LET US WATCH OUR STEPS

THIS WEEK we admitted to Tyndale Cottage a young brother and sister.    The brother aged approx 3 named Gravine, and his sister Mavine aged approx 6 found themselves suddenly deprived of their mother and only parent when she was arrested and imprisoned for what appears to be a

minor offense.     The Children's Office, finding the children alone and at risk brought them to us - for how long we do not know since it is not known whether the Mother will be imprisoned for long or not.    She normally sells vegetables in the market for a living. Otherwise we have not yet seen any factor which might make her unable to take back the care of here children once released from Custody.      Just a little practical help might assist her to establish a small market business on a firmer footing giving her the chance to provide for herself and children. Putting her in prison seems to help no one, effectively orphaning the children.    This is also a rather difficult case for us since we do not know how long they may stay with us, and yet we must lay out and invest in their well-being and necessary provision whilst with us.    They came to be with us on Thursday of this week, and on Friday they had begun to look more settled, though still anxious for their mother.  Altogether, with their Admission, we have Admitted Eleven children this year.        We expect to lose 6 by the end of the year, and have current vacancies for about 10 expected by 31st December.      Our current population 137.

SCHOOL - except for the Primary and Secondary National Examination candidates (some 100 students) - has closed for the long summer break;   we expect to open again the first week of January 2017.   Primary Exams begin on Monday, and end on Thursday next week, and the Secondary Exams thereafter.      Fortunately the sun has reappeared in clear blue skies.     So now the majority will immediately be at home and holiday fun and games AND some remedial studies will commence running up  to Christmas.

ON FRIDAY MORNING, our son Steven and his eighteen year old daughter Tonia, arrived for a week's visit.    Esther and I so happy and excited to see them.    It would have been even better if Anji our daughter in law and son Eric could also have come, but finances are less elastic than ever before and we understand the restraints being put upon all our spending.     Anyway we hope to all make the most of this 'treat'. and I know you will rejoice with us at this special gift.    NB - Testimony House backdrops this photo, and this was home to Steven from when he was just six months until he flew the nest!

NEXT THURSDAY, I have been asked to say a few words at our Primary Graduates Leaving Party.
Very simple.    I thought you might like to see what will be said this year.    Most of our students will have been with us from Nursery School.....    Having concluded their papers they will gather in the School Hall, which will have been laid out with individual tables for 4-6,  together with their teachers and a few others such as Esther and me. Daryl, as Director and a few others.    We will have lunch together and then after a few presentations, choirs and speeches I will stand up..........
A

A man, - a poet called Robert Burns - wrote in 1785 these words

'The best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray'.'

Not everything we plan to happen actually does happen the way we hoped!   Life sometimes seems to go astray, and just does not pan out the way we had hoped or believed for.

This is true for mice and men !

The MOUSE, for example, may be aiming at getting some cheese that it can see and smell, not far away.  But, instead of enjoying an expected feast, it finds itself the guest of a Mouse-trap - DEAD!    All the mouse could see and think about was CHEESE, and it did not consider where it was going carefully and realistically.

ONE DAY, President Daniel arap MOI had planned to fly to the USA.   HE was seated with all his retinue in the huge Jumbo Jet, with the rest of pilots ready for take-of.    Slowly they began to ease out of the boarding area.     THEN SUDDENLY things began to go wrong.   One of the wings, as plane moved toward the runway, somehow became entangled between two huge wooden flagpoles.   Nothing seemed able to be done to safely get the plane back on track without damage, and after more than hour the President had to get up and return to State House, all his plans having to be altered.

In the Poem by Burns a Mouse was busy building a house of straw in a hay field for itself and young.   It was a good day, everything seemed right - but suddenly all changed when the farmer ran over everything with his hay wagon, and the day had changed, and the future too - for the mouse as for the President also!

LIFE IS LIKE THAT !   It might be like that for you also.     Right now you will be thinking of how life will be for yourselves, now that the KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) is over. YOU will be making plans, and maybe your parents also!    Take Care!  Read carefully and prayerfully in the Bible, in the New Testament, and in JAMES 4v13-17.   We have need, in all our planning and human intentions, to first defer God, to find out His Mind about it!
Look at JEREMIAH 10v23 - it says  -  'It is not in man (even in a strong man, or in a man at his best) to plan his own steps, pathway, life.

Without GOD, without Jesus, in our lives, thoughts and plans, we shall achieve nothing at all.  We might try to fly, and be brought down by a piece of wood, or pursue some temptation and end up dead in a mousetrap.   YOU will be planning for your NEXT School.    Make sure it is God's Choice and not only your own.   Trust you NEXT step to Jesus.   Let Him be your guide and your future.
When I was a teenager I did just that, and I have NEVER been sorry.  Without HIM I would have missed my way many times and ruined my life as well.

TODAY IS THE END of a Chapter of life for you all.   Where and how you go from
here should be very carefully considered - both by you AND your parents or guardians.
Some of you will travel far from here,   Some may perhaps stay on in Testimony Secondary School. But wherever you go and whatever you do, make sure you talk to God first about it, and let HIM be the one to finally arrange you steps; your every move; your life.    AND remember He is interested in you, your life, and howyou use that life.  He gives us life, and finally we shall be accountable to Him as to how we will have used it.

May He ever watch over you and keep each one of you safe.   Most of all confirming His Reality and Precense with you moment by moment.    God Bless you - John Green.


Well I am through once more for this week.      Thank you all who have sent to us via AENON over the last month - I shall be in touch personally soon.    And also thank to those who have been updating us with contact information.   Bless you all.

John, Esther and Daryl Green