YOU'VE GOT A NEW TOOTH!

NOT A LOT HAPPENING HERE, but I did like this picture of two potted kids (labelled 'United Colors').   So truly uncomplicated patience working out together!!  Would that the whole world were so, and able to so unabashedly accept one another without shame or fear toward one another.    So everyday in need and occupation!    So refreshingly ordinary, and lacking in any suggestion of human pride or superiority!      I liked it.
BUT this week I saw another picture of a child on a potty - with a specially designed I-pod on its lap engaging all its attention......SO anti social from infancy, replacing human  contact with electronic alternatives -   Surely it 'is not good for Man to be 'alone' yet more and more he is being weaned away from the need of 'fellowship' with his own kind, until he finds himself  to be even more ALONE with himself than ever before, and thereby vulnerable to manipulation, and despair.

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When I say that not a lot is happening, I mean that nothing especially sensational or exciting is happening!     BUT of course every day there is SO MUCH going on.    School has opened again, and the New Boarding Hostel is full of boarders, and the classrooms crammed full with some 800+ students, including our 130 odd.     Still a lot of landscaping and change in the compound as building continues, and this means that the Nursery School children have moved their play ground to just outside my Office in Green Cottage - some 120 screaming little 'ad-dabs'.      They are lovely, really!    And I can watch them out of the window above my desk - I am not always glad for their screams - but on the other hand they give my a lot of joy and amusement.     LITTLE children are special.
As they hit teenage and become adults we sometimes hit turbulence!!     This week we have lost TWO of our more senior boys - one seventeen, from Testimony House, who suddenly left us in the night - apparently with the church amplifier AND a guitar!!    He is an intelligent youngster in whom we had great hopes - and indeed STILL have great hopes as we continue in prayer for him.     We have had to report the matter to the  Authorities of course, and our hearts are hurt for him.
The other is 19 and has been a member of Tyndale Cottage family since 1999.      He completed his Secondary education last year, but has not wanted to continue on with any Course.   He insisted that having reached his age of majority (18) he had the right to just leave and make his own way.   He actually called in the District Children's Officer to confirm his rights, and so he has left - again much to the hurt of those who have cared for him these last 15 years.     We have special concern for him since he is not academically clever.    
A SAD week?    Yes, a little, but we also have much to make us glad, and MANY to give us JOY,   and hopefulness that JESUS will answer all our prayers.........ALSO we were able to send about 15 of our older Children back to College - always a challenge to be accomplished at the beginning of a Term;  that and the purchase of new uniform.     We Thank God for his faithfulness in moving by His Spirit to make this possible over and above providing our daily bread.      The Annual preparation for our Financial Audit has also been completed.    A BUSY week!   A PRODUCTIVE week! But in many ways not inspiring!

WELL, sisters!   Do you remember these styles from the '40s?     I remember them well, and they quickly bring to mind pictures of my mother, who was a genius with her fingers as a home dress-maker.     I still think women looked so much more attractive and admirable in those days - I suppose a few still may be found that manage to hang on to femininity.     I really have never go used to 'Tights'  and 'Trousers' for women though.       People in the northern hemisphere all say they are a sheer 'necessity' because of the cold and draughty weather.    The 'weather' was just as bad in the 40's!      BUT then women did not seem to consider that looking like 20th century men or medieval page boys was desirable.    Now our modern women look like the average teenage boy, untidy, careless and hobo-like images, hurrying from place to place in their hastily pulled on hose or jeans, and too tight blouses.     Not much to choose between either sex these days clothes-wise.      Just not beautiful!    A GREAT LOSS to culture and fashion.         Truly the world is drifting to a uni-sexual perception of humanity in which neither side can be said to wish to be known either as male or female.      In the end, perhaps, we shall, as King David once wrote of himself, see ourselves no more than 'worms' bi sexual, and NOT definable.
OOPS!    Watch it Green!   No, I am NOT a chauvinist - I just like women to BE women and men to BE men in the best and most praiseworthy ways.

AND NOW HOW CAN I CONCLUDE this week?
I am proclaiming the WORD of God on Sunday again.    I hope to speak from Joshua 3v1-6, found in the Old Testament of the Bible.       Israel is about to enter a new chapter of life and experience.   Joshua virtually tells them to GET READY for it.     He says when you 'SEE' God in your life, STOP what you are thinking about and KEEP HIM IN SIGHT.    Keep you distance, measure your closeness, put Him in focus in front of you - AND FOLLOW AFTER HIM, for HE alone knows the way you should go.     When JESUS Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life is lifted up on the Cross in front of you,  CEASE what you are doing, gather yourself together, ready to go after Him  -  Put your heart and life in order, separate them from all that is unholy in order to DO His HOLY Will.
You may still be a student, a doctor, lawyer, dentist or scientist.   You may be engaged in ANY kind of work or activity - but do not be OWNED by IT - give yourself, your gift, your experience to GOD, and let HIM own you, and use what you are and what you have for His Glory.       You might be seeking academic acclaim; you might be busy making making a fortune, building a house, seeking a partner in marriage; you might be seeking our own honour and praise - BUT you can be deceived!
REMEMBER  - it is 'NOT FOR US, O LORD, not for us, but for YOUR Name, your Mercy, that Glory should be given, for the sake of your TRUTH.'     ( a free rewrite of Psalm 115v1. )

The Spirit may lead us INTO almost anything, anywhere, but it will only BE for God's Praise and Honour.      STOP what you are doing, thinking, and planning!   TURN around and get a sight of GOD .....and let HIM lead you into NEWNESS -

Love you all, and we lift you up as always in our thoughts and prayers to HIM who loves each one of us.

John, Esther, Daryl & Carol
WITH all our children and brethren here with us..