CHRISTMAS WEEK FOR US

CHRISTMAS HAS COME AND GONE.........once again,by His Grace.      This has been my 45th Christmas in Kenya!!  I have been here more than half my lifetime.   Amazing!   BUT Christmas is forever in our hearts if Jesus is become our Lord and Saviour.     He is the Beginning AND the End of all things, including our life.
For MARY it was a Beginning too of a life with Jesus. She and Joseph found nowhere to lay her baby but in a Manger.
They were not rich or influential.......But I believe that for both herself and for Joseph it was a most Awesome and Joyful night, the Night Jesus was BORN.    Soon after the Shepherds and the Wise Men visited they were  fleeing for their lives to Egypt from the bitter greed of Herod the King.
Living like refugees they finally returned to Judea ...Joseph died,   Jesus took over the Carpenter's business until one of his step brothers was old enough to take over.    A hard and no doubt frugal life.     And then JESUS left her, and was soon being killed in front of her eyes.    Still not old, she was widowed and broken hearted - but not alone.     A wonderful woman.   She was and IS meant to be 'Blessed among women'   and although we are to see her as just a woman made of flesh and blood, we are also to see her as the one trusted with God's Son.     She not only bore Him in her womb for those long, hard months, of gossip and slander, unflinchingly faithful and steadfast to God's Word, but also when He was finally born she gave up her heart to loving Him.     What an example of 'Motherhood' and womanhood generally.   And a true 'handmaiden' of the Lord created to DO His Will, yet a sinner like all of us, needing the forgiveness, and mercy from God, and receiving it from the One she nursed.

THE CHRISTMAS CONCERT, WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.      The School Hall was FULL, and our children presented wonderfully in song and drama.     The Drama, written by Victor Makokha one of our boys who has just qualified as a Primary Teacher, was about a family that had been divided.  The eldest son had made a decision to follow Jesus during a Church Service at which all his family members were in attendance.      The problem was that the 'family' were just 'church goers' and had no real interest or commitment in following Christ.    They were not BELIEVERS.    The Father of the family felt embarrassed for his son, and had thrown him out of the house.     Now, at Christmas a year or two later the son and his eldest daughter decide to visit his fathers house in an attempt to restore relationships.    His return is initially met with rage and rejection by his family members who still feel they have been made a fool of in some way by his behaviour in the Church.       However finally he is able to patiently deliver the Christmas Message in such a way that the entire family believes and seeks forgiveness.    Quite a powerful 30 minute production, ending with the story of the nativity being portrayed as it is narrated, bringing the 'old' story to bare on an up to date family situation.

ON THE SUNDAY before Christmas we had our normal Sunday Service during which I spoke about Mary contending with gossip and slander, and about Jesus growing up.    

'GOD allowed His son, Jesus, to be born into relative poverty -

born with cattle in a cattle shed.  Born to parents who were said to have committed fornication.

God allowed His son to be born with a devalued and tarnished origin.

He was not given to the RICH or RIGHTEOUS, but to the poor and despised.

WHY?

So that He could share their trouble, their shame, their misery and faults.

JESUS identified Himself with it all, and found GRACE to put Himself in our places -

and to give His Life for us, that we might be forgiven, healed, and freed from all condemnation.

THE BIBLE says we have ALL run away from our Father, and Family, breaking His Heart.

THE BIBLE says, God let His Only Son JESUS come to FIND US..

To FIND us and BRING us home again.

REMEMBER the Prodigal Son in Luke 15

'Hey, Father, I'm home seeking forgiveness -

and brother JESUS is with me.....

YES, THANK YOU JESUS, for being willing for your Father

to put you to distress that I might be Blessed!

Thank you Mary for letting God USE YOU, 

and to even put you to distress for my sake

HERE IS MY BODY

Fill it with Your Life, Jesus.
Make me a Blessing as you make Yourself a Blessing for me.

++++++++++++

SINCE MONDAY the sun has shone in a cloudless sky.   Christmas Eve welcomed my niece in law, Elisabeth Muguri,   Esthers sisters daughter from Nairobi.     She operates a Travel Business.    She is a very live wire, and it was very special to have her with us as a guest.    She and Tammy got on so well and they had a lot of laughs and fun.    Our son Manu, and a friend of his, Allan, also joined us.
Traditionally on Christmas Eve we have a Carol Service from about 7.30p.m. until 9p.m.     In previous years it has taken place OUTSIDE of Green Cottage, on the lawn.     However this year we made a change, and arranged chairs from the School Hall all around the front of Testimony House facing the porch.        We had a choir there, to the side, to sing, and all the children, staff and some visitors sat around to watch.     As the program went on we had representations of Joseph and Mary come onto the Porch, and baby Jesus in the Manger.   Then they were joined by the Shepherds and the Wise Men until we had an illuminated Nativity Scene all in place.
I gave a short Message about the Shepherds and their visit to SEE Jesus.  'What was the result' I asked.
'The went and shared it all with as many as they met.   The had a story to tell, and they each one believed in it with all their heart.   They just HAD to tell others about it; about what had come into their hear.     Baby Jesus is God's Gift to each one of us, He came to SAVE us from evil and badness, and to bring us back to our Father, in Heaven.
YES, of course, Jesus did not stay a baby.   He grew into an adult, a MAN who will stand by any one who will look for Him.   He will be a FRIEND who will never leave or forsake us, and as Long as we stay by His side He will give us the strength and power to always come through winning!   REMEMBER, God loved each one of us SO MUCH that He gave Himself to each one of us IN Jesus.
NOW we can GIVE ourselves to HIM........Don't undervalue God's Gift to you, but show how much you appreciate it, by LOVING GOD BACK.'

It was a definitely better way of arranging it, everyone seemed to enjoy it.     After the last prayer we served refreshments to the children....all 140 of the and  the staff.......all outside.     But the sky was not starry as we had hoped - a little cloudy........

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING we all attended our Morning  Service together in the School Hall.  Not many locals joined in with us as most return to their family homes to join with relations.    Still there were still a crowd of 200 or more that were there together.      Again there were Carols that were sung by all of us and Carols that were presented by our Carol Party Team that had gone Carolling on Monday Afternoon all around the locality.   I led the Meeting, but really it was more like a family fellowship, and very informal.    I talked about the Wise Men and the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, emphasising the need to FIND GOD, and KNOW HIM, recognising His Love for us.     Also also the fact that it is 'Better to GIVE than to receive', and that that WE have the opportunity NOW to GIVE to God - a Life, a Heart, and a BODY.....What JOY there IS in heaven and with GOD when any human being feel to GIVE this as a GIFT to Him Who has loved , and GIVEN US so much in CHRIST

 Some stood up to say a word or two about how JESUS had changed their lives, 

And we Broke Bread together, and rejoiced and gave Thanks for yet again entering into the memory of the BEGINNING of our Salvation............

