The house has a long history going back to 1908, built by Dutch trekkers who came up from Cape Colony. It is a mud brick house, warm and comfortable, though not modern. Since 1972 when we first began to use it, it has been a happy house, and I believe it must have seen and known only good and happy things since it was first built as a farmhouse for a family of 7! It has seven bedrooms, and a nine hundred sq. ft. living room.
JACARANDA COTTAGE has a family of 37. 31 boys and 6 girls aged 4 to 22. They have the biggest group of teenage and above youngsters. 2 in College, and 4 looking for employment right now. Joseph and Beatrice Rop are Dad and Mum in this house. It is not SO old a building as Testimony House; probably built in the early thirties. It is situated across a fifty foot road just opposite the Testimony House and School Compound. We began by renting it in 1975 but it now belongs to us. It is NOT such a happy house in character and personality as Testimony. A bit Gloomy, and not well planned. It does not have a good history either with a rumour of a murder having taken place in it. Eventually we would like to knock it down and put down a lawn and play ground, rebuilding opposite in the still spacious compound. But the current family seem at peace in the home, and a lot of joy and laughter can be seen there. The Rops are our oldest couple serving as house-parents - now in their middle late fifties. Beatrice is on the far left and Joseph on the right.
AN UP TO DATE INCIDENT ! This week, yesterday in fact, we had to take one of the 13 year old boys from Jacaranda Cottage to the District Children's Office to be confronted by the District Children's Officer and the LAW! Melvin (not his real name) came to us when he was four years old, an outcast from his family, disowned because of the circumstances of his birth (hardly his fault) which are held in taboo by his particular tribe. This year he has twice been found trying to molest seven year old girls in the School classrooms during breaks. This was of course thoroughly gone into with the Teachers, and Melvin, who is a very polite, and inoffensive boy, was counselled. However last week he was discovered yet again with one of the youngest (6 year old) girls in Jacaranda. This seriously disturbed the house parents, and we were confronted with the problem of what next to do. We do not feel the boy is mentally or even psychologically disturbed. He appears quite normal in his general behaviour in all other respects, and is trying in School. Probably just teenage and his sex drive kicking in.......yes maybe, and certainly this cannot be ignored. BUT...........he has a friend at school ( day scholar from outside of the Homes) who has been now discovered with a mobile phone (forbidden in the School). It is able to access the NET, and the boy is accessing hard porn and sharing it with his friends. We think this has opened up quite a few cans of worms that have got into our Melvin's head. Our Pastor has talked at length to Melvin and feels that he will be OK, but needs careful watching, continued counselling and good fellowship. This is the time good mentoring needs to be lovingly given by his house parents.
Standing in front of the Children's Officer yesterday morning - he is not very tall - he looked very much alone and in pieces. I was there, with Daryl, and the House-mother. His case was set in front of the Officer, who then went into the seriousness of the matter and set out what should now happen - ie Melvin should be removed to a Remand Home, and thence later perhaps to another more serious type of Correction Centre. WE had previously stated we were still willing to continue keeping him and that we felt we could persevere and see him come through his present problem. THUS, finally we were able to return home with him. NOW it remains for US to do our part. With a big family it is easy for a house parent to sit back and hope everyone will be happy with the status quo, BUT Esther and I always found that there is a necessity to keep an eye on everyone, and to make sure they were well supervised, well loved, and well noticed. However we feel strongly that with continuing prayer and encouragement to his teachers and 'parents' Melvin will find himself, manage control of himself, and become a fine young man with a happy future before him. The Bible does say LOVE NEVER FAILS, and never gives up. Something we all must remember in our dealings with each other throughout life.
AND FINALLY - TYNDALE COTTAGE - a family of 37 children aged between 4 and 18. 25 boys and 12 girls, all cared for by Micah and Catherine (Senge) Yego the house-parents. Catherine is also an old girls of ours from many years ago. They are at present the youngest population wise of all four homes, and are a very happy group indeed. In addition to those mentioned Micha and Catherine have a baby girl, and an infant son of their own living in with them.This now brings an up to the minute picture of the children in our care and the first insight into the many aspects of daily life here. As we continue on I hope to open up a lot more, and any questions or comments are welcome.
THE RAINS are continuing - Friday another very heavy hail storm which has once more laid low our much needed vegetables. Right now it is a BEAUTIFUL day. But we find ourselves waiting on God to hear OUR prayers. It feels as if our prayers are being blocked or held up as they were for Daniel. But we know God HEARS, and that He will answer. Please pray against the Enemy of our souls, that he may be cast down and out of our affairs, and that we may be relieved of our present severe famine.
God Bless and be with you all
John and Esther
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