BEING POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH

THIS IS A PICTURE BY Francis Collantes (1599-1656)  It is of an Egyptian hermit called Onuphrius who lived about 300 A.D.    Seeing it I was reminded of Elijah being fed by the ravens as recorded in the Book of 1. Kings 17 (read the whole chapter if you have a Bible - and the time).     ELIJAH was a true man of Faith in God, obedient in doing whatever God asked.     It did not prosper him materially it seems, and required him to lay his life on the line, and exposing it till he died to countless deprivations and discomforts.     We first hear in this chapter how he confronted the King of his time, so directly that the King sought for his life.     This necessitated him getting away fast to hide himself.     He found himself in a secluded, and rather deserted place without food, and with a dwindling supply of water.
No comfort or secure refuge there.    The ravens brought him meat, and since basically they are scavengers, it was very likely not the best or most attractive fair - but hungry, as he no doubt became, he must have been more than grateful for it.     Then the water gave out.   He had to leave.     His story is one of comparative hardship and endurance, with little earthly reward or satisfaction.    As an example of a man (or woman) that might decide to live by Faith in God's Word to them, it is not attractive is it?     I was thinking about it this week, and I realised, uncomfortably that I personally do not pursue this kind of lifestyle.  I tend to cry out when the bread isn't there, or the milk runs out, or the electricity fails.    I have not found myself to always want to live in rough conditions, or in rags.  I have eaten well in the main, and although we have had to often WAIT for our sustenance we have always had clean and edible food.    God has been good to us - or did we look for too much?
We only hear of the miracles in Elijah's life.    Not SO many but enough to make him memorable - yet we know nothing of his life in between the 'events'     It does not seem to have been very bearable - was he really content?    Generally I think he must have been - but there were times !!    God was not always as NEAR as he could have wanted; he often felt unappreciated, friendless, alone!    Once at least he got tired of living.     Who would choose such an existence as his.      Many have said to me 'You are so Blessed, brother Green, to live by faith!'       Yes of course I know I AM blessed, have BEEN blessed, and looking around at the ministry of Testimony Faith Homes materially I can SEE that God has blessed us..........but in between the events, in the countless hum drum days of being here, in His Will and Service it has not always been - shall we say 'enjoyable' as far as human sensibilities are concerned.     There HAVE been days of ............no I should spare you.   I will not discourage you - there IS joy in serving Jesus; in serving GOD!!    We have no regrets at all, but it would be deceitful to declare it has been a 'bed of roses'.      The One we serve, loves us, but He has something more in view for us than we ourselves can see, or even dream of.     ALL that we must go through here is MORE than for our own satisfaction - it is a total preparation for what HE has for us later on.   He will make sure we are trained well, no matter what the cost.........Jesus was not spared in his short human life.... He tasted of it all - He tasted everything we ourselves are exposed to - and He Passed !    He 'almost' flinched from it, but with determination to do the right, He set his face to go all the way.
AND because HE did, then any one of us, with our hand in His, can do the same.      BUT we must surely WANT to do so, if we are to succeed in overcoming the selfish nature that we were born with.

Some in the world cry out against suffering, and the great poverty to which so much of the population of our planet is exposed to.    They cry against wealth and riches, and against the selfish greed of the rest of humanity, living in comfort and for themselves alone.     They want to see those who are without what they need enhanced and improved........yet they often have
reservations as to just how much improvement there should be.       Did I ever share how one of our well to do brethren complained to us here (he himself was an African) that we sent our orphans to school cleaner and better dressed than his own son.      Somehow we find there are those who feel that some beggar from the gutter should be helped out of the gutter - but perhaps not far out of it.......the mattress should not be too soft, the environs not to far from the mud and tin - even the filth - he was found in.    He is after all not like us (whoever 'us' might be).    'Orphans' are not merely unfortunate, they are of a lower strata to other children........just another divisive doctrine, like colour, religion, and so on.

Hopefully some of you will have seen the Finance Letter we released yesterday in which we state that it costs about 10,000/- a month to care for an orphan in TFH.    This is inclusive of ALL that orphan daily needs such as food, clothing, education, medication, and so on.      We have other good and creditable Homes in our locality who spend much less - because they actually have LESS at their disposal.       Out standards must be a little higher than theirs apparently. God has been good to us! maybe we found better quality  clothing to buy second hand, or chose more reliable the medicare..       We are often chided for this.    After all money is short these days; economy is necessary.    And after all these are orphans, and they can get buy on less  (WE find it hard to get buy on what WE have - it may be God will take us down a peg or two).    Orphans do not need three meals a day, do they?    What is important is just to make sure they will live and have a chance in life.