Afterwards we met with each other and broke up for lunch in our respective houses!     Each house had a Turkey to share, and much else as well to make a good repast.      Some Balloons, sweets, and small gifts individually handed to each child in a small gift back - all lovingly given and put together by a dear sister in our Fellowship.       She had organised some months back knowing that she would be spending her own Christmas away in Canada with family.     Oh, the Love of Jesus.    We also bought each Home a Football, and a few other board games.

One of our old boys, now working in Nairobi, James Mbati Tsindakha arrived midway through the afternoon and stayed over till today the 28th.   James labours for a pharmaceutical company and is currently attempting his M.A. degree as well.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

ON BOXING DAY we slept late, and then about 10a.m. the children made their way to the Swimming Pool - but NOT OURS !      Our new Pool had sprung a leak, and so we could not use it; it had to be emptied and repaired.     They are in fact busy repairing it right now, since it MUST be in working order by the time School opens on the 6th January!!     SO we had to borrow a pool we have used before and which is now in the compound of the Catholic University, but privately owned and operated.

We usually take a  pic-nic lunch and spend until about 6pm.      Great fun for the children who revel in the freedom to just enjoy themselves.     And the weather remained fine - even HOT.     Of course Esther and I were in attendance, and it was really good to just BE there to watch the kids having such a good time - AND quite a lot of old boys and girls dropped in for a 'bite' and a swim as well as to wish us a Happy Christmas.        Daryl and Carol also joined in with us together with their three children, and so it WAS truly a Family Day - with even the additional blessing of being able to SKYPE with Steven Green in the UK with his family, AND Elisabeth and her children who were visiting for the day.

And now the remaining days are quickly trickling away and the Year of 2013 soon to END>

Tomorrow I shall be concluding the Season by sharing a little on KING HEROD in an effort to demonstrate that those who hand on to their lives instead of giving them to GOD, will lose their life, and even more.     It is not JOY to everyone in the World to hear the Good News or to RECEIVE the one born to be KING.

NEXT SATURDAY I will probably have already communicated NEW YEAR Greetings,  and on Saturday probably amplify those Greetings.     UNTIL THEN let me conclude what is probably the longest single blog for this year.     And let me Thank you all again for joining hands and hearts with us to make this one of the happiest and memorable Christmas Times.     God Bless you all

John and Esther

DYING AND RISING!!

BAPTISM BY IMMERSION took place in our Fellowship Baptistery last Sunday, 15th December;
It had been 58 years ago on the 5th December, 1955, that I was Confirmed by the Bishop of Sherbourn.     Confirmation in the Anglican Church is the Affirmation of the Promises made by ones God-parents at our Christening at the Font, when a baby.    At THAT time adult members of our family undertake to bring us up in the fear of God and knowledge of the Gospel.
At around 14 or 15 you stand before the Bishop to confess that what they undertook to do for you was done, and that you now personally avow for yourself TO BE a Christian; a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.      Up until then one is believed  to be 'covered' by the promises of your relatives.     MY problem was that my relatives did not believe in what they promised, and by the time I stood in front of the Bishop I did not understand much either!
BUT I knew I was not close to God.....my sins were not forgiven. SO seven years later, having come to believe in, and accept Christ as my Saviour,I needed to mark the Day with a clear testimony and demonstration of what I believed in my heart, for myself this time, and not because of the tradition or dogma of others. AND SO, in a Baptist Church when I was 22 I was Baptised by Immersion - I declared that, having DIED to sin, I believed I was buried with Christ with all my sins, and that by His Power I had RISEN with Him to enter a NEW life empowered by His Holy Spirit.............

ON SUNDAY THE 15TH we baptised ELEVEN of our Staff and Children in the little Baptistery in front of Daryl's Office, opposite the School Hall in which our Fellowship meets on a Sunday.

TWO were long time Christians who felt they had never had the chance to personally demonstrate their personal faith in Christ through Baptism; they knew Baptism did not SAVE them, but they wanted to be able to SEE it as a Memorial of the day they first BELIEVED for THEMSELVES that Christ had died for their sins, and risen to be with them in their ongoing life.   EUNICE LAHOL, Mum in Drakeley Cottage and BEATRICE ROP, Mum in Jacaranda Cottage were these two.    I knew just how they felt, and rejoiced with them both for the opportunity now afforded them.    The others were all children and teenagers from the Homes.

The Service began as usual in the Hall.     Before Breaking of Bread (Communion) together each of those to be Baptised had chance to testify to their Faith in Jesus.    Thereafter the Message for the Day, and then out to the Baptistery - and the sun was shining.
It was a very glad occassion.       The photos, above on the left show first - the queue of those intending to be Baptised first,  then in the 2nd is Hillary Kipkosgei from Jacaranda Cottage one of our University boys,  then, on the right, we have Mrs.Eunice Lahol and finally Mrs. Beatrice Rop.     No room to show all the others, but at least you have had a small glimpse into the day.

SINCE THEN the week has proceeded to enjoy days of blue skies.    However the sun has yielded little heat, and the nights have been beset with pouring RAIN the night long, and with cold temperatures.
Finances had also been dwindling, and it gladdened our hearts on Thursday to get
news that some funds were on the way to us - by then we did not have a Bank Balance!  
Nevertheless we had been going about merrily carefree, delighting in the Season now well upon us.
TONIGHT we have our Christmas Concert,  with Carols, Bible Readings, A new Christmas Play written and produced by one of our Old Boys now a teacher, and some Christian Dance.    It is expected to last about one and half hours, and it is hoped many from around the locality will come to join us.

ALL four of the Children's Homes have decorated their sitting rooms, and even Green Cottage has a Tree and looks ready for a Celebration.     Photographs included here.    Tammy, our guest has been kept really busy, spending each day with a different Home, enjoying making decorations, playing indoor games, sharing meals and generally being part of ALL the Family.    As a teacher herself she has a lot of experience, and a great love for children.      She showed some how to make 'Paper-chains'  -  something they really enjoyed.

