Tracy giving a voucher to a needy familyTo my brothers and sisters at UPC,

I thank God for you because you have always been such a support to me during my service in Africa, in both Kenya and Chad. Now that God has brought me to serve in northeastern Kenya and southern Somalia in response to the Horn of Africa drought, I am more grateful than ever for your continued support.

Since late July I have been living and working in Dadaab, Kenya, with a wonderful and dynamic team from World Concern. Together we serve the most vulnerable, focusing on both sides of the Somali border. As I hear their stories of the atrocities they have experienced and the helplessness they feel as they look to a future with so little hope, I am humbled and moved to work even harder for them.

We are serving Somali communities through the provision of food and essential non-food items, water and sanitation projects, and primary health care. These services keep people alive and provide strategic support that will strengthen communities even after the crisis. World Concern is offering immediate assistance while answering the question they often hear in a situation like this: Does anyone really care about me?

One of the programs I’m most proud of is our voucher program. Instead of bringing truckloads of food and supplies from outside, we work with local merchants, directly supporting the local economy. The merchants agree to let our beneficiaries purchase food and other supplies in their shops with cash-valued vouchers provided by World Concern. Merchants bring the used vouchers to our staff who verify their authenticity and send payment via a cash transfer system right over their cell phone. We spend almost nothing on logistics, and people are empowered—rather than stand in line for hand-outs, they go shopping to provide for their families. It is inspiring to know we are making such a big difference in this difficult situation.

Tracy and her team

Tracy and her team in Kenya

Even though insecurity is high and all travel is with armed escorts, I trust that God is our protector. Though my heart breaks, I know there is still hope. When I sit with sick and hungry mothers and their children, I know the great physician and provider is at work. When I contemplate the terrible injustices, I am comforted knowing that our God is the ultimate victor, and justice will prevail! I experience his grace in new ways every day.

Please pray with me for our team, for:

  • Safety and security with a high threat of kidnappings, banditry, and now the fear of retaliation now that Kenyan military forces have entered Somalia.
  • Wisdom and direction from God as we plan programs to best meet current needs and prepare for the future. We are committed to this region; we have been here for 30 years.
  • Continued unity, teamwork, and encouragement for our team who lives and works together in the same compound, away from the support of family and a wider faith community.
  • Sufficient rain and peace for the Somali people and that they would come to know the Living God.

 

In Christ,

Tracy Stover

Support the famine response through worldconcern.org/crisis.