The 'quality' of the 'chance' seems of little concern to  most.   Our buildings are of Volcanic Stone, properly planned and built, with an eye for beauty and permenance.   They cost more than mud and wood, more than brick and tin - and they cost more to maintain.
BUT we also want raise the children's aspirations beyond grass root squalor and poverty of what has so long been their expected lot in life.     Are we wrong?      It might be possible!   Our 'outward image' in stone and order, has tended to testify locally that we are rich, and have no need of support or help for we are already far above the majority of those living and dwelling around us.     It is, of course, yet another example of how we should not trust outward appearances!       If we lived in squalid, ruinous accommodation it is true we would attract more concern......but probably not a better quality of life.   BUT some are happier giving to the ragged and hungry, than to those who by love and care have been assisted OUT of their rags and hunger whilst still needing  the material aid to continue.      After 45 years in Kenya, Kenyans are found to be few who support us.    On the other hand there are those of us in the world who cannot bear to let our conscience be invaded by calls of concern and compassion, and tend to look away from those in pain and trouble, especially those not of our family or nation.   MAN IS PRIMARILY SELFISH.       Only GOD can turn this around and, if He is allowed to come in our lives, motivate us afresh by HIS love and concern.  He made us to have love for our neighbour and NOT just for our self.       Maybe that is why in this age, where so many are turning away from God generally, that the LOVE of God is hard to find in any heart for another.     Woe to the World.    Woe to the POOR.

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YOU WILL REMEMBER that the School opened its Swimming Pool last June.    It proved a great boon BUT...... yes there was a but.    It had gone unnoticed that the depth of water at the 'shallow-end' was too deep, and also that the water was not circulating as well as it should.    Basically this had escaped the notice of both the Contractor and US.      Once it was open of course it was clear that a six year old's head was under water when he stood at the 'shallow-end' which was not as shallow as sit should have been by almost a metre.    Also they had laid a pipe of too small a diameter to extract the water from pool and through to the filters.    It had to be dug up!      Indeed the whole of the shallow end of the pool had to be dug up again!!     The Contractor was not too happy, but he had no choice.    SO during November he was back with his team and the pool closed whilst repairs and changes were made.     It was quite challenging.     However, finally it was all achieved and the Pool was open on the 1st January again.
I have included a few photos here before the Pool was mended and refilled with water.
The POOL is under the management of the School, whose Pool it really is, since it is the Parents of the children from outside who voted to have it, and to seek a Bank Loan to build it.    Repayment will be taken out of the School Fee to cover it.     Thus the Homes have not had to pay. although we have contributed funds towards landscaping and so on.     Our children all go to the School so will all have the opportunity to partake in the School's usage, AND during School holidays they will have almost sole use, although we shall allow some of our local community to also share it with us at a small cost.
Just now the weather is hot and very conducive to spending time in the pool.     It is already full to capacity every day.    We have two Pool attendants, one of whom is an ex Kenya Olympic Team member.     Daryl designed most of the landscaping, and it looks as if it will all contribute to that 'testimony' of affluence that I mentioned earlier in this Blog.     BUT why should not God show off just a little - to prove that the POOR actually can produce something admirable, something good, something to last!       Within and under the shelter of our Faith Inspired Works our days are often very unexciting or remarkable - we are not rich, and not always comfortable, but we ARE fed by the 'Ravens' and by the 'Widows', and when things DO dry up we remain in God's Hands and content to trust even when our hair might turn grey at the sight of the attacking waves of doubt that assails us.


God encourage and inspire you all at the beginning of this Year of 2014.  

Lovingly  - John and Esther

A LITTLE REVERIE.........

I CAN REMEMBER WALKING in the Savernak Forest in southern England, when I was a teenager when it looked just like this photo.   Apart from the birdsong and the whispering leaves, everything was SO still, so filled with a peacefulness hard to find where my life is ending.    It may, of course, also be hard to find it in England today as well.      In my more extravagant imagination I often wonder, if I were their 'father', if the silent soaring trees and the dancing, innocent bluebells would somehow cause me distress or disappointment.
I am sure that for me to be writing like this from the Equator bathed in the Sun, comforted by its warmth, and somehow cheered by its light, I must be MAUDLIN as they used to say of those being too sentimentally influenced by their circumstances.    Yet I do feel the bluebells have been left behind......and with them a facility to re-enter such a beautiful sense of 'holiness' flowing all around.

