NEVER TOO OLD FOR A BEAR HUG!! This is of course Carol Green being hugged by a Koala Bear in Adelaide, Australia. She looks a little surprised ! - As also Daryl - Well I promised to get some photos eventually to give a little glimpse of the new Greens that have come to succeed Esther and me in running TFH., in their first representation of the ministry overseas.They were three weeks away and travelled around Adelaide in South Australia and also to Sydney, Capital of New South Wales. The were not Fund Raising, but they were presenting Testimony Faith Homes to students, parents and staff of Tyndale Christian School in Adelaide. Mike Potter and his wife Dani have over many years been motivating the School in having an interest in Kenya where they had previously worked, and also in US, and the ministry of Joshua and Miriam Mbithi who once worked with us. This year marks TEN years of our friendship and association with Tyndale, and they threw a Celebration in Remembrance. Daryl and Carol were their invited Guests together with Joshua and Miriam, whom they were wonderfully able to fete with abundant fellowship, food and festivity. These were three weeks to remember, and I know that Carol and Daryl will always carry these Memories with them through the rest of their lives. A very Special occasion and Experience which in many ways, we feel, has been a New Beginning for us all.
Whilst there in Australia they were shown around the beautiful sea and country-side. They were flown to Sydney to see the sights there, and spent prime time meeting past staff, students and friends from the School who were there to remember their Visits going back to 2002.
Two BIG luncheons took place with opportunity for the School, and Testimony and Neema Homes to inter relate, sharing information and experiences going back over the last ten years. Already a group of more than 35 is preparing to come again next year in July, AND more than 50 in 2014!!! The interest and sincere desire to come and help just grows and grows. Daryl and Carol being right there in the midst of it all were truly moved by all those they met.
On the way back home to us, Daryl managed to contract some kind of heavy cold. Flying from Adelaide they first of all had to call in at PERTH on the west coast for a five hour stop-over. THERE they both managed to meet up with Daryl's aunt. Neither had ever met before; she is the youngest sister of Daryls real father. I think it must have been almost as exciting a moment as it was for me to meet my sister first time. She has lived in Nollamara, a suburb of Perth for most of her married life. And it was really a small miracle that she was able to get permission to enter the Airport and spend time with Daryl and Carol. Another 'special' to add to those happy memories.
Both are now back, as you know, and have settled into the work, although Daryl is still coughing a lot, but otherwise recovered from his 'cold'. We are GLAD to have them back. As also their little 'family'. The Homes have been suffering from their own brand of Recession, and the School has been under attack as well with students from outside being found bringing in soft drugs such as Marijuana, and one having to be expelled for immorality. One or two of our own boys also mixed up in trouble at school. It has been a rather oppressive month that has brought all of us to our knees seeking the Lord to lift up His Standard and rebuke the Enemy.
BUT, on the other side, we see souls brought into the Kingdom every Sunday as the gospel is preached.
God IS good. And, wonderfully, our morning staff prayer times have included readings from the Psalms, full of encouragement and strength for the day. Hallelujah. (Psalms 30 - 34)
There are many Christian folk today that turn back because the going is often tough, strewn with giant trials, sorrow and pain. The way of Salvation that leads to Heaven is not a bed of roses - it is not PAVED all the way, sometimes not even part of the way - there are human and spiritual pot holes, traffic jams, accidents and even unexpected diversions along the way. When cash dries up, loved ones and even we ourselves get to die or become painfully sick, when everything collapses and life seems insupportable - the ROAD goes on, AND, wonder of wonders, we DO come through into sunlight, calm, and peace of mind and body just because The LORD of Heaven and Earth, JESUS is with us, alongside us, together with us bearing all things, suffering all things, overcoming all things. Without HIM in us and WITH us, we are unable to make it; we will fail to run the course, win the race. Thank you my Father in Heaven for the GIFT of Jesus. Thank you for guaranteeing MY / OUR race will be FINISHED and WON.
The Apostle PAUL says in 2.Timothy3v2 ,,,,,,,,,,'what persecutions I endured; but out of them all the LORD delivered ME.'
Consider King David's testimony in Psalm 34v1-9
l WILL bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from ALL my fears.
They looked upon him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of ALL his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delievereth them.
O TASTE AND SEE the the LORD is good
Blessed is the man that trusteth in HIM!
O fear the LORD ye saints, for there is no want to them that fear Him.
WE have been travelling, and continue to travel, on this Road. Often not at all comfortable, fearful even, BUT the LORD is with us, and with you. FEAR not. He will not let go your hand, and has power and strength to pull you up, out and onward from every obstacle.
