THE INBETWEENIES!!

CHRISTMAS has passed once more, and we are, as it were, in between the Past and the Future. Christmas 'not quite' ended, and the New Year not yet begun!       Green Cottage, so FULL over the holiday is now empty; family and friends all departed and returned to the UK. But the Cards, the decorations, and the Tree still remain, somehow rather forlornly. OUTSIDE the day has dawned drab and grey.    The skies'  opened yesterday afternoon and spewed down a deluge of RAIN that continued non-stop through the rest of the day, through the night until now even.  Truly INCHES of rain must have fallen, yet still the Eldoret Weather Station insists we have only received one millimetre!! Amazing, but rather typical of the kind of 'miss-information' for which Kenya is famous. It does feel a somewhat precarious - 'hanging' - position to be in after the joy and happiness of Christmas itself, and the sunshine and good fellowship - WILL the sun shine ever again? Will life go on into another year? The photo above just had to be included here as it is so expressive. A quite amazing illustration of how life can be. However in another way it is rather depressing since the unfortunate sheep seems unable to go back or forward, but must just wait for the inevitable disaster or experience an unexpected miracle! WELL, but WE must expect the miracle of life to continue for us, and I hope that NEXT Saturday, God Willing, I will be able to express Good Wishes and Hope for the New Year so nearby.

THIS IS THE FIFTH CHRISTMAS since I commenced compiling this BLOG.    Looking back I find each one to have been an amazing experienced of God's delight in delighting!     We have each time found ourselves without any prospect of a comfortable or easy time, yet by Christmas Eve, we have found ourselves with food enough,  and funds enough not be embarrassed financially or unable to give a special 'shine' to the Festival of Christ's Birth.     God has been SO good and faithful - not to us only we hope, but we believe also to ALL those who have looked to Him for help and providence.
THIS year, as I have previously shared in previous days, we (Esther and I ) have had the special blessing of having family and and friends with us.     Green Cottage quite crammed with life; life that overflowed into all the four Homes around us to intermingle and enliven the lives of the rest of the staff and children here.
LAST WEEK I shared how that Daryl slipped an fell about 40 feet from a ladder in the School Hall.   He suffered no lasting damage, but has had to cope with quite a lot of latent pain and bruising - which he has not allowed to interfere with his own continuing drive to bring a lot of active good cheer and enjoyment to everyone.     As our old friend Pastor Stan Hyde would say - a 'good soldier for Jesus'.   He continues to be fine though his left hand is still a pain, and he still has to visit the dentist about his jaw and lost teeth!!

Christmas Day was warm with a good deal of sunshine.    We enjoyed a glad Morning Service together; only a small group since most people that usually worship with us were away visiting their own families, and of course the School Boarders were away on holiday.     For all that it was blessing, and a joy to have with a number of old boys.        A light lunch, various groups out walking, playing board and outdoor games. THEN each house managed its own Family Supper - especially enjoying our own CHICKEN.   Thank you Lord

BOXING DAY began very cloudy with the threat of rain.    Daryl and Carol had arranged for ALL the children AND staff (including ourselves) to travel 20 kilometres beyond Eldoret to a Camp and Recreational Centre known as the SOY Country Club.      Thirty years ago it had been a very beautiful and quiet place to enjoy.  The day we visited ( having especially booked to have it all to ourselves ) we found it quite run down, and in ruins.    The mini Swimming Pool and dressing rooms all in disarray, and in a general state of neglect, as also every other facility.     A grate pity and sadness.     However the children were glad to have a change, and entered into the spirit of a pic-nic and spent the time in recreation, entered into and led by Daryl and the houseparents.      Finally a successful day - even though we found the Managers of the place had not closed it and kept the facility just for us - the locals also were let in with us!      BUT it WAS a good time, and cost very little in fact even  though we had to bring everyone in TWO Bus loads (our School buses),    ALSO it had a special significance for some of us since it was on THIS day in 1972 that I arrived in Testimony House, Eldoret with 28 kids.     We moved that day from 130 kilometres away in Siaya District.    SO it was  another 40th Anniversary - and it did not rain - in fact the sky remained BLUE above us all the time we were there.    And the kids loved every minute of it.        On Wednesday Simon and Rhianna Hogley left us, and on Friday Steven and our two grandchildren also left.         All is quiet and sodden outside now as I type this.  The sky a kind of dirty grey colour, a light COLD wind stirring the trees, and wrapping itself around the houses.     A few irrepressible kids playing in heavy jackets and sweaters........ Looks a winters day indeed.

