Saturday 2 April 2016

S0 MUCH OUT OF SO LITTLE!

CROWDS OF PEOPLE!!   In the first photo all those you can see are FAMILY members - and yes they represent some of my wife's own family - her sister and brother in law and their children.  Also our own biological children, beloved adopted children, AND more than a sprinkling of those children God BROUGHT to us to care for, for a while, in our home, who also perhaps adopted US into their family..    From two loners to such a CROWD!    It is a miracle.

THEN, below our Team workers, more than a hundred teachers, house parents, cooks, gardeners, cleaners, office workers and others who sprang from just one, when we began, to become a small army all working together for the good of the CHILDREN.    Children who having needed a home, were without one, and who found one with the Door open when they passed by.   Just one in the beginning and then year by year more and more until now 300 have come and gone, whilst a 135 are currently with us today.    What a CROWD indeed.   And they are spreading all over.

All MY life I had been alone.   I was the only child in my family (my adopted family),  and was still single when I arrived in Kenya in 1968.  And NOW, forty eight years later I am surrounded by a crowd who all can be called 'My Family', and of course the first, who was to become the Mother of them All I had not even met with I arrived in Kenya. My dear wife, Esther!  AMAZING.
Of course none of this happened over night.   48 years is quite a period of time.      In addition to this there was the Advent of Testimony School in 1981 when we started Nursery School.    In 1983 Primary School began with three classes, and in 1987 we extended to Class 7, and finally in 1994 we opened Secondary, and today, including our current 135 orphans we have a School Population of 800+.            NONE of this could have happened in the way it did without GOD being in the picture - even the Prime Mover.     None of this could have come to pass without the Prayer of many, not just ours.    No, God, by His Spirit, carried our needs into hearts near and far, some who have never ever set foot in this place.    Some who God used just once to provide our need, and others who became strong pillars of support and encouragement.     Our growth has not been sensational.    We have never been rich or replete.   Our Father in Heaven has always kept us dependant on HIM; He has shown us that when we forget HIM, for a moment, we cut off our life line.     No we have never been rich, but we have eaten every day, and more and more children have found life and future - just because HE LIVES.      Esther and I have been in the centre of it all, and witnessed to it all.      It will always be a miracle in our eyes.

THIS WEEK, we have been happy to have Paula White with us.    She and her daughter Georgina will be with us for the next week too.      They arrived by air at the Eldoret International Airport on Saturday - TWO and half hours late!      For a 45 minute internal flight one has to wonder why?   And to wonder why even more when this lateness seems to have been characteristic of the Airline  since they first opened some many years ago.      I have never discovered their 'service' to be anything else than frustration.    They ARE the cheapest - so be warned if you plan to FLY up to Eldoret - Think twice before entrusting yourself to 'Fly H540'!        PAULA was here in 1984 when she was about twenty for about three months.     We have been very happy to see her venture back again, and with her daughter as well.   They have been kept busy by the younger children in our three Homes, and even now as I type they are on the lawn outside with a whole gang of them playing with Frisbees.!!

IT RAINED LAST NIGHT, and today it is cooler.     The clear blue sky has gone, and so has the oppressive heat that we have had recently.   Today the sun is still shining though, and although there are fluffy white puffs of cloud above, it is still very pleasant to sit outside, and even to play strenuous games!     We think it may now  give way to a little more rain - enough for the farmers to plant their fields and to hope for a harvest.      It is refreshing, and we can now sleep comfortably at night without being uncomfortably HOT.

Esther and I have not been so well over the last couple of months - suffering from a persistent and very scratchy cough which has really troubled us.     Just a cough and nothing else!    We think it was probably the unusually DRY air, and the consequent increase in dust.     This week we are feeling much better, the cough is abating.    Thank you, to all those who may have prayed for us.  
For us, as a couple, retired but still at the centre of things, life has been quite challenging and at times even difficult.      We have retired officially, and there are new younger ones now taking over the reigns.       No problem with them, but with the staff, who (since we are not yet dead and still remain on the premises), still feel we are in charge. still coming to us for advice and help instead of to the NEW and current administration.      They will get used to it in time.

We love you every one,      Please do continue to remember us, and to pray for us.     We will never NOT need your prayers.      God Bless you and keep you safe.

John. Esther, and Daryl Green

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