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IN ELDORET, the sun shines - but only in between more RAIN clouds and rain. School shuts on the 2nd November until the 13th January - 10-11 weeks!! - the longest holiday ever, due to the Teachers strike upsetting the normal curriculum, and having to accommodate National Examinations. Quite a challenge for parents.
TWO new boys have just arrived to stay with us plus one new girl (actually I have mentioned them before but this is the first time I could put photos up), Our doors are ALWAYS open of course, as long as we have a vacancy, and we accept more children even when times are hard and food hard to find. We trust God has directed their steps to us, and that He will be Faithful in providing for them.
DAISY is 13 and attempting her National Primary final examination in about three weeks time. She is older than our normal admittance age, but she is the younger sister of a boy already resident with us. We did not admit her when we admitted the boy as she had HIV and the grandmother wanted her at home with her. BUT now the grandmother has grown old and unwell, and has not been supervising Daisy's medical health well. SO we agreed to take her in - she was very obviously much worse and we felt seriously concerned.
Taking her immediately to our local HIVE/AIDS Clinic we were told she had not been attending and was now very run down. She lives in Jacaranda Cottage with her brother Reuben now. She is much more healthy since her arrival. REUBEN, her brother came in February 2005 aged 8. He has a severe learning problem, but just a few months ago he apprehended Jesus and everything changed. He is now making up for lost time, and it has been like a flower blossoming. God truly works in strange ways - Daisy resembles Reuben a lot, but she is academically very bright and of a very loving disposition.
STEVEN, 5yrs & VICTOR 7yrs They also have a young sister whom we may also take in later.
Their mother died of AIDS in 2008 and the Father, though alive, is bedridden with AIDS, and living in abject poverty in one room. The three children lived there with him. One of them VICTOR has HIV as well. The Children's Department were informed and on visitation agreed with the father who is not expected to live long, to transfer the two boys to us and the sister to an aunt. VICTOR was quite run down on arrival here, and had not been treated for his HIV. He and Steve came in September, and we already see a sustained improvement in Victor. They both live in Testimony House, and I have just returned from there - where I was immediately beset upon by both these scamps, bright eyed and happy, looking for a hug and cuddle - and possibly hoping for a balloon or two that I often have about me. MORE are expected as others prepare to leave........and so the ebb and flow continues.
I am speaking in Church here tomorrow - the last Sunday before School closes, and 160 School Boarders leave to return to their homes far and wide. We shall feel rather 'small' as a fellowship till they return in January - just about 150 of us and a few from the locality. But God will be with us, as we prepare for Christmas. Continue to pray for us, as we will for you all, and we believe He will come freshly once more into our lives and hearts as we remember His Birth.
Love from us all
John and Esther and also Daryl and Carol
DAISY is 13 and attempting her National Primary final examination in about three weeks time. She is older than our normal admittance age, but she is the younger sister of a boy already resident with us. We did not admit her when we admitted the boy as she had HIV and the grandmother wanted her at home with her. BUT now the grandmother has grown old and unwell, and has not been supervising Daisy's medical health well. SO we agreed to take her in - she was very obviously much worse and we felt seriously concerned.Taking her immediately to our local HIVE/AIDS Clinic we were told she had not been attending and was now very run down. She lives in Jacaranda Cottage with her brother Reuben now. She is much more healthy since her arrival. REUBEN, her brother came in February 2005 aged 8. He has a severe learning problem, but just a few months ago he apprehended Jesus and everything changed. He is now making up for lost time, and it has been like a flower blossoming. God truly works in strange ways - Daisy resembles Reuben a lot, but she is academically very bright and of a very loving disposition.
STEVEN, 5yrs & VICTOR 7yrs They also have a young sister whom we may also take in later.
Their mother died of AIDS in 2008 and the Father, though alive, is bedridden with AIDS, and living in abject poverty in one room. The three children lived there with him. One of them VICTOR has HIV as well. The Children's Department were informed and on visitation agreed with the father who is not expected to live long, to transfer the two boys to us and the sister to an aunt. VICTOR was quite run down on arrival here, and had not been treated for his HIV. He and Steve came in September, and we already see a sustained improvement in Victor. They both live in Testimony House, and I have just returned from there - where I was immediately beset upon by both these scamps, bright eyed and happy, looking for a hug and cuddle - and possibly hoping for a balloon or two that I often have about me. MORE are expected as others prepare to leave........and so the ebb and flow continues.I am speaking in Church here tomorrow - the last Sunday before School closes, and 160 School Boarders leave to return to their homes far and wide. We shall feel rather 'small' as a fellowship till they return in January - just about 150 of us and a few from the locality. But God will be with us, as we prepare for Christmas. Continue to pray for us, as we will for you all, and we believe He will come freshly once more into our lives and hearts as we remember His Birth.
Love from us all
John and Esther and also Daryl and Carol
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