BOXING DAY is a holiday celebration in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It is also , Saint Stephen's Day, rembering the first Christian to die for his faith, mentioned in the Bible (The Book of Acts 7 and 8)

Boxing Day is so called because on this day it was customary for tradesmen to collect their Christmas Box (gift or tip) in return for their good service through the past year. Also it included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, and the needy.

FOR us in Testimony it is usually a day when all the children in the four Homes, with their carers, all come together with us for a pic-nic ......usually in a neighbouring school's Swimming Pool. TO-DAY the skies are cloudy and grey, no sign of sunshine. It has RAINED all night! BUT the children still clamour for the chance of a swim......SO it looks as if we shall all pile into a couple of our school buses and make our way to what looks to be a rather damp and chilly venue!!! Is this WISE? Surely NOT, the children will catch a chill - us as well....... BUT this is part of the fun and joy of being ONE FAMILY for a few hours together, Granpa and Granma as well. The children want to have the chance to show off and make a splash. It has happened before on colder occasions - and no ill effects - just laughter and high jinks. It's already noon as I type this, and by 1p.m. we should all be together having lunch amidst the shouts and screams of excited kids. It will be a good time - they will play till they are tired, then back to their family homes for a quiet evening and probably an early night!

Yesterday, Christmas Day, we were all in church together, and there was Carol Singing - the group that had gone singing all around our neighbourhood on the 23rd treated us to many beautiful carols that had been in their presentations. There were testimonies and words of Thanksgiving for the year behind us. AND our two new little boys, now resident in Testimony House were there with us all. Did I mention last week that they were to come? I think I did.....Yes.... Their names are Ezekiel and Noah. We have about four other Ezekiel's but this is the first Noah that has ever come to stay with us. It has taken them a few days to get used to so many new faces, and a new environment, but they are already looking settled. They are brothers aged 10 and 9 years old. This photo was taken just a day after they arrived.

I shared a while on Luke 2v7 - '..there was no room or place for them in the inn.'

When the Son said to the Father, in Heaven, "Lo I have come to do Thy will -prepare me a body..." did he know he would be born in a cattle shed, unable to communicate or fend for himself? Did he know what 'Doing the Will of His Father' would in fact expose him to? Did our Father in Heaven know? Yes HE knew. They both knew, and they did not shrink from it. They both new that 'In the VOLUME of the Book it was written (of God's Son - and ever consecutive child of god) that he had come to do God's Will'. It IS written through all Scripture, through ALL of the Word of God, both written and demonstrated in Christ, that we are ALL brought into existence - each one of us - to DO the Will of God. To DO what God wants done, no matter where or how, or how difficult or how costly it might be to our own fleshly inclination. The ONLY way for any of us to get back to God, back home to where we belong, IS the way of the Cross; the way of doing what GOD needs doing - even if it means death......... Remember not only those that die like Stephen the evangelist are in fact MARTYRES. A Martyr is one basically anyone who sets him or herself to die to self's desires in order to DO the Will of God. These and only these are the True SAINTS of GOD. Baby Jesus is the first of MANY BRETHREN born to fulfill the Words of the BOOK, and to DO the Will of God. Jesus did not always enjoy doing it. BUT He did it, and we are told that - looking back on the pains, sorrows and anguish of his human sufferings - he would be satisfied that it was for a right and profitable reason. - Isaiah 53v10-11.

It is 1.45p.m. The sun has come out! The clouds are dispersing! The children are already splashing and shrieking with delight in the pool. Isn't God Good, all the time! Yes He is. This Christmas has been full of good things for Esther and me - but not without some distress and disquiet brought by the Evil One. Yet this is not to be always avoided, and He who has suffered with and for us, stands with us still to give us of HIS strength and faith to bear all things for the Father.

Next Saturday it will be the 2nd day of a new year. May our God prepare each one of us for this unique year of 2010 A.D. We hope it will be HAPPY, but if it is not always so, we know the Father will have known of our hurt and pain and disappointment before it came upon us, and that He allowed it for a purpose - that His Will might be DONE in us and by us.

God Bless you all with His Love

John and Esther

A CHANGE OF IMAGE ?

HERE WE ARE AGAIN AT CHRISTMAS! Yet it is almost seems surprising to see Christmas images represented on our stamps. The topmost group here depicted are not too bad - the two at the left presumably being 'angels'. But the three lower ones, which are the ones we have been receiving here, might be almost anything or anyone. The 90 could almost be a terrorist as much as a shepherd. What was being stuck on envelopes at Christmas FORTY years back in 1969?

This 5d is very colourful, and somehow carries a more relative idea - We immediately are taken out of the picture to the 'heavenly choir of angels' as we follow the gaze of the shepherds upward, and the lamb does not merely add to the idea of 'shepherds' but carries us to the Stable and beyond to the Cross on which was slain God's Lamb for the sins of the world.