I am reading a book just now - a paperback.

It was published by COLLINS - Fontana Books 1969 at a cost of 6/-

It is entitled

JESUS REDISCOVERED

by

Malcolm Muggeridge

I recommend it - though perhaps with a little trepidation; it might not suit or appeal to everyone, but it is a book thata certainly makes you THINK and I personally find a great deal worth reading and considering

The Grandchildren

afresh.    Muggeridge gives his own testimony in the book together with his 'christian' views on many other matters relative to his understanding of salvation and the Christian Life.     It is very individual, and not very 'orthodox' in it approach, but I am persuaded of great sincerity behind its writing; an honesty as well.    NO, it is NOT without fault perhaps, but then nothing is, is it.     I recommend it to any who might like to read - in itself a not very common pursuit in the younger generation at least - all my grandchildren seem to prefer their mobile phone, i-pad, or the internet.

My own Book, reprinted and updated in 2010

A CRY FROM THE STREET

ISBN 978-184426-861-0

may still be obtained from 

FASTPRINT

www.fast-print.net/store.php

This must be about all for this week.     We are glad to say that each member of each Family here are well and happy.     School will open in one week, and so some business beginning as we consider school uniform needs and other clothing with which to commence the Year.    Always something extra to consider in a family isn't there?    But this is life.    Nothing seems to last for ever, and certainly not things like shoes and socks!!

Poor parents have all these things to worry about whilst their carefree kids consider their lives gladly.   Oh to be a CHILD - so why do we find it SO hard to BE as a child with our Father in Heaven......HE wants to take ALL the CARES of our lives upon Himself and to let us BE free of them  - why IS that so hard to accept and believe for?        When we get to heaven we will no doubt wonder why we insisted on taking care of ourselves so religiously!!

With our Love and Affection to you all in Christ Jesus as 2012 ends and the Year of 2013 Begins.
May God Bless you and give you confidence and hope as you - with us - cross the line to NEWNESS!

John and Esther, Daryl and Carol 

WHO ARE WE REALLY?

WE THREE KINGS FROM ORIENT ARE....I am quite drawn to this illustration.    I like the way the artist has used colour to somehow enrich the scene.     Yet, initially, I felt somewhat put off by the questionable character that the faces depict.   I see nothing holy or pious a about them.    They are each one very human, very real - and perhaps a little 'questionable'!!   Wise and kingly they maybe, with Gifts in their hands...but a little doubtful, character-wise!    But then kings or wise they also were sinners just like any others, and they came to worship and to proclaim their faith in the One that could take AWAY their sin.    I always think they so accurately read the mind and heart of King Herod because they knew themselves so well.   YES  I am rather glad to have found this painting!      And the discovery came at the right time for me since, last night, we had a mini presentation of the Nativity during our Christmas Concert.     This is an Annual event that takes place in our School Hall during the evening hours -  about one hour in length.      It is attended by ALL the children, plus also between one and two hundred adults from the locality.     Always very well received and enjoyed.     This year we had a Narrator in front of the curtains which were closed upon a darkened stage.      He set the scene and then began to tell the story of the nativity to the audience.     Mary and Joseph helped by the inn-keepers wife came our of the darkness - spotlighted - as they made their way (with dialogue) to the stage centre where they slipped between the curtain into the darkness behind.       THEN two shepherds from the fields appeared searching for the place where they had laid the young child (with dialogue) and were met on stage in front of the curtain by the inn-keepers wife who was found willing to show them the very place.  They then also disappeared behind the curtain.     FINALLY the three Magi,(kings / wise men) appeared carrying their gifts (also with dialogue) and made their way to the front of stage and then through the curtain into the darkness behind.      All of this took only 10 minutes or so.      THEN the stage lights went on, and the curtains drawn to reveal the stable with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the inn-keepers wife and the three kings.    There was a little dialogue during which the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were presented to baby Jesus, and finally a carol sung by a choir of angels.    The rest of the program included carols and Bible readings and concluded with a short message.

