ALL IN A DAY;S WORK

CONTINUING expansion of our Poultry Unit to cater for more Layers by providing more space has been going on during the past week.    The floor space has been laid down, and the posts that will carry the walls are also in place.  

ADDITIONALLY a faulty sewer line that extends from Drakeley Cottage down to Jacaranda and thence to Tyndale Cottages was put in during 2007 with inferior piping. Over the last two weeks it has been relayed with with strong piping of a wider dimension, together with new and improved man-holes.     The photo on the left shows a section where the existing pipe has actually broken, and even shattered.   The NEW pipe has also been laid with extra manholes to ensure easier access for cleaning and servicing.    The manholes are not shown in these photos as they will be put in one by one since the line is in daily use, and we cannot stop the flow of sewerage for too long at a time.      Now that the piping is all in place they will put a manhole in section by section.

These improvements have once again originated from the kind hearts and interest of Tyndale Christian School in Adelaide, South Australia, and other friends there with them.   The Tyndale 2017 Team of Students and Staff are expected on the 3rd July,  and will themselves give their strength and enthusiasm to finishing off these works for us, and also sharing their energy with NEEMA Children's Home just up the road from us, run by Miriam and Joshua Mbithi.

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I must apologise for not introducing previously our current Wardens for the Boys and Girls Hostels.

As I mentioned before, Hesketh and Alice MULI are now employed full time as RELIEF Houseparents, filling in for other parents when they take their Day Off and usual Holidays.   This has worked out very well, with Hesketh also Personnel Manager and Alice working In Primary School.

Taking their place in Testimony House Hostel for boys is Mr. John OBIERO who came to us from the Eldoret Rescue Centre and with a wealth of experience in youth work, and counselling.    His photo is to the left.   He is happily married, but his wife and family live outside of the Homes

Below, also to the left,  is a photo of our newly appointed Warden for the Jean Potts Hostel for Girls, who joined us just recently to take the place of Rosemary Odunga who had to leave us  -  Mrs. Grace Mwangi, a widow.
She is a lady with a lot of personal experience as a parent, and with Girls.     She has immediately fitted in as 'Mother' and is already settled and part of the Team.     We feel very fortunate in having her with us, and to know the Girls are in good hands and happy.

When we opened Testimony House as a Hostel we had 38 boys eighteen and over.     Some have now left, or on the verge of leaving, to take up jobs and the challenge of an independent life.   Others are still in Secondary School with us.    BUT in January MORE will have come of age and will graduate from their Children's Home to one or other of the two Hostels.       So far it is working fairly well, and the initial discomfort caused by the change in situation seems to have passed.    Only 8 Girls currently still resident in the Hostel, but also next January will see more join them - and more than double their current number.

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James Manu, our son of 33 years, was admitted into Hospital here on Wednesday with suspected Pneumonia.     THEN (because he had developed a severe, dry, and painful cough) the Medics thought he may have T.B.     He has been in hospital four days now, and they seem little nearer to coming to a definite diagnosis with a definite Treatment.      We are quite concerned for him, especially as he has barely recovered from the Treatment for his eyes.    God knows.   He is taking it all quite well, but not without anxiety.   Please continue to pray for him.

Between visiting Manu, endeavouring to get our Half Yearly Accounts ready, shopping, spending time on visitors and friends that drop in during most days, the hours go by like a flash on some days - today having been one of them.      Esther and I continue to Thanks God for good health, and for strength of mind and body.    His Presence comforts us!     God bless you, each and every one, and 

watch over you through every day.

With our much Love in Jesus, praying always for you

      

John, Esther and Daryl Green

ARISE AND SHINE - TILL HE COMES!!

PROJECT ACTIVITY is underway again, this time within the Dairy and Poultry Projects.  Tyndale School once again contributing to the building of a new wing of the Poultry House, this time to accommodate more Layers.    Work has already begun, and is hoped to be completed by the Team that is expected to arrive around 5th July.       Tyndale has also provided for another Milker for our Dairy, and she arrived yesterday.     She is in calf, and right now is making a real racket 'mooing' away in protest at being taken from her family and old home.  
She is reputed to be a good Milker, and makes up our little herd to be three in number.

AND, to conclude, here is a photo of the latest Tomato Crop growing in the first half of the Greenhouse.     They are also beginning to fruit, and we shall probably begin to harvest in a week or two's time.     They look healthy, and with a promising yield.     In the 2nd half of Green house a 2nd crop is already planned and growing well.     Tomatoes are in great demand, and eaten both raw and cooked in the majority of main meals.    They area also quite expensive, so we save a lot in being able to grow our own, plus other vegetables.

To the left is Mike and Danni Potter circa 1988, now Recently 
GRANDPA & GRANDMA Potter!!     Their loving friendship and inspiration in Jesus continues to demonstrate itself in their personal and professional lives.

Even the GREEN HOUSE was provided by their interest, and the goodwill and unforgettable enthusiasm of Tyndale School students and staff.   Together you have taken Kenya and TFH not only into your own hearts, but into the hearts and lives of countless others old and young living in Australia.   

We all look forward to your soon arrival once again, and trust the rain will remain at night so that days can be bright and joyful to work, play and fellowship in.     

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General Updates  - just to keep you up to date!

