HOPE OF BUTTER AND CHEESE?

THIS IS TESTIMONY DAIRY STATION.     This was built two years back by Tyndale School who once again felt an urge to help us make the 'dream' of our own Dairy come true.    They built the Dairy as you see it above, and in the other two photos.       It is sited on the Jacaranda Cottage Compound, just across the drive from Tyndale Cottage.     Regretfully it suffered setbacks almost from the word go.       We had actually begun to plan for a Dairy in 2011 and quickly purchased two cows with which to commence an 'intensive' project.     For a while they did well but then all at once caught a local sickness and died one by one when we had built up the 'herd' to some six animals.       We had only one cow left in 2013, to which we added one small heifer.        At about this time our dairy man left us, and we employed someone else.   Our vet warned us that he seemed in -experienced, and by September 2014 we had lost both animals and had an empty Dairy unit, as per above.        The cow-man had taken the cows out without telling anyone, and grazed them by the roadside and also in our School grounds where the rains had brought forth lush new grass.   They died of 'Bloat".
Needless to say we were very disappointed and I, for one, was not too keen to continue the project. But there again ,to leave such a carefully and lovingly constructed Facility to just decay did not seem either right or wise.   Just before this year's Tyndale Team arrived an old friend of the Homes came and donated us a very nice Guernsey type heifer, now in calf.      Tyndale School also, before they left, donated us funds to purchase a second Frisian type heifer also in calf!!      SO it looks as if we should continue on.
The cows we have had before have not been very friendly, almost 'stand-offish' in their attitude.  But our two NEW cows are very outgoing, full of curiosity and contentment.    We also have a new Dairy-man who is well experienced and very keen.      The LORD knows his plans.

These two animals are predicted to be able to supply, once more, enough daily milk for all four of our Homes AND also milk for the School Children as well!      A great SAVING financially.
Well I will try to leave you with a few photos of 'Gert And Daisy' as I like to call them!


This is DAISY!    My name for her.    Doesn't  she look welcoming and ready for a chat?     Well she is indeed just like that, and I am sure to be drawn to have a word or two with her from time to time.
Many years ago in 1966 when I was a student at I.B.T.I. in Sussex, England (The International Bible Training Institute), I used to practise my early sermons to a field full of such kindly and rather amused Guernsey cows. They were always ,most attentive and would come from all over the field when they saw me perched on their five bar gate; interrupting their grazing to just come and gather round to listen - or was it just to stare in the hope of an extra handful of something.    They always stayed to the end, and then turn away to continue what I had found them busy with.     They did me a power of good, though probably did not improve my preaching ability over much.
Well it is easy to fall in love with an animal, and especially so when they seem to be willing to start a relationship!!


AND THIS IS GERT - not quite as welcoming in this picture; and was perhaps a little annoyed to have my camera disturb her feeding program.     But she is a dear really.    Rather larger and more sleek than Daisy, but she is not a bully or one to use her size to impress another, or even  shove them out of the way.    She and Daisy although strangers to each other, and quite well disposed toward each other, and already enjoying each others company.
LET ME CONCLUDE by including A.A. Milne's lovable poem

                                    The King's Breakfast

The King asked the Queen, and the Queen asked the Dairymaid"

Could we have some butter for the Royal slice of bread?"

The dairymaid said "Certainly!

I'll go and tell the cow - now - before she goes to bed.

The Dairymaid, she curtsied, and went and told the Alderney:

"Don't forget the butter for the Royal slice of bread

The ALDERNY said sleepily"

You'd better tell His Majesty

that many people nowadays like Marmalade instead!" 

The Dairymaid said "Fancy!" and went to Her Majesty

She  curtsied to the Queen and she turned a little red:

                                                                                       "Excuse me Your Majesty, for taking the liberty,

                                                                                              but Marmalade is tasty if it's very thickly spread!"

The Queen said "Oh!" and went to His Majesty;

"Talking of the butter for the Royal slice of bread,

Many people think that Marmalade is nicer,

Would you like to try a little Marmalade instead?"

The King said, "Bother!" And the he said "Oh dear me!"

The King sobbed, "Oh deary me!"  And went back to bed.

