The photo to the right is of the 2016 Team.
Up to 30 or so students at a time plus some staff have been coming, and they come to WORK and to GIVE of themselves. Most get 'out of school' jobs to earn the cost of their travel, food and eventualities PLUS something more to just GIVE to the ministry here. It has meant a great deal to all of us, and especially to the children here. THIS YEAR they will be here again in July. Not so many this year but still more than a dozen expected. Recently Mike has reminded us that when we have mentioned how we are supported, we have seemed to point only to friends in the UK - about fifty individuals and churches across the land contribute to us though the year. I probably also mentioned a few others in Denmark, the Channel Islands, Northern Island - say another seven families in all. BUT I had somehow 'forgotten' to mention the input from Australia! This was not at all intentional, but I think it was because I usually give quite a lot of space to the Annual School Visit in the Blog, and then feel I have covered everything. But I do see that this may, at other times, have give a rather lop-sided, or at least diminished picture of our financial affairs. Also - this year - I have been unable to include a Statement of Account as I have been trying to do previously. And of course I am no longer administratively involved in the running and day to day affairs in a regular way. Most of our incoming donations are channelled through AENON Trust in England, amounting, on average. to about Ksh,14,000,000/= per annum depending on the exchange value of the Pound Sterling. All other donations not passing via the Trust amount to approximately Kah.300,000/- per annum - approx. Ksh.14,300,00/- altogether. ADDITIONALLY we have been receiving, for last ten years or so, help from World Families in Australia, via the interest of Mr. and Mrs.Potter, an annual sum of approximately Ksh.1,300,000/= and representing the individual interest of some 27 altogether. Only some 12% of any of this income is guaranteed without fail. So a total average income of Ksh.15,600.000 per annum to accommodate the general residential welfare, including food, clothing, medicare, and higher education of 140 children and young people in five residential houses, plus the general labour of some 40 staff including administrative, catering, and home care. Currently this works out at approximately Ksh,305/- per day per person. However, since we do not appeal for funds when needed, and we do not in any way seek to find ways to underwrite our income apart from direct Application to our Father in Heaven, income does fluctuate from time to time, and we cannot control the volume or manner of receipts coming in. We cannot be sure, either, WHEN funds will come in. It is an interesting situation which tries - in continuous and progressive manner - our level of Faith. But, on the other hand, although this 'daily' bread may at times financially not be to hand, we usually find we have enough on hand to feed everyone, or else a gift of food or finance might come to the door to tide us over. The miracle to us is always that our God is able to speak, without our assistance or intervention in any way, to those whose heart is open to Him, and that they hear and react to our unspoken (to them) need. Every day our hearts go out to God, and automatically to each one who hears His cry on our behalf, and became with Him our Provision. We can never take one of them for granted, or accept the tiniest Gift without appreciation. SO, dear friends and 'Family in Jesus' my apologies if I may sometimes seem forgetful in not personally publicly show our deep awareness of your love and sharing in our needs here. We DO remember where every Gift has ever come from, and how it was appreciated; we, and all those with us, with whom we share, never cease to remember and rehearse together the daily care of all for US, in Jesus Name. And our love and thanks to you Mike for being a good friend and not holding back from sharpening stone, AND the countenance of your friend.
Esther and I follow a Daily Reading every day, and on the 17th of this month we were very encouraged by the following entitled 'The Brook Dried Up' 1.Kings THE PSALMIST wrote 'Joyful are those... whose hope is in the Lord their God' - Psalm 146v5. One author writes: 'Sometimes when there's not enough money to make ends meet, people tell us to budget, and we chuckle. We look at the situation and say 'No Way!' THAT'S the time to trust God. Your possibilities aren't limited by past or present circumstances. If there's not enough to pay legitimate expenses, do your best - and then Let Go! Trust God to supply your need, then look beyond your wallet. Look to your source. Claim a divine, unlimited supply. Do your part. Strive for financial responsibility in thought and action. Ask for wisdom, and THEN LISTEN to God's leadings. Then let go of your fears and your need to control.
We all know that money is a necessary part of living - and so does God. F.B. Meyer said: 'The education of our faith is incomplete till we learn that God's providence works through loss....There's a ministry to us through the failure and fading of things. The dwindling brook where Elijah sat is a picture of our lives! "Some time later the brook dried up" is the history of our yesterdays and the prophecy of our tomorrows. We must learn the difference between trusting in the gift, and trusting in the giver. The gift may last for a season, but the giver is eternal. If the Lord had led Elijah directly to the widow of Zarapheth, he'd have missed something that helped make him a better man - living by faith. Whenever our earthly resources dry up, it's so we may learn that our hope and health are in God. 1.Kings 1-2 / Acts 2v22-47
Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, in defeat by the English, hiding in a cave, watching a spider climbing up a slender strand of silk towards the hidden ceiling, saw it fall, and then begin again. This happened many times, but finally the spider made it and disappeared into the darkness above. The story has it that The Bruce was enlivened by this observation. Instead of giving up the fight, the King resolved to get up and try again to overcome his enemy - and again until he won. No doubt something of the sort urged Sir Winston Churchill to urge the Nation of England to NEVER, never, never GIVE UP or give in.
IT IS EASY to be affected by life's circumstances. Supply of what we need CAN dry up, and present the question ' What shall I do next '. There may be many earthly possibilities, but only ONE is a winner - TO TRUST IN GOD. WE have to admit that we have our days, even weeks when we see even more than one commodity dry up. We always need your prayers at the back of us. It is easy then to be freaked out, put into a spin of despondency, and even put to flight! But NO, we must stand our ground, look to God, waiting upon him until He shows us the next step and leads on to victorious security - until the next time. All those who have been prompted to help us here in TFH, and acted to be our salvation in Jesus, have also been precious instruments in proving God's Faithfulness, and Power in delivering us time and time again from the hand of Doubt and Unbelief. Thank you all in the Name of Jesus. I know this has not been without sacrifice.
So let us ALL stand up to be SEEN; to be counted, heard and felt for God in Jesus, within our society. Let us make our Mark for God, for our selves, and our children and friends. Let us not give up doing well; doing the BEST, and having done all that we can, to LET go and just STAND for God as an obstacle to all the Plans of the Enemy. AMEN!
John, Esther and Daryl Green
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