BEST WISHES FOR A BLESSED 2009

TRULY we wish you all an especially memorable NEW YEAR. Here in Kenya at this time last year we were in the midst of the beginning of insurrection, riot and terror. Fire and smoke hung over our town as people fled for their lives from their burning homes, and from the keen edge of pangas and machetes wielded in the hands of those bent on killing, rape and pillage. It was a horrible and most frightening time for us all. HOW GLAD to come to the end of the same year in Peace and safety. The harassing scenes included here still remembered but now unseen in our streets and suburbs all now back to normal life. Hardly any physical sign of what happened, and everyone engaged once more in an almost nonchalant life in the sun! BUT this is not to say that problems still remain in our society, and that there are still those who have not recovered all that they lost at that time. There are STILL displaced people and families camping out in the Town Show Ground, now sheltered only by the shredded tatters of the UN and RED CROSS tents handed out to them a year ago. 1500 or so children of school age amongst them. Not a pretty or happy sight. Those who lost their homes to fire still without restoration or even reparation. Many more that lost their jobs as well remain unemployed. So the 'shadow' of the early part of 2008 has still not entirely been dispelled, and the sorrow, hurt and fear engendered still lingers in many hearts and homes.
CHRISTMAS found the Town a little subdued of Christmas Spirit. No lights, decorations, or in fact ANYTHING outwardly declaring the Season of Goodwill. Shops and streets crowded with shoppers though, and traffic so vast a problem that it was dangerous to even cross a road on foot. WE were holding our breath and drawing in our belts since we were still suffering constraint from a shortfall in funds carried over from September/October, and so we were intent on at least making sure we ate without trying to spend more. The sun shone, the sky was blue, but the situation remained arid. However on Christmas Eve we were to Praise the Lord as two Gifts arrived to deliver us from want. These provided all that we in the Homes needed as well as in sharing something with the less fortunate living around us. We always try to give even as we ourselves are given, not wanting to have or teach a selfish spirit.
On Christmas Eve quite a large party went out amongst our neighbours singing Carols. They started at about 2p.m. and arrived back about 7.30p.m. when they also joined the rest of us in our School Hall for Family Prayer and Carols together - all the staff and children, untill about 9p.m.
Christmas Morning we were again all together for a Service commencing at 9a.m. and ending about 12 noon. I shared a Message on 'The Fullness of Time'. Then all to our various homes for lunch. In Testimony we have our Christmas Dinner in the evening, and this was achieved in each Home separately. The houses all had their own tree and decorations - we all share the Christmas Cards sent to us, and we make sure that there are plenty of balloons to hand out.
Board Games, footballs and other items that can be shared and enjoyed together also made available - and we DO thank those who especially sent for this kind of provision. It made the Day so much more enjoyable as a Family Day.
The weather remained HOT and enjoyable as Boxing Day dawned, and ALL the Homes again joined together for the purpose of a Pic-nic held at a local school that permits us to use their grounds and Swimming Pool for the whole day. We have the sole use of it for that day, and the proprietor is very glad and happy to reserve it just for us. The children, and staff, all finally arrived back home in the evening around 7p.m. quite worn out with exercise - they also were able to play football in an adjoining field.
I was unable to send the BLOG on Saturday this time as our Server had gone down with some technical problem and I could not get to the Site, and if I had I would still not have been able to get out as everything was DOWN. Hope you will forgive me. We have been busy still in the days since Christmas, and today the National Primary School Examination Results are being announced as we run up to the opening of School Term on the 12th January. We shall be having an evening of Prayer and Thanksgiving tomorrow - New Year's Eve - but otherwise no special program. School Uniform has yet to be bought, and it will be a case of all hands on deck getting the children sorted out and ready for School.

I feel this New Year will be one of great challenge and change. We all need each other's prayer from the word go, and I am confident that AS WE GO forward in His Name, He will go with us, and indeed also in front of us, to secure us and prove His Presence with us. Our sincere love to you all in His Name, with a deep appreciation of your being with us in our own Walk here in Eldoret, Kenya.

John and Esther