"Nobody," he whimpered, "Could call me a fussy man;

                                                    I only want a little bit of butter for my bread                                                                              

The Queen said "There, there!" and went to the Dairymaid.

The Dairymaid said "There, there!" and went to the cow.

The cow said "There, there!  I didn't really mean it!

Here's milk for his porringer, and BUTTER for his bread

The Queen took the the butter, and brought it to His Majesty,

The King said "Butter, eh?" and bounced out of  bed.

'Nobody', he said as he kissed her tenderly,

"Nobody" he said as he slid down the bannisters.

'Nobody my Darling could call me a fussy man..

BUT

                                                                           I do like a little bit of butter to my bread

AND THIS IS WHERE I WILL CONCLUDE FOR THIS WEEK!

I a,m a day early this week - due to the Server who is busy relaying, joining, and otherwise enjoying fun and games with their fibre optic cable which has once again got into a tangle somewhere.    Might be unable to get to the Web again until Monday, or even later.    Such the advantages of living on the Equator in the RAINY  Season,     The MOON is full tonight - could mean a change in the weather for us - or it might mean ANOTHER month of RAIN.

Our love to you all in Jesus

John, Esther and Daryl Green

THERE IS JOY IN SERVING JESUS

TODAY, SATURDAY, 24th July 2015 we celebrated the 24th Parents Day of Testimony School which we started back in 1981 when I was forty one!     Above is a photo taken today in the School Home Science Lab.    On the back row, left, in Mrs Angela Omobi our Secondary Headmistress.   She also happens to teach Home-science and Biology.   To her right are five of her current students who had also set up the Lab for today.    In the front row, as from the left is our County Education Officer, then Bishop Patrick M. Mungai our Guest of Honour for the day, who had come down from Nairobi.   He is eight years my junior born in Kericho District in 1948.     Coming from a polygamous family, he has a wonderful testimony of Salvation, and of the leading of God in His live ever since.   And yes that is me sitting next to him at the end of the row.                    
This is the view that we were all looking at, as from the previous photo, down the length of the Lab, where the students were busy serving the rest of the Guest of Honour's Party with refreshments largely made and baked by themselves.     They continued serving the rest of the Parent Body that was following us around.   These were all Secondary School students.

Within a few minutes we were all on our way to tour the School, Nursery, Primary and Secondary.    It was just a little past 11 a..m. our time.   Parents were arriving; usually expect more than 500 of them!!      This was really Daryl's day, for as the new Director overall, it falls to him to host the Day.     Esther and I are now officially termed 'The Founders' and as such we were, for the first time, able to take a back seat so to speak, although we were still part of the Guest of Honour's Party, and walked round with him.    I am including some photos, but not of all that we saw - would take too much time and space.    All Classrooms were visited,   WE will not view them this time.   WE shall visit the Science Laboratory next.....

These are general views of the two laboratories, and are pretty self explanatory.  The lab tables were presented to the School by the British High Commission in 1988.     This was also the first year we competed in Standard 8
for K.C.P.E.    It was a big step
for the School, and development and academic standards began to be seen and felt.     The new facilities and improvements put the School on the academic map.
The young lady student on the right was curious to know how I had founded TFH - she had just thought I was a temporary expatriate!      Kind of interesting to know I am becoming unknown by new students - at least from the point of view of my place and history here.  
ANTHONY NDUNGU was of course with us, still as Principal of the School and I was very comforted to see him still with us and taking a huge part in keeping the School together and safe.

He and I started the Primary Section together in 1983.  The day before we opened he collapsed, and we all thought we had lost him even before we began.   But he recovered and has maintained good health all these years, working hard to put all his effort into the School's success hand in hand with Jesus.

Here is one of the Primary School Choirs

After lunch everyone repaired to the School Hall - more than 500 parents and visitors squeezed in!   At 2p.m. the afternoon Concert began, mainly put on by students from Nursery through Secondary.     The Annual Prize Giving followed, preceded by a short Address by our Guest of Honour.    The whole program ended at 5.20p.m. and was very well received, and enjoyed by all. A VERY good Day, and the RAIN and THUNDER that has been with us daily for the last week held off until 4.30 so that no one was discomforted.       I feel that one of the BEST things about a Day like this is in seeing staff and students; adults and children AND young people, pulling together to demonstrate their pride in their School.   UNITY is a very special commodity to find revealed in everyone working so well together.