FOR THE LAST forty five years I have lived with growing numbers of people, the majority of them quite young, but with others older even than myself.    And now I am growing old.     One of the things down through the years that I have been confronted with is FORGIVENESS.     I have slowly learned how much I myself have needed forgiveness, and how much forgiveness has been bestowed upon me.     ESTHER, my dear wife, tells me that I have helped her to forgive over the years we have been together.    She says I always seem to forgive so easily.  To overlook a fault and just go on as if nothing had happened.      Well but it was not always so easy as she supposed.     I do think that my memory doesn't remember hurts done to me for long - indeed I seem to just forget them.   A kind of INVOLUNTARY Memory Loss!!       At one time in my life I began to 'pride' myself on this.      BUT as I have grown older I have realised that humanly, perhaps even carnally, I have not always wanted to execute judgement on the sinner - so much more attractive to forgive and just set their sin on one side.........not wanting to lose them.       How truly 'wily' Satan is.

Jesus Himself said that he had not come to judge the sinner.     BUT He also said that there WAS/IS a Judge!!    Forgiveness may be there for everyone, but it may not always prevent Judgement from being dispensed.     Therefore I can see that for me it may at times have been that I have loved others with a carnal love, rather than with the pure, holy, and righteous Love of God - Love that will chastise when it is necessary; Love that will permit some sin sown to be reaped and paid for down here on Earth.   As a human being I rather shrink from this thought.     I do not want to BE hurt, and thus I find myself not wanting to see the hurt of others.    The AXE of correction may sometimes be in my hand yet I hang back from letting it be used.      And it is here that I find myself often in a quandary.      I mean I want to forgive yet find in my forgiveness still a need to stand back and let the chastisement of God take its cause.      Am I verging on Saul's error when he drew back HIS hand from following Samuel's command to DESTROY in favour of being somewhat merciful - or was it purely cowardice or self aggrandisement.        Have I lost my way?    Have I been merciful when I should have been strong.
Can it actually be that we can deceive ourselves enough in our human understanding and emotional involvement that we conceive a compromise with the Will of God.     Saul lost his Crown and his life. Might I also be able to lose mine - can you lose yours?        Oh Lord, it is not merely VISION that we need but STRENGTH to carry it out when we are given SIGHT to see it.      I may be a coward myself in this area.     Perhaps when Moses told those who stood with him to turn on their brothers and friends and kill them with the sword - thus putting them to death with their unbelief, purifying the nation -  I might not have been able to obey him........I would have forgiven them WRONGFULLY?

Since Testimony Faith Homes started, and we began to welcome children into our family and see them grow, we have also been robbed; robbed by the ones we had given a home to.    Strangely we have never been able at any time to definitely identify WHO was robbing us.     We had our suspicions, even some circumstantial evidence perhaps, but we just went on living with them all.   We confronted one and another, but received no confessions and no apologies.      Of course we shared our feelings, expounded God's Word and Will on the whole subject of theft.  Otherwise we took no action.   It was frustrating, but on the other hand it was easier to set a matter aside and just forget about.      BUT recently, over the last ten years of our ministry we have found it harder - not harder to forgive, on my part, but harder to bare the accusation that I should  have worked harder to JUDGE and execute judgement purely on circumstantial evidence - that is without knowing the real TRUTH.     Sometimes all WE have IS circumstantial evidence, but intuitively we might also KNOW in our heart of hearts what is the truth - and still fail to act on it.        God in Heaven has this advantage of us all in that He KNOWS 'Who Did It' from the onset, and can exact the punishment fit for the crime without doubt that He KNOWS the culprit and without letting His own sorrow stop him from meting out the punishment.    I am often caught unable to do this - I just cannot get myself ready to destroy another persons prospects and life.
I find myself bound by my own inability in this area.   Perhaps this is a defect in me, and in my leadership in this ministry.     Maybe, right now, I might have to suffer not girding my sword on.
BUT I have been spared myself from correction till now.    He has been ever merciful to me as I have cried to Him and sought His forgiveness.    He has never denied it from me before, and whatever chastisement I have before deserved I have not felt it.

