TEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

THIS IS 2016 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST, JEMIMA SUMGONG, quite overwhelmed as she received her Medal.
Born in 1984 Jemima is a now well known Marathon runner.
She began running in overseas events in 2004.   Her first Marathon was in run in Las Vegas in 2006, which she won at her first attempt.
In 2009 Jemima met and married Noah Talam, himself a Marathon runner, and Jemima gave birth to their daughter in 2011.   This barely interrupted her running.
Jemima comes from the Nandi District or County of Kenya, which is just adjacent to our own Country of Uasin Gishu.    She is now 31 years old, and still running, and collecting Medals.    No wonder she was overcome on winning the Rio Olympic Marathon this year.   It must truly have been one of those occasions when ones heart come up into ones mouth.     I specially noted the event as it was run on our Wedding Anniversary!     Bravo Jemima!!   You are a great example to the girls and women of Kenya.    Your Victory in Rio, and in you life, has not come without sacrifice, hard work, and determination.    Thank you for that dedication to your calling.

Would that we all could discover our Calling in Life and be able to give ourselves as devotedly to it as you have.    God Bless you and help you to adventure yourself even further into God's Hands through Jesus Christ.

The BIBLE tells us we are all in a race, and need to consider how we run, and to aim at winning.
1. Corinthians 9v24-27 finds Paul the Apostle pointing out that we should all be aiming at obtaining a Gold Medal from our Creator, and not to fail or stumble on the way.

'Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?

SO run your race that you may lay hold of the prize and make it yours.

Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts him/herself in all things.

They do it to win a wreath (Medal) but we (the Christian) do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness.

Therefore I do not run uncertainly without definate aim.    I do not box like one beating the air 

and striking without an adversary.    BUT like a boxer I buffet my body - I handle it roughly,

discipline it by hardships, and subdue it  -  for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel

and the things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit, not standing the test.'

AMPLIFIDE BIBLE

LATER Paul would say of his own life, just before he died and in his 2nd Letter to Timothy 4v7

'I have fought the good fight;

I have finished the race;

I have kept and firmly held the faith'.

.....there now remains for me the Victor's Crown of Righteousness!

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THIS LAST WEEK we have been undertaking alterations and improvements to our Nursery School.    This is the oldest part of the School, commencing in 1981.    In the beginning we had few students in this section, but today we are well over 120. and especially the Toilets have become in need of expansion.

To the left shows the area under alteration.  Previously the far left window was the Head's Office. This remains unchanged except we have put a new door of entry.
Then the walled up window used to be the Staff room which has now been moved the first room (left) in the photo top right.   The old Staff room will now be joined to the original boys and Girls Toilet space to make one facility divided between boys and girls.   The other photos give an idea of the interior works going on.   Everything has to be finished, and working by the end of next week!!     But the Contractor is quick, clean and competent.  The cost is expected to be around three thousand pounds, but the Parents of external students will carry all the cost.

The WEATHER is still cold and WET, but this week has been just a little warmer than previously, and we have seen some blue sky most days - BUT the Met Office says there will be more rain next week and another drop in temperature.     Everyone is well and we Thank God for His Care of us all.
One exception to good health is Edward Green, Daryl''s brother who is manager of our Bakery.    He has been suffering for a year with what was thought to be a tropical ulcer, but which has now been diagnosed as a Vericose Vein with complications.     He is scheduled to undergo surgery next week. He is 46 this year, married with three young sons.    We would be glad of your prayers for the success of the surgery, and for the prevention of a blood clot forming as seems another expected complication.  As he goes on Sick Leave, another of the Bakery Staff, David Ndgewa has suddenly ceased coming to work, and so we are down to one man - Stanley- to carry on alone.    We will have to get him some temporary help on Monday at the latest.
Our Pastor's wife, and headmistress of Nursery, is now back on her feet, and well enough to resume her duties.    The Lord has raised her up, and most of the financial burden that was upon them has been removed by local friends - the Homes finally contributing more than 60,000 Kenya Shillings towards their medical bills.    We are VERY glad to see her restored to home and family as well as to her duties in the School.    God is Good.

I will leave it there for this week,     We have just just received news this morning of funds sent by ANEON Trust - just in time to US to pay our way for this month.    We thank you all who may have contributed to this Gift through the Trust.     God Bless you every one.

Lovingly in our Lord and Saviour

John, Esther, and Daryl Green