 The Program included Choirs, Dances, Recitations, Skits and Dramatic Items from all sections of the School from Nursery to Secondary.      In the photo to the right you might notice a student (a girl).    She is very dark; she is Sudanese, AND very tall for her class.     She started School late in life BUT she is also much taller for her age than her peers.   It has been a struggle for her to remain in a glass full, comparatively, of pygmies.     But she has made it with Jesus.   Praise Him for ever!

Well this was our 34th Bash.       That IS the age of the School.    But, of course, the Homes began a little early in 1969 and so in August we shall celebrate, more quietly, our 46th Anniversary of the DAY ALL OF THIS BEGAN.   He IS Faithful.       To-day is over.    Tomorrow may never come! It is good to live so, and to lay down our heads upon our pillows without fear or anxiety.  We are all in His Hands. and He holds us SAFE.

=========================================================

Our Guest of Honour was, as I have said, Bishop Patrick M. Mungai of Calvary Temple, Nairobi.   A man of spiritual distinction and determination.   Coming from a Polygamist family who although Roman Catholic outwardly were more tied to the old 'animist gods of their ancestral culture. Patrick was discovered by God alone in his father's fields.   God made Himself known to him, He finally gave his life to Christ and was Born Again in 1956 when he was just 8 years old.   His family were poor and schooling was not something that he could have without hard work and vision.   But God worked with him and little by little he worked slowly upwards.   He is now the holder of a Phd., and his story is one of considerable  challenge and encouragement to all young people.    He says he always knew God would use him to win souls, and this is what he has devoted his life to do.     It was an Inspiration to have him with us, both to the students AND the parents who attended.      We Thank God for bringing him to us at this time.

Well,   nothing else has changed.    We are as we are, but we are also happy to be alive and to be able to converse with each other, and to see the wonderful works of our God.    Thank you all for walking with us through the week, and for praying for us and being His Strength to us.    May He BLESS you all.

Mixed reception to my new Blog  'Keep God in Mind' and I confess I am not sure what direction to take with it.   Please pray for me to have wisdom....     I have seen my Doctor today, and he says I am good for another fifty years.   THAT was encouraging.    Let us hope HE has the wisdom of God, and not just his own.       I do feel well at this time, and I do Thank God for it.    It is a real blessing to FEEL well, as well as just being well.

Our love to you all in Jesus Name

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

ONE MORE FAREWELL!!

YES, the days have sped by, and now, Thursday this week in the evening, is the time to say Farewell until NEXT YEAR, God willing.      A lot of flurry, a lot of hurry, and a great deal of enjoyment all round, climaxed on Thursday evening as the Team from Oz took themselves and some of our own staff out to supper to a local Restaurant, just down the road from where we are - 'Mama Mia's'   A bit like an enlarged garden shed, but comfortable, and providing us all - well over 40 - with a a very tasty Buffet of Fish, Beef Stroganoff, mixed vegetable & potatoe stew, rice, Ugali, and chips!!      A very happy last evening with time to appreciate each other, and especially all the labour of all the Team Members, young and old.     The photo above is of those who worked together to put up the Back-yard Shade behind the kitchen of the New Jacaranda Cottage.     A work-gang and a job to be proud of.

All our Houseparents attended the evening, together with myself and Esther, and Daryl.   Joshua and Miriam Mbithi from Neema Children's Home also attended since their ministry also benefited from the energy and zeal of the Tyndale Team from Oz.    A very merry time, and there were even presentations.     I am unable to present photos for everyone but at least a few are here.

Joshua and Miriam appear above right, and below you can see Esther and me being given a Gift,     After all was done, we dispersed, and early on Friday morning the Team began the journey, back to Tyndale School in Adelaide, South Australia.     Our Love and Thanks go to all, students and staff alike, and especially to our honorary daughter Dani Potter for Leading the Team, and representing her dear husband and Head of Tyndale School, Mike Potter.   So proud of you both.