No sign of HEROD the King, waiting in the coldness of his Palace in Jerusalem.

YESTERDAY, Friday, our son Steven took us (Esther, myself, Simon and Rhianna Hogley, and our two grandchildren, Tonia and Eric) to visit RONDO in the Kakamega Rain Forest about a 100 kilometres away, and a two hour journey on VERY rough roads.     Kakamega is west of us in Eldoret.
Many years ago TFH owned the property, but eventually sold it back to the present owners who use it as a Christian Retreat Centre - it is a renowned place for those interested in BIRDS and BUTTERFLIES to come since both love to congregate there and many different species of both kinds may be seen.

Rondo House, Rondo Retreat Centre, Kakamega Forerst

It is beautifully kept and Godfrey and Elisabeth Dawkins who manage it were both there to meet us.  It was a very pleasant afternoon and a time to reminisce.      A fairly well known film 'THE KITCHEN TOTO' was shot in Rondo, circa 1987 just before we handed over the property to Trinity Fellowship.

BUT, while we were away Daryl and Carol and other staff were busy decorating the School in readiness for the Concert.     High up upon a ladder perched on the Stage, trying to fix lighting, Daryl suddenly slipped on the rung he was standing on, and the ladder slid sideways and both came tumbling down.     Daryl hit his head on a log of wood and hit his left arm heavily.   He was unsciouse on landing, and an immediate outcry from those with him, including many of the children rushed to where he had fallen.      Some thought he might have killed himself!      However he soon revived and was then taken to hospital - X-rays have shown no bones were broken, although it is thought that the left side of his jaw might be fractured, and two teeth were knocked out.    Uncomfortable and hurting, but not fatal - and we can only thank God that an Angel was on hand to give him a helping hand as he fell from that great height to the ground.       Quite a shock to him, and rather sobering.     He is up and about and we have just had lunch with him and Carol and all the Houseparents.

King Herod depicted by Peter Ustinov

TOMORROW I am giving a Message on the sin of Hypocrisy - and I am going to use HEROD the King of Israel as an example.       So GLAD on the one hand to hear of Jesus, so filled with ANIMOSITY against Him on the other.       Then on Christmas Eve we shall be with the Shepherds in their fields, and on Christmas Day to the Birth of Baby Jesus in the Stable.       THUS we shall have come to the BEGINNING of a story that STILL had not ended.       BUT the End is in sight.   All the 'signs' of His Coming Again are about us - SO we must look up and BE READY ANY TIME.

God be with you ALL through the days ahead, and may He Keep you SAFE and full of PEACE and JOY

With Love from all your Family here in Eldoret


John and Esther,   Daryl and Carol
              The Greens

OH THE WONDER OF IT ALL!

THIS PICTURE of Mary the Virgin being greeted by her cousin Elisabeth    really rejoices my heart!   Such JOY and exhilaration on the part of Elisabeth (right) and a kind of excited wonder with Mary (left).    Everything seems just right about it - just as I would imagine it to have happened.
Why did Mary go to visit her cousin.     It was not too long after she became pregnant.    She was engaged -  but Joseph was not with her.     Had she decided to 'hide' and avoid unwanted gossip and stares?    Or was it that she wanted to share the wonder of her situation with someone else who had been pregnant longer - someone who had been pronounced barren, yet now when she was beyond the usual age for child baring had suddenly found herself with child - through the intervention of God as foretold by that same Angel (Gabriel) that had spoken to Mary a little while before?      Whatever the reason there was refuge and welcome there, and one can sense that great happiness when two people who trust and value one another meet.     Yet this was BEYOND all that either had expected I think.
Elisabeth, as soon as she had heard Mary's Greeting, felt her own baby LEAP in her womb, and she herself was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.      Such an unexpected and spontaneous happening, and Elisabeth found herself involuntarily proclaiming -

Blessed are YOU among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

What will this mean to me -

that the mother of my Lord has come to me?

