NEWS

WEDNESDAY 30TH JANUARY

 

TODAY there was a Meeting of the Uasin Gishu Children's Services FORUM, a body formed a year ago by Moi University and The University of Southern California to assist in the development and encouragement of Children's Services.     I am the General Secretary and the monthly Meeting takes place in Testimony Faith Homes.     It has been a successful body and is comprised of Kenyan Managers and expatriate missionaries concerned with running Children's Homes as well as local government departmental representatives also involved in Children's Services.     Very representative, and having a membership of some 70 people who attend regularly.    We are probably the largest such Meeting in the Province.      As Secretary of this Forum I also represent it at the Area Advisory Council for Children's Affairs at District level.

 

TODAY those attending - including ourselves - jointly offered to assist some THIRTY or so orphans amongst many more holed up in a CAMP within Town.  We will take in about SIX swelling our resident number to 141.    Most of these children have lost their parents and homes in the recent conflict.    They are currently cared for by the RED CROSS in what is usually Eldoret Show Ground with they share with some 13,000 others young and old - whole families as well.      The majority all misplaced from their normal homes and land with nowhere to go.

ALL of us of course could be said to be FULL in respect of having vacancies in our Homes, but it was very pleasing to see so many willing to stretch themselves and take a few extra in - and this across all tribal and ethnic considerations!!     People CAN work together when God is in their heart.

 

The FORUM have also decided to look into the possibility of renting a large double story house originally build as a hotel not far from TFH.    It went into receivership some decade and a half ago, and has remained derelict and empty every since.    It needs work done on it as it was not a completed building needing inside plumbing/fittings, and interior doors and windows.  It could take up to 100 souls.     

We ascertained that the current owner might rent with a view to purchase at a later date.     I have been given the job of finding out in detail.     The idea is that the Forum initially RENT and use as a halfway house for displaced families presently camping in the open air in the Show Ground with a view to helping them on to a new life.       Once the current crisis ends and this need becomes a thing of the past we would then use it to assist Street Children.

 

A SECOND house was also brought to the Forum's notice, and this one which is a six bedroom house TFH might be interested to RENT as a Reception Centre for Street Children as we have been hoping to do for some while now.   Hoping to see one or the other or both later this afternoon ----------

...........Have just now 4.55p.m. come from seeing it.    It is an ideal place but not too close to us - about three kilometers, and the rent is a bit over what we expected - about $290 / £153 per month which we think is too much.    We are not likely to consider it.      BUT we are still looking and hope to find something nearer a fair price as the Lord leads us.

 

Only about two thirds of the Forum's Membership turned up for the meeting, many others prevented by reaching here because of Road Blocks and general danger on the town's perimeters - one area had all the electricity poles chopped down last night!    No electricity in that part of town now.      We are a town under siege.      NO Daily Paper today either!

 

Well but here we all are still - the School still attended to capacity.....

 

Continue to pray for us all.    We love you too

 

John and Esther

NEWS?

TUESDAY, 29TH JANUARY

 

BURNING OF PROPERTY has continued all day around Eldoret.    We have been able to see the smoke from our compound.     One of our teacher's brother was killed just ten kilometers away at a road block!     Through the day reports of various outbreaks have gone on.     This is VERY depressing.

TODAY'S DAILY NATION reports on Annan's Peace Plan -

 WAY OUT OF CHAOS

• End the violence
• Solve the disputed Presidential election results
• Correct the unequal distribution of resources

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Recognise the Annan Team as mediators
• Commit rival parties to the mediation process and its outcome
• Each team to name three negotiators and a liaison officer.

This was apparently agreed to this afternoon by all parties.

 

HOWEVER it is said that Mr. Odinga later stated that - 'for the fighting to end totally the elections dispute must be resolved'.     This is political blackmail, and it is also misleading since the fighting and violence is definitely no longer credited with being purely politically based.

ANOTHER virtually unprofitable day.      MORE talk and pictures of showing our leaders nonchalantly standing/sitting around apparently unphased by the the terrible situation all around them.      Is it that they hope if they delay long enough more of the 'undesirable's will be killed?

 

I do not think there can be a political answer.    I think that this entire situation has been planned and orchestrated long in advance of the Election.    STRONG action is still needed - and this opinion is AGAINST foreign opinion which continues to say the Government should tone down the Police and Army response to open riot and murder!       I wonder, for example, what the American Senators who seem to be against strong arm tactics in Kenya, would do if faced with the same scenes and provocation if it happened in the USA.

 

This morning an Opposition was shot dead outside his house.    Although there seems no reason why it should have been anything but a personally brought about murder,  Mr. Odinga has immediately called it an 'assassination organised by the Government to instill fear into the Opposition.       This is just another instance of stirring up the population to further antagonism.

 

800 dead already?    Perhaps many more than that.     And it happened almost overnight.

 

ELDORET remains silent generally EXCEPT for the perimeter where the burnings and killings continue.    The Police and the Army tend to stay in the Town Centre - not much security for those living outside - including us (although so far the attackers seem to be sticking to the poorest parts of the town)

The Municipal and District Authorities remain almost totally silent AND invisible making the whole town area feel almost bereft of all security.     We can look for nowhere for direction or protection.      Not so bad for US, but for the many who have no God and no Faith, it is utterly nerve wracking.

 

WE GOT UP for our early prayer time with staff and had a WONDERFUL time of Praise, and were much lifted up and encouraged.     The day passed and our work aims completed - even though reports were continuing reaching us of disturbances on different sides of the Town.        Daryl was in town mid morning visiting our Auditor.    He found him not in the Office and his clerks huddled at the window looking at the street below, fearful that riot might start any minute as groups of unemployed gathered together ominously.    Daryl came home rather quickly.     There is very real apprehension everywhere still.

 

NOT A VERY ENCOURAGING PICTURE ONCE AGAIN.

Annan says we are head for 'anarchy'     It feels as if it is here already.

Hard to think Kenya will every FEEL the same as it did, for decades........

TRUST of one's neighbour has been lost in a moment - after 40 years of Nation Building.           The idea of ONE NATION HAS CRASHED, as we now see the 66 federated tribes thought to be welded together, flying apart and returning to their origins without any kind of restraint, Christian or otherwise.     England was colonised by Rome for more than 300 years, and THEN it still took another 400 years until Alfred began unification and unity of the NATION.     We should take note.       An old Latin proverb says 'Hurry Slowly'!    Good advice.

 

God be with you, and keep you praying.     Politics may not solve any of this but PRAYER CAN.

 

John and Esther

 

 

• Resolve the land question in the country

NEWS

MONDAY 28th JANUARY

 

You will have been seeing continuing violence, not in Eldoret, but in towns and villages going south east on the way to Nairobi.   Today's DAILY NATION headline was

10 BURNT ALIVE AS TOLL RISES

The smoke, fire, death, and human terror seems to have spread like a wildfire.   Kofi Annan our august Guest has said it MUST STOP, and the Opposition has agreed with him, though neither seem very quick to actually DO anything except speak about it.

One of the most terrible things is this moribund delight in sitting down and 'talking' whilst people die.     As a writer in today's NATION also said in an open letter to Mr. Annan - 'YOU SEE Mr. annan, there were handshakes and smiles but we did not see those two (leaders) look at each other.....people were dying as smiles and handshakes were being exchanged'    That was last Friday, and since then the smiles and handshakes have been put away and the burning and the killing has increased and spread.    Mr. Annan and co have continued to sit and talk, and in between no doubt eat and drink comfortably and safely in Nairobi ----

'Mr. Kibaki continues to insist on being recognised as the legitimate Head of State elected in fair elections.    He asks the Opposition to apologise for causing the unrest in the Country.    Mr. Odinga insists he cannot accept Mr. Kibaki as President and insists he must stand down and hold new elections.