The one below from USA merely reminds us of the Christmas Season with nostalgic glimpse of a winter scene. Nothing there of Christ except for the church. It could have been almost any time of worship. But even so, it does quietly remind us that there is a GOD.

AND finally the 5c from Australia once more portrays Mary and baby Jesus the Saviour of the world. It is encouraging to observe that HE is still in some way remembered as we write to one another. But for how long? In our Kenya Daily Nation we find a warning of the changes that might completely eradicate Christ from our pictorial correspondence. Why even stamps altogether might soon be merely a passing

memory. Today's DAILY NATION here in Kenya, tells us that .......

'Only a handful of people

are sending Christmas Cards!

The majority have embraced the new

technological marvels..'

It is obvious that with the advent of Electronic mail, mobile phones and SMS, Face Book and other such facilities, personal correspondence in writing is on the way out - including perhaps what we have understood as acceptable language and grammar. Certainly the need for stamps may also become less and less needful.

The GREAT SLIDE into change really begun in the 60s. I must say that I preferred the Christmases of the 40 and 50s to those of today. The pace and insecurity of life in the 2nd millennium has taken Peace and Joy further away.

MY OFFICE SHUT yesterday. Only a few of our total staff remaining on duty until the 23rd December when they too will leave us to enjoy Christmas with their families. returning on the 28th.

I attended the Graduation of the Students who had completed their Certificate Course on Early Childhood Development - including two of our current staff, and one of our old boys now married and running a Charitable Children's Home of his own. I had been one of the lecturers, and the Lord helped me through - though five hours a day for eight days was quite much. I spent the mornings there at the college and then spent the afternoons attending to Homes business.

I had not looked forward to the eight days extra work, and was very relieved to have the Lord bring me through unscathed! But perhaps a little tired.

A very large number of our children are busy this week rehearsing for the Christmas Concert which will in fact take place TONIGHT in the School Hall. There will be Carols, and a Christmas Play all arranged and directed by Carol Green. She has worked tirelessly and done well. We expect the 500 seat hall to be packed out with friends and well wishers who annually like to attend.

Last night our NEW Toyota Voxy 8 seater was crashed into by an eleven seater Mini-bus (a matatu) used as a public taxi. No one was hurt, and we were able to retrieve it from the Police until Monday when we have to go back to them with it for examination. The drivers side rear sliding door was completely destroyed. Nothing else was damaged. We may not be able to get a replacement in Kenya, which will mean ordering a complete door from Japan! We hope the Insurance will pay up since it was very definitely not our fault - the Matatu had no breaks, and the driver was drunk!!! Christmas Cheer!. Well it WAS very upsetting but once again we have to remember that 'GOD is good all the time' and that even in this happening good can and no doubt WILL come. Praise the Lord!

TWO new children will be admitted on Monday. Two boys aged 8 and 10 years. Both orphaned by Aids which took their parents. Both have other relatives, but none of them will offer to care for them since they are convinced the children will pass on the AIDS to them (even though the boys themselves do not have the virus!). They have been bounced from place to place for the last eight months living out of a shared suitcase. We hope they will find JESUS as a friend and Saviour this Christmas time.

NEXT Saturday will be Boxing Day.......Christmas will almost be over. All the children and staff from all four Homes should be together that day for an 'aqua pic-nic'!! We usually all go off to a Swimming pool complex about 4 kilometres away for swimming and a pic-nic. It has been a kind of annual event for years, and even some of our old boys and girls join us.

God Bless and wrap you each around with His Love and Favour.

John and Esther

Rain! RAIN????

IT HAS RAINED! It RAINED all of last night! It rained heavily, lengthily and noisily.........

The Paper quoted the Meteorological people as saying the rain had GONE, and none could now be expected. I read it yesterday morning and as I walked in the sunshine and heat an hour later, I looked up and said ' LORD, you rule the clouds, and the thunder and lightening obey you. Men are saying it is impossible it will rain here now. Send the Rain Lord. SEND RAIN TODAY'

Well it came! During the evening under cover of darkness, the clouds crept over Eldoret and it began to rain. It started gently almost imperceptibly, then in leaps and bounds to a thunderous deluge, so heavy we wondered if the tin room of our little house might not give in. Great crashings of thunder preceded by bolts and sheets of lightening electrifying and brightening even the interiors of our rooms. SO dramatic, so thrilling, so WONDERFUL! SUCH an ANSWER to PRAYER!!

THE DAILY NATION stated that 2009 was the FIFTH warmest year ever recorded! And the projected outlook for 2010 seems very dire indeed with an almost emphatic statement to the effect that the expect EL NINYO and the usual Short Rains will not materialise - leaving us to endure a continuing Dry Period into the middle of the coming year. WOW. We are further encouraged in the knowledge that right now 75% of the population depend on Bore-holes for their water whilst other usually available sources are continuing to dry up. Many are now wondering how long they can live in a land soon - according to the experts - to be waterless!!

