AWAY FROM HOME - A PILGRIM

TO THE LEFT is a photo (not one of ours) of The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. Esther and I were taken there last week by our dear friends Desmond and Virginia Hales. It was not a good day weathewise - heavy cloud, rain, and wind like a tempest! It was wet and cold but interesting, and for my part I enjoyed the crashing surf and the inspiring site of the huge causeway. Science tells us it was made from volcanic forces of millions of years ago. But the story is that a giant called McCool built it in an effort to attack another giant who lived in Scotland. Well perhaps neither explanation was very inspiring, but the visual experience of just seeing the place once more made us to glorify the creative power and forces of God Almighty. We had a wonderful time there, and we were not the only ones - hundreds of tourists from all over the world also braved the weather to see for themselves...........

We were a week in Northern Ireland and were taken to see a great deal of the beautiful coastline from our base in Port Stewart. It was a very restful and happy time. Whilst there we were able to share about the work and ministry of Testimony Faith Homes with the brothers and sisters of Port Stewart Baptist Church. The Pastor very kindly invited us to take the Evening Sunday

Service and we were able to speak and also show slides We were all strangers to each other, but it was truly wonderful to feel one family together because of the Love of God that had reached and touched each one of us in Jesus Christ. We were also in the Morning Service - though not ministering - and were able to join together in Breaking of Bread.

THANK you Lord for Blessing us through our friends and the family of God there in Northern

Ireland.

From there on the 25th we went down to North WALES to fellowship with friends at Bradley Road Baptist Church in the Town of Wrexham, 60 miles south east of Rochdale. We had great fellowship

and it was wonderful to renew friendship and relationships in Jesus there. We had not visited since 1983 so it was wonderful to see their new Church building and to meet the family of God there. It is wonderful to be with people who are committed and determined to endure for

Christ's sake. Witnesses to all that He has done in their lives and personal experience. A praying church.

TODAY we are in Yorkshsire, staying with Ian and Diana Hogley until Sunday 29th when we shall visit St.Matthews Anglican Church in Rastrick not far from Huddersfield. This is a rather unusual desing for a Church, but always

reminds me somehow of Birmingham Cathedral. The Cathedral and St. Matthews Church were both built in the mid 1700s, St. Philips Cathedral built is strongly in the Baroque style, and St. Matthews though not so grand has always seemed to somehow replicate it. I first visited this congregation

way back in 1972, on our first visit back to UK from Kenya. The brethren have ever kept the candle of prayer burning for us, and our relationship has only strengthened over the years. We are really looking forward to our visit there.

We have been comforted to know that all is well at home in KENYA and especially in Eldoret and Testimony Faith Homes. The hardship and pressure remains unlifted upon all that are there - Daryl not the least. This is a burden of course even to us as we travel and remain separated by distance. BUT on the other hand it is clear that GOD is using the general situation AND the opportunity for me and Esther to have been set at a distance from it all, to let us SEE what perhaps we have been blind to and even neglected whilst we were all together on top of the work at TFH. We have growing optimism that the Lord is going to bring us into great Blessing as the days go by. And they are going quickly. We have, as of today, 32 days before we finally arrive home. Our time away has been extended by one week. We shall now expect, God Willing, to arrive again in Kenya on the 27th June. Hopefully I WILL be able to update you many times before our arrival - though, as with this late entry - I may not be able to resume my Saturday entries till I return to Eldoret.

On Monday 30th May we will turn sout-west and then proceed east toward London. Pilgrims with no continuing City......still seeking the ONE that is to come!

Thank you for your prayers - both for us as we travel AND for those who remain working for Jesus there in Eldoret and TFH. You are all our ARMS of strength and support. Bless you every one.

John and Esther

P.S. If I have not managed to mention every one we have met, and every place we have visited, please forgive me - I am sure eventually it will come to be recorded with comment. Nothing and no one has or will be anything but SO SPECIAL to us as part of our Lord's gift to our lives and vision.