 

Neither are going to let go easily of their positions - and after all it is currently costing them nothing  -  it is the PEOPLE, that are paying the cost of their Tweeddle Dee / Tweedle Dum antics.      One feels sorry for a man like ANNAN who must sit and watch.        All this is much like the Emperor Nero watching ROME - His own Capital City which he had caused to be set on fire - BURN as he played his fiddle - just to please his own inflated ego.    

TODAY kenya is crippled and in ruins, its people cowering in fear in their own homes from their own people,  camping out in comfortless open spaces huddled together like refugees, fleeing the length and breadth of the country from one town to another only to meet the same terrors they run from.    Just a few months ago this same Country was calm, and for the most part peaceful, full of tranquility and charm..........

 

TODAY in Eldoret things have been for the most part CALM - BUT things are far from quiet unilaterally in this agricultural town.   To the west of the Town centre within a distance of about 4 kilometers trouble is resurrecting once again - more homes being burnt, cars set on fire.     A bridge carrying the railway line to Kitale has been broken up, the rail tracks ripped up and rocks thrown down upon the road.    Roads  - from Eldoret West to Kitale, Turbo, to the West towards Burnt Forest, and Timboroa - have been blocked.    Nothing all day to day coming in or going out of the Town.   This will certainly aggravate food shortages and fuel shortages.     If things continue like this then we can look for VERY HARD TIMES AHEAD.

 

The Opposition has said the Government is wrong to bring the Army in to help bring order - order that the Police seem unable to insist upon themselves.     Kofi Annan and the opposition loudly say the Government is wrong to use strong arm tactics to stop the lawlessness and the rape of the Country.        What is the Government to do, just let it all happen?     Obviously the world believes that if this Government yields to the Opposition and stands down in their favour all will be well.    NO ONE BELIEVES this that actually lives here.

 

Well tonight is QUIET where we are.   We have heard no more gunfire.   Seen no sign of unrest - but just ten kilometers away on the other side of town things are STILL very different with little apparent intervention by the so called authorities.    We need you to continue to pray.     DO NOT FEAR FOR US, but pray for our STRENGTH  and RESOLUTION in JESUS, that we might for ever be a demonstration of His Presence with us, and with ALL that call upon Him.

 

Yesterday morning in Church we had a MEN'S MEETING.

In the midst of it Daryl comes to the front and says he wants to demonstrate something to the Church in Mime.     He proceeded to present a very beautiful mime to a most moving spiritual Praise and Worship song.       He succeeded in making every one weep - so much prayer had gone up for him for so long.     The WORDS of the song were so related to his own experienced of falling and away and finding the Grace of God overwhelm him.       It seemed this has been welling up secretly within him for some time.       Well we shall still have to wait on the Lord some mine, and see just how much of a change is coming upon him.    I know you will - if you know him - pray with us for him still.

 

The School is crammed with students - most of our own Collegers have left for College - some in very dangerous areas.     Other Schools around us are more than half empty parents afraid to let their kids out of their sight - why do they trust us so much to be a safe place?!!      We are still able to eat.   We still feel cared for.   There is a strange sense of serenity here - and I am not trying to paint an insincere picture.    We all sense it, and all of us find it somehow very mysterious - but we know Who is keeping us.

 

It is late.    We have a prayer meeting at 7a.m.  and I must get to bed again.  A busy day ahead with so many demands and needs coming upon us as we continue to go about our normal work.     God Bless and be with you, and be comforted on our behalf, and know that your prayers WILL and DO achieve great things not just for us but for ALL those you mention.    What a GREAT Fellowship.

 

John and Esther

NEWS

THURSDAY, 24th JANUARY 2008

 

THIS AFTERNOON the President, and Raila Odinga were photographed with Koffi Anan in Nairobi.     They both shook hands and smiled at each other.    However it looked more photographically hopeful than sincere.     It IS a step in the right direction, IF the direction can continue.     Minutes afterwards a senior member of the Opposition was on TV criticizing the Presidents words of hope and re-establishing the Opposition accusation that Mr. Kibaki is NOT the duly elected President - not something that will assist agreement tomorrow.

We are THANKFUL that they HAVE both met at last.    Our prayers are obviously that a way forward will now be found that will put an end to the ongoing violence!

 

YES violence is continuing.    Last night between 6 and 8 homes were burned to the ground on the outskirts of Eldoret just West of us.    No one was hurt, but many suffered complete loss and devestation.        Gangs attack in the night and even in the day time - they come shouting and howling like dogs, blowing whistles and banging pieces of metal to frighten people away - VERY scary indeed........The Administrative Chief of Kapsabet some 40 kilometers to the West of us was killed and his head chopped off in one of these melees.         Today homes along the Eldoret to Molo road on the way to Nakuru - a stretch of some 140 kilometres was littered with burning homesteads - so the sense of tension, fear and alarm continues almost unabated and the numbers of people fleeing to safer areas - even into Uganda is continuing.

 

Today we have by the Grace of God and with the help of many friends far and near,  been able to distribute some £2000 in food, bedding, and needed shelter.   We have heard others are thinking of also sending to us to assist in this way.   our THANKS on behalf of many.

Mr. Zacharia Mbatia our Head of Secondary School continues with us, living with his brother and sharing accommodation - still seperated from his wife who remains unwell in Nakuru.  In his 60's and with the loss of everything he has worked and saved for for a lifetime of service to Education he is finding it very difficult to have nowhere to call his own, and nothing left of anything he has ever owned.    It was good to provide some clothes to add to those he was left standing up in on the night he was attacked.   His Faith remains high and he is forever Praising Jesus for all His Mercies to him!!    We are surrounded by countless stories of this nature.    

 

School is now open again and we are almost full - about 450 from outside coming in although many parents are still away from Eldoret - their children filling up our Boarding Section the meanwhile.   Lessons continuing well.     So many of our Municipal and District Officers have seemingly been transferred, and offices either closed or seriously curtailed so that official business is difficult at times.       The TOWN remains quiet and shopping is now able to be conducted almost as before -  BUT bread and other basics still can be hard to obtain in the volume we are used to get them.    

 

Hardship remains for many to overcome - but we must clearly say that things ARE much better and easier except for the still ominous presence of armed army and police personel.      The population of our area is still jumpy and apprehensive and Faith is being tested at all levels.

 

The first full Meeting of the Children's Services Forum that we started a year ago with the University will meet next Wednesday - it will be interesting to see how many will actually attend.

 

God Bless you all till next time

 

John and Esther

Fw: URGENT

 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Green

Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 1:24 PM

Subject: URGENT

Dear Friends

 

If you have sent any Gift to Testimony Faith Homes recently DIRECT TO OUR BANK ACCOUNT you may have used an incorrect Account Number.

 

If you sent a gift DIRECT using the A/c Number recently given on our Blog Site you used a WRONG A/c number

 

Our correct A/c Number for Testimony Faith Homes is =-

 

212 - 683 - 718

 

If you sent via AENON Trust

you can ignore this message

 

I have posted a correction notice to the Blogsite today.

 

Very very sorry about this slip up on our part.

