.)


Please pray!

Things have been heating up throughout the day today here in Kenya, and we have begun getting some reports from some of our Pastors who have churches in areas known as being hotspots during elections. And they are already starting to see some violence in their areas.

Our family is safe at this time, but we have churches and church families who will be in some unsafe situations throughout the night tonight. Kisumu, Rongo, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori are currently experiencing trouble.

We covet your prayers for peace in Kenya, as it seems they are still not ready to declare a winner in the elections. Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

Serving Him in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
Missionaries in Kenya

Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017 - 2

We are 1/2 way through the day of Voting, & everything seems to be going more smoothly than it ever has before (at least since we have lived in Kenya-over 18 years).

There have been a few issues here & there, but very few so far.

The actual voting process has been good, so now just to wait for the announcement of the winners of the elections. This announcement is what has caused the chaos in the past, so we continue to ask for your prayers. Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

Serving Him in Kenya,

Luke & Tonya Shelby Family
Missionaries in Kenya

Kenyan Presidential Elections 2017 - 1

Please join us in praying for Kenya, as the country braces itself for the presidential election tomorrow.  Elections here have a history of being times of protest and unrest.  We would appreciate your prayers for each Kenyan, each missionary family serving in Kenya, and each of our churches & ministries during the coming days. Thank you in advance for your prayers. Serving Him in Kenya, Luke & Tonya Shelby Family Missionaries in Kenya