School are already shutting, students locked out and stagnating at home. A present the Government is adamant and threatening not to re-employ those on strike!!
OUR School remains open, and our teachers remain teaching. We are a 'private' school and our teachers are not paid by the Government but by our selves - though we pay no more than the Government at present.Of course the Government is not without fault in this matter. They have promised, as much as is being asked of them by the teachers, years back in 1997, and they knew then that they did not, and were not likely to have the money to pay them. Taken together with their own extravagances as a Government - (they recently once more raised their own salaries, whilst sitting on their recently newly installed parliamentary chairs valued at approximately £2,000), it is not surprising that there is discontent. If the government had forgone their own personal comfort and aggrandisement in these matters alone, they may well have had more than enough funds to reach a compromise settlement with all comers.
In 1997 Testimony Faith Homes issued a Statement on its own position regarding Strike Action. I will give it again here as we have again re-issued it to our own staff and parents.
'Testimony Faith Homes believes in Freedom of Speech and expression. It believes in the right of all men to live together in peace and harmony at a fair standard of living. Because of this we believe that the Teachers of Kenya have a good reason to press the Government for improved Salary Scales, and we support them in their applications and petitions to the Government of Kenya.
HOWEVER, we do not believe that any individual or section of society should use the other to obtain what they want in life. We feel it is wrong in the sight of God for any man, woman, or child, to be used as a 'bargaining chip' by others. We are to respect each other, and to value each other, and NOT put another person or group of persons to distress because of our own pain.
We put God first in these matters. And God tells us plainly that a Godly person will strive for peace and NOT strife. The Wisdom that comes from GOD is first of all peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated - Galatians 5v19-21 & James 3v13-18 & 1.Peter 2v17. We see it is our DUTY in front of God, and all men, to honour the President and the Established Authority of Government, and to turn away from all social actions which might be opposed to peace and security, and which might encourage greater chaos and suffering in the community at large
THUS, we have encouraged our own teaching Staff to remain on duty with us in the School, and to TEACH. It is the Calling and the Duty of a teacher to TEACH, and to teach what is RIGHT in order that the young might be brought up in a good and law abiding manner - to do their duty when their time comes. It is our purpose to continue teaching as long as we can.
Should pressure from the 'outside' be brought to bear against us, or threats be given to us, we shall not be deterred. BUT, and if through any MOB action, we might be forced to close the School (to safeguard the safety of our Staff and children), then we may well consider closing the School permanently. We will not be manipulated by force. For, if we have to demonstrate to our young people that MOB opinion is more than Law and Order and the common values of life, then we have agreed to Anarchy and every anti-social evil. We shall have no ground to stand upon. Better then to re-tools and turn the School into an Evangelistic Centre for the propagation of the Gospel - the TRUTH which is the only Saving Factor in a gradually crumbling society.
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Most 'family' members wanted to say a personal 'something' and the four leavers also took opportunity to unload their hearts. Lastly we all gathered round to lay hands and pray for each one. From the youngest to the eldest there was a genuine demonstration of emotion - from joy to sorrow all mixed up together. And our Pastor tied everything up with a short exhortation and prayer of his own. It was a good family evening, and one that will be repeated again and again as family members come to the time of commencing their own independent life.
Do you remember Jacob Njenga? A nine year old boy who had suffered severe burns in a fire when he was just eighteen months old. He lost a hand at that time as well, and he remains severely scared on his entire right side, head to toe. He has been with us since December last year, and this month was due to attend a Nairobi Hospital for further work and treatment; he will be regularly going back and forth for some many years, as he grows to adulthood in order to work on the scarring from his burns, and also to repair his right eye and hand. He is a brave and courageous little fellow, and his grandmother was with us on this Saturday evening to go with him to the hospital. He herself is not well, but the only relative that cares about him that is left. We tool opportunity to pray for him. He left the next day - but TODAY he returned, having had successful surgery, as bright as a button. Thank you Jesus.
LAST WEEK, we all found ourselves busy with many different daily labours, and Saturday arrived with us getting ready to say Farewell to FOUR of the Senior boys resident in Jacaranda Cottage.
Once education has been concluded we encourage our youngsters to seek employment within three months. Once employment has been found we let them continue to live at home for a further three moths whilst they look for suitable independent lodging. During this time we hold 50% of their monthly wage against their final departure, and purchase of what they will need to set up on their own.