 

JOHN

NEWS

SUNDAY, 20TH JANUARY 2008

 

Preached today on Psalm 40 to a packed Church.    About 50 School Boarders swelled the congregation even more and we ran out of chair space.   Many visitors from around TFH also attended, many of them parents of our School children, and some displaced persons as well.

 

Saturday continued peacefully with most places free of demonstrations, and with an Announcement from the Opposition that they would now cease Mass Action.

 

TODAY IT IS ANOTHER STORY WHICH SHOWS JUST HOW UNRELIABLE, UNPREDICTABLE, AND INTRACTABLE THEIR LEADERS ARE, AND DANGEROUS A THREAT THEY HAVE BECOME TO THE ONGOING PROSPERITY AND WELLBEING OF THIS COUNTRY.       Their current stance however might just tip the national opinion and balance against them and scuttle their entire political plans.   

Today's SUNDAY NATION has a front page banner headline reading -

ODM calls fresh round of protests

These apparently will be a continuation of the Mass Marching of Unemployed and Illiterate rabble who are basically uncontrollable and ready to make a nuisance of themselves burning, looting and maiming just for the joy of it.     The Opposition (ODM) are saying these Marches will take place from Wednesday to Friday on a weekly basis!

To say that such a Party has the General Good in mind that actively seeks to destabilise and ruin it's economic fabric is obviously madness.      It is not the Voting Public that are marching!       The majority lending their bodies to this antisocial activity are non voters, most of them too young to vote.        The voting public want the Peace and Prosperity of previous years to continue, their business to be open for trade, their children safe to attend School and College, and their homes safe and free from attack and burnings.       However 50% might agree with the 'political' stance of the Opposition Party, it is inconceivable that their intelligent voters want to see their Country in a shambles and their future at risk.       Already it is being suggested that 20% of those that voted for them would not vote for them again.       Even without the marriage having taken place many prospective partners are having second thoughts about actually pushing forward to the altar!        

 

SO what can we say today in Eldoret?

It IS remaining quiet so far.       Unless restless hordes of 'hired' trouble makers are imported from without, it generally seems that WE as a community are seeking to maintain a peaceful existence.     BUT trouble COULD re erupt as the week continues.

WE in TFH plan to reopen school again on Monday.       Many of our College kids will be also returning to College on that day, funds having now come to hand for them.

Damaris and Wilfred are already back in Teaching College.         We are also doing our best to assist ongoingly those in our immediate area and amongst our own staff who have suffered loss and hurt.      We have been visited by many of the AID Agencies such as Red Cross and the UN, but they seem to look at our beautiful buildings and assume that we do not need assistance - no food even has so far been donated to us by them - and food IS short, and commodities more and more unavailable  -  ALL of this MIGHT have improved by the coming week IF Raila Odinga had not turned back on his own promises and confronted us all with the prospect of Riot and Threat to our Communications.

 

Elisabeth is safely back at home in Rochdale with her kids.    She was missing us, and of course we are missing her - and our grandchildren, but it is good for her and them to be home and out of all this jittery atmosphere.     

 

I am suffering from a stomach bug - Esther as well - probably from something we ate.  Trust it will pass quickly as their continues much to do and care for.

 

We love you and pray for you, and we THANK you for being there by our side in prayer and care.    You are - in Christ - our Strength.

 

God Bless and keep you safe and well always

 

John and Esther

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS

THURSDAY 17th JANUARY

 

 Greetings from ELDORET, Kenya once again.

The night here passed peacefully, thank God, and we had a completely untroubled night.     This morning things continued to be peaceful although the town was practically empty.     But about midday there was more shooting heard, and this continued sporadically until about 3p.m. but not on the scale of yesterday.  Things may be petering out a little.

 

I saw an interview early morning given by the Leader of our Opposition, Hon. Raila Odinga.     He was explaining why he thought it necessary to continue organising his so called 'Peace' Demonstrations throughout Kenya.     He is of course quite sure that the President hijacked the election and had himself Sworn in as President for a 2nd term illegally.      In the face of this he feels justified to continue his campaign to force the issue and have everything overturned in his favour, believing also that he is the People's Choice - however he only has 50% of the vote - about 5 million out or about 10 million on the Electoral Register (approx)   The Nation has some 37 million all told, but the rest are too young to vote!     

The Electoral Commission has confirmed that even after investigation President Kibaki was legally elected with a majority.      This is still contested however by Raila's followers.

 

Legally this can all be sorted out according to the law as it is laid down here, by going to the High Court.     Raila will no doubt do this, but has not the patience to WAIT for the result and save the Country from general paralysis caused by fear and confusion.

His current behaviour and plan to disturb the Government, has even more disturbed the whole Nation - his mass rallies assisting panic, destruction of property, unemployment through related job losses, economic decline due to disruption of business, trade, and international mistrust.        If Kinaki has erred, then Raila has and IS erring even more in encouraging action that will set the Nation and the People back decades.    Even if he were somehow to now become President himself, it is unlikely that he could repair or even reverse the damage done.

The extraordinary thing is that nobody seems to blame him for anything - his own people continue to adore him, and those who one would expect to support the government seem willing to blame them for the present crisis - purely on a political basis.

 

Today the President, Hon. Moi Kibake prorogued the 1st Sitting of the 10th Parliament and stated it would not re-open until March.       It is uncertain what will now actually happen.   This does not help to promote calm and normality.    Colleges and Universities remain closed.        BUT our local resident District Commissioner, has stated that normality WILL be restored soon, though without saying exactly how.  

 

We are thankful that none of this upset has 'come near us'.   We have remained untouched by direct contact with the violence - although we ARE touched by the result of this violence and terror as we are affected by galloping inflation and food shortages AND the helpless discomfort of so many of our own staff who live in the midst of it all.

 

Elisabeth our daughter still unaffected and safe in Nairobi.   She will fly out about 4p.m. our time tomorrow on her way back to the UK.

 

An interesting happening - TODAY I was invited to apply for Kenyan Citizenship and to collect forms of Application from the Department of Immigration!      I had been considering such a move, but perhaps not just now...???

 

OTHERWISE everything is continuing as usual with the children and the Homes apart from the fact that the school holiday has been extended.      We have continued to pray for our 'daily bread' during a period when daily income virtually ceased and our outgoings grew.      By yesterday we were looking at a an accrued and aggravated debt.      We had no human promise of immediate relief.    Once again we had only to share the details of this with Father.      Today we were made aware that MORE than our NEED has been sent to us though perhaps not arriving quite immediately.     BEFORE we asked HE was gathering for us, and we are rescued from financial anxiety as we now also may be permitted to assist many of those suffering on our doorstep.    We Praise the LORD, and we thank YOU all for praying for and with us to make this continuation of MIRACLE possible.

 

Good night, and God Bless you.  - JOHN and ESTHER

NEWS continued

Wednesday evening........

 

.................almost as soon as I left off typing the gunfire diminished.     And now has ceased completely.    No news of casualties or looting in the town.     It seems that most of the day things had been quiet then about 2p.m. large contingents of people began to converge on the Town from outside areas.     From one direction more than 1000 marched into the town, and similarly from other directions.    These were not Eldoret people but people from other areas.     Some actually arrived in huge lorries, transported from some distant area to take part in what some might think were well orchestrated 'Peaceful Rallies'.      They were all unarmed but the sheer unexpected numbers arriving in the Town centre shook the nerve of the small number of police available to deal with them and they began to shoot - in the air, and endeavoured then to herd them back to the town boundaries.  #The were helped by the army and the exercise was successful.   Our school childfen from the town were returned to their parents.     But it was an anxious time.       We have decided not to open until Monday by which time we hope and pray these mass and manufactured demonstrations aimed at stirring up animosity against the Government may have ceased.       But will the tension ease?   With the economy recover?   Will we see a return to NORMAL life?