On Christmas Eve we shall have an
 'outdoor' fellowship.     It will take place around the front porch of Testimony House with all the children, staff, and visitors seated on the driveway in front.    There will be carols, prayers, and an ensemble of the Nativity Scene gathering on the porch - photos hopefully next week.       Our Carol Team will be travelling the
immediate district and locality on Monday afternoon and evening (23rd)   Then, of course, our Christmas Morning Service at 10a.m. our time on the 25th

BOXING DAY we will be taking our Annual Homes Family Pic-nic to the NEW SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL.    IF the weather holds we shall probably all be there for most of the day!!!
The NEXT DAY preparations for finding School Uniform for all those who may need it before School opens on the 6th January.     This is always an arduous task needing a great deal of patience and careful consideration by all concerned - especially the 'parents'!!!      
The Photos on the left show - 1. Some children from Drakeley Cottage.    2. Interior of Tyndale Cottage, and 3.  Interior of Testimony House.     To the right, are 1.  Making paper chains.  2. Interior of Testimony House, and 3. Interior of Jacaranda Cottage

BUT we have such a sense of PEACE all around us, and such an atmosphere of happiness and gaiety.
Truly we feel this IS a Family Occasion, not just for us ourselves, but for us and ALL those family with us in Christ, throughout the World.      We reach out to YOU and all those we have not yet met.   God Bless you abundantly, with Comfort, Compassion, Understanding and LOVE.

Interior of Green Cottage

John, Esther, Daryl, Carol Green and all our Staff, and Children

THE 'X' FACTOR IN CHRISTMAS

FATHER CHRISTMAS!       THIS is who the world conjures up at this time of the year.  THIS is Christmas personified in joviality, and universal merriment, laughter, revelry of all kinds, and goodwill to all men in the midst of drunkenness, over-eating, and limited generosity within ones circle of friends and human interest.

IN THIS PICTURE above we see a Father figure Blessing the World in a kindly, paternal way.     The most accepted origin of Father Christmas seems to come from Bishop Nicholas of Myra in Asia Minor. It is said that he was a very clever child, already reading and studying the Bible when he was only five years of age.   He grew up with a desire to serve God and became a priest - and later a Bishop.   He was a very REAL person in history.     Nicholas was especially concerned for the poor, and was known for acts of charity.    Especially at Christmas Time he would visit the poorest families to leave gifts on their door step.     He went at night time in order not to be noticed or recognised, warmly clothed in a heavy dark red coat and hood.     He did it in the spirit of Jesus.......he was a Christian, and his life and testimony is still honoured in many parts of the Christian World.      BUT he did not stand for the image of the picture above.       He was not some 'fairy' figure; some rumbustious spirit spreading licentious joy in a kind of 'holiday' and ribald manner - like the minor god the world has turned him into.

INDEED IT IS  'Father Christmas' that has taken over Christmas, and become, in a way, the 'God' of X-mas, almost eclipsing and obliterating the REASON for Christmas,     Dressed in his red coat, and swirling about  in his reindeer drawn sleigh weighed down with presents and good cheer,  Father Christmas FILLS the world of commerce and human gaiety, song and dance  - his charity turned into a money making enterprise that noisily and colourfully overlays Christ and the True Giver of real JOY  and RELIEF to our world.       In fact 'Santa Claus', as he is also called, is the centre of X-mas, and as such has replaced the remembrance of Christ's Birthday, and the need for our Salvation.    As such he has become yet another 'good thing' that the devil has twisted and used to divert us away from the Truth.      How truly sad the real St. Nicholas must be.   He looks rather sad already in that image to the left.

The Bible calls God, in Heaven, the Father of Lights.  It is worth reading some verse that appear in the Letter of James found in the New Testament of the Bible, and in the Amplified Translation of the same -

Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift, is from above;

it comes down from the Father of all (that gives) light,

in (the shining of) Whom there can be no variation (rising or setting)

or shadow cast by His turning, as in an eclipsee.

IT IS NOT FATHER CHRISTMAS BENIGNLY BESTOWING UPON THE WORLD HIS BLESSING AND GOOD WILL -  this is a monstrous error.      NO!    It is only GOD HIMSELF that is able to provide and endow any part of His Creation with blessing and JOY,

AND God has not provided 'gifts' to the GOOD only, but has bestowed an abundance of 'gifts' all in ONE, that is given to ALL, both to the good and the unworthy.     A gift so precious, and so valuable that it cannot in any way be described in either words or figures.      The GIFT of His Son, Jesus, who was born into this world as one of us, to lead us out of our sins into the Family and Blessing of God in Heaven, our true FATHER.      Yes!   Listen to St. Paul in 2.Corinthians 9v15 -

NOW, Thanks be to GOD for His GIFT

(precious)beyond telling!

(His indescribable, inexpressible, FREE GIFT!

FORGET the GLITTER, the Christmas tree, the partying and raucous frolics, and the COMMERCE of the World around you and SEE your Father in Heaven handing YOU a Gift beyond Price,  and run to HIM in Thanksgiving, and give to JESUS your life in return for HIS.     Give HIM your ALL, and follow Him, remembering the chorus -

Turn your eyes towards Jesus,

Look full in His Wonderful Face,

and the things of the Earth, will grown dim,

in the light of His Glory and Grace.

IN SEEING YOUR SALVATION in the Baby born in the Manger in Bethlehem, IS Salvation in every way.     The Worth and Eternal Value, and Implication of this makes every other thing PALE and lose its brightness.       HEAR in our memory and appreciation of the Babe in the Manger is the greatest of all JOYS - it is JOY TO THE WORLD, and it is at Christmas that we should rise up and SHOUT it out -

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!

LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING!

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM,

AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING.  -  Isaac Watts.

The world waits to receive JOY, presents, and a day or two respite of from the labour of living...The shops will do good trade, pockets will be emptied, gifts will be given to one another...........We have been duped!       The ONE and ONLY REAL GIFT has been given.       Given to YOU!    Have you received it, unwrapped it, and made it yours, with thrilled Thanksgiving?     Will you receive it NOW?

AND LET ME NOT WRITE Christmas completely off,as many have been brought up to see it.   There is good in the memory of St. Nicholas.   Maybe he will not come down the chimney or leave a sack of hoped for presents at your door on Christmas Eve.   Maybe he will not ride through the night skies on his Sleigh, yelling "Ho, Ho, Ho and a MERRY CHRISTMAS'.    That is Fairy story, but one I enjoyed and profited from. I knew it was fairy story, but even so I was comforted by it.,   I was not spoilt or contaminated by it   I did not lose my way to the Cattle Shed were my Saviour lay.   His Angels led me safely there.        The Christmas Tree, the tinsel decorations and the sense of 'Rejoicing' did not turn me into a worldly, selfish, debauched person either, but by the grace of God enhanced my sense of heartfelt love for God AND for family and my fellow men.      Let us not judge one another in these things for we are all impaired in our understanding and perceptions.    Let us be GLAD that we have, all of us, a Father in Heaven, Who loves us, and who had given us SUCH A GIFT, new every day in fact, but especially noticed at Christmas.

