LITTLE CHILDREN GROW BIGGER EVERY DAY

SOME OF OUR CHILDREN ON STAGE ABOVE!   Mainly they are between 4 and 9 in this photo.  Some have been with us since they were much younger.      MANY are not doing well in School - down in the bottom ten in their classes of 36.     We do have one or two who were born brain damaged, but the majority are fine, and should be more than able to be 'average' students.   They laugh, play, and eat well, but present themselves as unable to put their minds to learning.     Of course all children are different, and all of ours have come from different backgrounds and gene banks...... but even so we are currently troubled to see the trend to be growing.      Is it something to do with our School, or is it linked to life in our 'Homes'?    From time to time I have shared how things are in Kenya, and even in Eldoret.    How our population is rising more and more, and unemployment rising with it.  Currently unemployment is over 60% and the majority are young people.    What is the future for those growing up?     The Government has mounted a drive to ensure ALL children attend School, and is encouraging Parents to take a long term look at where their children are heading - increasing awareness of opportunities in Colleges and Universities..........BUT at the end of all that there are less and less job opportunities.       AND at the same time those job opportunities require higher and higher academic qualifications, so that only the very best equipped will be taken.    The number left jobless only increases by leaps and bounds.      And FOR US another possible problem looms.   That of Tribalism!
There is a renewed feeling in some areas that only a particular tribe should live and work there, thus shutting those of another origin out.    So far it is only being spoken about..........but it keeps cropping up, and is becoming an oversensitive issue.

Testimony Faith Homes, (the Homes and the School) entertains more than 12 different ethnic groups among the children and staff.    Our County of Uasin Gishu is among those areas where tribal preferences are often talked about.

BUT out main concern is that WHEN the time comes for our not so bright children - especially those not of local tribal origin - will they
find work opportunity and future.    The RACE is on for the 'job-seekers' -  they must be of the right origin, with the most preferred qualifications.      It looks as if in the future, the way things are going, that even a road sweeper will have to have 'degree' before being employed!
SO we shall be looking into this very carefully in the next months, and we shall not only be examining how our School handles children needing motivation, and perhaps also a special approach, but also into the home family life in our 'Homes' and the involvement and concern of our houseparents in discovering what is causing some of their children to demonstrate any untoward disinterest in learning at School.      We shall also seek help and advice from Christian councillors
and educationalists around us.     Way back in the 1980s many of our Secondary children became depressed, falling away in their School work.     Even then they had begun to look forward, and see little to hope for in their own futures.     But now it is in the PRIMARY section.     Is it possible that somehow even young children have begun to 'give up' on life?  PLEASE feel free to offer you own suggestions that might help us.

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THE FENCE is now REBUILT, and SAFE.     It looks a little untidy still, due to the pointing and the underpinning, but we are told it will soon 'weather' and look like the rest in a year or so.  We hope so!  At least the TREE is safe , and our Grounds in some degree protected.    The cement work in the lower left corner is the main SEWER which is also undergoing minor repairs.

Our son Edward, Daryl's brother, who has been managing the Homes BAKERY,  (sorry no recent photo)  went through an operation on his left leg last Friday.     In his youth he was an ardent footballer, and his reward has been to develop Varicose Veins in both legs.    Additionally he also has been suffering a Tropical Ulcer on the same leg, and after about two years of discomfort he finally went to the doctor who told him if he did not allow him to operate he might lose the leg.    Even worse there seemed danger of a blood clot.    Ed is 45 and he managed to be scared enough to agree to the op.     It was quite successful, but he may have to have a further op on the other leg sometime in the future.    He is convalescing at home with his wife.

It is STILL raining.      Again, to day, even as I write, it is pouring down.    This is not the right time for rain, and the danger to Maize and Wheat harvests are now likely to become a reality.    Very strange weather.     If the harvest does fail then we will face famine to some further degree.

LASTLY just to mention that it was Daryl's 44th Birthday on 27th of September.    He was very pleasantly surprised to be presented with a Cake AND a small Gift by his Administrative Staff.  We also had him (plus his family) all to supper with us in Green Cottage that evening.

And thus another week - though not quite so busy as the previous one - has flashed by here.    Thank God we are all well, and the LORD together with you all in prayer and support have been our provision and encouragement throughout.    God Bless each and every one of you.

John, Esther, and Daryl Green