Terrorism in my neighbourhood

I spent Monday evening watching the Emmy’s and only then did I realise that ‘Homeland’ has been one of my favourite television shows for almost a year now. I sat there watching the many nominations that the show had and the actors happily scooping awards for the show, then it dawned on me, ‘Homeland’ is just fiction, and mere entertainment. The terrorist attack at the Westgate mall is not! I was saddened all over again. Well before I get way ahead of myself, I will have you know that ‘Homeland’ is about an American soldier that goes rogue and turns into a terrorist.About three weeks ago I visited the beautiful country of Kenya, met wonderful people, people that were always smiling, people that made me feel welcome and comfortable, and they helped me finish sentences in Swahili while I fiddled with the language here and there. It was a lovely experience I must say.Naturally I was more than happy to get back and share my experience with my friends, and coincidentally, Saturday was the one free day I had to tell them all about Kenya. Little did I know that so many people’s lives would end on that day; that the smiling Kenyan faces I had recently seen would drastically turn into sad faces; that my narration would be interrupted by the breaking news about shootings at the Westgate mall and that my dreams in the night would be haunted by the little child I saw in the paper running helplessly in the mall.Like everyone else, I was on Twitter almost every second trying to follow what was happening and then I learned about the hostages, then it felt like I was watching an episode of ‘Homeland’. Do not get me wrong; I heard about the Algerian hostage crisis which I think was also very dramatic but this is Kenya we are talking about, it is right here, very close. Everyone I know was terrified, me inclusive. But then I learnt the one great thing about Kenyans, something I might have missed out on my visit there. Something that gave most people hope and faith to believe again; Kenyans are a united people. They are not easily shaken and they are emotionally strong, something that I found amazing. Something that I believe has helped them through this trying time.Then I thought of myself and what I can do to help and realised many people are just like me, they would love to help but they do not know how and then I remembered that there is always a way.Prayer moves mountains and restores peace where it has been dismantled. I guess that is all we can do. Pray!