================================ 

THE WEATHER here is cold once more, and the skies GREY and lowering,    It is in fact RAINING a good part of every day.    Will it stop in time for Christmas?     It does not matter.    The very real sense of rejoicing and happiness is already perceived in every face and life.       Bless the Lord, we have Jesus, and we have each other.     How shall we not be GLAD?
TOMORROW we shall hold our Baptism - in our open air Baptistery!!     Pray the Holy Spirit will keep every one WARM as they pass through the waters.    Hope to share more about this next Saturday.God Bless you dear Family all.  

God Bless you, and warm YOUR hearts, lifting up your heads!

John and Esther

KILLING OUR PEACE OF MIND

NOT THE BEST OF THEMES to find on the front page of a Newspaper - ANY Newspaper.    This week our Daily Nation adopted such a Headline on its Front Page - 'KILLING FREEDOM'.   This was their comment on the GAGGING of the Press under the new Media Bill just PASSED by Parlai-ment. To say this has NOT disturbed the Country would be a lie.      Everyone is wondering WHERE we are going as a Nation.      In 1968 when I first arrived, Kenya was a tightly controlled and monitored place.   There was NO freedom of speech.     Since then Kenya has travelled quickly away from such dictatorial autonomy of its government, to embrace the liberty of 'saying what you think'.     The Media Bill seems a step backwards..........an ominous one.    

BUT IN THE MIDST of all this apprehension there is one peace of GOOD news - the proposed NGO Bill did not get through its 2nd Reading, and has been quashed.       SO for the time being at least the charitable donations sent to us from one quarter or another will not be under the supervision and control of government    NEVERTHELESS general chit chat among the general populace hints at an increasingly fearful outlook regarding the intentions of our government;     The atmosphere is not as 'carefree' as it had become.........the long shadow of the 'troubles of '07' and the ominous 'claw' of the HAGUE are encouraging uncertainty and insecurity.

THIS WEEK I begin to bring our thoughts here in Testimony to a consideration of Christmas once more.     Some people of course do not believe in Christmas at all, even maligning it, and no doubt consigning to it all the label of HUMBUG!!       Well it cannot be SO BAD to set aside a time to remember the Birth of someone that changed the world, and perhaps also OUR LIVES.     We shall, as usual, be 'remembering' with songs, rejoicings, festive decorations, and even worship.

500 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST WAS BORN,   King AHAZ of Juda was waiting apprehensively to be attacked by Israel and Syria.      He was full of the 'jitters' and a VERY worried man.    He had 'friends' who had promised to help him, but was unsure how sincere they were.    His faith was shaky - like a tree in a wind - he had nowhere to anchor his life, or to turn for comfort.      A man very much like any one of US when we find ourselves alone without FAITH in GOD, and facing desperate days.

God sent a Man to AHAZ.    Isaiah the Prophet.   Isaiah took his son Shear-jashub, a toddler with him, meeting the King as he inspected Judah's defences, and he said to him -

'Stop and listen to me!

fear not, neither be fainthearted

because of these two kings, your enemies, smoking firebrands.

The will not hurt you!    Ask God for a Sign that this will be so; He will give it to you!

If you will NOT believe it, you will not be established!

BUT AHAZ, still worried and anxious would not ask for a 'sign' from God.    He had no faith in God.

And so ISAIAH said

' Then the Lord Himself shall give you a sign -

Behold a virgin shall conceive and bare a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.

BUTTER AND HONEY shall he eat

that he may know how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

The 'SIGN' was to be that of a woman who had never been sexually with a man, getting pregnant and producing a son whose name would be called Immanuel - GOD WITH US.   This spoke of a Supernatural Happening bringing God's Presence into the world on behalf of mankind to obtain an everlasting Victory.

MORE -  this supernatural child would be physically like any man, living like any man, eating any poor man's food.   Before this child would be three years old ( the age by which it could determine right and wrong) the enemies of Ahaz would be no longer a threat.

Because before the child shall know how to refuse evil and choose the good,

the land that you fear shall be forsaken of both its kings.

REMEMBER Isaiah  and his toddler son walking with him....      Not yet old enough to know right from wrong and to be able to choose.     Ahaz was clearly meant to catch the Word that within THREE years his enemies would be finished..........for AHAZ this was his 'sign'.
BUT the BIGGER, VASTER, ETERNAL sign was in the prediction of the MIRACULOUS birth of a child born to a woman who had not had any sexual intercourse with a man, born into poverty (viz. the poorest diet) a child as human as you or me..........a child who would see THE ENEMY vanquished.

DAVID once cried out and said WHY is my mind disquieted (ill at ease) within me?     It was because he had looked away from God.       AHAZ was also disturbed because he had left God out of his mind;and did not trust in him.
TRULY NONE NEED TO FEAR if GOD IS WITH THEM.
IS GOD with you,,,,,or is your life a bit of a shambles, full of apprehension, worry and fear?

Come, remember the Word - this is the time to recall, once more in another year, the story of a Virgin.
A virgin who gave birth to a man child; a man child called Jesus - Immanuel, God with us.    He was born to be with me, with you, with everyone and anyone who will receive him.     And then you and I together can know that IF GOD BE FOR US / WITH US - WHO CAN BE AGAINST US, and succeed?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS CHRISTMAS.    Enter into its Encouragement, its Reality, its JOY and Assurance that all is well with your soul.     Make a JOYFUL sound, RING the Bells of Heaven,   Our Salvation, our redemption from all our enemies has been born, and grown to put away ALL our fears, and make us lie down in green pastures, and to lead us to still waters.       Psalm 23 in the Bible is the EXPERIENCE offered to us as we invite CHRIST to be born into our own heart and life.


God Bless and be increasingly with you and in you, day by day, till He COMES .!


John and Esther.

HOME SWEET HOME

R-L Jesse Ronata,  Betty Wanjiru,  Maureen Cherop, and John Kanyingi.

