WITH A SONG IN HIS HEART

HERE IS A TYPICAL photo of Pastor Sammy Kirui.     He currently resides in the United States where he is pursuing his Phd in University there.
He previously passed through Kenya Highlands Bible College for his first degree, prior to taking up a pastorate in Naivasha.    The Lord brought us into each others lives when he was halfway through his Secondary education in Eldoret in the mid 70's.    His family fell into difficulty and there was suddenly no further support for him to go on. He came to stay in Testimony House and he has been as a son to us ever since.   We have been able to rejoice in him ever since, as well, and are very proud of him, and his deep commitment to his Faith and Christian Life.
It was three years ago we last saw him, and this time he has been busy in Eldoret
arranging for a small Christian Conference in the Town.   It went very well indeed, and the Lord also sent, almost at the last moment, Rev. Ron and Mrs. Char Meyers from Israel to be teachers.      Sammy has been able to stay with us as usual, and so we were also able to host the Meyers one evening.
Sammy also hosted a Luncheon for our Houseparents, plus ourselves and Daryl.   It took place in a local Restaurant surrounded by tropical vegetation.     He had taken us on a similar event, the last time he was with us, and once again we had a very enjoyable and special time together. Sam will be with us for about another week or so.   He has many friends AND family to visit whilst in Kenya.     It has been a special happiness to have him 'home' with us, and he has as always blessed us.

LAST SATURDAY MORNING we had our quarterly Spiritual Emphasis Day in the Homes and School.     ALL the staff come together to Praise, pray, and share His Goodness.   WE also have a visiting Speaker to encourage us with the Word of God.    I was not feeling so well on this occasion and did not attend, but Daryl was there, and brought his own word of special encouragement in the course of the morning.    It was a very good day, and we Thank God for providing good weather.

THEN, on Sunday afternoon Esther, Daryl and I plus Sammy Kirui all went to the home of Nicholas Mwangi, who many years ago, in 1983, was our Deputy Director.     He is now a business man in town, married with a family.     His wife is a well known nurse in the Government Hospital, and on Sunday they were celebrating a brave attainment by her of a University Degree.    It was a lovely time, and so many of our friends and old boys and girls also present......Nicholas with his family, have remained close to me and Esther through all the years, and it was so good to share this happiness with them.
The have also continued to be close to the Homes, and indeed are part of the "Family'.

SCHOOL HAS CLOSED for a short two week holiday, and everyone is at home all day.  The Weather has been wet and cold a good part of every day, but the mornings at least have been sunny and warm - very variable.     Plenty to do even so, and the children are well occupied.   A few incidents - like the Water Storage Tank in the new Jacaranda Cottage  sprung a leak in the night and flooded the roof ceiling spoiling a good number if ceiling boards, and dripping down into the living space.      It appears that from the time the Tank was installed the water pressure to the house was regularly too low so that the Tank never filled up.    But yesterday the Pressure was up ALL day and night so that the Tank, for the first time filled up - and found a small hole near the top, and so of course the water began to pour out - in the night.    A BIG mess, but we cleared it and plugged the hole with fibre-glass.     Just 'one of those things'.     And Daryl is away for a few days on business in Mombasa!    He should be back by Tuesday.    Guess I'm, sort of  'in charge' till then..

AND TOMORROW, Esther and I celebrate forty five years of Marriage together.     Nothing especially planned however.       Esther will also be 72 on the 17th of the month as well.   God has been so Good to us both, and our hearts are full of Thanksgiving to Him, and to each other for the years we have been together, and for the family He has given us both near and far.

So the week is almost at an end and yet another on the brink of beginning.     Life unending.
Bless you all for being together with us, and may you all experience even more abundantly His Blessing and constantly abiding Presence in your own lives and situations.

Loving from us all
John, Esther and Daryl Green