WHO IS WEARING THE TROUSERS TODAY?

I GUESS THIS IS MY STYLE!    I was a teenager and a job seeker in the '60s of the last Century.    Adults in business looked like this generally, give or take a little.     It is a style that has stayed with me, and some will no doubt think it is time for change.     But then I am a traditionalist, and one who is not inclined to change - especially if it is radical.

Girls & Boys / Men and Women - who are they?

THIS WEEK in the Daily Nation, fifty years further on, a Girls High School in Kisii, here in Kenya has issued a Dress Code for ex-students.   The School has announced that Old Girls visiting the School will be expected to wear SKIRTS, or anything EXCEPT trousers.     A notice at the Gates states that 'Former students will not be allowed into the institution in trousers.'
Girl's uniforms in school here do not allow for trousers, as all students uniform for girls makes provision only for skirts (or dresses in Primary)     BUT more and more, if not almost every girl, like to put on jeans, slacks or trousers in one form or another.    From childhood they clamour for them until now even the female adults strut and stride about in trousers.    It began with slacks, jeans, and now trouser suites, more and more cut to replicate the male counterpart.     Indeed the average girl in office employment today would look and act more like a man..    Even acceptable  office wear for both sexes has changed.     Much more relaxed and much more casual. nothing like the one above.     In fact dress style and fashion for women has changed.     Jackets and ties for men and skirts and blouses for women a rarity.   WE in Testimony have a dress code.      Very much unchanged since the one portrayed above - as far as adults are concerned.      We discourage slacks, jeans and trousers for girls in the Homes, and forbid them for adults working for us.     Jackets and ties for all our teachers and office staff.    Our houseparents are allowed greater freedom, though we expect the men to wear a tie and the women a dress or skirt unless they are involved in some activity needing more freedom or protection.   I suppose it generally is a 'code' that preserves an appearance that still preserves the distinction between the sexes without in any way drawing improper attention to the them.       A bit straight and old fashioned?  Yes and no apologies.    The whole idea of 'gender' is replacing the idea of a man and a woman.   We would like Men and Women to be seen and appreciated without the word GENDER conjuring up some new species ......... A species which makes it hard to discern what is a MAN and what is a Woman.    We do not accept UNISEX thinking in any way.

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We have received two more children this week - Peter aged 12 and his little sister Kessia aged 6.

Their Father passed on seven months ago, and their Mother, though still living, is HIV positive and unemployed.   Her condition is very weak and she is currently hospitalised.    Due to her spasmodic illness she had not been able to work, and recently was evicted from her dilapidated room for non payment of rent. the eldest daughter, Eunice aged 14 ran to the streets and was arrested as a vagrant, and is now on Remand.    Another daughter Naomi aged 7 is suffering from Hiv and TB.

Initially we have not been able to admit Naomi into the Homes as we are awaiting advice from our Doctor as to how much risk this would be for those she would live with. Peter and Kessia are free of HIV and although under-nourished seem bright children.     We are praying that during the coming week we might find encouragement to take on the third member of the Family, Naomi.    Surely Jesus will help her, and answer our Prayers.

THIS WEEK WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT OUR LOCAL 'AMPATH' Clinic for HIV/AIDS patients has lost funding from US AID, and is now withdrawing its financial aid to local cases.    From now on every patient attending for monthly check ups will have to pay Ksh.1000/= (7 pounds sterling or $11 approximately)  eight cases altogether now so we will have to find 8,000/- per month.    AMPATH will also be withdrawing free drugs.    In future we shall have to BUY them.       We are appealing against this action, but it does not look hopeful.       MOST of those, children and adults alike, will not have means pay for any of this, and it seems many will be left to die much earlier than expected.     WHEN WE come to know of so many who are victims of HIV,  those who have inherited the disease from their parents or from contaminated blood, we find it hard to condone current trends that encourage the Disease through elicit sex of whatever type.      As a Christian my heart seeks for LIFE for all men and women; for all children.    BUT there are definitely killers at large who are determined to go on killing.      Should we encourage them with misplaced compassion and watered down laws?   How can we condone the homosexual for making life easy for him?    How can we not draw attention to the anti social and generally harmful result of lifestyles that threaten us all.       We in Kenya find growing sympathy for Uganda's President Musaveni's attitude.    Growing numbers in this Continent agree with him. Why IS Europe and the United States willing to be so blind?     Could be a sign of the time we live in.   Could be a sign of the decadence displayed throughout history by empires in decline.    Definitely a 'sign' and definitely NOT a good one.     Keep AWAKE, be Vigilant, Seek for PROOF of where we all are in History.

HERE IN KENYA we have SUN!    And it is HOT - for us.     I know some in other parts of the world have to cope with life even HOTTER.     Sorry for you.      Sorry too for those who contend with snow and ice and RAIN and FROST.       Well these days it seems there is no perfect place to be. Things are on the move upon this Earth.     Maybe things are breaking up as well.     It is quite alarming to read of all these ' SINK-HOLES' opening up and swallowing land, houses, cars and even people.

Definitely the world ecology is in a state of chaos.     And civil strife also continuing to increase and even threaten out and out WAR.      Hard to find peace or feel peaceful without faith in a very personally interested God who at once promises to SAVE, deliver and protect us from all our anxieties.

What a Saviour He is, this JESUS.

OUR Secondary School students have been competing in District /County Competition in the Arts (drama and poetry) and in Sports (in Rugby).    They finalised last night and brought home FIRSTS in everything. - much rejoicing.      They will continue on through the year until, hopefully, they reach the Finals.     This is our first year to really make our mark in activities other than Academic.

AND TODAY is the first day of the third month of the year.    No water in the river and that means there will be less in our taps - perhaps none at all soon unless the weather changes - and usually rain holds off till April or even May.    Keep us mind please.

We shall have you all in mind over the week-end and trust the predicted SNOW and ICE will not prevent you from staying warm and well, and able to go about necessary life.   May His Special Blessing be upon each of you - He loves you, and we, in Him, love you too.

John and Esther - and Daryl.

NB  --  seems I may have hurt some sensibilities .....WE do not encourage our girls to wear jeans - but we do at time compromise and let them do so.    We are NOT martinets.  However we have agreed between us as adults living in front of our children both in School and the Homes NOT to give an example we do not believe in - therefore trousers are not warn by ladies here.    We feel the pressure of the world, all around us and remember Paul's admonition in Romans 12v2

'Do not be conformed to this world (this Age),

(fashioned after and adapted to it's external, superficial customs).