FOUR MORE LEAVERS!    Jesse Ronata, Betty Wanjiru, Maureen Cherop, and John Kanyingi, all poised to leave Testimony Home, their family group, to set up on their own, earning their own living and happily independent.      They really look happy in this picture, and indeed I think they really are happy.  In the photo they are have just cut their 'Going Away Cake, and are getting ready to hand it round to their brothers and sisters and other members of their family.
The Function took place in TESTIMONY HOUSE their 'family home'.       Esther and I were there, Daryl and Carol, and also Hesketh and Alice Muli - all at one time 'Mum and Dad in Testimony House.
I was First Dad from 1969 to '71 when I married Esther and then together we were Dad and Mum until 1998.     In that year Daryl and Carol took over as parents for the next 8 years and then Hesketh and Alice took over from them.     Also joining in for the occasion were Joe and Beatrice Rop from Jacaranda Cottage, Francis and Eunice Lahol from Drakely, and Micah and Senge Yego from Tyndale together with a few other friends of the family including Pastor Wyjkiffe Ondanga, himself an old boy. A full house of about sixty.      There was singing, prayer, encouragement and a very special joyful and excited atmosphere.      Very informal, very poignant, very memorable. Each of those now preparing to leave the Home were presented with a Bible and gift of Seventy two pounds sterling (approximately Ksh,10,000/-) as a small stake in their new life, made possible by TFH Christian Fellowship as from their Sunday Offerings.
Pastor Wykcliffe gave a brief word from the Bible, and I did my best to encourage and to remind each one to trust in the Lord and to go hand in hand with Him into this new chapter of their lives.     Many others, adults, children, all family members, wanted to add a word.    It was a GOOD time, at times serious, and at the same time fun, and full of laughter.
AND in any case none were going far away except one.

THREE of our Girls from the Testimony House Family will be moving out in the course of the next week.     Two are Primary School Teachers, and one is an Accountant still pursuing her CPA whilst she works.
JESSE RONATA is 24, one of a family of four that have all been part of the Testimony House family.
They all came to stay with us in 2000, twelve years ago.    They had all lost their parents to AIDS and a missionary couple that had taken them under their wing were leaving the Country;   knowing Daryl and Carol who were then Mum and Dad at Testimony House, they asked if TFH could help in providing a home.      It was not an easy transition for any of these children, but they have all managed to make it through school, and the many challenges of teenage, into the unpredictable waters of adult life.     JESSE is the last to leave, and she does so as a trained and gifted teacher, whose faith in God has been the strength of her life.    She would like especially to work with Special Need Children, and will be working with TFHs Special Unit for Slow Learners for the next year.     We are very proud and happy for her.
BETTY WANJIRU is also 24 and arrived with her four brothers in May 1998, fifteen years ago.   She is also the last but one of her brothers and sisters to leave home - although she is really still within the compound!     She is employed by TFH School Accounts Office as an assistant Bursar, and is also the Warden of the Hostel for 40 High School Girls.    Quite a demanding post, but she is well able to cope with it all; a little lady of distinction.      She leaves a brother who has just completed his Form 4 Secondary education.     Three other of her brothers are all in Banking or Accounts, and already away from home.    Their father, and mother both, succumbed to AIDS, but before he passed away, their Father came to see us and to appeal to us to take care of his children.    We agreed, and he legally directed in his Will that on his death we would become their Guardians.  He passed away just a few months later.   They have all done well in every way, and if he had lived he would have been a proud father indeed.
MAUREEN CHEROP is 20 and came to stay with her elder sister and three brothers in 1994 nineteen years ago.     All five children had been suddenly orphaned by the death of their single mother.  Always very affectionate and well behaved each one has grown up through school to find employment. Maureen is the last to do so.      She chose teaching as a career and was accepted in training.   She has just accepted an appointment about 150 kilometres away from us, but still will be able to visit without too great a difficulty.     Maureen recently lost her fiancee in the Nairobi Westgate Shopping Mall disaster.    But she is a young lady full of optimism and faith in God.    She will make it through life.
For the first four years of her stay Esther and I became her parents.     Cannot help but be glad and proud to see her facing life now with confidence.
JOHN KANYINGI, is now 27.     He came to stay with us in 1999 with his sister Dorkas.    He may be younger than his Birth Certificate states, but there is no real way to tell.      On Admission to Testimony he was supposed to be 9.       The Birth Certificate arrived later....?       John has always been of a quiet disposition.      Not a recluse, but just likes peace and quiet.     Studious,  responsible and dutiful,
he did not do so very well at school, but is happy and content to be now employed by TFH School as the Assistant Pool Attendant for the New Swimming Pool.       I think he will do well there since he is very 'cool' in every sense - and man to have around in a crisis or scare.      He contributes very much to sense of 'security' needed at the pool side.      Very proud for him.       He works under the eye of the Swimming Coach, herself once an Olympic Athlete.

SO all four will be finding their own lodgings and leaving home.      BUT we know they will remain part of the Family, and that they will visit often.    It has been our privilege - all together - for us to have been able to watch them all grown up, and to be involved in loving and caring for them all.   It was a Wonderful evening.

================================== 

FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS the summer weather has giver way to COLD temperatures once more it has become cloudy again.      Our seventeen youngsters who were circumcised last week are recovering well, with a lot of extra attention and fortifying FOOD.

TOMORROW is the last day of the month, and then on SUNDAY December will begin.    The children will be busy with Christian Camps both in and without the compound, and others will be beginning to practise for the Christmas Concert and Carols.       Guests will begin to arrive - the first being Tammy from Australia on the 5th.      We are learning in this month and Season that happiness is not dependant on material prosperity but upon a contented spirit, and joyful fellowship with one another.   Certainly that old saying ' The Best Things in Life are FREE' remains true.     I learnt it as a kid growing up in north Yorkshire during and after the War.         CHRISTMAS will be celebrated cheaply but with great gladness of heart, and a considerable amount of laughter and plain happiness in the midst of our usual focus on the Coming of the King ..........Glory be to God.        

With Love from us all HERE, in 'chilly' Kenya not far from the Equator!!!

John and Esther

FROM PILLAR TO POST

FROM PILLAR TO POST!!   Where shall I go NEXT?      This is a  photo of a teenager waiting to be posted to a Foster Home.    He might well be the one mentioned in June 2011, who had written to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron pleading for the Children's Home he lived in not to be CLOSED.    In the GUARDIAN Newspaper of 4th June 2011 we read the headline  

 'ABUSED TEENAGER APPEALS TO CAMERON OVER THE CLOSURE OF CHILDREN'S HOME'

An abused teenager who was rejected by 15 foster families has written begging Mr. Cameron to intervene and stop the closure of Children's Homes.   He writes - 'I come from a background of physical and emotional neglect and have had 15 foster placements before settling in a Children's Home, and in my view there is a need for 'consistent' residential care.'    At the time of the Article Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnado's commented that closing residential Homes for children could leave many children being 'shifted from pillar to post' with no permanent home.   During 2010 in the UK more than 10% of children in foster care were moved three times or more as placements broke down. Figures then showed that 1200 children had between five and more placements during the year with 130 had more than TEN different placements in the same year.      'It's called 'placement break-down', but that's a euphemism for yet another person failing these children.   Their own parents have failed them, now the system is failing them'     A poor look out indeed.   The situation can only be worse in 2013.      And how has Mr. Cameron reacted?     He apparently ignored it.