 

To day our School Principal, Anthony, went to the Show Ground where more than 800 school age children are hold up with their displaced parents probably in excess of 5000 souls altogether.    He went with the District Education Officer representing the Ministry of Education nationwide.     The idea was to encourage the parents and to share with them that they were going to put up a 'tented school'.     Instead of some sign of approval the saw nothing and were virtually rejected and told a school was not wanted.      This suggests anti government feeling - as if these who have suffered loss and violence blame the Kibaki government more than the Opposition who engineered and propagated it.       It has been said that it is possible that not all those claiming to have been displaced are actually victims of such.    Many could just be seeking for free food and clothing - many need it even without anti social dangers.     Some could be even working with the Opposition to further destabilise the government effort to bring order out of chaos and repair the damage.

 

But I have no hard proof of any of this and it is all to easy to surmise ........

We ourselves are not interested in finding any party to accuse or blame, but rather to see a sustainable peace process put in place.       This will take humility and good will in all parties and a putting aside of roots of bitterness. - indeed some roots will need to be decisively DUG UP!

 

SO the school is shut again for a few days.

BUT we and our 135 kids remain on the compound.    We cannot run anywhere to safety since none of us have anywhere to run to .........AND in any case we still feel no need to run - we all together remain firm in the knowledge that God is with us.

 

We do not know if any further night activity will occur, but we shall go to bed without keeping a watch, and trust our ever wakeful God to watch over us all.

 

Similar disturbance has happened in most of our Towns today, but we are happy that in Nairobi the fracas did not reach the area where Elisabeth and our grandchildren are staying.      They were surprised to hear about it all when we rang ealier.   He undertakes in every way for us.

 

Once again THANK you for your care and prayer/   WE need it all the time.

God be with you all

 

John and Esther

 

 

NB - some have been asking how to get a monetary gift to us to assist us and those around us in this difficult and uncertain time.

there are two ways open to you at this time -

 

1.   You can send a CHEQUE made out to THE AENON TRUST, with a note to indicate that the gift is to be sent on to Testimony Faith Homes, and addressed to Mr. A.E. Nicholls MBE,FRGS,  137 Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7

4PA England.

 

2.   You can send a Bank Transfer to THE KENYA COMMERCIAL BANK LTD..,

Uganda Road Branch,  P.O.Box 5197 Eldoret, Kenya, to the Account of Testimony Faith Homes A/c No. 121-683-718  BANK SWIFT CODE - KCBLKENXO22

 

 

All gifts will be acknowledged

 

 

NEWS

WEDNESDAY 16th JANUARY

 

Right now as I am writing this - 3.57 our time - Eldoret has once again erupted into some violence.     The Opposition threathened to DEMONSTRATE nationwide as from today, and they have now proved that they will right here in our town.     As I write the air is full of gunfire.    Our son Manu is somwhere out there but unable to return to us at this point.     We have had to ask for Police escort for our FOUR school buses, but we still may not be able to get the children home as usual.      This is more serious that we had anticipated and we shall now CLOSE the School till Monday a.m.

 

What is disappointing is that the Opposition is so intent on bringing chaos to their own Country - which strongly suggests they do not care about the Country only themselves.          Yesterday Parliament opened with them clearly demonstrating their unwillingness to recognise Kibaki as President, and for the most part they behaved in a most unseemly and ingorant manner out of context with both the House they were in, and the LAW.         It was however good to see that we do have some intelligent men and women elected out of the 207 MPs who are prepared to speak in a mature, sensible and impartial manner in support of due process of law and order.     The new Speaker is one such man, who although the candidate of the Opposition, proved himself to be both fair and without favour in dealing with what was without doubt an attempt to undermine the position of the presidency as it is.

 

To day seemed to commence peacefully, but now it is clear that we cannot expect things to ease.             

 

We were almost destitute of funds ourselves this morning, and also feeling so helpless to assist the many around us who have been destitute for many days.   We have just now been told that some monetary relief is on the way both for us and also for them.    God is good, and especially good at Assuring, and Confirming that He is with us and all those who trust in Him.     Once again we can say that though gun shots shock and alarm us, peace continues to prevail in our hearts, and we are undisturbed - shots are NOW being fired right at our perimeter fences!         Scary - especially for the chidlren.    But the Police are here now...........

 

Once again we are going to have to see people being added to the 150,000 still in camps around us, and probably more running away.    Shops are already closing - we face once again some hard days ahead in every way.   Please continue to pray for us.

 

I am going to have to break off here for a while.......May try to write more late in the day, God Willing.

MONDAY 14th

MONDAY 14th January

I have nothing of great worth to add to the Blog at this time. However I thought it good to let you all know that we are continuing. The next few days will be more than interesting if not challenging.

School opened this morning with about 50% of our students still not attending - probably not even in Town. However classes began and the day passed quietly..
Tomorrow Parliament opens - some trouble expected in the House with the Opposition still intending to take the Government seats in the house. Still strong intention to also rally the Country as from Wednesday in marches all over the place including here in Eldoret. One of our grounds staff whose wife and children are living a hundred kilometres away has just called in to say he has been told trouble may strike his home and he has had to hurry home to try and ensure the safety of his family.....so the rumours and unrest in people's minds and hearts continue.

I was in Town with Daryl this morning. Just as busy as usual but there is still a very definate tension, and many vehicles piled up with furniture and people who seem to be hurrying off somewhere. The same yet NOT the same. Last night we took our daughter Elisabeth and our two grandchildren out to supper at a Chinese Restaurant that is run by one of our School parents. The area which is usually seething with night life was almost empty but the Restaurant was crammed with expatriates - mainly Red Cross and U.N people!! I have never seen so many white faces in one place in eldoret ever before.

Some isolated gunfire during the night last night but no reports of trouble.

Tomorrow Elisabeth is hoping to fly from here to Nairobi about 3p.m. our time. We are trusting all will continue peaceful, and that she will be able to spend a happy few days with her Aunt and Uncle in Ngong - about 40 ks from Nairobi.

We continue to wait upon the Lord without anxiety, trusting in His Ability to Keep and Protect us all. Hallelujah

Much love to you all in His Powerful Name

John and Esther

JANUARY UPDATE - General News.

SATURDAY 12th JANUARY

 

Loving Greetings in Jesus!     We are all continuing so far peacefully - you will have heard generally that things have not yet been completely resolved.    The THREE African Leaders trying to mediate FAILED and left,  rather as President Bush left Israel without helping to produce any Peace Agreement.     The Opposition still planning demonstrations again, and this threatens to erupt once more in Nairobi next week after the opening of Parliament.     So everyone still in prayer.   Meanwhile the 'government' continues to settle down to govern!    It is all rather strange in a way, unreal, somehow a childish nightmare.

 

All through this period Testimony Faith Homes has continued to function and all the children have remained virtually undisturbed.     It has really seemed as if we are cut off from the rest of the world, and all its anxieties.      Apart from some three days when things were at their worse in the Town, and people were running for their lives or staying in their houses, our BUILDING program for the new Guest Hostel continued, and still are continuing.       We are now awaiting the Ring Beam being put in place.

