(ADDS REACTION FROM CHRISTIAN IN NAIROBI AND OTHERS)
By BosNewsLife News Center
GRONINGEN/NAIROBI (BosNewsLife)– The 36-year-old Dutch missionary Ebel Kremer has been shot and killed in Kenya during a robbery, his church confirmed Friday, February 25. His wife Lora Kremer, 34, was reportedly raped in the overnight attack on their Christian orphanage in the town of Athi River near the capital Nairobi.
At least one attacker and a guard were injured in the violence, Dutch media reported.
The young children of the missionary couple, who witnessed the tragedy, “have been brought to safety,” said their Netherlands-based home church Vrije Baptistengemeente Groningen (Free Baptist Congregation Groningen) in the Dutch city of Groningen. “They are now supported by a Dutch married couple. Lora is also being cared for,” in a hospital, the church added in a statement on its website.
The couple worked for the international Christian organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and supported orphans in the African nation. Members of the couple’s Free Baptist Congregation, who were informed about the murder Friday, February 25, are in “deep shock,” the church stressed.
It was unknown whether suspects had been detained by Kenyan authorities.
The church leadership said it had urged members to pray that God will comfort Lora, the children and their family. “We can find comfort in the knowledge that our brother Ebel is now with the Lord.”
EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF
There have been digital expressions of grief of several Dutch Baptist Christians. “We live in a sick world,” one of them said in a short message on Internet service Twitter. It’s time to “Pray for consolation,” said a young woman in another Internet message.
Several Christians, including those based in Kenya, told BosNewsLife they were shocked about the news. “I am praying for Lora and her children. I have been praying for them since I heard this news,” said Christine Enoch in a comment on the BosNewsLife.com website. “I am also praying for the extended family, as they are devestated by this news. I can only imagine their shock and pain.”
She said she had lived in three countries in Africa for the past 23 years. “I thank God for His mercy and protection. I currently live in Nairobi, so this [news about the attack] comes close to home, and makes me realize that the only hope I have is to turn my eyes upon Jesus,” Enoch wrote.
Funeral arrangements for the Dutch missionary were not immediately announced Friday, February 25.
REPORTED PERSECUTION
The incident comes amid concerns over reported persecution of Christians from Muslim militants in especially the north eastern border area of Kenya with Somalia. “In some areas, an increase in persecution is the result of aggressive evangelism by the church,” advocacy and aid group Open Doors said.
However, “There is great pressure on Christian leaders in the Muslim-dominated communities and some have been won over by Muslim leaders,” the group explained in a recent statement on the situation of Christians in Kenya, where security remains fragile.
PS Cain, who said he had worked in Kenya, told BosNewsLife however that the area where the attack took place “is primarily ”Christian’ by name.” Most likely, Cain said, “the robbers would consider themselves ‘Christians’ and run from any Muslim label. This is a sad truth about Kenya in my mind.”
If the attackers were Muslims, they should be condemned, suggested ‘Volk’ a Muslim writer seeking contact with BosNewsLife. “I as a Muslim [of] 37-years old, feel sad about this incident. The Koran says that killing humans, and unacceptible sexual intercourse is very sinful,” he wrote. (With reporting by BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos).
ALSO READ:
I am praying for Lora and her children. I have been praying for them since I heard this news. I am also praying for the extended family, as they are devestated by this news. I can only imagine their shock and pain. I have lived in three countries in Africa for the past 23 years, and I thank God for His mercy and protection. I currently live in Nairobi, so this come close to home, and makes me realize that the only hope I have is to turn my eyes upon Jesus.
1) There really is a hell. Multitudes will truly go there forever.
2) Everything that goes on in history including in the life of Christians is not the ‘will of God’.
There is no point in trying to figure out/claim any ‘reason/plan of God’ for such acts either as such thinking will eventually lure you into either the chaos of nihilistic madness or calvinism.
3) There is not a ‘reason’ for everything. This is a world of chaos and sin and God is letting it run out on its own until He returns, when all things will then, and only then be finally changed and made new. Only in Revelation 21 do we see when all tears will be wiped away by God.
4) “all things” including rape do not literally work together ‘for good’, the verse is simply a saying that obviously only means that all things good, evil or random will one day be over and no matter what evil or random act of meaninglessness born out of chaos and sin that is done to us will not separate us from the ultimate good love of God or our eternal inheritance with Him. The thing/act in and of itself does not work any good of itself, that is a false wicked interpretation as far as I am concerned.