In this same article Local Councils in the UK were evincing the opinion that 'children are better of with foster carers...'      This seemed to ignore the fact that at the time there was a nationwide shortage of foster carers, and that in many cases they did not provide a safe or secure home for those placed with them.  

TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES continues to be concerned at the growing trend worldwide amongst sociologists in government to recommend foster care over and against Residential Children's Homes.
This week we have heard from an International NGO that this has become official policy with UNICEF.      The same source has stated that Ethiopia is already complying with this directive, and that many Homes there have already closed.    HOWEVER,   although we have tried to find confirmation for this on the International Web, we have so far failed to do so.     Nothing official, although, we DO see instances in the U.S.A.  Africa, and Europe where this is in fact happening, and official preferment for Fostering and Adoption clearly in vogue.
OUR POSITION remains in opposition to this trend generally.       We do not deny that all children need there own home and loving parents.    We also do not deny that a Children's Home may not be able to replace a child's home or family, especially such 'homes' that cater for large numbers of children institutionally.    HOWEVER, we are not convinced that voluntary or, induced, fostering provides the answer.     We are seeing up to 30% of fostered children failing to remain in their placements.   These children continue to be in need and in situations worse then before.      We cannot see supervision or monitoring of such fostering being possible due to the falling number of those seeking social service as a career.

The big argument FOR Fostering and Adoption is fueled by the many highly publicised instances of child abuse found in institutionalised situations.    Abuse has always been with us, both in families and institutions including boarding schools.     There were laws to provide proper punishment and discipline for such offences.         We live in a world where such perversion is on the increase and indeed the world seems preoccupied with it to the point of distraction.   There is no doubt world society will be more and more confronted by it - perhaps until it is SO aware and conscious of it, that it will not longer CARE about it; it will just take such behaviour as a matter of course - seeing it usual human behaviour in the same way as homosexuality is now being encouraged and accepted.    After all, recognised standards of what is right and wrong are slowly diminishing - even vanishing.......We must remember the comment of Archbishop Carey recently, when he said that within a generation from now God may not be known at all - and, by imputation, His law probably ignored as well.   Be prepared brethren..!      

=================================== 

THIS WEEK ON FRIDAY, I had the opportunity to be with the Deputy Governor of our County, Daniel Chemno.     He said the County would not support the new Bill in front of the National Parliament, which sought to control the income of NGOs from overseas.   

'The Kenyan Government plans to make large cuts in the foreign funding of non-governmental organisations.    On the 30th October, the Attorney General gazetted the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill of 2013.      This Bill will establish that -                     ,,,,,,,,A public Benefit Organisation shall not receive more than 15% of its total funding from external donors...(unless otherwise approved by the Minister)'

This Bill will also stop donors from funding NGOs directly, forcing them instead to channel funds through a new Public Benefits Organisations Federation..        One wonders what the Government will do with the balance of funds over and above 15% allocated to the NGO, that might be sent to this new 'Federation".
The idea apparently - on the surface - is to prevent NGOs from being dependant and perhaps controlled by external supporters and aid, and to become more 'self' supportive.       On the other hand the Government might be hoping to 'milk the goose that lays the golden egg' to mix a metaphor.

In Ethiopia some NGOs are already closing down due to similar legislation in that Country.
The Chairman of the National Association of Human Rights Activities in Kenya, Ken Wafula, says that the Bill must be withdrawn or there will be public demonstrations against it.   He says that the plan to limit external donors from funding NGOs to 15% is aimed at crippling NGOs since they do not receive funding locally.         MORE IMPORTANTLY it will increase poverty and diminish social services and assistance to the poor.

There is no doubt that pressure is increasing on NGOs.      
TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES could, in no, way find means to survive on 15% of its current income. It would be forced economically to close down -  EXCEPT, of course, we DO have plan 'B' which we have code-named 'FAITH'      We do not see giving in to pressure of any kind as an answer whilst God is with us!    No indeed.    We will remain a Stone of Stumbling to every opposition to the Grace of God.       If this Bill proceeds and is not squashed, and if further pressure is brought upon us to stop accepting children into our Homes, we WILL protest, wherever God might present an opportunity, and without either fear or favour.

****************************************** 

THIS WEEK has been quite busy with Meetings.    There was an Interview for new Teachers for the School on Monday.   Esther and I both sit on the Selection Panel.    On Tuesday we had a Team of medics and sociologists in for the day examining and chatting up all our children - an annual event to double check their mental and physical health -they play games, get involved with all kinds of other activities to gauge unobtrusively their growth and happiness.    On Wednesday Daryl and I inspected the Eldoret Social Hall which is to be used as a Rehab Centre for Street Children.   Thursday I addressed the Court Users Committee as chairman of the Task Force for Street Children.   And on Friday Daryl and I also attended the County Deputy Governor to discuss Street Children more generally.

All time consuming activities in between necessary office works, correspondence, receiving visitors, AND meeting with staff and children.     No day is without its activities - some planned and some unplanned - never a dull moment.     Additionally each day we juggle with the funds we have and the needs we have to cover.    Glory to God!

NEXT WEEK there will be two extra events.     On THURSDAY Esther and I, and Daryl and Carol have been invited, by our American Missionary friends, to share in their Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in remembrance of God's Goodness and Provision over the year.      (always reminds ME of our old Harvest Thanksgivings.)      There will probably be more than a hundred of us all sharing together and having fellowship over the lunch hour.  Prayer, Testimony and plenty to EAT.

THEN on FRIDAY Testimony House has arranged for a Going Away Party.     FIVE of the family from that Home are leaving to start an independent life, having completed their education and training.

This means they will no longer live at home but in their own lodgings in the surrounding locality.  

Three will be taking up posts as School Teachers (one in our own School) Jesse Renata,  Maureen Cherop, and Victor Makokha.     One, Betty Wanjiru, will be Assistant Bursar in our School Finance Office.    And finally , John Kanyingi who will be a gardener helping with our extensive grounds. 

A number of past members of the families of all four houses will join with us for prayer, encouragement, soda and cake.     Presentations of a Bible and Financial Gift to each of those leaving will be made.    Usually an emotional occasion, but also one of satisfaction and achievement in that each has made it through school, and is now ready to start an independent life.     A Break and a change into a new experience, but not too far away from home and those they have lived their lives with.     Out and away, but not beyond reach.     Might put in a few photos next Saturday.

We have reached the END of the month, and are now entering December and the Christmas Season.