Well I want to now go on and just include a few views of what they have been doing while here, and to prove they were not just sight-seeing or having a rest from academics.   WE have all been uplifted, upheld, and improved in a time of need, and most of all reminded that GOD who loves us all,CAN and DOES use us all to be His Blessing to each other.
To the left and right are views of the  Back Yard new shelter.  A lot of very good work providing extra space for cooking and Washing. All neatly and cleanly done.  We are very happy for it, as are Joe and Agnes Macharia the House Parents.

Another group from the Team also tackled the job of laying new
Linoleum on worn out floors. In
all THREE dorms, and ONE long
interior Corridor.   And it was not
easy!   The Linoleum seemed to
have a mind of its own, and just
would not lay flat!   However, finally it yielded to serious persuasion and the work was done!!  WELL DONE Team!

ADDITIONALLY some were adding a few Recreational Fun and Games as they built swings, hop scotch, and climbing facilities for some of the young kids in front of the Old Jacaranda Cottage.   ALL this in under 14 days!!!

###################################################

NEXT SATURDAY Testimony School will hold its 34th Parents Day.     Of course we in Testimony are also 'parents' since all our OUR children attend the School, so it is very much a combined and proud day for everyone.     In the morning hours parents tour the school, and enjoy Displays and Exhibitions mounted the the students.    We expect approximately 500 guests.    In the Afternoon Students present a two and a half hour Concert of varied items ranging from Choirs, Skits, Spoken Verse, and Traditional Dance.   Thereafter (but in the same time span)  Prizes are presented to those who have performed well in School.

This year our Guest of Honour will be Dr. Patrick M. Mungai from Nairobi.     We will hope to present some photographic coverage of this, but publication may be a little late, for which I apologise.

YESTERDAY Esther and I were visited from friends from the UK who were motoring from Kakamega to Nakuru.      Chris Wagstaff, brought his Mother Audrey aged 86 to see us.   We were so very happy that he was able to take the time to do so.    For at least fifty years I have known Audrey and her husband Ian.    We first met at a small prayer group, some few years before I joined Bible College and went to I.B.T.I. We have never lost contact with each other, and she, Ian and indeed their family have always, from time to time in the Wisdom of God, provided us with the encouragement and courage that we often found ourselves in need of along the Way Jesus was leading us.     It was so good and wonderful to have time to talk and share a little.   Christ and his wife and family commenced a Work for Jesus near Gilgil, here in Kenya known as Camp Jabez.    It is ten years old this year, and Chris and his mother had come out to commemorate and mark the progress.   Chris himself is now teaching in the U.K.

AND NOW IT IS RAINING!!!!    


God Bless you all.      We remember you daily in OUR prayers, and we believe Father will keep you all safe, as these Last Days are going by.      Keep God in MIND every moment.

Our love to you always in Jesus Name

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

HAND IN HAND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

HERE IS THE 2015 TYNDALE SCHOOL TEAM

from Adelaide South Australia

THIS is the end of their First week with us, and still almost one to go!    The weather has been perfect with clear skies, and average temperatures every day - but the nights are COLD!   The group shown above have shown their mettle, both here with us in Testimony, AND also with Joshua and Miriam Mbithi in Neema Children's Home.     Most of all, perhaps, they have all given, and continue to give, real JOY to all the children - which, after all, is what their effort and actually being here is all about.

We Praise Jesus.

This time round they are busy with PAINTING WALLS, Laying Linoleum, putting up a Back Yard shade and shelter at the NEW Jacaranda Cottage,   Setting up a small Playground with Equipment,  Laying  down a small Practise Basket Ball Pitch.        MOST of all this is on the Jacaranda side of our ministry, but the LINOLEUM is being laid in Testimony House - and it has really been hard and often frustrating work,......but it IS going down, and really NEEDS to be there.        I think those also working with Neema Home have been doing similar strenuous work.     