THIS WEEK I have sat and listened to one of my 'family' being accused of stealing in a big way over a long period within his work place.    Yet there is no hard evidence - merely circumstantial evidence.  He will lose his job because of it.   But he is still part and parcel of our family.
This week within the School more than four cases of stealing have been reported of students - one or two of them from the Children's Homes in fact -  and the School is demanding their Expulsion.     I have felt a need to be merciful,,,,,,,,,suspend them for a week, warn them not to do it again, and let them have a final opportunity before taking the irrevocable step of Expulsion.     Am I right?   What does the Bible say?   If the Bible says expulsion...............? am I willing to be crucified?
ALL of this, and much more, at a time when generally we find ourselves in great need materially.
WITHIN MYSELF I find myself less and less wanting to be a 'judge'  and to just leave it ALL to GOD who is the ONLY Judge - there is no other more worthy, more able, or more just.      I just want to live and let live amongst my brethren.    Even it aggravates others who feel a 'pound if flesh' may be due and who look for 'restoration' 'apology' or just plain 'judgement'!      I am still privately brought to tears for those who I see sliding into trouble, persisting in their sin;    I am wounded, hurt, made to suffer in my own heart.  Yet they are my Brethren - they are my neighbours - they ALL need my loving kindness just as I needed and received the same for myself, blind, ignorant, and lost as I was.
I hope I am on the right track.    You know when you get to 70 these days, those behind tend to think you have lost - or are losing - your 'marbles', and there are times when I might begin to think they might be right.

THIS WEEK, in the midst of many, we find ourselves destitute, without what is needed to push this ministry forward materially, AND also in the thick of a very negative attack on the moral fibre of the children in the homes and the school.     We do not know WHY this is happening to us - is it for our own LEARNING and INSTRUCTION.      We cannot go back and start again - but we CAN make changes and improve whatever needs to be improved.      We need your prayers.

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This must be all for this week.      Tomorrow is the Lords Day!    We look for Him to fill it and to revive our spirits.     We shall be thinking of you all, and especially for those brave men and women fighting those ferocious and destructive fires in South Australia, and for all those who lives and homes are threatened.     God Bless you with His Mercy, and His Loving kindness, opening your understanding more and more so that you will find yourselves responding more and more.

With our love

John and Esther

THE FIRST PHOTO OF THE YEAR -  A group of four.   From the Left, Daryl, Carol, Tammy Garrett, Esther, and myself.    We had just enjoyed a small farewell supper together at our local 'restaurant' nearby.  Last night (Friday) in fact!

Tanny Garrett

TAMMY has been with us for almost a whole month now, and is hoping to return to Adelaide next week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday.     We shall miss her, and by 'we' I do not mean Esther and me alone, for in fact we have hardly seen her apart from when she comes to sleep, and at Breakfast. In between she has given herself every moment of every day to being with the Children and also the Staff. She is quite a human dynamo but also a very outgoing person who easily relates to all and sundry.     This has really been her 'holiday' but more probably VERY HARD work.  
She has kept every one occupied and happy wherever she has gone, and she has given of herself equally to every House.     She is also a bit of a SCRABBLE addict, and has really aroused a great deal of interest in this board-game - she engendered so much interest  that it has become very competitive.      Truly she has been inexhaustible in her practical giving of herself and time.      Usually we have only seen her fleetingly during the Annual Visit of her School to us each July - this was the first time for her to devote a whole month of days, and WOW, she has truly put all she has into it.     Our hearts have been touched, and our lives blessed.      And of course she IS a teacher, and will return next week to a full term, of TEACHING - no rest it would seem, but she just glows with the joy of it all.

SCHOOL has started well, and we have been much encouraged to see parents continuing to bring their children to us, even though we have been forced to increase Termly Fees.    As you know we pay the teachers who are all Government trained.      The Result of the Primary National Examinations came out last week, and were a little disappointing for us.    We had hoped for more students to attain higher marks - but on the other hand almost EVERY student passed well enough to continue on to High School.         Some parents also have evinced their disappointment, suggesting we look for better teachers, and also weed out students who do not perform well so that our final Mean Score as a School improves.      We usually have one or two poor students from the Homes who do not achieve well.   But the School was built as much for the poor student as for the bright!     As for the teachers we ensure at Interview that they are all well qualified, experienced and with good records.
Why are parents are so quick to blame the Teacher - after all some children just do not compete well at certain levels and events.     If my child is not academically brilliant he does not shame me or make me love him less.     Parents should be careful not to expect from their children more than was expected of them, or even to use them as status symbols for their own aggrandisement.      When we are quick to share that our Mary got straight 'A's, are we displaying pride in the child's achievement, or in the fact that she has proved what clever parents she must have come from?
BUT for all this, as I said at the beginning, parents still flock to our doors, and we know that the Lord our God is the one Who has lifted us up in their opinions - that it is little or nothing of our own doing.
Please pray for our Teachers and those of us that are responsible to and for them, that they might not feel dejected, but rather the more encouraged to battle on and to motivate their students to greater heights and ambitions.