 

We had the School Staff Meeting this morning at 9.a.m.     The majority of our teachers including Zac Mbatiah and Susan Iraya whose homes had been burnt to the ground, and who had fled out of Eldoret were all in attendance.   It was good to see them and we had good fellowship together with them across all cultural, racial and even political boundaries in the spirit of Colossians 3v11-

SCHOOL will commence hopefully on Monday morning although we are uncertain just how many of last years students will actually turn up.

 

Elisabeth is due to fly out from Eldoret to Nairobi on TUESDAY morning together with her two children Rachel and John-Finny.   She will remain just outside of the City staying with our sister and her husband until she flies out to UK on the 18th.    Please remember to pray for their safety.

 

Today the Lord provided enough money for us to buy shoes for those of our children who were seriously in need - some £340s worth.       Just in time for School.     Uniforms (we usually only buy one of each necessary garment which has to do for the whole year per child) are also awaiting purchase, and some may have to look a bit grubby to begin with.          So many things face us at the commencement of a year and especially the FIRST term of the year.      Our two trainee TEACHERS have been provided for, and they will be on the way to their College on Monday.    Quite a few others in the line waiting..... The Lord will provided in His own time according to His purpose, and this is always met with patience and faith - a chance to refresh our ability to BELIEVE all together.

 

And of course this year we have been unable to ignore the extra needs placed upon the majority of our local staff who have been so badly hit by the troubles.    We cannot refuse to be involved in their problems, and so are doing our best to share Father's Provision to us also with them - what a privilege that is for us.

 

Thank you all those that are continuing to pray and lift us up to the Throne of Grace, and all those who also have shared with us their own provision in Jesus Name.

 

Love to you till next time

 

John and Esther

NEWS

THURSDAY 10th January

There is still relative peace and quiet in Eldoret (pronounced EL-DOOR-ET) and in most of the Country. You wil have understood that we have various African Leaders visiting the Country ostensibly to 'mediate' between the incumbent Government and the Opposition.

Our Secondary Headmaster, Zacariah Mbatia, who had his house and farmstead burnt down in front of him and his family, has now moved his wife and children to Nakuru 160 or so kilometers away for safety - his wife had a nervous breakdown - both she and he are in their middle late sixties - Zach was in fact a retired Headmaster when he joined us. As a family they all love the Lord, and are standing firm in their faith. Zach himself will be continuing as our headmaster, living in Eldoret on weekdays and returning to Nakuru weekends. He should be back with us this coming Saturday. At 68 he faces a hard time with children still in College and all his personal savings and property lost. All he has left is the salary the School is able to pay him for as long as the Lord gives him strength.
Mr. Anthony Ndungu and his wife (now in their 50s) with three boys still in school and college, have decided to remain in Eldoret come what may. They are all in the Lord and are trusting in Him to keep them safe. They live about two kilometers from us.
Anthony is the Principal over all of the School and started the Primary Section with me in January 1985.
We have advertised a Staff Meeting for the School Teachers this coming Saturday which I shall also attend. We have about 44 staff from a wide tribal and also 'political' background. We are anxious to prevent from the staff any rifts that might seek to occur on either front, and would ask you to pray for a spirit of reconciliation and love to draw all together as the new term opens (hopefully) the 15th January.
As you may remember the School is financed from incoming Fees paid by the parents of those children in the locality that attend it. If too many have left the town this will affect us considerably as well, and is something also confronting us and which we are taking to the Lord as we move forward.

On Tuesday we were visited by a young man and woman from CCN representing the New York Times. They were anxious to 'unofficially' seek our own opinion and experiences in the present crisis. Esther talked to them with me together.
They were of the opinion that the ethnic or tribal conflict will not continue and that the most blame lays on the side of the people who 'fixed' the election.
The were very pleasant and nice young people, and obviously had covered events nationally quite thoroughly and well,
however, we ourselves are NOT as convinced as they are. We have lived here long, and we have seen and heard the antagonism there is in many areas against the kikuyu and even other small tribes that have set up home in this Karenina province.
We have 8 provinces in Kenya, some very large. In some a particular Tribe might have its roots, but constitutionally a Kenyan has the right to live, work and travel in any and all the provinces and to settle where he will - as of now. BUT the Opposition if it became the government might change this and cut the Nation into definite regions which they would say would improve the economic administration and universal prosperity of all Kenyans, but would ALSO make it necessary for those of certain tribes to be restrained from setting up their home in various Regions, or from working there, or even from traveling there without a permit. This idea is known here as 'Majimboism' but we might understand it better as a kind of Federal system - cutting up Kenya into mini states rather like the USA. Economically we do not think it WILL in fact work, and nationally it will only increase tribalism and the prevention of a truly National spirit joining all Kenyans as one together.

TODAY nothing looks very settled. Kibaki's 'government' still resting on a number of unresolved and contested events leading to its continuance, is pressing forward with a new Cabinet and a newly appointed Vice President. Mr. Kibaki visited Eldoret yesterday to see for himself the damage and meet the many hundreds of refugees still sheltering in the Town centres. He came with the visiting Heads of State.

The Opposition for its part is not in the least satisfied at his or his governments behaviour and is still determined to turn him out and put themselves in - although they also cheated at the Election on their own account. They have determined that on Monday when Parliament resumes they (the Opposition) will take the Government Seats by force. No doubt if they do so they will be resisted - it does not make a nice picture of what could happen in the House!
We have HOPE that some coming together of both sides will take place in the next few days or hours! The Cabinet still has room for representatives from the Opposition and further discussion might indeed provide the ground for a fully inclusive Government of National Unity. It depends on individuals. To a large extend all parties are playing poker with one another for the most they can get!
The latest Press of today has stated that the Electoral Commission of Kenya has recounted the disputed results in the Presidential Election and still find Mr. Kibaki the winner.......something I am sure the Opposition will still deny.

Violence COULD still break out again and even more so. Both parties SEEM very determined not to give quarter. If they do not yield then we can expect the worst.
If they DO then peace might prevail, at least as it has been before, on the surface.

The immediate and ongoing problems stemming from the Days of Chaos especially here in our Town are not going to go away quickly. They have of course affected us as well, We are glad to say that all those who ran to us for food and shelter have been able to return to their own homes, but many found their possessions stolen and their homes burned down. They now have to rebuild and restock. We Thank God that He is helping many, and that He has helped us during the period and enabled us to provide in His Name. NOW it is to be hoped the YEAR can actually begin to address the normal challenges and problems that face each of us as individuals and families

Again we thank all those of you who have Cheered us on In Christ, and who have encouraged and shared your love and prayers with us. We have shared your words with all that stay with us, and it has helped all to feel surrounded by the Angels of our Lord. Bless you for it.

Lovingly John and Esther

NEWS

DAY 12

 

Sorry to leave you all wondering how we are over the last three days.      Things had quietened on Saturday, and have continued to be quiet here in Eldoret.    Basically also quiet thoughout the State.     

For us Sunday passed with little or no suggestion that trouble was still hovering over us all.     The 60+ 'refugees' from around about us, staying with us, joined us for Church and it was heartwarming to hear from so many of the sustaining power and protection of the Lord that they had experienced in these days.     

 

TODAY,  TUESDAY 8th January, they have mostly left us and returned to their homes, or what is left of them - the general quiet continuing, and they feeling safe to return.