5) Calvinism is a truly sick doctrine. A true Calvinist would believe this act was pre ordained by and planned by God to fulfil His unknown will, just like everything else that has happened and will happen in all of history and the future, and we should thank and praise God for such acts being done to us or other believers.
Our prayers are for the family.
The connection between this horrific event to Muslim-Christian tensions is inappropriate and inaccurate. Please do not use this sad and terrible event to inflame inter-religious tension.
Please note that this incident is a criminal attack but has no connection whatsoever to Muslim-Christian tensions. Please keep the family and colleagues in your prayers.
Dear Gert-Jan,
For some reason your comment slipped through. It is obviously a horrible comment; I hope you didn’t mean it. We totally disagree. Your statement only underscores how difficult it is for Christian workers in parts of Africa amid extremism.
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Dear Aram DiGennaro,
We did not want to suggest that Muslims were responsible, although at this moment we do not know exactly why the missionary couple was specifically targeted. In a wider context however it comes at a time of reported persecution of Christians in a country where security remains an issue.
Thanks very much for your comment.
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Dear Ron and Martha Ratzlaff,
We do not want to inflame tensions, but it is also the task of journalists to put news developments in a wider context at times. Clearly this attack has underscored concerns about security in the nation. However the story mainly focused on the attack itself.
Best regards,
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
This is truly a terrible thing.
I’ve worked in this area quite a bit. However, the reports at the end of the article regarding Muslim persecution seem inaccurate. Sadly, this area is primarily “Christian” by name and most likely the robbers would consider themselves “Christians” and run from any “Muslim label. This is a sad truth about Kenya in my mind. I was almost or mildly assaulted or had people steal from my pockets, bags, etc in areas of Kenya that were “Christian.” However, where I worked everyday in the most, “extreme” part of Kenya full of Somali’s I never had any security issues. Regardless, it’s just a terrible situation but to put the information on there regarding the Muslim-Christian tensions seems to suggest something that is most likely very far from the truth. Sadly, as a follower of Jesus I’m ashamed to admit the robbers were most likely, “Christians” by name, not Muslims.
I as a muslim, 37y, i feel sad about this incidence. The kuran says that killing humans, and unacceptible sexual intercourse is very sinfull.
Being killed as a muslim in war or dying during islamic prayings, means one becomes a martyr in the eyes of Allah.
I hope that the one true Allah, will sent mercy to this woman and children. And i hope that one true Allah will open the heart of this woman so she will live and die as a muslim. And that she will pray as a muslim woman so she can ask forgiveniss for her husband and children and to all muslims in the world. I am sure that Allah is helping her if she prays to Allah and ask for patience.
Kuran says:’ Allah is together with the one who is waiting patiently. ‘
As a muslim we believe that if this husband had died as a muslim he would have been a martyr. Dying as a martyr, means in the islamic religion that this martyr is actually not dead in this world.
Kuran says: ‘ Martyr are dead in front of your eyes. Actually they are not dead. They are nurtured by Allah. But you (we human beings) can not see it. ‘
That is the reason that i wished that this husband had been killed while he was a muslim. He would have been safe forever. This is a chance for the wife, i sincerely hope, that Allah
opens her heart for becoming a muslim woman. Inshallah.
And killing human, raping is non-islamic. Nore the kuran, nore any profets nor Allah
says that muslims must kill and rape.
This is in the kuran called the “munafik.” Munafik are people who are saying that they are muslim and pray to Allah, but actually they are praying to the Seytan (= SATAN).
Inshallah my message will be read by the patiently waiting woman and children and i hope inshallah that Allah will give ‘hidaye’ to all people in this world. amin.
Its sad, but inevitable… when will the ‘supreme white missionairies’ stop evangelise in black countries. Let the Kenian people solve all their own problems (yes THEIR PROBLEMS!!!) without ‘help’ of the ‘supreme whites’ forcing them to believe the ‘word of their savior’? Naïve white missionares ask for troubeles!
Dear Fré Morel,
Am not sure what you have done for impoverished and dying orphans. All we know is that these two Christians were serving Kenya by giving these abandoned children a roof above their heads, food, medical attention, love. I can’t see any “supreme whites” in these activities. I hope you are not suggesting that because they happened to be white and Christian they deserved to be killed and raped.
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
this shows that all the people of africa should be exterminated
the world is so much better without them, we’ll make one big zoo of it
it will happen in the near futur
Dear Gert-Jan,
Your comment somehow slipped through, and we obviously are shocked and totally disagree with you. Yet your statement also underscores the kind of extremism in which Christian workers have to operate. I can only hope you didn’t mean what you said.
