THIS is the present day Church - there have been three and the first one I ever entered was in 1968 when it was a rather dilapidated and sprawling wooden structure. Westhoughton is not far from Bolton, in Lancashire, and I had never before attended it. BUT from that day, in 1968, somehow the Holy Spirit kept the memory of my visit alive to the congregation, and they have ever since prayed for us, and later increasingly supported us. In the beginning they were just one of three groups of Christians that prayed for us, and encouraged me, a new man for God in KENYA. Esther and I were able to visit in person together in 2011, and this month it has been our joy to have Pastor Martin Speed and his wife Margaret with us just for a few days Wednesday to Friday this week. They were accompanied by Deacon Eddy and his grandson Luke. We had a wonderful time of fellowship together, and they were able to present gifts to the Children here, and also to the Homes generally, in person and on behalf of the Church. 
The Church as a 'body' had been able to purchase a new Table-tennis table, together with bats and balls, for the use of ALL the children - There had also been a Sponsored Walk of some 14 miles that had raised further funds, out of which footballs, basketballs, and other sports equipment had been bought. The balance presented as a cash gift to the Work of Testimony Faith Homes. We had a special gathering of Children and Staff on the Thursday evening when presentations were made, and the table tennis table set up and demonstrated. The children, always a little 'reserved' on such occasions were truly delighted at the prospect these gifts presented. 'THANK' you Westhoughton Pentecostal Church - wish you could all have been here to see for yourselves the great contribution your constant love and prayers have accomplished over the years.
===============================
ON FRIDAY (yesterday) afternoon our Westhougton friends were due to fly out of Eldoret Airport to Nairobi, and thence to Mombasa for a Pastor's Conference. We had to be at the Airport by 4p.m. to catch their scheduled 5.30p.m. flight. We were there on time, but then informed that their flight would be late as it had been diverted to the North of Kenya (to Lodwar) and would not now arrive until 6p.m. By 6.15p.m. there was no sign of it, and on further enquiry were informed that the pilot of the plane had decided not to return to Eldoret but to proceed direct from Lodwar to Nairobi!!
There was no other 'scheduled' flight, and our friends plus another dozen travellers were all stranded. After some time we were told that the Airline (as per above right) were sending another plane from Nairobi that would arrive about 9.30.p.m. We had by this time hung around for some hours and decided to come back to Testimony, and then taken them back at nine. This we did and they caught the plane to Nairobi. However on arrival the promised transfer from the Mombasa flight they had booked to a later one had not been done. The plane did arrive in time to catch the last flight to Mombasa, but they were not allowed on it since they did not have appropriate tickets for THAT particular flight - so they had to stay in Nairobi overnight - at their expense. They were by this time very weary, tired AND frustrated. We have not yet managed to contact them today, but we HOPE they are now safe in Mombasa.
THIS AIRLINE is the cheapest that comes to Eldoret. They are also the most UNRELIABLE of all.
They seem to have no clear policy or even schedule. They change their flight schedule as if it has never been printed, and then lose sight of their planes as if they are totally without communication.
In fact to set foot in one of their aircraft seems to be very hit or miss - you may think you are going to where you booked and find yourself taking 'mystery' journey to the unknown, or else just stranded, uninformed, and un-mourned for, without apology. How any respectable Airport agree for such an Airline to use its facilities is beyond understanding.
BE WARNED if you are thinking of using THIS Airline, think again. If you go for cheapness you may well live to regret it. ECONOMY can be EXPENSIVE.
===================================
Our dear friend and brother in Christ, John Fowler has also been with us since the 13th. He and his wife Sal, were missionaries here when we arrived in 1972 and we enjoyed their friendship and fellowship in those early years. John is taking time out to revisit old friends, and scenes of their ministry together. On money we shall be taking him on to another area to the West of us.
On the 19th we hope to receive Ian and Diana Hogley, Diana's sister, and another friend for a few days. We are blessed. AND on the 23rd Daryl and Carol will fly to Australia.
Will tell you more NEXT week. Till then our continuing prayer and love for you all - and our grateful thanks for all of you that wrote to assure us that you are reading the Blog and keeping up with our life here in Eldoret, Kenya.
God Bless and keep you safe and well
John and Esther.
No comments:
Post a Comment