MAN OR MONKEY?

NOW WE ARE TOLD!     The scientists tell us that IDA pictured opposite walked the earth 46 million years ago, and has now been unearthed to assure us that she and we are wonderfully linked - she is now being announced as the LATEST, 'Missing Link' between us and monkeys..   From the photo of the fossil one supposes she went on all fours rather than upright - maybe they just photographed her that way by accident.     So strange that there has been such a sincere effort to establish that MAN is not an original and totally SEPERATE creation.   I wonder why?   perhaps it might be useful in devaluing the place and status of Man above and in comparison to the rest of the animal creation.  I went to Bible College in Sussex within walking distance to PILTDOWN, a small village with a pond which had once been a quarry in which was discovered part of a skull which soon became another 'Missing Link'.  In 1912 a  local lawyer - Charles Dawson -came across the remains of skulls whilst rummaging around in the quarry, which he went on to claim had come from a 'Missing Link' between Man and Apes.    His discovery and claim wrought immediate world interest, but in 1953, forty one years later, his claim was found to have been a HOAX!     Not the skull of an Ape/Man but just part of the jawbone of some lower animal - perhaps a pig!

WHY ALL THE 'HOO-HAH'?  After all even a pig has intelligence. It no doubt hinges on the dogma that Man, being like God, was created and continues to be born with a SOUL, whilst animals are said not to be so endowed.     If we can prove Man has evolved from the lower Animal Creation then we lose immediately a great deal of superiority and value. He is also disentangled from all the 'mumbo-jumbo' of the 'Church'!!  Already Humanity seems to be losing value on many fronts.    Infanticide, (abortion) is on the increase, Child Abuse, Human Violence all a growing world wide problem.      Now perhaps we shall have little compunction in kicking a human being as we might - in some places - kick a dog.         These days, as one listens to the world news, one wonders if, rather than going for evolution, we should consider devolution - maybe Mankind is descending and not rising.    But I believe that God made everything in the animal world 'according to its KIND'.      I could 'maybe' agree to some kind of change within a species, but NOT a progression of one species evolving into an entirely different species. Monkeys are forever monkeys, and Men are forever Men.      I read recently that the latest studies in DNA coding prove this, and categorically state that it is not possible genetically for one species to become a totally NEW species (kind).     BUT IN THE END what does it matter?       In the end we are confronted by the FACT of an amazing Intelligence that is so far beyond our own as to make it almost laughable to try and understand it.          But man wants to prove to himself that HE is as clever as the Mind that imagined him, or the Creator that put him together.    He is full of vanity and foolishness.      He seeks his own glory, whilst refusing to seek the Creator, who alone has all knowledge.    Woe unto them.  They have put the cart in front of the horse once again.   And the AWFUL thing is that He Who must Come, is well on the way, and when they see Him they will at once be confounded and put to shame.   TOO LATE!

IN THE MEANTIME, whilst the world continues  to witness madness on every side WE remain quietly contemplating God and  His purposes.         The RAIN has continued - intermittent, but at least reasonably constant - but the farmers are still mourning over what they tell us will be a lost or much diminished harvest.   

Here at the moment the adage that says 'No news is good news' could be somewhat substantiated by saying ' All news is bad news'.      KENYA government

continues to spend a lot of time and money in wrangles and arguments between themselves, each day the Media reporting more money lost, more setbacks to progress, growing threat of economic collapse.      Food prices continue to rise.    Crime continues to increase.     Today we have heard of more companies laying off staff, and this can only aggravate the already inflated unemployment figures.       It is a strange situation, since the beauty all around us seems to say, REJOICE all is well, whilst in fact the reality is as if the sun were not shining, and world full of darkness and despair.       Sharp, unreal, concepts.

We, as a ministry, are in the midst of all this, and although in many ways we are kept in peace we cannot but be aware of the increased needs and suffering around us.         This term has seen our children and young people seeking College Places, having completed their  Secondary Education, rise to 21.         Up until yesterday we were unable to fund more than three of them so that they could commence their courses.      This year we see

3 commencing University - B.Com

2 commencing Diplomas in Civil Engineering

2 commencing Diplomas in Hotel Management & Catering

2 continuing with Primary Teacher College 

2. continuing/commencing Early Childhood Development Training

2 commencing Kenya Accountancy Training

1 commencing Dip on Christian Leadership

1 continuing Certificate in Electrical Engineering

1 commencing Diploma in Automotive Engineering

2 commencing/continuing Diploma in Information Technology

1 commencing Diploma in Sales @ Purchasing

1 commencing Certificate in Business Management

1 commencing Certificate in Community Nursing.

Quite a program!        We have been and continue much in prayer with our Father in Heaven putting each individual need in front of Him, as well and together with our usual daily needs, and

our dreams of expansion.       Financially things have been so stringent that we have so far had to put all idea of extending Jacaranda Cottage and also even building a fourth Home on hold.   This is not easy on our heart as we see so many children in immense need camping all around us.    

We have had quite a few 'passers by' this year 'not so much friends that know us and appreciate the work done here, but purely curious visitors ....      They have had means to help, but  have not done so, but walked on the other side of the road and passed by not wishing to be too closely involved.        " Yes it is shocking to see the need you are grappling with, and suffering confronting you, but no doubt God will take care of you......"  and they pass by.     It has been a little ironic.        From their point of view it is a little difficult to blame them since for the most part we look MORE than well cared for to the stranger!!       We have 'brushed our hair, and washed our face' and we have played the part to perfection..          ALL the Honour Praise and Glory has gone to the LORD who has and does provide for us.        BUT we are surviving and being maintained - just.          "

TODAY is our grandson Jesse's 11th Birthday.

We shall be having supper at his house later today,  Daryl and Carol having invited us to share  part of the festivity.     He is bright boy and doing well in School - favourite subjects Maths and Science.     He also Loves the Lord, and full of interest in all that God has made.

Esther and I continue to be very busy.    Days whizz by until we cannot believe we are back again to the weekend.   Still it has been good in one since we have been able to do a lot of things we not have bothered about due to the economic situation we are going through.     All the inexpensive occupations like 'Filing' and Annual Statistical Returns!!!!     But they ARE tiring things for all that.    Both of us in good health though, and we Thank God for all His Daily Goodness and Kindness to us.            I (John) got a new upper denture this week and still getting used to them!

Well this is a shorty compared to last week's.      I am not inspired perhaps.   The sun is shining again outside, and the atmosphere is heavy and still, no breeze.    Maybe it will rain again later and so clear the air.           Much love from us all here. 

JOHN AND ESTHER