BUT people are STILL leaving the Town.    Upwards of 300.000 are now displaced officially , but we think that this is a low figure.     As I mentioned last time it looks as if about 200,000 have left Eldoret 'minimally' alone.           The newspapers are also citing Eldoret as the WORST hit in this time of trouble - mainly because it is from here that the MOST people have been forced to flee.     The Headline reads 'ELDORET bears brunt of chaos. - Analysts say the town is on the brink of economic collapse as businesses close.'      This is a just comment indeed.    A further subtitle reads - 'We are leaving never to return say investors'.         Mainly these are the Kikuyu Business and professional people many of whom have had their homes burned down, and others who feel insecure and without trust in the political situation to give them a sense of ongoing security.    One business man has estimated the loss in the West part of the down (we are in the East) may be in excess of  several billions of shilllings (approx £14m)

 

The animosity in Kenya for the Kikuyu is very similar to the animosity one finds against the Jews and perhaps for similary reasons - they are successful at whatever they do, and many see them as a threat although in the main they are instead a boost to the fabric of any society.          

Prices continue to soar, and it is beyond us to consider the cost of anything seriously - I mean if we did we might faint!!      Rather we continue to face each day as it comes and to trust we shall find the provision needed - no matter how costly it becomes.  God has no limits of course, and we believe that He really DOES underwrite all our need.

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Mediators and Councellors continue to drop in from all over the place to try and find a solution - it appears we are unable to do it for ourselves alone, which does not say much for the political or moral acumen of any of us.

The 'President' has called for a Government of National Unity.

Mr. Odinga, leader of the opposition, has refused to consider it, continuing to rail agains the Election results..

 

To me both sides have revealed themselves as those who put themselves in front of the Country, and thus in many ways have disenchanted the man in the street.   Perhaps if a new election were to be held today neither side would be voted in.       BUT the bloodshed, hatred, and purge of the Kikuyu and others might very well, as I have said before, still have happened, and would happen, and may yet continue to happen no matter who leads the Country.      Eldoret is quiet, but it is doubtful if any of us can say that we are SAFE, or that the ethnic mischief stirred up can be quickly dispersed or ended.

 

HOW SAFE ARE WE?

This is still difficult to assess.    We wait on events at the present time.

Parliament has been called to Open on the 15th January.

There is still no 'Agreement' between the political contenders.    The Country still reeling from the blows it has received.  

We hope to open School on the same date........?

 

I will continue to post news as it occurs, but it may not now be so frequent.

Keep up your prayers, for us and for the people of this town, many of whom continue to suffer and many destitute of human needs.      

 

John and Estgher

 

Fw: JOHN GREEN'S BLOG

My apologies - AGAIN!

The Blog site was printed without : Please try again using the revised as below

http://tfhomes.blogspot.com/

NB - Our President, Hon. Kibaki, has agreed to talk about forming a Govt. of Nat. Unity. So has the opposition, but with very demanding if not arrogantly stated conditions.

There is NO DOUBT now that although the Election results are tainted and need investigation, the current upheaval and displacement of so many of our citizens - more than 300,000 now - is NOT a direct result of the Election Results. Rather they are a pre planned and orchestrated attempt to force the idea of geographical ethnic division of the Republic ........ (The Election Results being now used as a cover) There is a definate racial connotation to all that is going on, and as I have remarked before would likely have happened whatever result the Election might have had. Believing this it is also my thought that even if the Result were changed to favour the Opposion, or even if Kibaki stepped down in favour of Odinga, the actual plan of ethnic cleansing might not only continue but even gather pace and intensity. If there is any foundation for my opinion, and if it has been realised by the Government we might not see a quick solution our outcome, but only worsening situation most unhoped for, and greatly dreaded by a growing concensus. One wonders if the various foreign peace makers from UK, USA and the EU are actually aware of the ethnic currents that have historically taken root in Kenyan Society without a great deal of change.over hundreds of years. Some of the comments made by these well meaning individuals suggests they may not have been able to 'see the wood for the trees' - they can't perceive the central problem because they are looking at the more outwardly visibly tangible ones..

In writing anything in this way or even commenting on this situation as an expatriate I run certain risks - we are aware that phones can be tapped and e-mails checked on the way out. But I feel it right not to protect myself at the expense of being unable to share what so many others are too fearful to express themselves. I DO therefore bring all my sharing under the Blood of Christ. Continue to pray for us all.

John

UPDATE - 5th January '08

DAY NINE

 

I have to apologise since I inadvertently missed a day in my updating.  Day 7 should have been day 8 in my dating.    

 

Another peaceful night.     No reports from anywhere of disturbances.

Before going to bed at about 2am. Esther and I spent some time with 'D' and Carol our daughter in law who are staying with us together with their three children.    I had shared with you yesterday that 'D' had been planning to leave by air for Nairobi today on a special missionary charter flight.     He was not 100% happy to separate from his family and after much discussion he decided to remain with us.     He is going through a lot of spiritual soul searching and presently finds a difficulty in letting the Lord have His way in his thoughts and life.     He is 35 and always worked with us since leaving College.     He does what he does very well, and he feels that he is being unjustly restrained because of his withdrawal from a committed Christian life.     I had told him last year that if he could not sort things out he would be unable to continue in a position of responsibility in TFH where people need to see his Salvation.   We love and appreciate him and his many gifts and abilities, but we are not prepared to let him into the Administration proper unless He can take it yielded to God, Who is the true Director of TFH.       He felt that this was an excuse of ours to 'get rid of him'.   He has not understood that for himself to submit entirely to the Lord was necessary as a condition to leading in this ministry - he felt it could be done without having to trust God;  he has been trusting in himself all along.        This is NOT to say that he no longer believes in God - but that he thinks certain things can be done without God in mind.       We have been struggling with this with him for some time, and now he has to face the reality.      Well we managed at least to salvage his faith in our relationship together as family, although he still is in a tangle when it comes to his current situation within himself spiritually with God.   He needs your loving prayer.         He will therefore still be with us for the time being, but without any official position with the Ministry of TFH as such.      The possible 'threat' to his life remains.........He has chosen to face it rather than run from it.     We are sure God is dealing with him.

Esther and I are relieved that he is not going to Nairobi.      We have all felt a need to be together in what is happening here.     His young wife and family all need him.

 

TODAY 'D' and I went to Town - to Eldoret.         It was still two thirds closed to trade.

A few Asian owned shops, and one or two supermarkets open.   We counted three Petrol Stations with mile long queues giving out petrol - the rest shut..  Saw Joshua Mbithi from Neema also stuck in a long queue looking for petrol.  DOZENS of buses and lorries packed with men women and children LEAVING for Uganda and Nalrobi still.     There is now estimated to be well over 150,000 displaced persons camping out away from their homes.       The Police Station and Churches flowing with even more 'refugees waiting for similar transportation.       From a population of some five hundred thousand I would estimate we have already lost half!

There are no fresh vegetables in the Town.

Incoming transport continues to be minimal - supplies dwindling still.

Road blocks on all road blocks manned by various groups some friendly (local people trying to ensure that strangers intent on mayhem are not coming in - the Police seem unable to ensure this);   hired 'warriors' mainly illiterate and uneducated youths from outside of our immediate district, brought in to harass and distress the Kikuyu and other ethnic groups unpopular with certain politicians.

 

The DAMAGE this is doing is incalculatable.          I mentioned this yesterday.    Our whole business community and social wellbeing is being destroyed.

 

EVERYTHING is however QUIET.

There is a BIG Kenya Army presence in the town.    We say NO police.    We think the Army is safe in that it seems loyal to the President who is its commander in  chief.

BUT they are not presenting the mass evacuating - only facilitating it and ensuring the safety of those leaving.