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Dear PS Cain,
We did not suggest that the attackers were Muslims, we simply don’t know at this point. You may well be right. As for the other part of the article: Open Doors is well-informed about the other area mentioned in the story, and we have had reports of several Christians being persecuted in that mentioned region. Therefore we believe it to be accurate at this point.
Best regards,
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Tradegy. Africa (except South Africa) together with all muslim countries and large parts of South America and Asia are on my no-go list. People over there are just centuries behind. Savages.
Dear Fre Morel
I totally condemn these foolish remarks. I personally knew Ebel and Lora and don’t believe their lives need to be defended but I will say this: They deeply cared for the Kenian people and I first hand witnessed their love for children with no hope, no love and no parents and GAVE them hope. I do want to ask you and ANYONE else who shares these ideas, to please keep it to yourselves. We all need each other, black, white, asian, european. This world needs love and lots of it. Don’t know what has been done to you, but may you come to forgive. ‘Supreme white missionary’ is an oxymoron. I think they exist in your mind ONLY because you make them that way. We are all equal in God’s eyes. If anything is supreme it is love, for it covers ALL. May we all become SUPREME!!!
Shame on all of you who are reacting to this sad news by throwing mud at muslims, white missionaries, or Calvinism. The only Biblical response for Chrsitians is to weep with those who are weeping. Pray for this widow and these fatherless children. What an awful thing to live through.
There is nothing to suggest this incident was motivated in any way by religious tensions. Athi River is is the southern part of Kenya, far from the persecution referenced in the article quoted.
T.Neely (YWAM Press Office)
Dear T. Neely,
We have not suggested that this attack was carried out by Muslim militants. We have updated the article with comments from Youth With A Mission. Please check the story ‘Christians In Kenya, Netherlands Mourn Death Dutch Missionary (WRAP)’ on the front page. http://bosnewslife.com/15691-christians-in-kenya-netherlands-mourn-death-dutch-missionary-wrap
Best regards,
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
UPDATE HEADLINE CHANGED: Christians In Kenya, Netherlands Mourn Murdered Missionary(WRAP). With reax Youth With A Mission. Now on front page bosnewslife.com http://bosnewslife.com/15691-christians-in-kenya-netherlands-mourn-death-dutch-missionary-wrap
Shame on you Dave Clinton you pathetic hypocritical heretic. It was all ordained by God according you right, filthy sick mind.
First, sorry, strength, wisdom, my prayers for Lora Kremer and family in this tragic, cowardly act.
The article should however be split in two, it addresses two separate, non related, issues.
I think it is inappropriate to combine an issue of alleged religious tensions in Northern Kenya with the tragic which occurred.
Tribalism has been reduced dramatically in Kenya, please stop insinuating and replacing this tribalism to a religious level.
The robbers, even if they WOULD state they’re Muslims CAN NOT have been Muslims because Muslim religion does not allow the cowardly crimes committed. As a Christian, you can NEVER set up people to hatred, which the combination of these articles does make people assume.
May you find peace with God.
Dear Jo,
We don’t know for certain at this point whether there was a relation between Muslim extremism or not, although YWAM is saying it is being treated as a robbery. We once again do not see anything wrong in the way the initial story was written. However we have updated it with more details. Please also find our other story: Christians In Kenya, Netherlands Mourn Murdered Missionary. http://bosnewslife.com/15691-christians-in-kenya-netherlands-mourn-death-dutch-missionary-wrap
And no, we do not set up people to hatred.
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Stafan, please, if possible, use a moderating filter for this type of posts.
Posts like the ones on this page should not be allowed, seriously.
Imagine the family reading this…
I have great sympathy for the family.
I’m a Dutch missionary myself, YWAM-mer too, helping orphans too.
We are living just over the border on the Uganda side and are shocked at this type of attacks.
No matter who you are or what you do, it is absolutely horrific to go through this.
I pray that God will help his wife and children to get over this and somehow pick up their life…
Cor Koelewijn,
Missionary to the Orphans of East Africa
The only true path is peace.
How about some comment moderation? If there was a report button I would have reported 3 of these comments for personal attacks or suggesting genocide.
Dear Cor Koelewijn and John,
In principle this is an open forum and any opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of BosNewsLife, its parent company BosNewsLife News Agency or BosNewsLife.com. We have however not published all comments. Update: I have replied to Gert-Jan, a comment that somehow slipped through. Most comments are from people, including many missionaries, who are heart broken about this tragedy. Negative comments have been accompanied by a reaction. I am not sure if you have read ‘Christians In Kenya, Netherlands Mourn Death Dutch Missionary (WRAP)’ where people have also expressed sorrow about this attack.
