THIRD TIME LUCKY? Well, shall we just say that I seem to be back on track this week, and that I just found myself with less time than usual to put pen to paper. We have been going through a rather difficult time, and somehow 'tip-toeing through the tulips'. A LOT of prayer in progress among us all, and we sense the world around us is changing, and becoming more and more challenging, both materially and morally. Just found myself in a bit of a whirl - but still being held tightly by the Hand that is promised NEVER to let go of me. Yes. JESUS was there with us all, and continues to be so - till He COMES, and sweeps us into His Arms on that Great and Wonderful Day.
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ON THE 12TH October Esther and I were Guests at the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of Sirikwa Fellowship in 1984. A group of us in those days had felt of the Lord to initiate a new Pentecostal Inter Church Fellowship. It began with a Townwide Crusade, and then initial Sunday Meetings in the Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret Town. I was one of the Speakers at that ground breaking Crusade, and another of us, who was at that time working with Testimony Faith Homes - Bob Grahamslaw, was also present from the UK for this Occasion. The Fellowship has expanded since then, and we were celebrating in the 2nd Church in Eldoret with a united congregation of more than 1500 souls.
It was a real JOY to be there and to be part of that celebration, even though we do not worship with them on a weekly basis. Rick and Carol Koetz are still part of the Fellowship and we see them often at the Missionary Prayer Fellowship.
A LOT OF MEMORIES flowed and for us it was a special happiness to be with Bob and Joy Grahamslaw who were for a short time Houseparents in Jacaranda Cottage. Bob and I were among the many Speakers for the Day, and it was truly a very wonderful and blessed Day that glorified the Lord to the full. We spent most of the Day there - Daryl also with us - enjoying the Program, the Food, and the general Family of Jesus. My own contribution was somewhat brief -THIRTY is said to be the Prime Year for a Man, and probably for a Woman also; the year of maturity. In the Old Testament a Priest was consecrated at 30.
'JESUS was said to be thirty when He began His ministry. That year He turned water into wine and entered a new phase of life. And Mary said 'Whatever He tells you to do, DO IT." However unlikely, however ridiculous, DO IT. John 2v5. What was Jesus doing for the previous 30 years? He was growing up! He was preparing and getting ready for His Life's Work. Getting ready to change the world, and our lives. In the light of this it would seem that TODAY is not so much a 'bench-mark' of what Sirikwa Fellowship has attained or accomplished, but rather their GRADUATION DAY.
Tomorrow is a whole NEW deal. Now has come the time, fully fledged, to FLY - and GO forth into a new chapter of life and experience. THIS is for Sirikwa Fellowship for Sirikwa Fellowship right now.
I wonder if the Fellowship, or any one of you here today, has a Strategic Plan for the future?
Its very much in vogue these days - to have such a Plan. Really since you have reached 30 years what have you done, where are WE all going? Are we following Christ's EXAMPLE? Or are we just putting on our 'Gradulation Robe' every day, believing we have got it all - resting on our 'laurels' and yesterday's experience? NO, surely this should not be the case. We are at the Beginning today! It has to be bigger, better and even more challenging tomorrow! And the TIME to accomplish it all may be short; Jesus only had THREE years. RISE, SHINE, FOLKS! NOW is the TIME to reveal yourselves as a 'Body' in which Christ has come of Age.
Be very bold and courageous, knowing that God is IN you, and with you in all that you do.
WHATEVER He now tells you to do - DO IT, with all your heart, and mind, and strength.'
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RECENTLY I wrote to friends in the UK, asking those who pray for us to somehow do what they could to increase AWARENESS, among their friends and acquaintances, about the work and ministry WE are engaged in here in Testimony Faith Homes. We suggested that perhaps one or another might join together in starting a Prayer Group. We have never travelled abroad from here to raise funds, trusting rather in the Lord to hear our prayer and to provide our needs. After 45 years of reaching out to homeless and helpless children here, and having seen more than three hundred and fifty come and go out from us into the Kenyan society, we are still virtually unknown.
We have never made any real effort to advertise ourselves. TO-DAY we have about two hundred names of people who have ever written or passed by whilst travelling in Kenya, including those who have come to be aware of us in Kenya herself. Of those we actually hear from there are less than 40 on a regular basis.
The work has grown over the years. Starting with a handful of children, we now care for, on average, about 140 boys and girls for 0 - 18, providing by God's Grace, shelter, food, clothing, education and all the other things a child might expect to receive in a loving caring family. GOD, by His Holy Spirit has not failed to keep us and to provide all these needs. We have a Testimony, and we are not ashamed of it. BUT we feel we have reached a time when we have felt the Spirit pushing us to spread knowledge of us, and share our knowledge of God's Faithfulness - and who better than those who KNOW us to help us accomplish this. HOWEVER, although almost ALL those we KNOW have written back applauding the 'idea', we find all are feeling bound from interacting in this matter due to advancing years or just plain 'too busy-ness'. Some have even felt we are begging for money in a round about way. Well we understand it may seem like that to some. However, this is not so.
We now, through this Blog, want to extend our plea to ALL those who may be tuned into it, to perhaps join us in expanding knowledge of us. We have never and will not APPEAL for money; this is not an appeal for money - It IS an appeal to spread the Testimony of what God has done, and is doing here so that more people can also learn to trust and believe God for themselves, knowing that He is THERE, and that He Hears and Answers prayers - not just ours, but anybody's. Of course it is true that the more people that come to know about us may potentially hear from God via His Holy Spirit, to help us in some way - but WE are not asking them. WE are asking God, and He alone is the one that might stir anyone to be concerned for us. We DO have an illustrated pamphlet about the ministry here - if any of you might like to receive one and perhaps copy and hand it out, please let us know and we will send one to you via E-mail.
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LAST SUNDAY our own Fellowship Dedicated more than two dozen babies and young children from Testimony Faith Homes. One of our Old Boys, Moses Ongonga, now a senior pastor in Eldoret came to give the word and lay hands on each innocent head. It was a very beautiful Service, affecting all four of our Homes. Rev. Moses and his wife Miriam stayed for lunch with me and Esther afterwards, and we had a very happy and joyful time together remembering the years gone by.ONE OF THOSE DEDICATED, was baby Abigail, our daughter, Helen's baby girl now 8 months. She was only 5 months when the photo was taken, and has grown apace since then.
These days she does not cry at all at night, and sleeps right through. She is a really pleasant child, with a good sense of humour, and very intelligent.
Her Mum, Helen, is 25 this coming Monday, looking to re-start her career as a Pre-primary Teacher, as a single parent probably far from home. Please pray for her that the Lord finds a safe and happy chance for her. Well, but she is not expecting to leave us before the New Year, and indeed we know we shall miss her AND baby Abygail. She has really found a place in our hearts.
Indeed every week now we are meeting new 'grandchildren' as boys and girls now grown up, married and fuilding families drop in to visit, and reminisce about their time here, living in one or another of the four Homes. It is GOOD to see them making out, and a joy to our hearts that they remember those that brought them up, and still pray along for them.
This must be all for this week. I shall be speaking tomorrow at the Fellowship,,,,,, and in the afternoon we shall be having a special Meeting for Married Couples, and then later about 6pm there will be the Missionary Fellowship ...a full day.....a day with Jesus in the midst. Love you all
John and Esther
