ANOTHER GRADUATION DAY!!

EVERY YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME, Primary and Secondary students completing their respective Syllabi Graduate from Testimony School. THIS year - for the first time - the NURSERY Section also decided to Graduate their Top Class. NEXT year they will, God Willing, all enter Class 1 of Primary School.

The Celebratory function took place in the School Hall. There were Presentations, Songs and even a Traditional Dance, all to follow a special Luncheon for all the graduates, and their teachers plus a few guests. I did not attend. I guess I am just not modern enough to believe that holding Graduations for Nursery Students is really necessary. Sorry parents - know you just love to see the kiddy-widdies up front an all¬!¬! Well I did not try to stop it from happening after all, and I am grateful my staff did not insist on them all wearing gowns and mortar boards as is the custom of other schools around us. I never did get to wear one - and I have no complaint since in those days you could not wear one till you got to University and had obtained a Degree. I did not manage to earn that privilege. I did not feel underprivileged about that, and have continued to respect and honour the intellectual prowess of all those that were able to so prove themselves. My sorrow today is that in many cases the Degrees awarded are not always of the high standard one might expect. The honour not so much of an honour - at least in Kenya.

SO why try to kid the kindergarten child that he or she too is an academic genius worthy of applause, glitz and glamour! Well because its just NICE for the parent. WE did not invite the parents. This was just a little SPLASH for the kids to mark the end of the first chapter in the learning process - not quite so ostentatious or pretentious as it might have been. But each did go away with a colourful Certificate to certify they had indeed completed their Pre-Sch00l Course - each with a clear, distinct, photo of the whole Class printed upon it as a Memento of their time together.

They had a good time - starting at 1p.m and going on until 4p.m. - and I thought you would like to see a few photos. Children start Nursery / Pre-School / Kindergarten in Kenya by the time they are three. - They enter Primary ONE when they are 6. By that time they should be able to read and write in English and Swahili, and do simple arithmetic + + +!! Classes start at 8am Monday to Friday and continue on to approx 3 in the afternoon. For the very young there is time to sleep, and for all time to just play. Each year in our Nursery Department, approximately SEVENTY move on to Primary School out of a total population of about 120.

NOT ALL of the graduates from our school will continue on into Primary with us. ONLY those who have passed the Primary ONE Examination, Primary School has set, and if the parent wants them to do so. There is always a waiting list for places in our Primary School so the competition is quite stiff. Our Primary Entrance Exam too place on Saturday 29th October.

ON THE 9th November one of our Old Boys - Robert Emslie aged 31, married with two kids; a long distance lorry driver, was involved in an incident which has confronted him and his family with life changing challenges. From what we have been able to gather, as he was driving towards Nairobi in the early evening, and nearing the lake town of Niavasha in the Rift Valley, his lorry overtook another which, as he was passing steered into him, hitting his vehicle. Having passed, Robert then stopped and got out of his cab to go and talk to the driver of the other vehicle which had pulled up a little way behind him. THEN, as he was walking towards this vehicle, the driver, who was still sitting in his cab, moved off, and drove toward Robert as he was coming towards him, knocking him down and running over him!! He then drove off.

A number of people were in the vicinity by the roadside and saw the whole incident. There seemed no real provocation. The lorry driver was eventually stopped further on and gave himself up to the police. Robert was taken to Naivasha Hospital. He was unconscious, and it seemed that at least one of his legs was broken. The hospital admitted him but did not have any medicine!!! Nothing was done for him, but they notified Francina, his elder sister, who works in Nairobi and told her to come immediately since his condition was very serious. They refused to tell her what was wrong - imagine her anxiety and fear.

On arrival early the next day she arranged to have Robert moved to a private hospital in Nairobi. THEY did have medicine, and looked after him, but at the end of the day told Francina that Gangrene had set into both legs and that they would need to be amputated.

She panicked and again had Robert moved to yet another private hospital for a second opinion.

THEY assured her that his legs were safe and that all would be well. At THAT time it seemed he had broken four ribs, and one leg in two places. The Hospital then operated on the leg and put in steel pins to hold the broken parts together. However, the leg continued to swell and show signs of renewed infection. THUS on Thursday they informed Francina that it would have to be amputated otherwise he might lose his life as well. Quite a 'medical saga' - one that had cost up to that moment £2,000 (not yet paid). So Robert has lost his leg. By yesterday he was still very unwell, and hallucinating. Much prayer will be needed to pull him through, and to enable him to re-arrange his life. It is VERY unlikely he will be able to continue with his driving job. He is not highly educated. Unemployment now at its highest and most unhopeful stance.

How quickly life can change. How completely unable each of us is in being able to predict the next few moments of our life. How devastating to meet such an unexpected catastrophe without Faith. This is going to be hard for Robert - hard on his family. They all need our prayer - they all need to KNOW GOD for themselves in a way that will enable them to face the situation with the confidence that HE is ABLE to see them through.

We do not have an up to date photo of Robert, but I am publishing one here of him taken with his younger brother Steyn (left), and his elder brother Gordon (right), but now working south of Nairobi.

Of course we are all bound up with everything that happens to our children. They are not orphans to us, but sons and daughters God brought to us to love and care about. Robert was only SIX when he came to live in Testimony House. He did not get on well at school and only managed to complete his Primary Education. He was then 14. In the interim he has grown up, become responsible and is the breadwinner of his family. At 31 we still see him as a son of ours. Some may feel this is too much to take on. But it is what the Lord required of us both, and still requires. Even those coming in today, quite new, are non the less seen as 'Family'. We are not Mum Dad to these, but they find us here as 'grandparents' now. .

Yesterday Esther and I had the blessing of being taken out to lunch by another mad couple who God called to do just what we are doing. It was a special privilege to be able to just be with them and for the four of us to be able to share our vision, and aspirations AND experiences. It was encouragement of great immensity to us. They are beautiful people. They also do not look after orphans - but children! Children who have been orphaned, but now have found a home and a family to replace the one they lost. Praise God for His great Mercy and Compassion. And Thank Him for being a parent, and acting like one toward each one of us.

Love you all, and pray your blessing and happiness in the coming week. And Remember Your Father in Heaven is with you to give you status and worth wherever you go and whatever happens to you.

John and Esther