FOR 

as soon as your voice was heard in my ears

the baby leapt in my womb for joy.

Blessed is she that believed;

for there shall be a performance of those things

which were told her from the Lord

Whatever WERE Mary's personal reasons for making this journey to visit her cousin, God meant to use it to wonderfully confirm her faith, and to increase it.        After much trepidation, heart searching and perhaps even doubt, Mary now finally felt freed to truly believe ALL that the Angel had said to her.  As her cousin testified to realising God to be with Mary,  Mary herself felt strengthened within herself

Now she could take hold of Joseph's hand, and together they could face the world around them, and walk in faith with God!      We do not know how long she stayed with her cousin - but it may not have been very long....!

Two things impress me, looking once more at this friendly encounter.     One is that from the first JESUS within Mary was able to make His Presence felt by others.   The other that the Spirit that was within HIM was able to overflow to another.       TRULY His conceptional name IMMANUEL - 'God with us' was clearly demonstrated in this meeting.......... and I believe this is something that even now in our own experience is able to be apprehended.       Look out for GOD - He IS with us in Christ Jesus.

Come to HIM and you will find GOD.       Seek for God and you will consider this Holy Child JESUS, who grew to Manhood,  and put to death on a Cross too all our punishment for all our sin upon Himself, descended into Hell, and ROSE again from the grave, Victorious and Alive for ever, our Saviour, Lord, and KING.

********************************** 

Christmas Trees are now UP in all our houses here in Testimony.    And yes, they are adorned with lights and tinsel.

And yes, they have provided a sense of celebration and joy to everyone.      This is a Special Time; a special occasion,   the DAY will soon be here with us when we remember the 'Birthday' of the one who came to secure us for Eternity.   And YES, we know it is not really His Birthday - but it the day we choose to REMEMBER it.     And we will do it with joy and not with sorrow or theological debate.

The Nativity Play is in Rehearsal, and on Monday I will be in the School Hall for a peak at how it is looking.    The date for the Concert is Friday 21st December.    Not too many days to polish everything, but the children are very enthusiastic and glad to have an opportunity to declare their joy in Jesus.

Suddenly Carols and other Christmas music (even Handel's Messiah) is being heard within our two compounds. and at last we have become aware - despite heat and sunshine - that Christmas is with us.    The story has begun and is unfolding........soon it will reach its climax!

Some of our old boys have just called in to give us two 90kgs sacks of beans, and to say more is on the way.   Wonderful to have them remember us.    And there will be others.      Love and Thanksgiving also to all who, through AENON Trust, have recently sent to us, in Jesus Name.     God has helped us to be able bring the children into Season's Joy and Happiness for this Advent .      Thank you all that partner with us in this wonderful privilege of bring hope and life to children who had NO hope, and little life expectancy.       This is a MIRACLE, that by the Grace of God, we can, and do,  all share in.

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THANK YOU also for taking on the Burden I shared with you on behalf of Joshua and Miriam and their  problem with the Inland Revenue.       SO FAR nothing more has happened.     The Letter threatening acting remains - but they remain in their home, and the children remain in theirs.     This will not be the end of the matter, but we will be believing and praying with them that the LORD will keep what is HIS against all comers.       Joshua and Miriam are both well, and firm in their convictions.    We hope to see them during the Christmas days ahead.     We shall encourage each other as always.

Much Love in He Who is our LIFE.      May He give you peace and quietness in the midst of joy and worship as the world whirls itself into a shopping and spending frenzy.

Affectionately

John and Esther & Daryl and Carol  (The Greens)

plus all those labouring with us, and living as 'family' with us

LOOK OUT FOR AN ANGEL !