The month to be revisited with HOPE as we receive yet again the knowledge of the One born to RANSOM us all from the Devil, and from the control of evil upon our lives.    A JOYFUL month.   Indeed a MERRY month.

God Bless you all with EXPECTATION.

John and Esther

NOTHING LIKE HONESTY

THIS WEEK UASIN GISHU COUNTY HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS!     Regretfully not admirably so!  On Wednesday of this week the Daily Nation lifted the lid our on our County with the Headline -

Uasin Gishu County Leads in Bribery

'If you live in Uasin Gishu, you are more likely to be asked for a bribe than anyone living elsewhere in Kenya!'

ON THURSDAY THE 'NATION' added a word from the County's chief officer -

YES, we lead in graft - says Governor!

'.....reacting by telephone, the Governor said   

residents of the County, particularly those in Eldoret Town,

easily gave out bribes.   Mr. Mandago said the Private Sector in the Region was leading in the vice.'
(nothing like honesty)

BUT this is not NEW!     It does not surprise us, since it is a 'vice' that seems to have been around a long time - certainly as long as I have lived in this Town, and that is going back 42 years!!      And I feel sure that as, a practice, it has been common throughout the Nation generally.     Neither can we limit it to Kenya, or Africa, but must confess Bribery to have been knocking around the entire world, almost since mankind fell from his intended high estate.

WHAT IS BRIBERY?    What motivates it?       A BRIBE is something offered, or given, to another in order to persuade or induce them to do what you want.       Those giving or accepting a bribe are serving their own interest in front of all others.    It is a demonstration of 'Selfishness' and self interest. We were not created or designed to serve ourselves, however,  but God and one another.     Thus the 1st and 2nd Great Commandments are summed up - 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength - AND your neighbour as yourself.  Mark 12v31.

With MONEY a man may persuade another to provide employment, secure a favour, or even commit a murder!!      These days one can even offer ones body for sex in order to procure good grades in School or even a Degree in University!     What cannot be obtained for love or money?     But can it be condoned or admired as right or just?    Can it finally bring a blessing into my life or the society around me.       We are told here that so many students are in university, not because of their academic merit, but because of  'paying a bribe'.         In the end we will have a whole crop of ''unqualified" people hiding behind their bought Certificates and Degrees, and a society of blind academics leading the blind. Not a very promising or hopeful prospect.

In Ecclesiastes 7v7 Solomon says 'A gift destroyeth the mind'.     The 'gift' un-makes the mind, brings it into indecision and thereby changes what before was established.     Bribery undermines previous firm decision and determination;  alters the expected and promised order of things.     It re-directs the course of justice.

I must say, personally, that prior to arriving in Kenya I had never come across 'bribery' in any practical or lively sense.     I had not been presented with any need to consider bribery as a means of obtaining what I desired, nor did any try to bribe me in assisting them to attain their own wants.   

In Kenya I have never been offered, or thought of offering, a bribe.      The pace of life I found to be slower than in England, but although frustrating at times I never felt a need to hurry it up.     And being a person of very small material means myself, none seemed attracted to squeeze or milk me of my supposed riches through demanding a bribe for any service given.

BUT that is not to say that Christians DO NOT bribe.     Probably those of other Religious persuasion also!

On remarking about it on occasion I have been always told that 'there ARE times when the wheels of commerce and social action need greasing - and that God expects us to use our opportunities to save time and expedite the progress of the Kingdom!

I find this hard to argue either from Scripture or from the pricks of my conscience.

Daniel's prayers carried by the Angel to God were hindered and inordinately delayed by one of Satans, gang, yet there is no suggestion that Gabriel did anything to 'hurry things up'.      Thus I have never been able to push my way into a queue in order to reach the counter quicker, shoving others out of the way.......

The mind of God is clear as it stands in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 16v19 -

'Thou shalt not wrest judgement;

thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift:

for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise

and perverts the words of righteousness..

For I know your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins:

they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor at the gate

for a pair of shoes

Amos 5v12

COME TO ELDORET,  and expect to come across bribery?     NO, Esther and I have been here 42 years as I mentioned before, and never have we been approached by or encouraged into it.     Indeed you do not need to come to ELDORET - Bribery can be found just where you live......if you look for it.

====================================

This is a view of Eldoret on the main trunk road looking towards Uganda.   Most of the shopping centre is on the left hand side, but a good part of the town extends to the right also.

This is a view from one of the roads to the left of the first picture above, on a wet day.    We are having many of them right now.      The streets are usually more crowded than seen in this photo, and the traffic heavier and denser.  Inserting both photos  just to give those who have never been here a small glimpse into out Town of now more than one million people.     This is our town.     Very noisy, crowded and corrupt!!

YESTERDAY our High School feted its Graduating Class and Esther and I were invited to lunch with them all.   A very good occasion.     Now everyone has left and the Long Holiday has begun - and it is STILL raining!!     So far it has not seemed to dampen anyone's spirits though, and there is a very happy air of general gaiety and good spirits everywhere amongst us all.       Yesterday we also received a large Donation of foodstuffs from a Muslim School in Town; enough to take care of our grocery needs for almost a week!      And it was very well timed as we were waiting on the Lord to supply our need for the week ahead.       IS life hand to mouth?   YES, it often IS, since the Lord more and more seems to keep us living day to day.      He has always provided in one way or another, such as with this unexpected donation from right here in town, but He makes sure we do not forget where our real Hope is centred.        We Praise His Name.

Two old friends working with COVENANT PLAYERS were with us over last weekend until Tuesday morning.   Really had a great time with them.    They were last here with us in the late 80s early 90s.

JOE MEDLEY and DAVID GROVES.

Later this month we hope to have one of our old boys - David Koech who is presently residing in the States, but also busy building himself a house not far away from us.      And THEN we are expecting one of our Australian family from Tyndale School - Tammy - to be arriving early December for Christmas.     Wonderful to have So many drop in on us - why not try it?

Continue to uphold us with your prayers.    We need them every day.     God Bless and be with you through the coming week.     He will never let go of you!   Never, never, NEVER!

Lovingly in His Name

John land Esther

; 

SEEKING SOLACE FOR THE SOUL

I LOVE THIS PICTURE.    I guess I just love what it portrays!    Acceptance and care.     As humans we are all, at rock bottom, needing this.      And here is an 'Elder Brother' ready and waiting to be reached out to.    Thank you Jesus!

YET perhaps for the majority of those living with us on Earth this remains just a beautiful concept, and the reality either non existent or just too spirituall to be of any earthly use!  

We need to FEEL those loving arms around us, we need to HEAR the welcoming voice, and we need to KNOW the loving breast to lean our head upon.      For the majority it is a longed for dream.!

