DAY SUCCEEDS DAY

YOU HAVE SEEN THIS GROUP BEFORE!    A photo taken in front of Testimony House during December 2015.     These are Secondary and College boys plus some now waiting to find

Employment - all 18 and above, drawn from the original Family that occupied Testimony House, and from the other three Homes.     You will remember that we were forced to do this due to the latest Government Rules and Regulations for Charitable Homes which have now made it impossible to operate as we did.    Originally our idea was to take totally orphaned and destitute kids and give them, as near as we could, what they had been deprived - a home and family.    Each of our FOUR homes were commenced with this in mind - a married couple and their own children plus a group of 30 other children living together as one family under one roof.    We take children in from 0 - 10 and our idea was to see them through School and College, and then assist the to find a job before letting them go - regardless as to how old they might become.    In this photo Hesketh Muli is on the extreme left and his wife Alice on the far right.   Both had decided to stay on after the Family at Testimony had been re-distributed among the other Homes.    They became the first Wardens of what was now Testimony Boys Hostel.     However, it was not the same, and especially Alice missed the children.

TO THE LEFT above is a photo of the original Testimony House Family taken in front of their porch.It was not easy even for the children to be re-distributed to the other Homes and have to adjust to new Parents, and a new family group altogether. AND in August last year we had to do the same for the girls in the Homes who had become 18 and over.     For them we converted part of Old Jacaranda into a Hostel just for them, Employing a single woman as Warden.  Only TEN there currently, but it will take up to 20.     In a way they have all been able to adjust to the different situation, but it is not really the same - they are no longer at home.  

THIS MONTH it was decided to look for a WARDEN (a single man) to take over the Boy's Hostel.  We had done this for the Girls, and it has worked quite well.     THEN we will re-deploy Hesketh and Alice who will be coming in on a daily basis, and no longer be resident.  Hesketh will now be watching over the Wear and Tear and general needs of the the BUILDINGS, both of all the Homes, AND the School.     Alice, who is a trained Nursery Teacher is to now assist in caring for those students with a Learning Difficulty .    They are both very happy with this arrangement.  WE are also very glad since we had not wanted to lose them from our staff; they have given us many very good and appreciated years of service.   

Above is a photo of our younger children - all very happy to receive some slippers, for use in the houses and just running around.    This was a welcome and thoughtful donation from a local well wisher;.      God, we think, really does choose who He asks to help us.    The majority in England all send to us via AENON Trust, and the good offices of our dear brother in Christ, Allan Nicholls.    Apart from them, very few indeed involve themselves with us.     Only three from overseas, and only a handful - mainly Asians - from here in Kenya.     In all the world - in any one year - few than 50 souls are moved to take care of our needs as they are moved by God.     The fact that every years sees us provided for is no small Miracle.

HERE is photo of Francis Kulali, and his dear wife plus child - he has others as well!    Francis came to be with us many years ago.     He gave his life to Jesus early in his childhood, but did not shine academically in School.    We sent him to a small, boarding, polytechnic about 40 kilometres away.   They concentrated on training students in simple but needed skills and crafts - they are still there today doing the same.    Francis went for Shoe-making, and did well.   Well enough to make a living for himself making and mending shoes.     Now he is Church caretaker in the Town here, married with a family, and for all the many times of personal challenge and needs, he has clung to Christ, and lived an upright life.    We see him AND all his family from time to time, and we always feel especially blessed not to be forgotten ourselves.

TODAY IS A BUSY DAY for TFH.       The School is holding its Annual Parents & Teachers Meeting in the School Hall, and it will be packed to the walls.    Always well patronised, and always constructive and supportive, in that our parents especially have maintained good faith in our concept of School, and in our attention to morals and discipline.       We Thank the Lord our God for assisting us to holding on to His Word in all we do, and for putting Him first, giving us goodwill even from among many who do not hold our Faith.

ALSO today, The School is holding a Swimming Gala at the Pool, hosting between three and four 

competing Teams from different local schools.     Rather noisy and crowded!    But great fun and

excitement for all.   -   the weather ? -  HOT, humid, but a bit cloudy.   No sign of rain yet - or water of any kind!!
LAST night the 1st Quarterly Board of Management Meeting was held here.    It was the Meeting that also has to listen to our Auditor present the previous Year's Accounts.     All seemed satisfactory, and we had a good time of fellowship with our Members - 11 out of 14 attended.    Minutes or all our Meetings, copies of all Audits, and other matters have also to be copied and sent to the Government in Nairobi.    This week we also have to send our Annual Returns to Nairobi.   An eleven page Form; very tedious.

