HE GIVETH THE INCREASE!!

HARVEST TIME!! 40 days after planting we have begun plucking Spinach and Sukuma-wiki

from the Testimony Plot. As we see in this photo a SACK has quickly been filled. This will now continue on progressively. We have been very thrilled and encouraged to see how well things have grown. We have not had a lot of sunshine in the month but a lot of rain, and it seems the

ground is fertile and healthy. NOW we know that we are on the right track. Beyond the sack to the fence (top right)are growing a second crop of vegetables, to be followed by a third, so that we should be able to keep a constant supply of fresh vegetables the year round. Wonderful.

The drip-feed piping has not been laid down yet but will be there very soon. Right now it has not been so 'urgent' to put in place due to the prolonged rains. We look and see the crops coming to fruition with Great Thanksgiving to God. It is a daily delight to the eyes to see how well things are coming on.

The Chicken-House has also now been finished and painte and is 50% inhabited with chickens. Next week we shall be taking another brood of chicks which will eventually join the layers. So far everything has gone well with the poultry, and we are looking forward to that first EGG as much as we did to the first Sukuma-wiki. Wonderful. I am a frequent visitor to the chickens and have long conversations with them - kind of encouragement to them. They certainly make a lot more cluckings when they see

me than when left to themselves - mightbe due to thinking I am bringing more to eat. Animal Greed! As you see from

the latest photo today we have named the chicken house TYNDALE POULTRY PROJECT

to remind us that it was Tyndale Christian School that helped us initiate and set up the whole thing. We owe you guys and dolls so much in Jesus. May He Bless and Shine upon you- each one. All around about we have the Garden, or second plot. Nothing much

coming up yet except weeds (they are forever pushing their way up) but we have sown MAIZE, POTATOES and more beans.

We have been talking so much about our agricultural endeavour that you might think we have changed our ministry and that we no longer have children being cared for here?

But indeed the ministry amongst children continues. In the Day School (Nursery to Secondary) we now have a regular 800 boys and girls attending - 138 of them from the four Children's Homes, and the rest from private families in the locality. As a School it has a high academic standard and is well known and sought after. It survives from incoming Fees paid by parents, and this enables us to send OUR children free throughout. This is a very GREAT help to us educationally therefore, but otherwise the School does not financially benefit the Children's Homes.

On the HOME'S side we have currently 138 children aged between 0 and 20+, with ten

resident staff. As you know we have four Homes each run as a family with a Mum and a Dad

each.

They make and partake of their breakfasts in their own individual kitchen but otherwise lunches and suppers are pre

pared centrally and then distributed to the 4 dining-rooms. This works very well and the children think the food is even better than before, when it was all cooked separately in each Home kitchen! LAUNDRY has also been centralised. Basically this consists of the clothing for ages 0 - 12 years. The Children from 12 upwards wash their own clothes. Staff clothing is also washed centrally. This has been a tremendous improvement in keeping track of dirty clothings and the difference can be SEEN in greater brightness and good repair. The change in system has also enabled us to reduce our salary bill considerably.

We still have about TWENTY over 18 year old attending College. TWO of them will be leaving us in the next week or so to start out on life. One is taking a position as a Chef with a high class and busy household, and the other as an Assistant Manager in a Chinese Restaurant. During the year we shall probably lose a further TEN. So we shall expect to admit a group of about 14 new small

kids during they year. Not a very big turnover. The demand for places far exceeds what we are able to offer.

The MIRACLE is that we are able to continue to offer ANY places, or even provide for those already here. School opened this week and many were facing inability to attend due to the fact that they had no shoes to wear. Then the Bank rang up to say that a

Gift of money had arrived right out of the blue and unannounced! So suddenly, out of nowhere, funds just arrived and with them we have been able to purchase shoes for the worst of the poor and need amongst us. JOY all around!! AND Thanksgiving to God, and to the hearts He moved to remember us. Other gifts arriving over the last month also answered prayers just as desperate

and so each day emphasised that for the most part thatwe LIVE by faith and NOT by sight. Our 'Substance' seldom able to be SEEN as a tangible asset, but rather HOPED for, and obtained later on. Praise the Lord indeed. In the photos to the left of the page you can see some of those needy shoes actually being received by the children - these pictures taken by Daryl on Friday of this week.

2,8 million children remain uncared for in Kenya. Many of these children 50 years ago would have been absorbed into the local community as a matter of course as they traditionally observed what was called 'extended family'. This was often as good if not better than the modeern idea of 'adoption'. Many families today would still be willing and

interested to adopt, but feel unable due to the cost of actually legally doing so. Esther and I have adopted FOUR children and young people over the years. It cost us little compared with today's inflated prices. None one of ours cost us more than $100. This included two or

three days in Court, all legal and other fees. TODAY it can cost as much as $20,000. The actual and REAL cost is still no more than a hundred dollars. This is no less than making merchandise out of the plight of the innocent and defenceless child, and may only be identified with a greedy godlessness. Governments should be making it easy for willing families to take in homeless children. I think some charge for an official adoption is good and right. Better in fact that giving money to people as an inducement to help a child It is a topic that needs co

nsideration. But the current trends are unforgivable. I may well endeavour to stir up some discussion on the issue as a whole.

WELL, it is almost lunch-time. I am typing in Green Cottage sitting room almost in the dark apart from one table lamp just near me. Outside the day is overcast, gloomy even. No sign of blue sky or sun. It is 65f and to me it feels definitely cold and chill. BUT by now, into September, the SUN should be shining and the rains stopped. Summer should have dawned.

Visitors expected next week - all hoping for this tropical climate to warm and delight them -

right now it looks like gum boots and brollies, with a heavy coat. Hope its better where you are. God Bless and be with you in a BIG way. We love you and thank you truly for just being there, our friend and family.

Affectionately,

John and Esther