In the story told in the Bible - Luke 15v11-24 - often referred to as The Story of the Prodigal Son, we see a runaway son returning later to his home and to his father, ruined, penniless, and desperately destitute.   His father is longing and waiting for him to come, and when he sees him afar off, he runs to him and welcomes him without reservation.       BUT how often do we find this actually happening - either in or outside of the Christian Family?       The picture to the right is certainly a perfect rendering of that welcome.    It is what we imagine COULD happen to us in the hear and now of our extremity; it is not so misty and dreamlike as the one at the top .........   YET which is the MOST REAL in fact and in experience?

RECENTLY I read these words form one of our Old Boys, who is today a young of 32 now;   a sign-writer by profession, but fallen on hard times.

He writes -

"I feel too much; that's what's going on in me.    

Do you think one can feel too much?  Or we just feel in the wrong way?

My insides don't match up with my outsides!

Do anyone's insides and outsides match up?

I don't know.   I'm only me.

Maybe that's what a person's personally is'

the difference between the inside and outside.    But its worse for me.

I wonder if everyone thinks it's worse for them?

Probably - but it really is worse for me!

Knowing him well, as I do, I found these words very poignant and sad.    

He has not found the everlasting arms of Christ to surround and comfort him in his human heartache and pain.       He runs home often - trusting in the arms of those who who were family to him here in Testimony.   But does he find it?      Is his welcome all embracing, so that all his need both emotional and material is met? NO!      Of course we do what we can to comfort, advise and encourage, but we cannot give him the needed security of home - the home he left - nor that of ongoing safety and material well-being.       WE do not have it.       SO - (and we have a number of children now grown up, who are jobless now, and wresting with worldly problems common to life) - we often find ourselves unable to embrace to the full!       We DO embrace, hug, pour out words of gladness to SEE the struggling son or daughter - but we are unable to ' put a ring on his finger, provide new clothes, or restore to the family prosperity he had once enjoyed when a child.       The leave then disappointed and perhaps even disillusioned about US, and we watch them go, helplessly and often our heart broken to see their plight.      WE are helpless to help ......or is that our help is not enough.        
GOD OPENS HIS ARMS ABUNDANTLY.        He offers, and happily provides the COMFORT and the RELIEF of an affectionate heart that is ever waiting to be called upon for welcome and embrace.     Thereafter comes the materially re-enforced evidence of the sincerity of that welcome - BUT we humans in our human situation may not always be able to extend the welcome beyond the physical embrace and loving words - OUR cupboard might be bare, our wardrobe empty, and our available cash not there!    We may not have the FUTURE needed in our hands to give - and thus we try to open up the eyes and heart of expectation in this desperate life to CHRIST once more.         If we fail in this, there is nothing left but, after a brief time, to turn our lost child to the door, and back to the situation he is running from as an adult, adrift and alone without the Everlasting Arms of Jesus.........We are left to lift the life to God in Christ, and to believe for the best.     I personally have had no human recourse but to do just this to TWO of our former children now grown to manhood and out there in the world, ALONE.

We should - as imitators of Christ - always be THERE for the lost one, family or stranger;   always willing to assist even with the material necessity that we might have first call upon.      You know - willing to give MY bread (my own meal) to the hungry; My own home to the homeless; My own clothes to the naked..
Isaiah 58v6-12.         This IS a BIG deal.       This is CHRIST  living in me in the fullest way - it will mean ME living for YOU in Christ's Name, and trusting HIM for the increase.       It sounds RIGHT, and I believe it IS perfectly right, but the DOING of it needs FAITH beyond what any of us normally feel that we have.
We REASON for our OWN security, safety - considering that we do not KNOW, always for sure,  where OUR next need is coming from.     God may forget, overlook, or be asleep.      WELL it is clearly that if we have the help needed by the one asking and we refrain from letting him/her have it, we do not well.    It is more than clear that if we know to do what is GOOD in God's sight and we refrain from doing it - it IS sin!
Likewise we know that whatever we do without FAITH in God to secure us IS also SIN.   Proverbs 3v27 / Galatians 6v10 / Romans 14v23 / James 4v17.   So where do we stand?      I believe that we are only ALIVE on any one day in order to IMPROVE His Life in us.  We are alive by His GRACE - his undeserved kindness - that we might  GROW in grace toward others, so that we might ever, increasingly, be ready to Love them, Forgive them, show Mercy toward them, and to extend whatever help they may require of us that might be actually available to us.      At 73+ I feel more and more propelled towards this outlook and goal.  I feel the need to more and more take care that I do not fail of the Grace of God.... Hebrews 12v15     Thanks for one more day Lord to apply myself towards it.

========================================= 

THE WEATHER here in 'sunny' Kenya is OVERCAST and DRAB.    No sun here.    RAIN in plenty still, and cool temperatures.      Looks as if it might continue a while - indeed all of this current year has been such as to dissuade any in believing we live in the tropics.       Really reminds me of Manchester right now - though that's OK by me as it keeps me sharp and feeling good.       Only the tourist gets disappointed.

The EXAMINATIONS have continued and although we went ahead and reported the problems we had discovered to the Authorities there has been no actual disturbance.       Those students concerned were warned and their phones taken away for further examination.    They were all allowed to continue on to completion.       We think that nothing more will happen until the actual 'Marking of Papers' is also completed sometime in December.        NOW the internal End Term Exams are taking place and soon ALL will be ended and the School finally closed for Christmas.       

A LONG holiday is before us, and we are all getting ready to make sure all the children will be occupied and given enough work and play to occupy them happily.      We will need your prayers.      Christmas here is without the glamour or glitter of Christmas in the West.    Reading of all the Christmas Readiness being seen in London we feel very much BEHIND in being ready in any way.      Eldoret streets never change; no special Christmas lighting in streets or shops generally speaking.    One or two small exceptions.   All will look the same throughout.      We ourselves usually start putting up some decorations on or around the 12th December         No presents and few innovations in the diet apart from Road Chicken on Christmas Day.

NEXT YEAR we shall have TWELVE new students for the Homes entering Secondary School for the first time, and we have to look to provide School uniform for all of them additionally to our other usual expenses.

God is over all, and we look to Him.       OH!    Esther has just discovered two jars of mincemeat for Mince Pies - must have been in a cupboard for more than two years!!  But they have not yet expired so we MIGHT find a few pies being made this Christmas as an added surprise.   

Take care everyone.     Remember the BIRTH of Jesus and keep Him in mind and heart through this period in our calender.       What can we all give HIM this year I wonder.      I must keep alert and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit........We love YOU all.     God BLESS and surround you with His Love.

John and Esther