What will happen when all that are being forced to run have left?

We do not know.           The Kikuyu are the Presidents own tribe.    He had a reason to make sure they are safe........but once they are safe, how safe will the rest of us all be?

 

TODAY the President has said that he is willing to consider forming a Government of National Unity with the Opposition.      On what terms we do not know.

On the face of it this is the ONLY sensible thing to do,,,,,,,,,BUT

 

But will it bring peace ?     Will it put an end to this apparent settled plan to displace and re-locate the Kikuyu and others in our particular District.      Consider that an entire Town has had almost the entire population of one of it's constituent social cultures eradicated.       WE think it would have happened Election or NOT, and we are inclined to think it will CONTINUE if unchecked into the future.

 

SO we are unsure that the end is in sight.  This could be the commencement of an 'easing' and return to normality OR it could be calm before the storm -  Worse may yet come.     We are still determined to STAND where we are TOGETHER.         We still feel unafraid and at peace.

 

As I type this I can here our children practicing in the School Hall for Choir for the Sunday service.    We shall be having a Prayer Service.     Their lovely voices float in the summer air outside....... who would even dream this place is in itself a Refugee Camp - a haven for those torn by terror and hatred in their own homes.......

 

Our son Steve in Accrington has set up a BLOG site for us, and I shall be putting all subsequent updates onto this site as from today.      If you are unable or have any difficulty hooking up to this site please do let me know and I will continue to send direct to you.      Otherwise it is a definite help for me to just send to ONE address.

 

We love you all.        

 

John and Esther

 

 

BLOGSITE -  http//tfhomes.blogspot.com/

 

 

DAY SEVEN

DAY SEVEN

Last night was quiet in our neighbourhood. Houses were still being burnt down in other areas of town.
The RALLY of yesterday afternoon was finally cancelled at about 3.30p.m. and rescheduled for today. Once again it did not take place, and has again been rescheduled. ANOTHER Church was burnt down in Nairobi but nobody killed thank God.

Generally things have become physically quieter, however. Eldoret is beginning to function again, and more shops have opened though our Bank has been closed. Foodstuffs are dwindling still, and new stocks seem slow to arrive - though the main roads are open there is still the occassion barrier and trouble.

Householders here are also being attacked at night in their homes at gunpoint and whatever food they have demanded. It is not clear if these are the poor of our own Town or gangs of thugs that have come in from outside. More busloads of people feeling intimidated and threathened have been leaving the Town through the day. MANY of our own Kikuyu staff have left town and obviously will fail to rejoin us.

Teachers, and students of certain ethnic origen may not return to school - we have delayed the scheduled Opening until the 14th January, but we may still not be able to function even then. Many have been so terrified that they may never return to this town. - something obviously meant to happen by the perpetrators.

We still have 60 plus souls camping out with us in whatever covered space we can find for them, and of course we must also feed them. Wonderfully others in the town have risen to the challenge and actually brought donations of basic food stuff to the door and so far we are all fed, satisfied, and safe. We ARE secure in His Love.

'D' is having to leave us indefinately. His involvment with politics (he did not succeed in winning his seat) has offended some and there seems to be a plan to take him out of circulation - it seems a very real threat on his life. He is not presently safe in staying in this area. Thus we are losing him in a most unexpected way....

I personally am feeling administratively rather isolated, and rather like losing a limb. However, as in all else confronting us I know that HE Who is Lord of All is behind and with all of this, and will provide my need as He does so for the work in general. Please pray for D, and for his family. They will be seperated initially until he finds his feet.

Our Builder is also a Kikuyu and has not been seen since the trouble started. All the workmen have ceased to come and build and although we are up to the ring beam all is now at a standstill.

Our President, who is 76 and a man of quiet disposition finally addressed the Nation yesterday afternoon. It was not very inspiring or encouraging in comparison to the energetic and pressing character of the Opposition Leader who has himself only encouraged the trouble to continue.

The Red Cross has put the number dead in Eldoret as 89.

Well many things continue to be shaken. We have continued to enjoy perfect peace, and it has been a continuing miracle to walk and talk in our compound with a total sense of security.

The threat to our WATER supply has been withdrawn with government troops taking possession of the Water Works to safeguard the Town supply. Wonderful answer to prayer. Electricity also seems safe.

Some have asked about Joshua and Miriam Mbithi - they are just about two kilometers away from us - and I am glad to say that they are also safe with their 17 infant children, though also expdriencing all kinds of violence beyond their compound. They are much as we are in their strong convicition that the LORD is encamped all around them, and He definately has proved it in every way as He has for us.

We thank you ALL for standing with us, and for praying for us.

God Bless you and keep you day by day.

John and Esther

PEACE AT ANY PRICE?

PEACE AT ANY PRICE ?

When peace is taken away from us we realize how priceless it is. We can find ourselves willing to do almost anything in order to get it back again.

The Bible says in Psalm 133
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Right now our Nation is being divided, cut up, and set against itself by differing political opinion; opinion that is also being used to re-awaken ethnic roots of bitterness. Those who yet being part and parcel of one Country, and who have also many times lived as neighbours, have now found themselves to be enemies, willing to dispossess, and even kill each other. From good neighbourliness we are descending back into the animosities and pride of a hundred years ago; into ugly, bitter, proud and arrogant cultural differences.

I have lived in Eldoret since 1972 as an expatriate. I was then 32 years of age. And I will be 68 in May this year. I am fairly well known across the community. I am a British Citizen. I am also a Christian of no particular denomination. I married a Kikuyu High School Teacher in 1971, and we have together shared our home with more than three hundred orphaned and destitute children over the years. Children from all over the Republic. Children of different tribes; Luhyia, Nandi, Luo, Kamba, Kikuyu and many many others. Our own children grew up together with them, we all sharing together home, and family totally integrated. In the beginning some fought each other, and drew attention to the fact that they despised each other’s origins. It took a long time for me to understand the reasons why. Without my wife I might never have done so, and without her I might never have believed for unity or been able to attain it.
The first few years were the most challenging. On one occasion coming from town, having been shopping, I arrived home to find two fifteen year old boys of opposing tribal backgrounds about to fight. The biggest had a long bread knife in his hand ready to use against the other. I jumped between them letting my shopping bags fall to the floor. “Get out of the way!” the knife bearer screamed at me, “I’m going to kill him”. I was even then a rather tall and thick set person and as I confronted the youth, the smaller boy behind me, I said “If you want to kill the boy you will have to put your knife in me first – and it is not long enough to reach the boy as well.”
“Why do you care?” he yelled “Why do you care for rubbish like him?”
“I care because I love him for the sake of God who loves him more than I do, and Who also loves you just the same. I cannot just love you without also loving him.” He flung the knife on the floor and turned away. We continued to live in the same house, and eventually these two boys became friends and constant companions.
My wife and I refused to make differences because of a child’s background or human origin. We treated them as if they were our very own children, and loved them all as well as we could. As one and other came to join us, they learnt to be a family regardless of their tribe.

BUT Kenya has not yet learnt – or should I say agreed – to see itself as one family – ONE NATION. Over the same period of time tribal differences have become even more pronounced.

And now we are told we cannot Elect a Government, a President, OR anyone else unless they are the right tribe. Can we only be permitted peace on CULTURAL conditions of separatism and racialism – Can WE only be allowed peace if we usher in our own brand of APARTHIED? This would be NO PEACE AT ALL. A peace not worth the cost. We cannot LIVE TOGETHER with one another, if we seek to keep different tribes at a distance, or treat them differently, from us. A Kenyan that cannot travel, work, or live ANYWHERE in Kenya is surely not being treated as a KENYAN.

