OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY!

ON WEDNESDAY a small group of us were praying for RAIN. We had a few showers but they had not been effective to every part of Town, and some areas had remained parched. One or two big housing estates had been without water for more than ten days, and life was more than difficult. We lifted up our voices together and cried to our Father in Heaven for RAIN. Outside the day was brilliant and HOT. The sky was totally cloudless, resolutely blue, tinged with a hard brassiness from the unyielding gold of the sun. BUT we prayed on, and with vigour.

At mid-day the following afternoon, the blue sky seemed to have a grey/yellowish veil drawn over it, and as the afternoon wore on this grew darker and darker - not cloudy but just curtained off. About 4p,m, it began to rain, more and more, harder and harder, and continued all night - and is in fact still raining on and off up to now. AND THIS MORNING, I woke to the sound of the Hoopoe Bird who is traditionally associated with RAIN, singing his song in the garden - quite out of season; like a cockerel crowing in the midst of the darkest night! Hallelujah! And the Lord heard us and is watering the very parched areas of our Town. If only His People would the more lift up their voices.

Some of you have replied to our circular that we put out and the leaflet enclosed. We shall continue to do the best we can to keep in contact in the way most appropriate for all.
But the weekly BLOG will continue on. Where any one might prefer for me to just send via E-mail I am sure this can also be done - but of course some computers might assign it to the waste bin as 'junk mail'!!

Here is an up to date photo of Steve and Emily SITUMA- Dad and Mum of Drakeley Cottage and another of some of their 28 strong family. Steve and Emily have one child of their very own, now four years old and named Asariah (an Old testament Bible name). They became houseparents to Drakeley four years ago. About 50% of their children are under 11, and many of the youngest were initially HIV positive, but now registering as NEGATIVE. One of their eldest girls is Maureen, and this next week will be joining College to train in Hotel Management. Steve and Emily are helped in the Home by a cook and a lady to assist with washing. Steve also assists with Town shopping for the four Homes, and is also a good carpenter

Drakeley Cottage was completed in March 2008. Tyndale and Drakeley were built by the same Builder, but he was not so honest, and ran into financial problems before finishing Drakeley. In order to actually complete he illegally economised and the result was very bad for us. Part of the foundation filling was inferior causing the floor to sink one end of the building, and for some walls to crack. Of course this meant urgent repair work which was done only towards the end of 2009. Now all is well. The house covers an area of almost 3000 square metres and cost Ksh.4.8 million shillings in 2007/08. It is a five bedroom house. Tyndale Cottage is identical.

Each week from now I will go around the Homes once again to bring you face to face with each family. We feel very glad and proud of each, and so grateful to be able to SEE the Lord reaching out to so many lives, and providing them with shelter and love.

Esther and I send you all our love, and once more thank each of you for every thought and help. Helen has commenced her first post as a Nursery Teacher in Nairobi and is making out well.

Manu has cut off his pony-tail, and looks much younger, and less of a 'pirate'. He is still enjoying his work in the local Referral Teaching Hospital, but we are a little worried by a sudden weight loss from 70 down to 60 kilos in just six weeks, and the fact that his hair is falling out (that's why he cut the pony-tail off). He will be having a full medical soon. Please pray for him as he is feeling apprehensive and nervous - working in a hospital does nothing to encourage his fears of what might be wrong with him!!

Remember, He who loves the most and best is by our side each day. Keep Him in mind and heart.

Lovingly in Him

John and Esther