Our Love and Prayers in Jesus Name to each and every one.    God richly Bless you.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

GRAND CHILDREN

THIS IS OUR YOUNGEST GRANDSON - Liam - son of Michael and Janet Green.   Liam was three last year, on 28th June.    Looks a real lad!     His parents are kept busy making sure he keeps out of mischief at home.     Handsome guy!    The hat gives him a certain character between that of an American gangster and Frank Sinatra - hmm.       Can't be Mike that it all stems from, for he is such a quiet and unassuming person - must be his Mother our pretty daughter in law - pretty AND very mischievous person.     Well we have envied them both as they have watched him grow and develop into a real boy and personality.   And he looks a real 'winner', full of beans, and brain as well we hope.     We have not seen him in the flesh for over a year.     Well we do not get to SEE many of our grandchildren!  But last year we had the joy of having our eldest Granddaughter, Tonia who came to visit for a while last year with Steven Green, her Dad!   Tonia will soon be entering University.      We also hope, perhaps later this year, to may be have our Eldest Grandson, Eric, Tonia's brother to also visit.     We are proud of them both, and our only regret is, that due to the distance we are apart, and our own rare visits to the UK, we have not been able to be as close to them as we would have wanted.      Both kids to be proud of, and we thank God for them.      Rachel and John-finney Joseph, our daughter Elizabeth. and Prem Joseph's children we are also missing.    Liz was able to visit for a week last year which was a special joy, but she was unable to take the children out of School to come with her.     Nevertheless we rejoice to know that God has watched, and watches over all of them - sons. daughters, children and grandchildren.      We give all the Thanks to Jesus.

Perhaps a little unfairly (for the rest) we have been able to see our son Daryl, and Carols children grow up right here with us since they were born.   Jessy, now in College in Nairobi pursuing a Course in Engineering,  Becky just finishing her 1V Form in Secondary School this year, and Jeremy in his 8th Primary Year.     Certainly a little compensation for being so far from the rest of our children.

AND just this week our youngest granddaughter, Abigail became THREE years old on the 17th March.   She and her Mum, our daughter Helen, are living in Nairobi now, but we do get to see them during School Holidays.    Hope to see them both again soon for the Easter Holiday soon coming.    Abigail has grown a lot and learnt a lot since they moved away to Nairobi, and we are relieved to see that God has His hand on her, and on Helen also.

I must leave you all here.    I have been very busy and occupied through the week, and also a having a little problem with my tummy.    Caused me to be a little fatigued by today, and I had in fact felt like not purring anything on the Blog this week - But then I couldn't resist the thought of sharing my love for our grandchildren.    

At last I have been able to send the Year's 1st UPDATE - some will have it already via E-mail and others will have to wait it to arrive by Airmail sometime next week.     I have enclosed a little Note for those who may have been helping us financially via Aenon Trust through the last few months.   I do wish we could share the BLOG as well more frequently.

God Bless and Keep you all well and safe in the Name of Jesus.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

WHILE WE BUILD, MANKIND DEPRECIATES.

ELDORET NOW as seen from the top of our tallest Building pictured separately below.   The main photo looks down upon the main Uganda/Nairobi road which cuts right through the centre of Town, with Mount Elgon on the horizon marking the Uganda boundary.    

And this is a view of Aloo Street close to the Town Centre taken on a rather wet and cool day.

Eldoret is a a growing city.    It is a City of contrasts; of huge new buildings and development, And it is also cheek by jowl with squalor, litter, and dirt.    It is a City of the rich and well to-do, and a City of poverty and sprawling slums.      And it is a City full of entertainment and temptation for both the adult and the youth.       Sex, Booze, and Drugs are readily available throughout society, and Crime also is on the increase.        This week, YESTERDAY in fact I was IN the Town doing some shopping with Daryl.    We were actually driving down this street from the top ( it is now a one way street with traffic restricted)    As we we came to the bottom we found a young man,  almost in the middle of the road kneeling on his knees and apparently praying!   I pointed him out to Daryl, and he said "Oh he is one of the new druggies.....he wants to be sick'.        THEN today I saw these photos of youths on British streets  -

 

The Report that went with these photos begins with 'RISE OF THE ZOMBIES  -   'Spice' turns users into the 'living dead' in MINUTES, and is ruining lives across Britain.'      Reportedly 'Spice' is a generic term for various mixtures of herbs and potent chemicals.    Until last May 'Spice' was openly on sale in Britain as a so called 'legal high'.    A powerful new strain has now emerged that produces a terrifying 'Zombie Effect'.        The photos above were taken in Manchester City Square and in the Piccadilly Gardens.     Not far from where my grandchildren are living and schooling.     As we wait to be visited and possibly invaded by Aliens, it seems we may have been taken over by them already!  