I PERSONALLY (John) have not been feeling too good of late.   My Diabetes is pressing me a little, and although I am free of physical aches and pains, I know that I have slowed down a lot, and I have felt somehow DOWN.     Well of course all of us have days like that from time to time, but I have felt a bit under par for a while now.     There have been many challenges and trials over the last year, and both Esther and I are not quite as resilient as we were.    Our faith has been tested along the way - we feel it, with growing intensity - alerting us to the fact that the Enemy is uncomfortable with us, and anxious to dishearten us.      Even now there are many matters confronting us and the ministry here.
Some of these things are surely just due to advancing age.     Others the affects of a changing world and society around us.      But GOD is GOOD and we know He does not change.       And He has ministered faithfully to me in this 'darkness' so that I find His hand upon me, steadying me, and assuring my heart - even this week as we read through Psalm 31 where David says -

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee;

which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men. -v19

I had said in my haste,

I am cut off from before thine eyes:

nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my prayer when I cried out to thee. - v22

THE SUN CONTINUES TO SHINE gloriously above,  and I find myself remembering a hymn by A.H. Ackley..(1887-1960)..Already the words immediately minister to my spirit.     Perhaps I should no longer seek your prayers - He Himself has lifted me up even as I write.........

All the darkness of the night has passed away,

It is morning in my heart!

I am living in the sunlight of the day;

It IS morning in my heart

You can find it in the Redemption Hymnal Number 653, and it is well worth looking it up even if you do not know the tune.     I have just broken off to sing it all through, and found my poor spirit rising to its exhilarating Joy.       FATHER is SO Good, so good.    


I think I will go for a little walk with HIM - such a pity to be inside when it such a glorious day.  May He always be with each one of you, even intruding upon those moments when you were not expecting Him.    How marvellous that we are so CARED about and WATCHED over  -     we ARE so privileged.
God Bless and keep you through the coming week

John and Esther

AND WE TRULY PRAY AND TRUST that it WILL BE full of happiness for each and everyone of you who trust in Jesus Christ; in all that He came to share, reveal, teach and encourage us to live by

Each year, for some time now, I have usually begun with some reference to something related to one hundred years into the PAST.      1914 was NOT a happy year in fact, since it saw the Outbreak of World War ONE.    Something that continued to affect untold lives and families for another FOUR years.
Millions of people died in this first of GREAT war affecting the entire world.    The 2nd one, that broke out in 1940, was even worse - the War to end ALL wars - and yet even today we hear of war almost everywhere, the world over.   There is little hope that EVERYONE will endure a happy year in 2014 since we can see the hunger, pain and even terror that haunts the whole world in this generation.    NOT a happy world.     BUT those who have put their hope and faith in God, and in His Christ are more secure, and more able to come out 'smiling' from almost any challenge to their peace.

Opposite is a group of children - orphans - taken in northern France during the war of 1914. To me they just look like children of today.  Yes a little institutional, but really such pictures can be found of children today, especially in Europe still.
A Hundred years sometimes does not see much change.    YET here in Testimony Faith Homes we have seen CHANGE in the 45 years WE have been in existence.    Yes this will be our 45th Birthday - in August. We have not put our children in uniforms - except where the School is concerned.   On the other hand we have never been affluent enough to buy NEW clothing for them, and have relied on second-hand items purchased from the Market.   These days we are unable to import used clothing!!       Generally our kids look a bit 'run of the mill' from the Homes, and even those attending the School, after a year of wear and tear, often look the same, their uniforms getting a bit tatty here and there.       But I can easily identify with these wartime kids from a hundred years ago.    AND here is a photo of seaside town in England being battered by waves from the same era.     Doesn't look very different from the weather being still experienced today....makes you think doesn't it........?     Of course there has been, and continues to be, CHANGE in our world.   Technology and electronics have made enormous inroads on our 'way' of life.    But still........

