I wish I had good news to share, but I don’t—yet. Theresa and Michael, along with the rest of us here, know that God is in control. God is faithful. But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

In God’s plan that is greater than what we can see from our current vantage point, Michael is still in jail. The circumstances keeping him there make us Westerners shake our heads in disbelief and anger. They also serve as a reminder of the blessings we have in our country which much of the rest of the world does not experience. Justice, honesty, due-process, human dignity are not universally experienced . Theresa has taken all of this in stride, although her grief is huge. It is me, and my Western expectations and frame of reference, who has been outraged at this “miscarriage of justice”. Here is Michael’s journey:

After several weeks in the local jail, he was moved to the Nairobi jail. This was an unfortunate move because Theresa could bring him food while he was in the local jail to supplement the meager meals they offered. Once in Nairobi she was told she could not bring him food, but she could give him money to buy food. Without buying extra food all he got was a small bowl of uji (porridge) in the morning and ugali (something similar to corn meal mush) in the afternoon. (Michael is a 6 ft 3 or 4 inch young man in his mid-twenties.) Theresa gave him 1000 shillings (which is about ¼ of her monthly salary). By the time the money had passed through several policemen and guards Michael only received 800 shillings. That was enough money to buy (bribe the guards into getting) more food for a week. Subsequent weeks he has received even less of the 1000 shillings she takes him…

The first court date was in late October. When they all got to court, the prosecution said they were not ready (because they have no case!), and so the hearing was delayed by 3 weeks. Meanwhile an innocent man sits in a nasty prison getting lice, losing weight, developing a cough, and using hard-earned money just to get enough food to not get any weaker. His wife and 3 year old daughter stay at home waiting for justice. Maureen, his daughter, does not understand why her daddy is not coming home…

The second court date was November 2. The truck to transport Michael to the hearing, broke down—and the hearing was delayed again…

Tomorrow is the Mention Date when they will set another hearing date. Please continue to pray and ask specifically that the hearing date will be in November and nothing will prevent it from taking place. The courts shut down for the entire month of December. If his case is not heard in November, it will be January before anything can happen. And Theresa and Maureen will spend Christmas without him…

I hope the next update will be the one where I tell you about the huge party held to celebrate Michael’s return home and his vindication. Please continue to pray…

With gratitude for your support and prayers,

Nancy