THIS IS Dani Potter - preparing to BAKE yet again.    She is ever flying around EVERYWHERE, keeping an eye on everyone, full of energy!  Phew!    Still the same 'gal' I first met thirty or so years ago; just as pretty, just as lovable!     And, of course, her cakes are all a dream come true, and an inspiration for all.     This lady gives herself flat out, nothing held back - Thanks Mike for letting her be here without you.     We truly appreciate

Above to the right are a few of our saucy boys from Jacaranda compound representing the general happiness of everyone as they interact with the Team, and even - perhaps - get to help????    Times like these are really exciting for the children, both young and old, since it is a chance make friends from another Country, other than their own, and to also have a change from the hum drum routines of daily life.    The girl above is Micah and Catherine YEGO's little four year old, daughter, Esther, full of happy mischief!

NOW TO THE LEFT and right are few of the Team busy helping to mix a floor for the basket ball facility.   Heavy work, but all seem full of willingness to get stuck into whatever activity is facing them.   The Home you are looking at in these photos is in fact Drakeley Cottage where Francis and Eunice LAHOL are parents.  I think I mentioned earlier that Eunice' Mum passed away.    It was very sad indeed for Eunice but she is now returned from the funeral, and as usual full of the Joy of the Lord.     Francis who is himself a qualified Chef in his own right, is also feeding the Team!!!    They seem to be no worse for it..     They are using Old Jacaranda's sitting room as a Dining room.

To the left a view of work being done BEHIND the new Jacaranda Cottage, where a Back Yard and shelter is being built to provide extra apace for cooking and washing.       Tyndale Teams have actually built similar facilities for Drakeley AND Tyndale Cottages.     And very useful they are too.
A  lot of work though.    A LOT of work!!

AND EVEN BEFORE these young people ever get here, they work hard at home IN Australia to earn the funds needed to fly themselves here and back again, plus enough MORE to be able to pay for the materials they will use working here, AND also be able to GIVE a sizable donation to these Homes   AND also to TWO other Charities they support, including Neema Children's Homes and New Life Homes in Nairobi.     NOW I CALL that a sacrificial effort, remembering they are at School learning everyday.     BRAVO you are truly Role Models and examples of God's Love and Sacrifice.

These two youngsters in my last photo are probably cursing me behind the 'smiles' since I made them stand still whilst I fumbled about trying to take the photo! That sack of cement is a bit HEAVY!

===================================

Well that will be all for this week, Hopefully there might be more photos next week.    School is continuing, and students are still swimming in the Pool.      Daryl has recovered from his rather severe cold - it was really horrible.    He is more than glad since he really needed to up and about in co-operation with the Tyndale Team.   It needs a lot of thought, patience, and sometimes grace since it is all and above his normal daily routines and chores that tend to go unnoticed by visitors who are virtually unaware of all the things that have to be attended to in order to achieve smooth running.

Please remember to pray for me (John) as I had a serious 'dizzy' spell today and on checking with the doctor discovered by Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure levels have gone a little too high.    Will probably have some tests next week.     I feel fine right now, and the doc has provided some 'stop-gap' medicine to keep me going.      Of course it is God that keeps me going really,      Esther has been unwell today as well with a very upset stomach.     Not very welcome since she is hosting SEVEN guests herself this evening, and has to been busy all day preparing in the kitchen.    She is a real 'soldiar' for Jesus.

Brothers and sisters I have felt led to leave this BLOG purely and simply for news and information about Testimony Faith Homes.        For any other comment or observations about life here in Eldoret and in Kenya generally that can reveal something of God, and His Love, I have invented a SECOND BLOG entitled KEEPING GOD IN MIND,    The first pages were published on Wednesday this week.

God Bless you all,

John, Esther and Daryl Green

THE COST OF LOVING AND CARING

LAST NIGHT, Friday, we welcomed the Tyndale School Team from South Australia. They arrived about 4.30p.m.    SO good to see both Old and New faces.       This time round our friend MIKE Potter was unable to come, but his wife Dani IS here together with other old hands. The School sends a Team each year at present, and half work and spend time with US, and half with Neema Children's Homes just a few kilometres away with Joshua and Miriam Mbithi.
This Team is comprised of many of girls this time, and we think most of them will be painting, and perhaps a little work for us in transforming part of the Old Jacaranda into a Day Care Centre!!   We shall no doubt be posting various photos over the two week period of their stay with us.    Always a happy time for all our children, and one that remains with us long after they return to Australia.

