I'M PREACHING AGAIN THIS SUNDAY! Don't often get the chance since we have a big Team here and we even have visiting speakers from time to time. I am in the midst of a series on the Ten Commandments. This week we will be considering the 5th - 'Honour Your Father and your Mother'. This is often challenging since so many cannot even remember their real mother and father - like me!
Does the Commandment include Adoptive Parents and other Guardians given Charge and Authority over children and young persons? Yes I believe it must do so. Does it include those parents who have failed as parents in some way ? Yes I believe it does. Obedience and Submission to EVERY Authority is important, and although we may find abuse of that authority and a need to remove it, generally we are exhorted to Honour and Respect it as from the Lord. For many of our children in the Homes, and perhaps also even in the School, it is not easy for many of them to feel encouraged to honour their parents; parents that have abandoned them, deserted and even physically distressed them. Harder still for those who never really knew their true parents. And the majority perhaps for these reasons feeling let down and rejected - why then have to Thank God for them, and even honour them?
Quite challenging to deal with at times. Hope the Lord will help me!

THIS WEEK has sped by quickly. The Rains have continued and all our planted crops have taken advantage and are growing well. As we look around us we can only Thank God for walking with us and prospering the work of our hands. We can now say that the clearing of sites, erection of structures and
the actual realisation of our new ideas has now fallen into place. Routines have been installed and personnel appointed and given duties so that the whole Program can run smoothly day by day. We now hope that in the week ahead we can get to grips with the daily routines that found themselves a little neglected. It has been well worth the effort however, and we continue to not only admire what has been done in so short a time, but also to just ENJOY looking at it. During these last few days we completed planting potatoes and beans on the Jacaranda Plot which is now completely under cultivation. On the Testimony Plot the 2nd planting has also been completed so that the complete Plot is also cultivated.

During the week the price of SUGAR has again risen. Now one 50kg sack costs Ksh.10,000/- or 66 Sterling pounds. Other commodities also continue to rise. As we look at the world picture of famine, war, and financial collapse we truly wonder where we are all headed.

The Short School Holiday is about to end, and in about a week everyone will be back to School AND College. We brace ourselves for the next round of college fees now becoming due. We look to the Lord. TWO of our older young people Maureen Cherop and Victor Makokha, having concluded their 4th Secondary School year last December, have now been offered places in Teacher Training College and will be commencing in the next week or so. A wonderful opportunity for them and an answer to their prayers. We trust the Lord to see them through.

On Thursday the School held Interviews of Teachers. We have had to replace Joseph and Rachel Ochieng so sadly. More than 40 teachers turned up, and we trust that the Holy Spirit led us to select two of His choice from their number.

Around us, outside of Testimony Faith Homes, the people grow poorer and hungrier. Even more people still trek to the Town thinking gold can be picked up on the street. Unemployment rising, Crime increasing, and this week Esther and I were just turning in at 11,30p.m. when we were deafened by prolonged gunfire which seemed to be right outside our house. In fact it was a few kilometres away - people trying to steel a haulage truck were apprehended by police - two of the robbers shot dead. Scary! Poor Esther got palpitations she was so shocked. But the Town is behaving normally and everyone seems calm and going about their business, even if that business is nothing but walking the street aimlessly. I am right now seeking for some 8 job opportunities for School Leavers from the Homes. It will keep me busy...

We love and pray for you all. Keep in prayer for us as well. God Bless you

John and Esther