When I came to Kenya, 46 years ago Kenya had only been Independent a few years, and the old Colonial Regime still lingered here and there.     Since them Fashion and methodology have surged forward and we can see how that the Nation's own culture and values have reshaped almost everything.    Even today in Eldoret we can see the OLD structures that dictated the shape and appearance of the shops and houses is changing.     Eldoret in the last 40 years is almost unrecognisable.    NOW we have to also accept that children are growing up differently - even though the majority are not rich enough to take advantage of life changing items such as mobile phones, i-pads, and computers the fact is they are ABLE to avail themselves of these equipments from richer friends, and from Cyber Cafes.     We are now having to deal in our School with a very different 'child'  one very well informed and one being treated as an adult before they are out of nappies!      This is of course partly pushed by Business and word commerce who have realised afresh, and with greater greed, the force children are in increasing trade.
YES, things are changing; have changed.    The difference as one looks back a hundred years into the future will be far more radically marked that the last hundred years.

On arrival in Kenya in 1968 I was virtually destitute!   I had no personal promise of support for my life or for my occupation.    I had come to work as a Christian evangelist with a small mission that reached out to children who were students in various educational institutions ranging from Primary to University.   They also conducted open air Rallies, and showed films in the rural areas.    They did not pay me, and I arrived virtually with only a six-penny piece to my name.     No church behind me.   I arrived trusting only in God Almighty to watch over me and to hear my prayers.    He never let me down.  
 BEFORE I left England I had been encouraged by three men, all pastors in the Pentecostal Church.    Pastor Stan HYDE in Brixham, Devon.  Pastor Richards of Slough Tabernacle. and Pastor David Powell of Rotherham.    God used each one of these servants of His to encourage me in FAITH.   But only one of them was to continue on in fellowship even until now - Pastor Stan Hyde.  Pastors Richards and Powell were to pass on to Heaven.    STAN has endured, and is of course retired now, and 89.       His initial willingness to encourage me in my vision to come to Kenya, and his continuing care and interest together with that of his dear wife Doreen, were to prove perhaps the greatest single Strengthener that kept Esther and I on the straight and narrow path.    Stan, was actually a Naval man but in fact more military in his baring and manner.  'Now then soldiar' he would often say to me, 'are you fighting on?   Keep you head up....Forward march.'       He and his wife became more like an elder brother and sister to me, and to Esther also on our marriage.     I wanted to mention them here today, at the beginning of our 45th year as a ministry, because in a way if it had not been for Stan and Doreen I might never have got to Kenya, never found the courage to continue on.
They have often down the years found opportunity to visit us in Eldoret, and in doing so fell in love with the children we care for, becoming Uncle Stan and Auntie Doreen to so many, leading them to know the Lord Jesus, baptising them.       He and Doreen are unable to travel any longer, but their prayers and affection for all that live and toil here is not dimmed or diminished.     They are Family in a real sense together with so many others who pray for us.     They are much beloved as two people that God spoke to, and drew to care for me and Esther and all of Testimony Faith Homes.      They and the Church they pioneered have always accepted our stand in not appealing for funds, but trusting in God to see our need and to hear our cry.     The Brixham Community Church has continued to support this ministry even until now..........and that is quite a step of faith for them, since we are not able to see any of them often - the last time was in 2011 when we visited the UK briefly.   and normally our visits have not been more frequent than every ten or eleven years.

As a single adopted child I take great joy in seeing how I have been prospered into a large family.
My prayer has been and continues together with my dear wife Esther to be that the children God has given us, natural, adopted, and fostered, might continue to increase and expand this Family through their own love and affection for one another and for others.        The Greens include ourselves as parents, then our own three children, Steven, Michael and Elisabeth all married and with children of their own, together with the four that we have adopted, Daryl, Edward, Manu and Helen,  and finally all those who have ever come to live in Testimony Faith Homes - more than 400.    A big and growing family.    
It is our hope and prayer that Daryl, who has continued to be part of Testimony over the years, and who indeed was prayed for and anointed by 'Uncle Stan Hyde'  way back in his teenage, will be the one to carry the Testimony Family further.      He has been on leave of absence as many of you know for the last six months.     He is due back on duty at the end of January.       There have been set backs and challenges to this hope.       Please do remember to pray for Daryl and his family as this month unfolds, and also for Esther and me as we stand before God in readiness for whatever He finally determines as His Will.     Testimony Faith Homes came out of God, it was never my idea - I just agreed to COME to Kenya.......He did the rest.     It has not been Green's Work, or a Green Family Possession.      It came from God, it belongs to God, and He calls the shots!

God Bless you all - we believe this will be an adventurous,  exciting and challenging Year.    Le us make sure HE holds our hand, arranges our steps, maintains the VISION for our life.

Lovingly



John and Esther