BE NOT AFRAID, MARY!         That she WAS both shocked and speechless, was  no doubt an understatement, yet the impression is that she took it all in her stride.     The astounding words recited by Gabriel, and the implications of them must surely have filled her with confusion and moral trepidation.     She was probably still in her teens - a virgin!    And now ENGAGED.
What was this that God was putting upon her?   Who would believe her story?    Would even Joseph her fiancee believe it.     Shame would come upon her AND upon him..........The Angel saw into her thoughts and thus he encouraged her - Be NOT afraid Mary.

LATER in life, when Jesus had grown to manhood, she said to some  who were found lacking and in need  'WHATEVER He says to you DO IT.  (John 2v5).      She had been obedient to the Word given to her, and been blessed.      God had brought her through all the challenge He knew would attend Mary's obedience.   Gave her the strength to endure the doubt, scorn and mockery of others who, observed her life, judging her.      It is not always easy or straightforward to OBEY God.    I mean it is not without challenge to ones sensibilities and cultural beliefs.       I think a fair amount of courage and bravery is needed in order to just get up and GO ............. How do you see it?      I feel sure this is why Jesus told the disciples to WAIT for empowerment BEFORE going out to witness.     They did as HE told them and WAITED, and God the Father poured out the Holy Spirit upon them in a way they could never forget or repudiate.     THEN they began immediately to GO and Witness to what they KNEW of Him.    God likes us to be SURE - is willing to provide evidence and proof even today in this often faithless and unbelieving generation.        I suppose it WAS sensational for Mary to be confronted by the Angel, yet it was not something hyped up before it happened.      She was not READY or EXPECTING such a thing to happen.  

WHATEVER He says to YOU to do this Christmas - however way out, unlikely, impossible - just go ahead, accept, and do it!    

Dan and Esther

We - the Greens - have just returned from the Engagement of Esther (Joshua and Miriam's daughter) which took place in the grounds of Neema Children's Homes just a few kilometres from us.      They are now beautiful grounds adorned with lawns, a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers setting of the Children's Home built, the School now growing, and the family home where Joshua and Miriam live and where they began the work nine years ago.
Crowds of friends and well wishers were there, and us who count ourselves family.      Joshua also graduated yesterday with an MA degree which he has been working on part time over four years.   Wonderful.    A lot of joy ?    YES indeed..........BUT yesterday evening they had a new communication from the Inland Revenue who have for some time been trying to get some £12,000 out of them in TAX.
They have never had that kind of money, and they have not paid it.         Yesterday they were advised that on MONDAY the Revenue Bailiffs would take possession of their family home - NOT the children's home, but their own family home.        They spent a sleepless night filled with apprehension.    The MA seemed to mean suddenly nothing, and the Engagement Party scheduled for day lost all it's shine and happiness.  
They had not expected such a pronouncement against them.  

Miriam and Joshua

They were stunned,    What could be done?   If they do not pay they will lose their home, risk the future of all the children they are caring for.   What will people say about them?     They trust in God for all their need.
And God says to THEM.....FEAR NOT!         And I reminded them of this, this afternoon.   God ha,s over years, proved and evidenced Himself to them - they KNOW He is real.       He will not fail them now, nor let any man or men to come in to destroy what HE has built and established.
We left them rejoicing.    We will be praying for them that come Monday, they will SEE the Lord with the Victory in His Hand.

