A Problem in Hand and a Solution for What’s on the Way

by Lantano Nabaala, Kenya Pastoralist Network

[Editor’s note: the following was a letter written to me by the founder of the Kenya Pastoralist Network, a organization consisting of members of pastoralist tribes who have dedicated themselves to creating sustainable peaceful solutions among warring tribe members. Lantano wrote to me to hold them in prayer. They had been “on the ground” for several weeks and had exhausted their funds and were unable to return to Nairobi until new funds arrived. They were tired and exhausted. But their problem and their delay in returning home turned out to be a solution to a bigger problem that was about to occur. Read on to see how releasing our attachments contributes to the greater good.]

One time, I was told by my father, “son, a problem in hand, is a solution of a problem on the way… so, always appreciate whatever is in your hands.”

Since we came to the Pastoralist region to mediate conflicts between tribes, we’ve not been able to go back to Nairobi, due to lack of funds. We are eating with them in the locality, we mingle with them. Over last weekend, a group of young men picked a quarrel with members of another tribe, normal rivals. Three guys were shot and injured, no fatalities. Immediately the other side’s youth converged and wanted to retaliate. But word went out to them that we were still around. I couldn’t believe that I was there, in a traditional small house, where before I went to sleep, I could count the stars in the sky…