WORK ABOUNDING !

BUILDING WORKS STILL PRO-CEEDING. By today all this on the left has been filled in, and the SLAB laid down.     In fact the last photo shows the first course of rough stone being laid for the external walls.     So far all has gone well, and the weather has made sure the foundation was laid soundly and surely.       It is the right time of year really - the hottest month -together with February - of the year.  However, although so far the weather has helped, we do need water, and the RAINS are not expected to return in any force until March/April.     SO the contractor is seeking for Showers of Blessing

in the midst of the DRY SEASON!     The Slab has just been laid in this photo.    We are looking up towards Drakeley Cottage from the Tyndale Cottage end.     Old Jacaranda is on the left just out of sight.
The concrete was mixed by a small cement mixer and put down by hand.    Quite a hard, heavy and time consuming task.    It all had to go down in one go, so to speak, and indeed they made it perfectly.
The trees you can see are ALL  Jacaranda trees from which the Home takes its name, so you see even with cutting some down we have a number left.
Once the SLAB had dried out the final finishing surface was added and also given time to dry out.  After that  the plan of the internal walls were marked out on the surface, ready for 'Walling'.      Of course this has had to wait a little until everything on the surface had an appropriate time to dry out.
This was accomplished on Wednesday this week, and the first Course of stone has been laid for the exterior wall.      This will be of volcanic stone just like the other two cottages and also Green Cottage.  It comes in various colours, grey, yellow, black and almost white.    The NEW Jacaranda will be using grey and red, and possible a little black.     It has to be brought in to Eldoret from more than one hundred kilometres away.
AND thus you can see from the last photo taken yesterday, that all is in continuance.  In this last picture you can see Old Jacaranda Cottage - still in use of course - on the left, with Drakeley on the right just above the new house.    But we now will need a supply of water daily.    At present Water is Rationed in supply, and so we do not always have it in the taps.     A few heavy thunder storms could really help us as we could collect water from the run-offs from the roofing of the other houses and store in drums.    Something to pray about.  From now on WALLS will be rising up!

ABOVE is a view of Testimony House taken from the patio of Green Cottage, and taking in part of the gardens AND the famous TREE.    It is said to be an Indian Mahogany Tree, but is also related to the NEEM family of tree, and is a soft, red wood.    It was probably planted when Testimony House was being built - circa 1908, and is past its best, having a life expectancy of only about 80 years.     We have had a lot of tea parties and family gatherings under its shadow, and in a way it has become a land mark and a symbol to us of Shelter and Refuge.          It will not last for ever.         Many other of the trees we found here are now old.   some of them are also likely to die off in the near future, and additionally we have a nasty Parasite  that in the last two or three years has suddenly attacked the majority of the trees here.
We think it is spread by a particular bird, - The Great Green Ibis - since for the most part it is found in the upper branches too high to get at, and where the Ibis like to roost - we have a colony or two here,..    From the photo you will get some idea of it, and next week I may be able to show it more clearly.     It is clearly a very hungry plant, and quickly spreads.  I believe if it is left alone, it will take over and overwhelm every tree it lights upon.    Horrible - but then most parasites are.

God meant us to take care of everything - including TREES,   Thus I feel there ought to be a way to eradicate conditions of this kind when they are found attacking any tree.     I wonder if there is an 'innoculation' available for trees!??     Never heard of such a thing, but you never know!

OTHERWISE ALL REMAINS QUIET, and the week gone by has been peaceful.      The School being open provides a lot of extra laughter and chatter amongst the children, but it is not all time - just at breaks in tuition.      It also exudes from the swimming pool where lessons in swimming are carried on every day.   It is a background ingredient of noise, not loud, but somehow joyful, even  'aholiday by the sea sound'!    It strangely adds to the serenity of this place.     We are thankful for it.     Is speaks of God's Presence and Protective Love.

May Jesus be with you all, each one, and give you a good week.       Our Thanks to you all for your care and thought of our welfare and life here.      If any of you might feel to also right to US and share any need for prayer or Praise, please do feel free to do so; we would be so glad to be in touch either via -email or even Face Book.       We are told to 'Bare EACH OTHERS burdens'.     Very sincerely from us all.


John, Esther and Daryl, & all our staff and children