INTO 2015

Yes INDEED, we wish you a VERY happy, enjoyable and successful New Year, no matter what the Enemy might throw at you - as he no doubt will endeavour to do, just to cheer you up - but never mind the LORD is with us, The Lord of Hosts is His Name, and he is more than a match for putting out Old Lucifer.
We do want to thank you all for helping us in one way or another as Jesus put us on your hearts.   We needed your payers, and we also needed material help too.    By mid December we were practically without funds, but then found ourselves rescued by deposits to our Bank that were quite unexpected - real Life-savers!     Then a sister sent a gift pure and simply for us to buy 'SAUSAGES' for all the children for Christmas!      That was the beginning of what was almost a deluge of edible blessing from all over, including locally.      The children were well catered for, and truly were able to enjoy their Christmas as they Celebrated with all their hearts the Birthday of Jesus.     We were all  blessed.  
Our friends Ian and Diana, and daughter Hendrika all left us before New Year came about, and left quite a big hole in our fellowship - we have truly missed them a lot.    They piled into all the work and activities and contributed so much to the general gladness.     We also had a visit from Michael Rufroni, who is currently living and working in Tanzania teaching and lecturing on IT,  but planning to return to Kenya soon.    It was really so good to see him
looking very much the same - tall, athletic, and full of energy.     He did not stay more a few hours but we were very happy that he found time to call in.      He was just a small guy of ten years when he arrived here in 1977 - and now he is 48 (approximately) - how time flies!

AND, OF COURSE, the building of the New Jacaranda has continued.     We started on the 19th December with Ian Hogley taking the first step in
preparing the Foundations with an Earth Shifter - photos in last Saturday's Blog.      We shall not repeat photos, but we will hope - week by week - to update progress visually.       Today we have the LATEST photos taken with my NEW camera which is a SONY 8x - 20.1 megapixels.     I am quite delighted with it.
The Work on the Plot has proceeded quite quickly.   The Foundation work is almost completed, and within a few days the whole will be ready to receive the floor slab.     Then the Walling will commence up to the Ring Beam.      The weather has been the best, and the Contractor is very happy with the progress so far.

The Old House must look on with some apprehension.       We still believe the mud brick end of the house will have to come down, and give way to grass to make up a little for the space the NEW house will take.      HOWEVER we have discovered that the Breeze Block end of the house has a foundation work laid down deep enough to take a further storey on the existing building.     Thus we are now thinking that we might indeed build on the existing breeze-block area.    We could then use this space for storage and even for guest accommodation.     All in the 'mixing bowl' right now, and no doubt there will be plenty of bright ideas to come as months go by.

NEXT TUESDAY our School re-opens for the First Term of 2015. 
The National Primary Exam that took place in November last produced a good result for us, and also most of our Home's children did well.   Everyone rejoicing!     About seven of OUR children will now continue on in our Secondary Department for a further four years.          This time NEXT year we shall have 15 leaving Primary for High School!!       Big scramble to find replacement for worn-out shoes and other items of School uniform.  All our houseparents busy trying to accomplish this in a town already overcrowded with parents doing the same.        This week Daryl has also been busy trying to ensure that necessary repairs and maintenance are completed before the doors open and the students flock back.    Almost worse than the moment before the doors open for the New Year Sales!!

Our little grand-daughter, ABIGAIL, is now 9 months old, and crawling!      She is quite a captivating child, but as with most children shows strong determination to have her own way just now.    An 'angel-face' for much of the time, but there can come a sudden change, a scowl, a piercing SCREAM and severe damage from both little fists on the rampage.    She is spoilt of course - by everyone.
Helen is busy seeking a future.    She has attempted many interviews as a pre-school teacher but our local establishments do not offer very attractive terms.      Helen is now considering starting her own Play School.      This would definitely be more lucrative, and she is quite able to run such a place - she is very imaginative and competent teacher, and so good with little kids.

Well that's about all for this week.     Daryl and I have decided to share the post of Director for the coming year, and this seems to be a comfortable and useful decision as he is more and more out and about, leaving a need for someone to stand in his place at home to deal with staff and more clerical issues of administration.    This is a kind of unofficial arrangement since I HAVE officially retired of course.  Helps us both not be alone with too great a load.

God Bless and be with you all

John Esther and Daryl Green