Saturday 2 January 2016

ONCE MORE INTO THE BREECH, dear friends..


YES INDEED, we wish Everyone a Truly HAPPY New Year, but in order to make it true WE, each one of us, has to THANK GOD for every day - no matter WHAT happens in it!!
Thank you God, my Father, I know that what you allowed to come to pass in MY day's experience has somehow been for my good and for my edification.  

I was reminding my self of this over Christmas DAY when I found myself in BED with a rather tenacious and persistent brand of diarrhoea.     It began on Christmas Eve, and finally gave up the fight on the 30th December.     NOT comfortable, but I had needed at least that ONE day away from everyone and everything except the Presence of the Lord with me.    I have been refreshed and strengthened because of it to face the HAPPY dawn of this New Year.   Thank you dear Jesus!
MEANWHILE Christmas WAS full of Happy Thanksgiving and Joy, and everything proceeded well, and yet again we were shown great Care and Love as we rejoiced in His Birth.     I hope you will none the less forgive that my BLOGS went a little forgotten and laid aside.    They probably needed a rest as well!

AND NOW here we are already in 2016!!     Amazing and Wonderful!!   The World continues on rotating, and the calamities and disasters continue to happen.    The photos that have come through of the aftermath and damage from the floods in the north of England and in Chennai are still overflowing into the present.    Just looking from afar brings the real and harrowing anguish of all those who have lost home and belongings swirling through my own heart and emotions.     We have friends and family in both areas so that we feel even more caught up in the agony of it all.    Our prayers go out to each and every one of those affected and involved in the mental and physical stress and depression felt by all.THIRTY SIX YEARS AGO I had written

January 1st.  Our balance at the Bank to day was found to be Ksh.553/25 ( the Pound Sterling was then approximately equivalent to Ksh.13/=.).   Having prayed we all entered fully into the New Year.     Many problems hover above us.   
January 3rd.   We received our first LUO  today, aged about 10.  He is called Christopher, and is from South Nyanza.   He does not look too well - he may have some Malaria about him.  We now have NINE boys!!      I have noticed since yesterday in fact that Wilson is improving in general behaviour!   I do pray this might continue, and that the Word of Grace in his heart will grow rapidly.
January 5th.   A parcel arrived at the Post Office in Kisumu, so I went off to collect it by bus.
Home again we unpacked it, and found it to be full of good used clothing.  Every article has already been distributed !    We still need shorts however.
A further cheque also arrived from UK for five pounds, from the Brixham Assembly in Devon, England.    It is so encouraging - the way in which Pastor Stan Hyde and his little 'flock' have taken me and the children upon their hearts.
January 7th.   Rose at 6a.m.  Boys all of to school as usual.   It rained all last night; everything dripping. It remained cold all day,and still continues into the evening.
Moses remained back from School because of his his boils, poor lad.   Wilson. Moses, Zackariah, Johanna, Daniel and Doudi all treated for Round Worms today as well!
January 8th.   Finance continues to be low.   Must continue on persistently in prayer or else we shall be in even more trouble.
Moses is continuing to have a hard time with his boils.   Some have burst.   Dear Jesus help him to health - me to as I am not feeling to strong just now..'

NOT a promising start to THAT year.    Miraculously we survived, and lived through it even though sickness and financial struggle continued to the end of the year.     God did answer prayer and He DID provided against all our need, physical and material, and He has gone on doing every since.
TODAY the sky is blue above us, and although there ARE a few clouds the golden brightness of the sun is not in any way diminished.     A beautiful day - and the children are making the most of it, as on Monday SCHOOLS will open once again after the long Break, and play will give way to STUDY.

We also hope to Open the Day Care Centre on MONDAY as well!     Always something going on!
The Lord our God BLESS you all, and provide for all YOUR need and Protection.


John, Esther and Daryl.


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