MEDIA CONDITIONING

THIS HAPPY COUPLE ( I couldn't resist them) HAVE BEEN MARRIED WELL OVER 40 YEARS, AND PLAN TO STAY MARRIED FOR THE NEXT 40 AT LEAST. I have included their photo here because of the Kenya DAILY NATION's banner headlines today, and the two double page spreads inside expanding on it. The Headline reads A MARRIAGE CRISIS. The varied articles within are all very negative when it comes to Christian Marriage in particular, painting such a daunting picture of the problems confronting both partners, and giving the impression that 'Come We Stay' partnerships are likely to be more successful and enduring! According to the survey carried out by INFOTRACK, the NATION says '3 out of 10 Kenyans are unhappy with their married partner - approx 29%. Although they go on to say that 40% ARE happy, the Paper then prints a number of related articles revealing the growing trend toward Broken Marriages.
In addition there is open discussion concerning the lack of seriousness with which 'traditional' ties are seen. It is expected that both parents will have 'affairs' on the side. Then again the old complaints put forward in mitigation of marital failures, such as 'Infidelity'; nagging partner;
interference of in-laws; desire for more Educational Qualification by one or other of the partners;
inequality of financial income, seem to form a general attitude that no marriage can last.
This is turn brings out the question which gives way to the loose 'Come we Stay' relationship which is neither binding or committed. Reading all that was printed I was persuaded, yet again, that in reporting 'NEWS' the Media generally adds to social problems, and conditions the public to its own views and opinions which are not often founded on the TRUTH.
Indeed I must go further and say that in my view the Media at Large is a tool being used to mould attitudes in Mankind generally that are intended to take him away from God and Godly concepts, and thus from his 'likeness' to God, and his humanity.

Looking at my smiling 'anonymous' couple above I am quite sure that over the many years of their marriage, as also with mine, each has had to contend with many expected and unexpected situations in the partnership. There will have been differences of opinion, clashes of temperament, even irritation if not anger toward each other. Nevertheless the marriage went on - NOT for the sake of the children, family expectations or pressures, but because we genuinely loved each other when we Married, and because we brought GOD into it as a Third Party to make sure we were KEPT in love for each other. I WILL concede that without GOD there is every rotten reason for believing a marriage WILL fail. BUT what hope have our children, grandchildren, or even the World at large, if we downgrade the concept of marriage? If we Scrap the God given concept of Marriage, and we scrap home and family - we become even LESS than a society of Apes! Dr. Richard Leaky might have erred in saying we have evolved from apes! Perhaps instead we are devolving below them. The TREND seems to be in divesting ourselves of all that once identified us as HUMAN..

'What right have to expect nations to stand by their promises, and to keep their vows to each other

if men and women do not do it even this most solemn and sacred union of marriage?

We must start with ourselves.

We must start at the Beginning.

We must observe the Law of God (Not Moses) in our personal individual lives.'

(Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones)

'MARRIAGE seems to be a very fundamental necessity. It is the crucible in which a human being may learn about Love - the Love that GOD Himself is, the Love that comes from Him alone. It is in Marriage them men and women will learn to suffer each other, that consequently others. also. They will learn to forgive each other. They will learn unselfishness and Patience toward each other.

The will learn of God, and about Submission and Meekness. Marriage, I believe, may be a Divine Illustration of the union there is meant to be, and will be, of ALL things with the Creator; with God Himself. Thus Marriage as the perfect state is of supreme importance.

The Springboard of Life is Marriage. It is IN the coming together of a man and a woman that TRUE LOVE becomes visible and tangible. A home and family are created and an environment built that can demonstrate every facet of God's Character and Personality to the the Husband and Wife first, and thence to all around them. This is why God initiated Marriage in the first place, and we need to examine the order in which it was given.' (The Wolves Are Among Us by John A. Green 1989)

Instead of downgrading and discouraging Marriage we should be extolling its virtues and broadcasting its successes and

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SO SORRY I AM LATE TODAY but the day took me out to a neighbours Thanksgiving with Esther, and we got home later than hoped. It was a good time, well spent, with the Lord the centre of Praise as a Mother gave Him Thanks for bringing back her son from American where he had been for ten years - an especial blessing since her husband had died a few months back this year.

Some may remember him (those old boys or girls who lived with us in the 70s and 80s. His name is Julius Omondi OGANDA.

The Ministry of Works are laying a new surface on our School driveway today as well. They have not finished, and hope to do so tomorrow before the School opens again after Half Term.

All done by hand except for the compacting and rolling of the asphalt. Not so perfect as it might be done in UK or USA but good enough for us, and expensive enough as well. The School has had to find a thousand pounds sterling to put it down. The rest of the driveway, almost as much again, that gives access to Testimony House and then also to the School main driveway, also needs attention. We are hoping the Contractor may have pity on us if he has any material left over, and patch the worst parts for us free of charge!! Pray with us!

The School actually commenced Half Term on Thursday this week. The weather has been very WET and cold - not very jolly for a holiday - probably not the best for laying a driveway either!

Please pray for Brother and Sister Rop who are Mum and Dad in Jacaranda Cottage. Beartrice has been suffering on and off with haemorrhoid's, and has now been told she must have an operation. Her blood count has been down (due to bleeding) and is only now after medication getting up to a safe level. Joseph has also not been well has had a bad attack of cerebral malaria which took him to hospital as from last Tuesday. Fortunately they have an Assistant in their House, so the children are safe and well looked after. We hope the Lord will undertake for them both and heal them.

NOW I must top once more as it is getting late. Please pray for US all at this time, and assist us to Wait upon the Lord with Patience and Faith as always. God Bless and keep YOU all during these increasingly difficult times.

John and Esther