BEARING OUR INFIRMITIES

A RECENT PHOTO of our son, James 'Manu' taken in an Eldoret cafe.   He looks good there, and happy, but today he is rather 'down' and feeling low and uncomfortable physically.      Yesterday, Friday, he had been away at the Eye Clinic for another duo of eye injections.     It was fraught with frustration at every turn on this occasion, and he returned tired, hurting, and depressed..      He is 33 this year and quite a bright and informed young man, but when he is hurting he easily gets into despair.  Glaucoma - in both eyes.
THIS time Dr. Roberts was not there!


Manu has to get a bus on a Thursday evening each month in order to attend the Clinic at 7a.m. on the Friday.   It is a three to four hour journey.   He arrived as usual, and was placed first in line to see the Doctor.    He waited and waited, and more and more patients came behind him - but no sign of Dr. Roberts. By 1p.m.  there was still no sign of him, and at last the Receptionist said that he was not coming, and that Manu would have to see another doctor LATER!    Manu was finally seen around 4p.m.     He was in some pain, and very weary.     The Injections were done by a NURSE!    It was too late for him to return to Eldoret - no connecting bus to Kericho, and then on to Eldoret.     He spent an uncomfortable night and finally arrived home at 7p.m.   yesterday.       The stand-in doctor told him his Glaucoma now seemed to be worse.   He was then re-examined and tested, and told that he may yet still have Pneumonia!!? - OR  T.B.!!?    Tests were done and we should now hear something more by Tuesday, next week!!     He arrived home deeply cast down and upset.   He must now wait a further month before seeing Dr. Roberts who will by then, hopefully, have returned.    He is still hurting today in both eyes.   But he felt that the careless, off hand, attitude of the Hospital staff was not geared to help or cheer the patient and this pulled him down the more.
We believe the LORD is into all of what is going on in Manu's life and heart, and we are believing for his healing and Salvation.    

BY THE END OF AUGUST, Esther and I felt the 'Ship' was going down again.    (Mark 4v36-41)  I say 'again' because it isn't the first time we have had that 'sinking feeling' and have felt the urge to cry out, as that one in the boat with Jesus on the lake did  -  'Lord!  Don't you care that we perish?'      Well it is true we have been found to be those of 'little faith' at times...  Esther and I were Meeting with four other members of our Board of Management to discuss the situation  (we could not pay salaries, and had very little even available for housekeeping).   It was suggested that we 'borrow' funds......but this was finally rejected, and we accepted that we had to WAIT further on LORD and trust Him.     If nothing came in we would just continue to WAIT now matter things went.         BUT out of the discussion also came the realisation that we had, for some time, being carrying more staff than we needed, both in the Homes and in the School.      It was therefore decided to lay off eight workers in the Children's Homes and about the same in the School.     Some of these would have soon Retired in any case.     Salaries went unpaid until yesterday, as also most of August's monthly accounts.      NOT SO comfortable - I mean we all did feel at peace - but it still felt, ongoingly that we WERE sinking........UNTIL yesterday, that is,  when funds arrived enough to relieve the Salary situation......  and the wind and the waves abated enough and the ship has steadied.          We are back on track,  Thanks to our watchful Father in Heaven, and thanks to all of you who responded to His Spirit sharing OUR prayers.

FIRE AT MOI GIRLS SCHOOL, NAIROBI

Above is a photo taken of a Dormitory within Moi Girls School in Nairobi on the night of 3rd September.      The fire took NINE lives, injuring several others.    It was reported the following day as having been ARSON and not an accident.    Several other Schools in the country had also suffered in a similar way.      In 2016 more than 100 Schools had been reported as cases of Arson.

Investigations in 2016 pointed to student unrest caused by increased examination and study time, as well as in some cases school management shortcomings.   However, considering the general sorrow and trauma shared by all students in affected Schools, and the discontent expressed by both parents and school managements toward the Government, one wonders if there could also be another element; an element of political effort to increase discontent with the Government, even using students from within the Schools.      It is certainly worth considering at this time of Political tension, and upheaval in the midst of discontent over one failed Election and the prospect of yet another Election in mid October; with both major Parties and their followers doing the best they can to make sure the man of their choice is finally chosen to be President of Kenya.        None of this can in any way provide comfort or satisfaction to parents and fellows students who have lost loved ones, or to the Managements of affected Schools who have to contend with interruption and disruption of the School Program, together with repair, rebuilding, and provision of material and other losses.

BUT THE RAIN HAS BEGUN TO CEASE, and clouds seem to be dispersing in favour, once more, of clear blue skies and some warmth from a now visible sun.      It continues to be a brilliant day even now at 3p.m. our time, as I write.

It will soon be time for another Update - possibly within the next two weeks.      Otherwise we hope to continue sending at least something to some, every Saturday via this Blog.      We are so much strengthened in knowing so many of you are praying for us, AND for whole ministry of T.F.H.   Our hearts go out to you all, with sincere Thanksgiving

Yours in Jesus

John, Esther, and Daryl Green