Our next Blog will be on 15th December.       Probably we shall have decorated each Home by then, here in TFH and there will be strings of Cards, paper chains, a tree complete with lights and a whole lot more.  I am sure carols and other Christmas music will begin to be heard all around.      OUR Christmas Season will have finally begun.      I have described how we hope for it to be in our Christmas Letter sent out a few days back with our Christmas Card.
BUT this month began with many waiting bills to be paid.       Funds did arrived, and some of those bills have been paid and dealt with, as also the provision of our daily need,    We can all together once more join in and say with a heart full of Joy 'GOD IS GOOD'.          Yesterday I suggested to Daryl that we go ahead and BUY what we need for Christmas now before the Town is too busy and prices rise even further.    He said he would prefer to wait and see how much we would have by Christmas Eve!!    Every Christmas we have done our best to have wonderful spiritual time together AND an opportunity to eat and have fun together.
We do not buy presents as such, but there is plenty to enjoy in fellowship and company.    Sometimes though we provide a small sack of sweets, balloons, sports equipment and indoor games that the children in each house can share and have fun with.       This year the feeling was we might not be able to achieve this.  Things  are tight - but we know we will still have a good time for all that.
THEN, after talking with Daryl, a sister in Christ from our Church Fellowship who lives kilometre or two away called on me and Esther unexpectedly. She brought with her 200 brown paper pockets (5 pbi) each with candy, small toys, balloons, and other kick knacks for Christmas - one for each child.    She and her family had stayed up all night packing them up, and now here they were.    What a delight !   What a truly kind and inspirational thought that prompted her - surely it came from GOD.     How He does delight to surprise us above our expectations.    NONE of us need to worry about what man or circumstances may threaten us with IF we KNOW that GOD is with us, and involved in what we are doing.      He WILL provide, overcome, and even DEFEAT every fear and anxiety that is set before us.

SO take heart dear friends, and lift up your heads ready to ACCEPT and RECEIVE from His Loving Hands all that YOU need to experience a truly Blessed Christmas - no matter WHAT may arise - or has even arisen - to surprise you out of your Faith.      What was it that Mary finally said to the Angel?

'BEHOLD the handmaid of the Lord

be it unto me according to thy word.'

The word 'handmaid' there speaks of a personal servant - in the feminine.     But we should apply it to all of us really and not be afraid, when we are confronted by anything untoward, to also say

BEHOLD the servant of the Lord

be it unto me according to thy word.

And to then go forward in faith willing for whatever may betide.     It can only be GOOD  in the end!!!

Much love in Him from us all here in Testimony Faith Homes, and especially from the Green's

John and Esther & Daryl and Carol

TESTIMONY SCHOOL GROWTH

THIS IS THE LATEST photo of what has been taking time to build.   The NEW Dormitory and Classroom Block for Testimony School.    The Block will provide Boarding for 60 boys in the Secondary Section of the School, together with FOUR new classrooms providing for a SECOND stream of Secondary Classrooms, PLUS a new Library.      All built in a light grey volcanic lava stone.     The dorm will be on the ground floor and the classrooms above,     All should be completed and ready for use by early January.     This will, it is hoped bring more patronage to the School as our area has been short of high school places for some time.       Since the late 1990s the high school has limped along with just one stream of Form 1 to 4,  and it has not paid its way, having to rely on the Primary Section to prop it up financially  -  you should know that the School (though private) subsists from incoming Fees from outside families wishing their children to attend.
The entire cost is taken care of in this way - teachers salaries, text books, consummables and development all paid for by parents of local children seeking to learn in the School.       These Fees also provide for all the Orphans resident in our four Homes to learn FREE from Nursery to the final year of High School.
NOW with the provision of a 2nd Stream in High School it is hoped that the School will be able to take care of all of its running costs without any part of it running at a loss.      

THE SWIMMING POOL is situated to the left of the photo above, where our old Basket Ball Court was   (now re-sited to the School Field.   To the right of the NEW building  opposite you can catch a glimpse of the Nursery School beyond /and just behind the tree the school laboratories.
As you can see the Pool has been excavated.   It is a standard 'school' pool of 25v14 meters with a depth at the shallow end of 1.5 meters running to 3 meters at the deep end.
A great deal of EARTH and ROCK came out of the hole - much of which we have been able to use for other purposes.      The Maintenance Worshop and stone house that used to be on the right side of the pool have been re-sited or knocked down to make room for more space.      The toddlers 'Paddle and Splash' pool will be bottom right of the photo, just out of sight.        We hope and expect other schools and groups to use the pool, and we also hope we encourage a competitive interest in the sport.    We will be one of the FEW schools having a pool of their own.         AND during week-ends and holidays the Children from the Homes will be able at times to have free use of the fascility just for themselves.    WOW.

