both boys were very much neglected, and not in school. Their Mother, a single parent, brewed local beer for a meagre living, and both children were brought to us by her at a moment of desperate need. Both were suffering from severe Scabies and Malnutrition.
They were both bright boys. Simeon joined the family of Testimony House, and Charles went to live with Jacaranda Cottage since we were without further space to accommodate him.
In those days we did not have our own School, and so after being with us a few days they were both admitted to Kapsoya Day Primary School, some two kilometres away, walking to and fro daily with a group of other children from the Homes.
On the way back one later afternoon on 25th May 1977, just a year after joining us, Charles died! It had been raining heavily for some days, and although there was a road bridge across the full fed river that needed to be crossed to get back home from school, Charles had not followed it. Instead he followed a few others and crossed over the river balancing on a 2ft wide water pipe. He did not make it across, but slipped off into the raging torrent below him, and was swept away. Some of the children he was with ran all the way back to us in Testimony to tell us, and I and others rushed to the scene. We all ran along the bank of the river as far as we could without obstruction, but found no trace of him. We then mounted a more determined and desperate search, lasting through the night and the following day.
The river passes through the town of Eldoret and on. We managed to follow its path to the far outskirts of the town where there is a river wide grating to catch unwanted debris before the river escapes into the countryside. A great team of us on both banks came up with nothing. The Police of course were also notified, but as far as we know Charles Kauka has never been seen again. After two months a Memorial Service was held in our grounds, with almost all of Kapsoya Primary School attending, with all of our own children and staff, and many friends and well wishers. It was a VERY sad day, especially for Jacaranda Cottage. Francis and Elain Wainaina were the Houseparents in those days, now living and working in England with the Anglican Church.
SIMEON continued on with us in Testimony. He changed Primary School in 1978 for one nearer to home, Sosiani Primary, and in 1983 he joined U. G. High School,.....He was not doing very well in school, and after finishing he ran off to the Kenya Army. He kept in touch with us, and we wrote often to each other, and later he would come to visit. But the Army taught him to drink, and drink led him to drunkenness. The Army did not seem to mind, and kept him until about eighteen months ago when he retired, still a drunkard, and still in touch with us. He had married, and has children of his own, but mainly unmaintained by him, since he spends any thing he gets on liquor. About a month ago he collapsed, and was rushed to hospital. He was diagnosed with a Blood clot on his brain, and taken for surgery. He survived the surgery, but did not regain power to move or to speak - he is still in Intensive Care. The doctors say there is still a chance he will recover, but we think it is just 'talk', as every day he stays in the ICU it is costing upwards of one hundred thousand Kenya shillings - more than a thousand pounds sterling. We have visited but he still is unable recognise any one, and can only move his fingers and toes. Simeon did make a decision for Jesus when he was in Primary School, and he knows the Way of Salvation very well. Our prayer has been that he might regain consciousness so that he might once more put himself right with his God. He was always a happy boy, and always thankful for whatever was done for him. Alcohol was his downfall, encouraged by his time in the Kenya Army, and he seemed totally unable to stand out against it. He remains as a member of our 'Family' and after all these years we cannot but help to be moved by the plight of his life and soul. We are glad we had an opportunity to have him with us, and to set the Word of God in front of him. But it is sad to see that we cannot win everyone to Cross, and to steer them away from the 'rocks' and 'whirlpools of life'.
On the 3rd May 1984, eight years after the arrival of his brothers, FRANCIS Lahol, the youngest in the family that ever came to us arrived.. He was ten years old. He was very bright and intelligent,He attended Gk Prisons, and U.G Primary School, and then Kapnegetuny and Wareng Secondary School. Then, afterwards he trained as a Chef with Kenya Hotel Institute in Nakuru. Thereafter he pursued a career as a chef, initially with Sirikwa Hotel, in Eldoret. He married, his wife Eunice, also a Chef, and they now have two children. THEN on the 1st January 2002 he and his family joined us in Testimony Faith Homes as Houseparents in Drakeley Cottage, where they still live and work. They have been appreciated parents to all the children in their Home, and both Francis and Eunice have used their culinary skills in catering to great advantage in the work as a whole. Francis is also Superintendent of our Sunday School at the moment. And it is Francis who has taken the full weight and burden of his elder brother Simeon upon himself. He will appreciate your prayers for him, and he may, in the near future, have to decide whether or not to continue ICU treatment for his brother. It is good that both he and Eunice have Jesus as their Friends and Saviour walking with them in their lives. I have wanted to share with you all about this family, because they demonstrate clearly that Testimony Faith Homes is not some magical place where all the children that come to stay grow angels wings, and become angels. Not all choose to either see their sin or reach out for Christ as their Saviour. Not all leave us for the best. But, yes, some do. We follow them all, pray for them all, and hope in Jesus for the best for each of them. Our sorrows and joys are mixed.
They have 35 boys and girls, with ages ranging from 5 to 20+ currently. They carry their quirks of character and personality, together with their hopes for their future, with the hurts and disappointments that can come to ANY parent, and shoulder them all in prayer, together with their personal challenges. They are not special - just part of the greater Family of Testimony Faith Homes. BUT we are very proud that Francis chose to come BACK to us and be part of this ministry for himself together with his family. He must have seen something of value in it when he himself was one of many orphans that found refuge and shelter here.
THE WORLD has more and more accepted the social 'necessity' of booze! I saw my mother almost battered to death because of its outworking in her husband; he almost struck me dead on one occasion as well, when he was drunk. I have seen how insidious it can be in tempting one to imbibe just to be 'with' others, and to find fellowship; it would have taken hold of me and destroyed my life if the Holy Spirit had not intervened and set me free from its deceitfulness and false hopes.
In the 60's when I left England, many were alcoholics, but it alcohol was not in every house, especially not Christian homes. But now even Christians of any persuasion seem to have liberalised their attitudes. Here in Kenya drunkenness is one of THE most common problems. A problem that does not just ruin individual lives, but even families, and civil society. Simeon's sad and wretched life was but one of them. And YES, it is possible to go into Rehab; there are quite a number of such places that offer help, but not many can afford it. Another of our old boys, now working as a Gardener, also married with kids, is also a long time drunkard. This last week he came home and attacked his wife with a knife. He has come to us begging us to put him into rehab. He earns about a hundred pounds a month; money he immediately spends on booze. The cost of taking him for a 3 month course (Rehab) is about 520 pounds sterling - way above his ability to find. We have agreed to take him to a Christian Foundation near by; they make a point of only taking individuals who sincerely WANT to be done with the habit. We feel Kihara, now close to 60, is rock bottom. Please do pray for the Lord to reveal himself whilst he is there, and for us as we also look out for his family whilst he is away; He is not expecting to be paid while he is not working!
We started Testimony to provide a home and love for orphans. But one thing ultimately leads to another, and it is not so simple to take care of just one factor in life.........
We remain well, and the sun this week has shone every day, with little or no rain - but the predictions are, if we survive the 'End' of September, that the El Nino will evidence itself here with more and torrential rains through October to December/January. Great. At least there won't be a water shortage!!
Our love to you all with full and grateful hearts
John, Esther and Daryl Green
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