SEVENTEEN YEARS, AND THEN GODSPEED!!

LAST NIGHT, Friday, many of us came together in Jacaranda Cottage to send one of our 'sons' off and away.    Mark Epa had been with us since October 1999.  He was then ten years old,    He had been born with both feet set back to front.   An operation had been performed to turn them round to their normal position, and when he joined us, Mark was still having to wear leg irons as part of the process to ensure things remained well.     He, of course, did not like them at all, since they restrained him - or were supposed to restrain him - from too much strenuous exercise - like playing soccer.   Well, of course, he did so anyway.    He was a boy of playful nature, and determined to do whatever others boys did.    He was always full of energy and humour.    But he did not fare too well in school since he was playful there too, and became a pain in the neck of his teachers.    And when the time came for him to finally be rid of the leg-irons he took good advantage to increase his independance.
In fact by the time he found himself in his final years in school we all almost gave up believing he would ever seriously view his own life and future.     Very likeable and courageous, but in other ways he could be arrogant, and ill mannered, as well as even reprobate.     THEN, suddenly, with no explanation, returning back to school in his LAST Secondary year, having been suspended briefly for having been found with Miraa, a completely NEW and reformed Mark appeared.    
He finished his Form 1V Exams, and then enrolled to study Theology with A.I.C Bible College in Kapsabet.     He was very sure and determined about what he wanted, and from that time his whole life and purpose has been to serve God, and proclaim the Gospel which had been revealed to him.      In November he will be twenty seven.....Truly, it can be said of him 'Blessed are the feet of those who bring Good Tidings';    Mark's feet are already miraculously blessed, and if ever there was a real demonstration of the truth his very own feet proclaim it,    He was born going backward, and born again to go FORWARD for Christ Jesus.      Esther and I were there last night to join others who are part of his story in the Jacaranda Family where he grew up. Some, who grew up with him, and having already LEFT, returned to celebrate with him.   It was great for JOY Esther and I to stand with him in the photo above.       He Graduated from Bible College this year, and was immedately offered a Pastorate by A.I.C. to which he will go today.     He goes with little, materially, but with much Faith and Trust in the God who called him, and lifted him higher.
Pray for him, as he joins KIMORE A.I.C. as pastor.

WE HAVE HAD SOME VERY HEAVY RAIN this week!     Of course this is tropical Africa, and one should expect heavy rain, but the fact is that for some years HEAVY rain has been dwindling here in Eldoret area.    Good to see, feel and hear it since it assures us that SOME water will at last soak down to restore the water table.   These are NOT our 'Long Rains' however.    Just what is understood as the planting season rain, to get the seed in the ground and able to germinate.


ANOTHER PHOTO OF 'OLD' JACARANDA COTTAGE.   To the left you can see what was is the oldest part of the house, with the octagonal roofing.   This is the area the Day Care Centre is currently occupying.       To the RIGHT you can see the STONE or cement block end of the house....... We are now all set to convert   this end into a HOSTEL FOR GIRLS who are 18 and over.  We had mentioned this before when we set up Testimony House as a Hostel for BOYS, 18 and over, in conformity with current Government demands.      Since the boys moved in during December they have been seen to have benefited from the change.   We have 38 in the Hostel and they all seem to be delighted to be of an age together, rather than having to linger in a 'family situation' with a lot of young brother sisters when they feel a need to be seen as adults.
THE GIRLS have already seen the apparent improvement in the boys, and have been waiting eagerly for us to find a place for them as well.     THUS within a very short time we should be able to take care of necessary conversion, and see them move in.  About 14 of them!
The Roof of this part of the house will be used only for storage, and the dorma windows will be shut down and roofed over.   There are two dormitories below, plus kitchen, dining/lounge, and extensive bathroom and toilet fascility. There will also be space for a Warden to make sure they maintain good behaviour.   At present, since the Jacaranda Family moved out last year, the house has remained empty and unfurnished. We would value you prayers as we lift our to our Father in Heaven to provide what will be needed to give these girls a continuing sense of home.

This will mean that boys and girls in the Homes, as they grow older, will not have to leave the vicinity of the home they grew up in, instead of having to find lodging in the town.   The Children's Department have approved this plan, and indeed it may help to provide an answer for other Family Institutions.     We are very happy at the prospect.

Well, it is getting on for 8 p.m. our time.    It is still raining.    The electric power has been going on and off most of the day, and this has meant I have had to be interrupted in writing this today.  We are expecting FOUR more children on Monday - two boys and two girls under 10.      So far we have received ten new children since the year began,.....Mark Epa is the first of many others who are LEAVING home.     It is always an Ebb and Flow situation.  

We do send our loving Greetings to you all and thank you for walking with us in this Ministry.   God Bless you all and give you Joy in the week ahead.
Ever in the Love of God,

John Esther and Daryl Green