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Naomi 10,  Dominic 8,  and Janet 12 and caption

THREE VERY HAPPY FACES!!      Yet these three children have come through the loss of a caring mother, loss of home and security, and times of what must have been fear and anxiety.     Even now they are still, technically, in transit to the unknown!         They lived together with their unmarried mother in poor, but caring circumstances in a suburb of Eldoret, until one day, quite suddenly their mother was taken ill and admitted to hospital.      She suffered from AIDS, but had managed to survive quite well until recently.       It seemed she had no time to leave word of instruction to any concerning her children, and so they remained living in their small house alone, and increasingly hungry.      Eventually their situation became so noticeable that it was reported to the District Children's Office.  Many weeks had be then gone by, and their Mother had passed away in the hospital.      Finding the children near to starvation and quite forlorn and scared, the Children's Office brought them to us early this week.       They had made a quick search to see if there were any family members existing that might want to care for the children, but had come up with nothing.    But they wanted more time to extend their search before finally committing the children to an institution - could WE have them until the end of December when they would make a final decision as to what should happen to them?  We said YES, of course, and well I think you can see the total happiness in these youngsters - even though the future remains uncertain.      NOW at least they feel SAFE, and protected - even though they know their Mum has passed away.   Please spare a prayer for them.    We hope they will have a very happy Christmas with us, and catch sight  even more of God, and His Love for them.

This year we have Admitted 13 children into the Homes, including the three above.      About the same number of left us to start their own lives as working men and women.       Most of them are working in and around town, and call in often to have a chat, and to encourage themselves.    It is not an easy transition to leave a family home of 30 or more and suddenly fend for yourself in a small rented room, rather scantily furnished and lonely.      They have all made that transition in the end, and prospered enough to marry and start making their own home with their own little family.       We try to be available in this transition period, and make visits and invite visits.         

Currently we have 133 resident in our FOUR homes.

In TESTIMONY HOUSE

 Hesketh and Alice Muli and their three children have 31 with them, fourteen 

of whom are girls and eighteen are boys.

In JACARANDA COTTAGE

 Joseph and Beatrice Rop have 34 children, 

 of whom six are girls and twenty-eight are boys.

In DRAKELEY COTTAGE

 Francis and Eunice Lahol and their two children have 30 with them, nine 

of whom are girls and twenty-one are boys.

And in TYNDALE COTTAGE

 Micha and Senge Yego and their two children have 37 with them, twelve

 of whom are girls and 25 are boys.

Our current Age groups now range as follows -

0   -   5 =  2  boys   2  girls

6  -  13 = 40 boys  18 girls

13 -  17 = 29 boys  12 girls

 18 ++    = 22 boys    8 girls

All the children from Nursery to Form 1V of Secondary attend Testimony School FREE of charge - the School covering the cost of each child via the Fees paid by the parents whose children attend the school from the District.     THUS the Homes only have to find the Fees of those attending College or University after completing their Secondary Education.     WE usually have an average of about 20 in Higher Education at any one time.

The School has a population in excess of those attending from our Homes of approximately 600 students.

AND NOW CHRISTMAS WILL soon be with us - unlike most of the world WE do not start to observe or notice it until about the 18th December - except in the Supermarkets !!      For our 13 newest children it will be the first time to have a Christmas with us and usually it is a real experience for  them, and one in which they have their first revelation of Jesus and God's love for them all.      Much prayer goes into this time of year, and usually quite a lot of activity both spiritual AND secular.     A lot of play and a lot of laughter as well as just enjoyment of being AT HOME and NOT ALONE.

God Bless you all during the week to come, and Thank you for praying for us, and for being part of the continuing demonstration of His Love and Care.    

Much Love in Him

John and Esther & Daryl and Carol

                  'The Greens'