THIS PAINTING CAUGHT MY EYE THIS WEEK.    A typical scene that might be found anywhere in Kenya.   The colour, the busy bustle and sense of commercial life - It really does reflect the way life is here,   and apart from the unpredictable 'terrorist' factor, it is a carefree and friendly spirit that one is confronted by.       Of course, behind the colour of this scene, is an underlying poverty and grime.   There is also a sense of dilapidation at times - even here in this painting the artist has managed to convey, from the condition of the vehicles seen, a kind 'work till you drop'  or 'use till it falls apart' attitude.   Yet somehow the 'colour' of the buildings and individual dress, the noise and smells, and endless toil keeping alive, manages to keep everything moving, moving, moving!      I LIKE the painting; it is somehow Happy, and in a sense Innocent - a little like a picture of a childhood 'Toytown". No sense of DIRT, no sign of crime or violence to disturb the joyful and lively scene.      In so many ways it also depicts the Kenyan character and social attitude.      Kenya by nature is a country of joyful, kind, peace-loving, and enduring people, but in recent years it has been slowly disturbed to become more 'anxious' more 'apprehensive and fearful' as the price of commodities rise, crime and immorality increase, and the dread of terrorism have brought clouds to hide the 'sun' of daily life.   Society has changed.     Basically nothing fundamental has altered, but society is being slowly depressed.   The 'colour' is leaking away.     There is a 'CHILL' in the air.





MPEKETONI is a very small town on Kenya mainland coast in Lamu County.     In 1990 it was estimated that only 20,000 lived there - mainly Kikuyu.      On the night of the 16th June the town was attacked and, as the Star, reported, 56  of the residents died.   This figure has been added to since and it is now said that 65 died as a result of this attack.     During this current year we have seen a Mall in Nairobi City attacked, and many shootings in the Easleigh Estate in Nairobi as well.   Other such incidents have occurred in the same areas again and again. For the most part this has been attributed to the Somali terrorist group calling themselves Al Shabaab.    Although these disturbances have been confined to only one district of Nairobi and the coast, the way it has been discussed by the Media has caused everyone everywhere to be a little jumpy - you know - if a tyre bursts everyone runs for cover kind of thing.   Not good for calm and peaceful living.    Not restful.
THIS WEEK in Eldoret there has been a scare!     The Government had prescribed a Public Rally to be held by CORD a political party headed by Mr. Raila Odinga.   CORD decided to go ahead and hold it anyway in one of Eldoret's Stadiums.   Word went round that there might be 'clashes' with the police and party supporters.     WE were warned to close the School for the day 'just in case'!    In the actual event NOTHING happened.      No disturbances, no arrests, no trouble of any kind.   Those of us that actually have lived in Kenya for a long time are quite used to such sudden scares - but since the 2007 trouble even Eldoret is quite easily made uneasy.       But in truth we have lived peacefully and quietly during the past 6 years or so, and Nairobi and the Coast might as well be on another planet.......
IN THE REAL SENSE, however, our world is not a safe place ANYWHERE.  Civil strife, unrest, and disquiet is on the increase - perhaps in an effort (from God's point of view) to encourage us all to look ONLY to HIM for our help.    He ALONE is our only Helper, our ONLY Defence and Shield from ALL trouble.     Keep HIM in sight.

TYNDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL arrived in Eldoret today.   They are not staying with us but in a Christian Hostel in Town.    In fact they will not immediately arrive HERE but go for a trip to the MARA Game Park until Wednesday.    THEN we shall receive them, both in Testimony and also at NEEMA Children's Homes just a few kilometres away.      They will be a Team of 39 staff and students.    As usual some of the time will be spent in working at various jobs and projects we have laid up for them, and part of the time in getting to know our children and interacting with them. They will be here for about a fortnight.     We know it will be a good time, and their families and friends can be sure they will be safe and well cared for all the time spent with us.    No sign of any kind of unrest in this area, as I have said earlier, and indeed nine tenths of Kenya is still a pleasant and safe place to be - and the one tenth that isn't is a L O N G way from Eldoret.

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DARYL has appointed an Estate Manager, to supervise the ongoing progress of our various Projects such as the Poultry and Dairy plus the Vegetable Plots.       During the latter part of last year we had slight setbacks with the Dairy first of all, and then the Poultry.     The staff we had looking after each concern proved unreliable.     We lost one of our cows through the diary-mans negligence and another through illness.    We decided to shut the Dairy until we could find a more qualified dairy-man.   We sold the remaining stock, and the dairy has been un-utilised till now.      THIS week we have ordered one Cow, and maybe another will follow soon after.       Likewise with the Poultry - though we did not shut it down - we had to reduce stock, again through careless attention of the staff involved.   We now plan to re-stock having replaced the poultry man with more reliable personnel.    The gardens continue to produce most of our vegetables.         Our new Estate Manager is now confirmed as Mr. Moses Githombothi - will try to bring a photo or two next week.

Opposite another photo (at about 3 weeks) of Abigail, Helen's baby.  You may remember she was coping with chronic Colic, and WE were trying to cope with her shortfall in coping.     Eventually - about ten days ago - she seemed to come through the worst and we sighed with relief.Two days later she began to teethe - at 14 weeks.     And yesterday she went for her 2nd major Vaccination!   AND TODAY she is not feel so well, and making here feelings to be well SHARED by everyone in the house.  Still she IS a smiler, and she has a lot to make up for all her discomfort's inconvenience; we are very glad for her, and to see her grow so quickly and well.     The Lord has truly been answering prayer for her and undertaking for her.

AND TODAY IS LIAM'S Green's FIRST BIRTHDAY!
This is our son Michael, and Janet's son.    He is grown well and fast due to 'Mummy's' good attention. and he seems to be the darling of all.     But perhaps WE have not bee told all his bad points.    I am sure he must have spent a few hours developing his lungs, and in giving way to the selfish desires we are all born with.    Not quite an angel I dare say, but no doubt we might all be persuaded to think so.     Think the best of all Men!!??
This must be Baby Corner today!   Or I must be getting too old - but then grandparents ALL seem to be the same way and go over the moon for their grandchildren.    We are not sorry, and do not repent.    It is a special bonus upon our lives, and very special delight.     We thank God and our children for letting enjoy their hard labour.

IT RAINED LIGHTLY most of last night here!  but the dawn brought back the sun, and warmth.
The Swimming pool is full of kids - I can see them even from this distance splashing away and having fun.    Others are playing soccer, and some - about six are all here with me in our sitting room as I type the Blog WATCHING soccer on TV.       The World Cup has been well supported here, and Daryl even managed to arrange for a BIG SCREEN in the School Hall to enable a sizable crowd to watch the majority of matches without missing classes!     BUT it was a disappointment to almost everyone whose Teams seemed to fail.     Ah me!     BUT I was not much affected myself.

Our loving Thanks, once again, to you all, and especially to those who have in recent weeks been in prayer for us, and also supported us.      All Praise, Honour, and Glory to HIM who has enabled you to care about us, and for US to be cared for.    He may be invisible and intangible, but there is NO DOUBT that God IS, and that He is HERE and THERE with us all.     May He Bless and Keep you all safe in Jesus - Lovingly

John and Esther & Daryl and Carol