Once lodging is found, they can still remain till the grace period of three months is ended. THEN we give them a Gift of £80 to add to their saved earnings, and send them on their way with a Farewell Fellowship Evening where the Family Members including invited members of friends and staff from the other Homes come together for prayer and fellowship.
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| Nicholas, Phillip, Stephen, and Moses |
SO, last Saturday evening a number of us found ourselves in Jacaranda Cottage to bid farewell to four of the eldest boys, Nicholas Kibet, 28 and with us since he was three... a Waiter in a new Coffee Bar in town, whose story I shared a few weeks back. Moses Maresi, 30 and with us since he was ten, working at a Christian Rehabilitation Centre from which he himself graduated delivered from alcoholism last year. He has a 2nd class honours degree in Engineering, He is now a committed Christian. Phillip Kiplimo, 23, and with us since he was four, a Warden of a Tourist Lodge in Eldoret. And lastly Stephen Wathika, 24, and with us since he was five.. a farm worker and also a trained motor mechanic. Stephan is troubled psychologically but the Lord has answered so much prayer for him, and he is in truth a lovely young man, hardworking and reliable. ll leaving to live on their own in their own quarters away from home and family. Quite a challenge and change. They need your prayers.
Most 'family' members wanted to say a personal 'something' and the four leavers also took opportunity to unload their hearts. Lastly we all gathered round to lay hands and pray for each one. From the youngest to the eldest there was a genuine demonstration of emotion - from joy to sorrow all mixed up together. And our Pastor tied everything up with a short exhortation and prayer of his own. It was a good family evening, and one that will be repeated again and again as family members come to the time of commencing their own independent life.
Do you remember Jacob Njenga? A nine year old boy who had suffered severe burns in a fire when he was just eighteen months old. He lost a hand at that time as well, and he remains severely scared on his entire right side, head to toe. He has been with us since December last year, and this month was due to attend a Nairobi Hospital for further work and treatment; he will be regularly going back and forth for some many years, as he grows to adulthood in order to work on the scarring from his burns, and also to repair his right eye and hand. He is a brave and courageous little fellow, and his grandmother was with us on this Saturday evening to go with him to the hospital. He herself is not well, but the only relative that cares about him that is left. We tool opportunity to pray for him. He left the next day - but TODAY he returned, having had successful surgery, as bright as a button. Thank you Jesus.
IT IS STILL RAINING HERE, at a time when usually it should have stopped and given place to the beginnings of Spring and Summer. Our weather men tell us it may continue to rain till Christmas!
Generally the year has not seen much sun, and for the most part has felt very similar to European weather. But life goes on whatever. We have been thankful to have seen very little illness.
The School Building program continues, and the new Hostel for Boarders is progressing well. In addition Parents sending their children to Testimony School seem more than supportive and willing to improve the facilities. Their latest interest is in the provision of a Swimming Pool, and it is now hoped that work will start on this very soon. It will be financed by a Bank Loan in the name of the School, but again will be built on land belonging to the Children's Homes, and will be open for them to use during holiday periods. It will also be open on a limited basis to other Schools at a small fee to cover maintenance and servicing.
It is incredibly strange to see this material growth right on our doorstep, and indeed as part of Testimony Faith Homes, yet also to find ourselves - in the Orphan Homes - waiting upon the Lord for every shilling, and for every lick of paint and stitch of maintenance needed. The School, with its, 500 parents paying for their students education, is able to budget for its expected expenditure from its expected and predictable income. But the four Children's Homes cannot budget since it has no expected income of a predictable nature. How amazing then that at the end of any year those trusting solely in God and the Work of His Spirit are found equally taken care of as those trusting in man, and secular security. ALL Praise and Honour to God, Who shows the Increase. This altogether strange ministry clearly testifies to the Faithfulness of God.
We hope and trust you are all well. We have no way of really knowing who is reading this Blog. Not so many we think. Only less than a handful actually comment on it, or even mention having seen it. We would love to hear from more, since we often feel very short of encouragement and the knowledge of the Fellowship of those also labouring for Jesus. We send you our united Love and Greetings. May our Father Keep and Bless you day by day.
John and Esther & Daryl and Carol
(The Greens)
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