WALKING WITH JESUS

THIS IS THE OLD JACARANDA COTTAGE.   Try to imagine it without the addition of the double story right hand arm of the building, as it was when we took it over in 1975.   When we were given, by the Lord, this cottage, it comprised only the three quaint buildings to the left.    Francis and Elaine Wainaina, who had been with us in Testimony House, had moved into this new place as its first houseparents together with a group of about 15 boys and girls, more than half taken off the Eldoret Municipal Rubbish Dump where they lived!   In September 1976 they were to write  -  'We are now settled very happily in Jacaranda Cottage, rejoicing particularly because it is truly and miraculously 'ours', and we feel that we have grown into a real Family rather than just a collection of individuals.   We would, or course, like to extend our Family, but we need to wait for the Lord's time.   MOST of the boys we have living with us can now be relied upon to help out in daily chores.    We have planted MAIZE in the garden!   We have a GOAT, and a kid!   And NOW we also have a hundred day old chicks.     In the care of the house and the animals we are trying to encourage and teach the boys to help.'
Francis and Elaine were to remain in Jacaranda until August 1981 but the Family they began there continued and grew in same house until they all moved into the NEW Jacaranda Cottage in 2015, exactly opposite the old house.    Since then the 'old' house has become a Day Care Centre, AND the ground floor of the double storey extension has become the new Jean Potts Hostel for Girls.
The photo to the left, taken in the 80's shows the sitting room of the old Jacaranda Cottage, during a prayer time with Joshua Mbithi who, together with his wife Miriam, were houseparents there from 1985-2003.   FORTY + years is a long time to look back and to see God's Faithfulness.    SO FAR just ONE HUNDRED children have found home and refuge in Jacaranda, including the current residents.       We now have THREE Homes on that Plot with 90+ children cared for.    We have a Dairy, a Poultry Project, an Allotment, AND a Day Care Centre and Girls Hostel.   Such progress - SUCH a Blessing in the sight of God.

THIS WEEK, we had a visit from a Team from NEW LIFE HOMES in Nairobi founded by brother and sister Beckenham from the U.K.    'In 1993 Clive and Mary Beckenham became aware of the plight of abandoned babies; particularly those infected with HIV-AIDS.   A year later, as a Christian response to the dilemma, they opened their first baby rescue centre in Loresho, Nairobi.   In 1999 they relocated to our present larger property in Kilimani.
WE rescue abandoned babies (newborn to six months old) and care for them until they can be adopted.   If they are NOT adopted and approaching three years old  then they outgrow our baby and toddler units, and are transferred to Hebron House in Nakuru.

Over the years we, as a Children's Home have assisted New Life by taking some ten children who had outgrown their time there.    They are still growing up with us even now.    And so it was especially good to be able to welcome for a short visit their Team to be with us.    They were indeed very happy to get an opportunity to look round and also to have chance to meet up once more with the
children we have had from them.     We truly appreciate this ministry and we feel very glad to be able, as the Lord allows, to join hands with them.    Thank you Clive and Mary.

LASTLY FOR THIS WEEK a view of our Greenhouse showing our first crop of Tomato Plants beginning to take to the sky! There are a few gaps, it seems in the planting, but there may have been a good reason since the planting has been done professionally, not ourselves.    They look fairly healthy. and we look forward to seeing the fruit.      The planting has been staggered with the most recent to the right. To the Right is a recent photo of our Layers putting on weight and size. They are doing really well.

Reading in Psalm 73 I found the psalmist ASAPH rehearsing his 'backsliding'  and then saying

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

Thou hast holden me by thy right hand.

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but thee?

And there is none upon earth that I shall desire

beside thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:

but GOD is the strength of my heart,

and my portion for ever.

 IS GOOD FOR ME TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD:

I have put my trust in the Lord God,

that I may declare all thy works.

So go into the week ahead dear family, in faith, and in His Strength.      We do pray for you and Thank God for you all in Jesus Name.

John, Esther and Daryl Green