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