WELL AS I WRITE it is has begun to RAIN SOME MORE, heavily, almost malevolently with malicious enjoyment at proving itself beyond the hand of man to manipulate. I must say I just ENJOY the sound of it, though it has come perhaps too late to provide more food, and maybe will flood a lot of people out of their homes. BUT it brings the hope that at least we shall not go THIRSTY, and the rivers and dams will revive for a time. The NOISE of it on our roof has blotted out the MUSIC on our music centre. ITS RAINING. I AM RAINING!!

ASK what you will in My Name and it shall be DONE! Any one of YOU, why don't you just ASK - loudly, even desperately believing with PASSIONATE desire?

JOHN AND GWYNNETH COOPER left us Wednesday. The were due to fly from Eldoret Airport at 5.30p.m. but when they arrived there they were told they were not booked on the flight! They had a return ticket, but there was no note of it with the Airline. BIG FLAP with the airline authority and a lot of anxiety, but eventually - at the very last minute - there were allowed ON to the flight, and travelled safely on to Nairobi. They were due to fly on from there to UK at about 11p.m. that evening. When they arrived they found the Airport runway lights had failed, and their flight to UK had been diverted to Entebbe in Uganda!! SO they waited....... The lights finally were repaired and at about 1.30a.m. on Thursday morning, they finally boarded a flight to the UK at 5.30a.m. - eleven hours after they had arrived from Eldoret . NOT a good experience. But the Lord mightily used them to Testimony Faith Homes and to ourselves.

I was unable to go with them to Eldoret Airport as I had begun my stint as a Lecturer at a nearby Academic College. I had to be there from 2 - 5 p.m. that afternoon. I did not enjoy myself too much as I felt a little out of my depth. The next day I had to be there at 8am until 1p.m. and did not feel too happy about the way things went. I just did not feel I was getting through to my students (I am teaching Administration and Finance of a Children's Institution at a professional level). Afterwards I felt really TIRED. That was Thursday evening, and it was on Friday morning that I woke up refreshed and renewed and looked UP at that cloudless and almost brazen sky. I taught through Friday morning, and have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to complete. Still having full afternoons ensuring that TFH is up to day and holding together at the same time. BUT it is proving to be a GOOD time, and a LEARNING time. The Lord my God has been with me. But I know that will not surprise you!.

Thank you for praying for me. I have been in need of much prayer. And I feel Blessed and Strengthened on every hand. Bless you so much. Esther and I also do our best to remember you as well, and to carry you upon our shoulders and upon our hearts as good brothers and sisters of the Lord our High Priest should do. And so may we ever seek to undertake for each other.

Just received funds from Allan and the AENON Trust. So many kind gifts from so many of you in time for Christmas and the New Year soon to come. Our very real Thanksgiving both to those of you that have sent, and to the Lord for moving you to do so at this time.

Lovingly till next time - The Lord giving us all life

John and Esther

HERE WE ARE AGAIN IN DECEMBER. We are only now beginning to re-visit Christmas and all that it means to us relative to JESUS - and that is certainly not what the media and the world is out to celebrate. JESUS will probably largely be forgotten in the drinking, eating, and spending binges around the globe generally set to make some rich and the majority poorer. And, for the sake of political - or is it religious - correctness the least said about JESUS the better it will all be.

IN ELDORET since mid November, a lonely plastic pre-fabricated Christmas Tree has adorned the entrance to our Supermarket - undecorated, and with a price tag. NOTHING else to be seen here concerning this Festive Season. No Christmas music, no decorations anywhere, and nothing to suggest that a Special Season of Everlasting Joy is soon to break upon us. You can tell that here, at least, the universal rat race to make money is a little slow to take off - or is it that people just are not that interested, or financially motivated to spend?

