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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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