God bless you,
Stefan J. Bos, BosNewsLife
Sorry for Lora and especially her kids.
Who knows, maybe the gang who did it were victims as well ?
In responses to:
[Volk: February 26th, 2011 at 2:53 pm]
I am not a muslim but this much i know. A “TRUE” muslim is a follower of
the revelation (the Koran) brought by Muhammad and thus is a member
of the Islamic community. The basis of Islam society is the community of
the faithful, which is consolidated by the performance of the five pillars of
Islam. It’s mission is to “command good and prohibit evil” and thus to
reform the earth. By adhering to the ultimate purpose of humanity,
however, is to be in the “service of Allah,” that is to worship him alone
and to construct an ethical social order free from “corruptions.”
I agree with you that no TRUE muslim would stray off from the
foundations given by “Allah” to Muhammad in the revelation. A True
muslim would consider that any acts of violence against the innocents is
does not convey the great Mercy of “Allah” as it was revealed in the
Koran and the Sunna.
I will leave you with this question though: how many do you think are
TRUE muslims now?
[Max: February 26th, 2011 at 9:11 am]
You used the bible as if you’re a christian. Yet your choices of words
betrays you. and I advice you not to use the bible out of its context.
“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and
invisible,.. Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”
Colossians 1:16 (msg)
Does this suggest a God who troubles Himself with creating everything
and then leaves anything in chaos?
For you claiming to know that not all events work out for the good
purpose known only to God, this I say:
“On the contrary, who are you-mere man that you are-to talk back to
God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it,
“Why did you make me like this?”
Romans 9:20 (ISV)
And as for your opinions with regards to calvinist. this I say: Be sure to
do your homework first before you give out your opinions and get your
facts straight.
It’s Hypercalvinism that says all our choices are really not of our own.
I believe that though God is the total soveriegn power, He gave man free
will and by God’s WILL and grace we are allowed to excercise free will
regardless of God’s disposition on the said matter.
You may have a very hard time understanding predestination,
omniscience, and omnipotence for they are to be view in context to
eternity, beyond the dimension of time. unless you can succesfully draw
me a picture of 5th dimensional hypercube, don’t bother even bother
contesting this arguement.
[Dave Clinton: February 27th, 2011 at 1:02 am]
I agree that the family should not be put in further turmoil by us arguing
about what is right and wrong.
I ask for my most sincere apology if i ever add to your griefs. I just can’t
stand aside when other people finds opportunity in calamities and make
claims of truth that does not really corresponds to reality.
I can give the family no word for what happened. And the best thing I
could do is to pray for them.
[Max: February 27th, 2011 at 7:07 am]
Hi. according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary:
her·e·tic. noun \ˈher-ə-ˌtik, ˈhe-rə-\
2 : one who dissents from an accepted belief or doctrine
http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/heretic
You are quick with your presumptions when you call a person heritic,
The way I see it is that the only biblical claim that David gave was “weep
for those who weep.”
And was this not written in the bible?
“Weep with those who weep”
Romans 12:15 (NASB, NKJV, KJV, NAB, TEV, RSV, ASV, Lamsa,
Goodspeed)
or am I just referring to a false interpretation of the bible written in many
different translations? If you get a copy of the bible you’re using please
notify me as soon as possible for I don’t want to be left in the dark.
Dear Brother Bos
Thank you for moderating this tragedy. I am praying for all involved and forwarding your article to all on my lists. My wife and I served as Baptist Missionaries in Kenya, 1989-2001. God helped me to keep a thief in Nairobi from being set on fire and a mob in Meru from killing a naked man who was throwing rocks at cars from a roof top! We found the majority of Kenyans to be kind and as soon as I intervened they supported me to stop the mobs.
Brother Dean
response to:
(Wilhelm Says:
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:31 pm)
First of all, thank you for your sincere reaction.
I don’t say that i am a good muslim. Actually i am the worst muslim with full of sins.
I only hope that Allah will be pleased with me and all the muslims by following
what Allah wants us to do. It is not good if i sleep the whole day and I do nothing but consuming, and forget tomorrow. How can i ask for forgiveness for my sins if i don’t prepare for tomorrow ? But that is not the point here. The point is the man
who died and the wife and children. I am a bit confused about your reaction toward me. Anyway…