No man or woman is or can be perfect. Mistakes will be made, errors of judgment and behaviour experienced. And if forgiveness and compassion are not allowed to heal the wounds and the rifts, then all we will have left is a dismembered Society, a fractured, broken and weak Nation.

I love Kenya. I mean I love Kenyans – all of them. None are perfect, just as I am not perfect. I cannot make exceptions in my loving. To do so I must hate God who made them in His Image, and loves each of them much better than I do.
I care nothing about politics or culture. I care about being able to live at peace with my fellow man.

I humbly beg our Leaders in Government, all the men and women elected to represent our Land, and all Kenyans of every Tribe, Political Persuasion and Religion, to dig up the roots of bitterness against each other which trouble, and dishonour us, and seek a lasting and sincere reconciliation which will cement and weld us into ONE NATION, for we will never STAND if we are not UNITED. Divided Kenya WILL fall.

John Alexander Green

DAY SIX

Again our thanks for all the support of so many of you who have written; we are indeed made strong in weakness, and your prayer and concern lift us up and encourage us as we stand firm in this time of testing.

Last night there was a great Police presence in our locality and we were able to sleep some hours without keeping a watch on our compound. Previously we had taken it in turns to keep watch all night.

No green vegetables available. Foodstuffs in supermarketes getting scarce and little transport getting through with fresh supplies. Petrol has risen by Ksh.20/= a litre to ksh.100/- and this seems to be pushing all costs higher. We perceive that if the unrest persists then by the middle of next week we might be facing a stricter regimen. God knows. We are ready.

Today has been quiet throughout, although we have had a constant stream of people coming to share their misery and loss - many have lost their homes and belongings and many are running in fear of their lives. Ten bus loads of such people have left Eldoret this afternoon for Nairobi under military escort - they are in fact displaced persons yet also Kenya Citizens who are now like refugees in their own Country. Mostly these poeple are of the Kikuyu tribe, and there is no doubt that there is a plan to remove all such from this location. But others from other tribes - any who may in any way have been seen to support the Kibaki government, are also being singled out and some killed. We are a country where some 60% (approximately) are under 20 years. and unemplioyed, 40% illiterate. These are those making the current strife and it is difficult to see where common sense and reason will prevail - they easily are stirred up and encouraged to follow blindly that they do not understand fully. Right now we need a LEADER who can bring both sides together and give a lead on nation building where those of all tribes will be seen and treated with equal value.

Some have felt that we should ourselves seek to remove ourselves to safety with the children. There is no where that we could go inside Kenya where we would in fact be safe. If we left here we would not find it on our return. We do not feel a need to run or escape as long as our trust and faith is in His Presence with us. We will remain. Whatever is to come we will face it together in Him.
We are believing that God cares for Kenya, and for every man woman and child in it, even those currently behind our misery. He will bring us through.

The opposition had organised a Mass Rally for this afternoon in Nairobi. The Police successfully prevented it, but in the process the entire Capital suffered unrest and riots. At about 3.30p.m. our time the Rally was cancelled by the leader of the opposition, but rescheduled for next week.
We look for the Lord to provide an answer that will settle the Country.

It is unbelievable to see what had seemed so stable and beautiful a Country so upset, and uglified by fire, death and misery. The threat to us has not reduced - not helped by the fact that many of our staff are of the 'wrong' tribe, and also because of our son's political adventure earlier in 2007. Further outbreaks of violence are continuing, and even with the police presence we are considering the need to keep watch each night as well as in the day. We do not wish to be taken by surprise, but we are not saying that we should defend ourselves or save ourselves. We want to stand together should the Enemy confront us, and then watch the Lord put him to flight. Pray for US.

Pray for ALL Kenyans.

Pray for peace and deliverance out of the hand of the ungodly in our land.

We are one family here, 150 souls plus those of many others come to shelter with us. We are looking all together to Jesus, and believe me when I say that we have great joy and happiness together = our compound is so peaceful and beautiful we might be on another planet..

We love you all

John and Esther

Update

Dear Friends,

Our many Thanks to all of you that are writing in - we are encouraged to know of your prayers as we also together pray here. Bless you so much for holding hands with us as we walk through this trial.

Let me be frank and say first of all that so far we have not experienced any physical violence in our particular location within Eldoret Town. We are on the fringe of residential estates on the EAST side of the town. The major scenes of violence and terror have been to the West, North and South and mainly in high density slum and satellite areas. Numbers of dead put at 250 for the nation as a whole are probably very under stated. At the present time - up until last night - we seem to be the worst hit town. We have all been up all night for the last TWO nights having been warned of an immenant attack on our area. Nothing happened. We have not seen any 'police' or other security personel patrolling our district, and it would seem that even in the worst hit districts the police have taken a very low profile and done little to actually prevent violence. The identitiy and actual location of the Church burnt with some of its congregation is unknown to us, and we are unsure exactly where in the Town environs it was located. We think it was in an outlying part of town.

We had a huge Prayer Meeting in our School Hall yesterday afternoon attended by the children, resident staff and about 50 others sheltering with us from around. It was a very powerful time, and we all felt the Presence of the Lord, and our spirits much lifted up as He renewed our confidence and assurance of His being with us to Keep and protect. It would be true to say that although there is human apprehension, it has been much diminished by Spiritual Awareness of being safe in His hands.

As you know this travail is being reported mainly as the result of Election missdemeanours. To an extent it does seem that mistakes were made and even some rigging may have been going on. The Media increased the public awareness of this and made matters worse by the way it was reported and depicted. The International Obseervors have also assisted to increase the anger and discontent against the Government of Kibaki. I think they may have been fare in their comments but I think they have been mistaken in saying so much so soon so openly at a time when we do not need more petrol thrown onthe fire!!.

In saying the above I must nevertheless say that the Election troubles are also being used as an excuse to promoste ethnic violence. This is a long standing struggle which has generally been contained, but now seems to be heading for escalation. It cannot now be seen as merely political annoyance and discontent. It is an ethnic matter which could erupt into civil war. Not a pleasant prospect, and one that if it actually happens will destroy the country. And from this point of view - in my opinion - neither side is currently coming off very well.

We have with us about 250 souls within our two adjoining compounds.
We have two American tourists and our daughter plus our two grandchldren from the UK also with us. So far there is no way out for them as we have been prevented from even getting to the local airport, and all roads are blocked. This has been a little unsettling for them as it does not help them to feel any safer. Of course the rest of us are not in any way considering escape since we cannot leave the children that are with us to the tender mercies of uncontrolled and unintelligent killers. Therefore, we will remain where we are come what may! At present Esther and I have our daughter from Engalnd and her children plus Carol, Daryl and their children plus a guest, plus our youngest son, and daughter all staying in Green Cottage. Quite a scram.

A few shops open VERY early in the morning with a crowd trying to find food including ourselves. We are advised that WATER will be cut off today - perhaps also electricity UNLESS some miraculous change of heart comes from the chief players in this very selfish and bitter 'game.. This is the SIXTH DAY.
Our general support staff have not reported for duty, and we worry for their saftey.

BUT WE PRAISE THE LORD.

And NO we are not sticking our heads in the sand - we know what still might happen, BUT we seem all caught up in the Presence of our God, and feel STRONG in the Power of His Might - Ephesians 6 - and we trust that having done all we shall still be found STANDING and SINGING His praise.