ME, myself, am now mobile and currently without pain or 'sign' of the kidney stones that so suddenly put me out of action.    They are still with me - I think - but will have a further scan towards the end of next week to confirm.     I do Thank the Lord for raising me up, and keeping me up.

James 'Manu' is also OK.     His Diabetes Test proved negative which is a relief.    His eye is recovering from the hurt and he is waiting and hoping for a good prognosis when he sees the Consultant again next month.      He has not been able to read or watch TV too much, and he has also felt a bit prevented from travel.  But he is in good spirits.

Dan Ndungu also continues to be up and about, and has just completed his mid term exams at School.   He has been accepted for free surgery, and is near the top of the waiting list - but he is looking SO healthy, and we continue to hope that he will finally avoid an operation

Transport - both of the Home's vehicles, the Voxy and the Nissan are both off the road, and have been for some time.    Both have received considerable use, and excessive wear.     The Nissan was already 2nd hand when we received it, in  1994/5,  and we bought a re-reconditioned Voxy in

2012.  Actually it not had not been a great inconvenience as we are now 'inside' the Town boundaries and most public transport needs are cheaply available.       The School buses are all still on the road - so far!

ABOVE a photo of some of the local and Homes' Children presenting a traditional dance during the School Parents & Prize Giving.    This year's event is not too far away, and has been brought forward to the 22nd July in order to permit the School to close a week early to make sure it shuts  by the time the National Elections take place early August.

Much Love to you all,     We pray for you all, and for all of the United Kingdom.    So much tragedy and disquiet everywhere, so many uplifted voices speaking self righteously without respect or honour toward any.      Whatever their real politics may be I have felt pity for the Queen and the Prime Minister in these days.      Whatever faults may be found for them in the hearts of their people, surely some honour, some courtesy and respect should be afforded them.      But this is definitely NOT that kind of world - even here in Kenya.     A disturbing world.    Indeed.    A roaring sea of raucous and discontented voices, often unemployed, even uneducated.      An almost 'lawless' world society where neither the governments nor the people rule, and where the only true stable reference point is in danger of being totally forgotten, let alone referred to.      Even so COME Lord Jesus.

God Bless and keep YOU in perfect peace, resting in HIM.

John Esther and Daryl Green

PUT LOVE IN OUR HEARTS FOR ONE ANOTHER - ALWAYS!

THESE KIDS JUST DELIGHT MY SOUL!    I never get tired of seeing them;  any group of them together.     Happy and Bright, they just bring joyful memories from the past right up to the present.
AND THIS HAS BEEN A PAINFUL DAY for me - the 3rd day of suffering caused by a couple of obstinate, though small, kidney stones, that made themselves felt suddenly, our of the blue.     NOT for the first time either.       My 1st encounter with 'Stones' was in May 1980 when I had travelled to Nakuru with Nicholas Mwangi, my then Deputy, to search out a boy of about 14 who was in some distress in the Town there.        We were in the midst of discussing his case with his Care takers when a pain stabbed my back, so fiercly that I just collapsed.    That pain just went on and Nicholas had to drive me home in a hurry to Eldoret, two hours away.     Yes it was a Kidney Stone.     It settled down painlessly after a month or so, but did not roll out until August 1987!!!      Just a little thing smaller than half an apple pip, but with sharp edges.      And now I have TWO more from the same kidney.     It certainly isn't less painful,  and in fact it might indeed be MORE painful .      Really imobilised yesterday but today I have a little relief,  but still shadow pain in my left kidney area.   REAL pain if I MOVE!    My doc says I'll be fine.  But I am hoping that pain goes away WITH the stone .        So here I am looking through our photos, and letting the children that have filled our lives once more fill our memories with joy and gladness of heart.     Bless them every one!    

I do not feel able to sit too long at my computer, and I hope you will forgive me if I make this just a short word this week - especially after an even shorter one last week.      Hopefully by next Saturday the Lord will have helped me, and restored my strength.        We have been very much tried during the past month, but rejoice to share that the the Lord, using His Own, delivered us, and has yet again raised up our spirits, and given us all renewed hope for the future of Testimony Faith Homes.     We shall be 48 years old this August, close to a Golden Jubilee.     Our Father has been SO faithful.      May HE Bless you all, overflowingly.

Lovingly in Him

John, Esther and Daryl Green

WE REGRET THAT THIS WEEK THERE WILL BE NO 'BLOG'.  We merely assure you that all is well with us, and that this suspension is purely due to lack of time, and will hopefully be lifted next week.      God Bless and keep you all, hand in hand with Jesus.

update on our son James Manu

James attended Tenwick Hospital yesterday as I advertised, and his Glaucoma was confirmed.  He had to have a needle inserted into his right eye as part of the examination which was VERY unpleasant and painful.    But he came through it and the pain has subsided.     They will hope now that his 'Good Eye' might be 'saved',   but the left one is confirmed as irrideemable.        He will have to return to Tenwick in a month's time to see how treatment is going.       Next week he will be checked out for Diabetis since his liver has also turned out to be infected.       James himself has taken it all with a good degree of optimism.    We are all believing that Father will hear our prayers and have mercy to heal and to save in every way.      We do sincerely appreciate all of you who will, or already have, joined us in this belief.

Our Love in Jesus to everyone.    John, Esther and Daryl Green