Remembering the sight of this young Kenyan kneeling in the middle of the road, yesterday, I am filled with a terrible foreboding of what is now facing the African Continent, as it, with all other Third World populations, continues to ape the corruptions of the West.        WHAT HAS GOT into people that they can SEE what is happening to the human race without horror and abject fear of where we are all being taken?       I was interest today to also read that an American Professor in Sociology has also noticed the rising interest in ZOMBIES.    Citing the increase in books, films and other social behaviour that has to do with Zombies, he suggests that it may have something to do with a general discontent with society  -  a kind of involuntary cry of hopeless distress at one's personal situation.      People whose condition makes them feel DEAD, even when alive.      Well, I suppose there may be a link.     Certainly the young man in the centre of the THREE photos above provides a quite pitiable and distressing picture of being yet alive, though dead;   of being dead, yet having to drag yourself around in a semblance of life.

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To finish off on a more beautiful note - a glimpse of some Hibiscus to bring us back to purity and Joy. The Fresh Wind of God is rushing around our compound right now, bending the boughs of the trees, hissing and rustling through a host of leaves, as it blows the azure sky quite clear of every cloud, the sun meanwhile bathing everything in the golden light of gladness.      Our Prayers and Love for you all in Jesus.     I have brought depressing thoughts today - but I have not meant to depress but to enliven us all to be aware of the Attack the World in in the thick of.    A War only Christ in us can WIN,  and Win we Will by His Grace and in His Day.     And though wickedness and Darkness in the proper use of these words press in upon us, YET let us be strengthened and encouraged by the Beauty of Holiness to be noticed in a single flour and PRESS ON toward Perfection.

John. Esther, and Daryl Green

LOVE ONEANOTHER AS MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAMILY, on my wife's side.   Not Greens but KIBEs.  The Family I married into, and who welcomed and accepted me into their circle without a question and with an open heart in 1971.     The lady on the far right is Elizabeth Mugure.  She is our niece, the daughter of Mary and Joe Kibe,  Esthers sister and brother in law.    Her husband is Paul Waweru, with his arm around her. and right in front centre is GABRIEL their first born (now about ten months old) great nephew to me and Esther.     They married in October 2015.    They have just spent a few days with us, and it was great to have them with us.    Liz has a sister,  Catherine,  and two brothers, Tony and Martin, all married with families.    Over the years we have seen a fair bit of each other, and our own family kind of grew up close to each other, and are still very connected and 'family' together.    I have appreciated them all, and Thank God for them all as an 'only child' who grew up practically alone.

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The photo on the next page was taken the day of the Paul and Liz departure back to Nairobi, yesterday morning.     I was out when it was taken, but quite a number gathered to see them off -  On the far left is Esther, then Eunice Lahol (Mum in Drakeley Cottage;  THEN Alice Muli (who has been Mum in Testimony House / Hostel; then Catherine,/Senge/ Yego (Mum in Tyndale Cottage - then Liz.  THEN, Hesketh Muli, Joel Edaria our General Secretary, and Solmon Njugunah, holding Gabriel,  one of our old boys now working in our General Office.      I arrived back as they were leaving!

Such a good time, and, God Willing, we hope to see many more like them as the days go by with Martin and his family expected first, during April, perhaps for Easter.     We are indeed blessed.   AND I am also hoping we shall see something of our daughter Helen, (Tweetie-pie) and baby Abigail.    Abby (right) will soon be THREE this month, and is already enjoying Nursery School, and growing fast.

In 2012 we began caring for poultry and also commenced a project for Layers.     However, it lapsed after a few years.      Last Year, 2016 we restocked potential layers, and this month they began to lay eggs!      We have approximately 300 layers coming on, and it so good to have our own fresh eggs.once again.



Additionally our Broiler Project continues to produce meat for the children, and also enough to also sell.    About 400 every 6/7 weeks, and without any artificial inducements to make them ready to sell at the end of period.    The brown hens are the broilers.   We usually have then in TWO compartments but one is being revamped while the photo was taken.     They will soon be back to their normal less crowded condition.

THIS WEEK we also took delivery of THREE Silos as a result of having the demonstration and presentation mentioned in the Blog of 18th February.    We ordered them expecting to pay the full cost, but have been lovingly advised by the makers that they are to be given to us as a GIFT.    A truly amazing provision, and will help so much in allowing us to buy and store maize to our advantage.

The Lord has continued to provide water through the week!
We have even had  few heavy thunderstorms, but the river and the dams are still parched!!   And we still have March, and possibly April to go before we can expect the real RAIN to arrive.  It is by His Grace that we do not suffer the more.     The sun is shining, and temperature in the upper 70fs, and likely to get to the mid 80fs before tea time.    WE REJOICE IN HIM.     We believe you will be trusting in Him also though this week.    Writing to the Christians in Ephesus and Colossae, Paul assures them of his prayers for them - that out of the rich treasury of His Glory, they may be strengthened in he inner man by the Holy Spirit Himself, as He indwells their innermost being and personality   -   that they may be 'invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His Glory, and to exercise every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with JOY.'    This is a quote from the Amplified Bible.     We are trying also to bring these matters into our own prayers for you, and ask you to pray for us similarly - that we might all prosper and GROW in the Faith.

With our Love always in Him,

John, Esther and Daryl Green