THIS IS THE FIRST blog into the 2nd half of the year, and, as has been our habit over recent years, we will now publish our Accounts for the First Six Months.     This is to give an idea of what we do with the Funds God Brings to us month by month.       The figures we show will be in Kenya Shillings.     This 'shilling' compares to between 135 and 150 such shillings to the Pound Sterling depending on the Exchange Value which is very variable.       Income comes mainly from the U.K. with a little from Denmark, and  Australia,      Currently some 16% of our needed income is sent to us on a regular basis, and the rest comes as and when God provides in answer to our prayers.    We do not Appeal for Funds, or Fund-raise in any way, seeking to demonstrate clearly by our manner of life that God is there, and that He hears and answers our prayers faithfully according to His Grace and Mercy.    

TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES, Income & Expenditure for First Half Year ending on 30//6/2015

INCOME - Opening Balances Cash & Bank    383,001. 20
                      Foreign Donations                       7,475,520. 90
                      Local Donations                              415,600.
                      Farm Income                                     151,335.               Ksh. 8,425,457. 10

EXPENDITURE
                     Audit Fees for 2014                           20,300.
                     Bank Charges                                        3,300.
                     Clothing & Footwear             181,279.
                     External Aid                                      335,350.
                     Farm Expenses                                       5,430.
                     Festivals & Sports                      32,178.
                     Provisions (Groceries Etc)           1,917,792.   
                     Fuel and Gas                                      269,510.
                     Legal Charges                                        7,000.
                     Medical Expenses                            199,189.
                     Motor Vehicle Expenses                 166,434.
                     Printing  & Stationary               13,141.
                     Repairs & Maintenance          254,870.
                     College Fees                                      512,560.
                     Salaries                                             3,241,308.
                     Sundry Expenses                                 78,530.
                     Transport                                             113,837.
                     Utilities                                                740,675.
                     Closing Balances                               332,774. 10         Ksh.8,425,457. 10

                     Liabilities Outstanding   for the Period  = ( Ksh.1,599,418 ) 


We carry a Staff to serve our FOUR Children's Homes of TEN residential and 22 non residential men and women, including 8 House-parents, 4 chefs, 4 groundsmen, 1 Registered Nurse, 1 Social Worker,
2 Security Guards,  4 Office Staff, 4 maintenance staff,

Testimony School, from Nursery to Secondary Form 1V is financially catered for separately from the incoming Fees of external children living at home with the their parents.    However the School provides FREE places for all the 140 odd children residing in the Children's Homes at a cost to themselves of approximately Ksh.8 million which sum is in the FEE structure, with the full knowledge and acceptance of the the parents of all our external students.    Testimony School, as a School, provides no other Income in cash or kind in any way to the running of the Children's Homes.

The Children's Homes otherwise must pay for all other running costs for the FOUR Homes as stated below.   This includes about Ksh.1 million per Annam that is spent on College Students continuing with high education after Form 1V resident in the Homes.- Averagely 20 students a year.    Right now we have 19 in College and 1 in University. The current cost of daily care, inclusive of food, clothing, Medicare, etcetera is running at approximately  (for 137 children + 8 residential staff and their own 7 children)  Ksh,44,555/=. OR Ksh.2,923/= per person.    Current approximate exchange rate with the Pound Sterling is Ksh.150/=.


THE WEEK HAS BEEN RELATIVELY UNEVENTFUL.   The Weather COLD but the rain has held off a little, so the grass has at last managed to be cut, and not so much mud carried about into the School and Homes.      In Kenya - in Eldoret at least - we have only one alternative at any time as far as daily trial is concerned - either MUD when it rains, or DUST when it doesn't!!
DARYL has lost his voice today - a sudden turn of events which is quite rare for him.    We are praying for him that this may not advent a heavy cold or Tonsillitis - especially now with extra work and activity being thrust upon him with the Ozzy Team being with us and so one.   But he is a strong and dogged guy, so he will probably be OK.
We are all pressing on regardless of the weather or anything else the Enemy might care to throw at us, and we REJOICE in seeing him thwarted.     GLORY be to God.

Our Father in Heaven Bless you and Assure your hearts.    


Sincerely in His Great Love and Mercy.


John. Esther, and Daryl Green