As I have often shared, children here generally do not receive presents at Christmas. Slightly more middle class rich might now be beginning to observe such extravagances. Money is scarce, with a 60% unemployment rate, and soaring food prices. Most parents have to consider their daily bread before anything, and after that it will be School Fees and the need to provide and buy school uniform, books, and other incidental necessities. This year, before January, Testimony Faith Homes will expect to spend in the region of at least Khs.150,000 on school uniform alone. This usually comprises of leather shoes, socks, shirts / dress for girls, shorts or trousers, sweater (yes they ARE worn through the year!), ties, and games kit for each child. ALL children MUST attend school in full uniform. This puts a toy car or doll or some other attractive gift quite unable to be thought about. BUT most children are VERY happy even with a new pair of socks - I talk of the poorer majority of our nation. The minority middle and upper class tends to follow a world trend and provide mobile phones, computers, digital watches and cameras plus whatever other trendy electrical gadget may be being advertised and lusted after by their children. Their children are less thankful than those getting a pair of new or sometimes second hand shoes, and less conscientious in looking after what they receive. Certainly we have not noticed discontent or disappointment on the faces of our kids during Christmas time. They are mostly excited to remember the amazing and wonderful story of the Birth of JESUS, Saviour of the World, and to enter into the JOY of it, and the Thanksgiving for it, and the realisation that the LOVE of God is more to be desired than anything else. At least it has been so in the past, although NOW we do begin to see the affect of hearing and seeing what the RICHER families look forward to (from their School acquaintances). BUT still we have not found ourselves wanting to yield to this kind of pressure.
In the words of the Oliver Twist song 'Food, glorious food...' we have given in just a little to our normal staple diets constrictions, and at Christmas there is turkey for everyone, and if we are lucky even some Ice Cream just to emphasise the enrichment of the inner man that JESUS was born to offer each and every one. We shall watch various portrayals of His Birth on video and worship Him on Christmas Day, and spend a lot of time just enjoying each other's fellowship. There will be laughter, fun, and happiness. AMAZINGLY this still was the case in 2007 through into the New Year, when it looked as if blood and violence might engulf us all. We ARE Blessed.

SO FAR, this year, we have not heard of any 'guests' coming for Christmas - but that does not mean we shall not receive some! We live an Open House life, and rejoice to see visitors. Esther and I will miss our three children living in the UK, but we shall no doubt be talking to them on the Phone lines. We will be sure to have Daryl, Carol and their little family with us part of the time, and of course Manu and Helen our two youngest adopted children will be with us too.

We hope to catch sight - at the very least - of Joshua and Miriam Mbithi as well. Joshua has continued to be unwell and discomforted by his back. He needs prayer very much for his total recovery. He and Miriam remain very caught up in the ministry of caring for the 30 or so AIDS babies and infants that they look after. They continue to walk in Faith with the Lord, and we believe He will provide for them as He has done for us. I know that we together raise our continual Ebenezer for the Moving of His Spirit upon the hearts of so many that respond to His call to make a way for us here to LIVE.

I have just put on some Carols played and sung by members of the Salvation Army. A very beautiful recording. No decorations yet even in Green Cottage. We usually all put up a Christmas Tree in our homes on the 18th December and dress our sitting rooms up to look a little festive and jolly. Some days to go yet......but good to have words and music to begin to direct our thoughts and spirits towards once more looking for His Coming.

I was reading in Matthew 1, and noticed especially verse 17 once again -

'All the generations from Abraham to David

are fourteen generations,

From David to the Babylonian Exile,

are fourteen generations,

And from the Babylonian Exile to the Christ,

are fourteen generations.'

I have discovered that many eminent Christians have sought to forecast the Coming of Christ the Second Time by concluding that a further 14 generation would elapse from his Birth until 'NOW'.

Of course, the 'NOW' factor has varied with different mathematical calculations based on different ideas of exactly when the commencement of the 14 generations began. And of course also how long a 'generation' might be. BUT at least we seem to have most of them agreeing that if would bring us to the late 1900s or early to mid 2000s. During my investigations I also discovered just how many have been proved WRONG in their predictions - ALL of them so far!

Yes you are right, I am not going to make the same mistake - but I must say that it has underlined to my heart the fact that we should all BE expectant AND ready - for truly we know not WHEN He will come this time - BUT it really COULD be SOON. All my Christian Life I have looked for Him to COME, wanted and needed Him to come, and NOW in my elder days I am the more exhorted from within myself to pray and long for His Coming; not because I am, old, but because the world around me is worse, and failing fast. Many might label me as a pessimist, but I am more likely to be a realist, than an ostrich. The world would rather see nothing wrong; and those living in these last days the more willing to drug themselves into a state of false euphoria with sport, pleasures, and riotous living - is that why the world is plagued with drug and substances abuse, as well as sexual and other violence world wide - blind and deaf in the midst of all their activities to the inevitable End of All things coming upon this Generation? NOW more than ever, THIS CHRISTMAS more than any other that has past, we need to Watch and Pray that we are not caught out - UNREADY when He come. I want to be READY, wide awake, on the look-out, for the One who rescued ME from sin and sadness. I want to SEE Him Who died for me......... And I want my Family, all the children He has allowed us to find shelter with us, all our loved and dear friends far and wide - to BE WITH me on that Day not one lost, or found to be condemned. So I continue to testify to His Goodness, to His Everlasting Love, and to His present reality and to His sure coming to meet with us all in the Air. Be Excited! Let the Spirit of God thrill you.

This is obviously not the last Saturday before Christmas. I SHALL be writing again, and I merely ask you to join us in prayer together all and to WAIT upon the Lord. God richly Bless and Keep you in perfect Peace..

Lovingly in Him

John and Esther