KEEPING YESTERDAY IN MIND

TO THE LEFT,  A HEAP OF CLOTHING!  During the week we were donated four sack-loads of what appeared to be 'used' clothing, though much seemed almost new.    And the majority of it was for teenage boys.    It was a real God-send, since clothing is not easy to take care of these days, and our senior BOYS had been waiting for a 'make- over' , here and there. for some time; we have given precidence to our girls.     Esther had been the one to receive the Gift from some Asian members of the community who had suddenly called in, but then had forgotten to even note their name!!    SO we still do not know who they were, or how they were prompted to come with SUCH a Blessing to us.  The photo was taken after the sacks had been emptied in Esther's sewing room and were in the midst of being sorted.    It does not show the immensity of the 'gift' but shirts, trousers, galore plus more dazzled the eyes, and filled our hearts.
WHOEVER they may have been who brought them to us, we want to say a very BIG, and HEARTFELT, Thank You on behalf of our children.    May Almighty God indeed note your kindness to us, and so bless you accordingly.

In the Beginning - during the 1970's  MANY would come to help us in this way, - not just with clothing but also with foodstuffs and other necessities.      But after the School was built, this slowly dried up;  perhaps because it was assumed that with a School we might not need so much material aid as before.     But in fact it made little difference to us, apart from providing FREE places for our children in school.    Otherwise Testimony School does not provide income for the Homes.
ABOVE is a photo from late '70s of a group from the Mother's Union of the Eldoret Anglican Diocese who also surprised us one morning by arriving with a lorry load of food and supplies for the children.     On this occasion our cupboards were empty, and their arrival was yet another Answer to our prayers - a miraculous intervention in fact.      The wonderful and amazing factor in this has been that most times these events have been a 'One off' donation.      Not something to rely upon in themselves, but a very pointed confirmation that God hears Prayer, AND answers them.    He alone remains our Confidence.    BUT we cannot forget any of those who come to us bearing our needs, and knowing that somehow God stirred up their heart and mind to come on HIS behalf to BE His Providence.     HURRAH for all these Mothers, on that day bringing supplies to replace our DEARTH.       And PRAISE also for our unknown friends who God sent to help clothe some of our needy young people still in care with us here in Testimony Faith Homes.

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THINKING of the 1970s, takes me on to the early 1980s, when we found ourselves taking on many helpers from England and Denmark. as volunteers, the work having grown in size by then from just ten children to almost 70 and we having also begun a Course for Primary School Leavers in Motor Mechanics, set up by Harry Speedie sponsored by Tear Fund, and later helped by John Mattison and Peter Kalulu, and Bob Grahamslaw.    Bob and his wife Joy also were Parents in Jacaranda Cottage for a time.     Hans and Sonja Jenson from Denmark also joined Jacaranda Cottage for a time. and 

Paul and Lou Moores.    Finally Torben and Dorit Madsen from Denmark.     The photo below may bring them back more memories of them  to those of you who may have been part of the TFH Family at the time - circa 1984- -  In a few years most had left and returned to their own Countries.   Since then it has just been my own pale face to carry on.....

From Left - Torben and Dorrit Madsen;  Bob Grahmslaw; Sonja Jensen;  John Mattison;
Joy Grahamslaw;  Hans Jensen (just behind); then Peter Kalulu,  with Paul and Lou Moores front Right.

Hans and Sonja Jensen were a short while in Jacaranda Cottage whilst Esther and I were visiting England in 1983untill we came back in August of that year.    The photo below shows the Jacaranda Family as it was then....1983

And lastly a photo of part, at least, of the Testimony House Family about the same time, with me on the back row - kind of white blob..    Not all recognisable, but many are, and I will leave them all unidentified to test the powers of recognition and memory of those who may go back that far.  Good luck.    Steve, Mike and Lizzie are all there, as also are Moses Ongonga, John Ngugi, Peter Wangolo, and Catheryn Senge, Sara Njeri, Daryl and Edward, Charlie, Kihara, Sam Macho, Joseph Kiwabok,Patrick Najok,  to name a few - good hunting!

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ON SUNDAY LAST, we had our dear friends Pastor Martin and Margaret Speed with us all day!

They had been with since Wednesday in fact, but had also called in on many other friends and associates, including Joshua and Miriam at Neema Children's Homes.    But on Sunday we were together ALL day and in the evening they took us all  (Me, Esther, Daryl, James, and Joshua and Miriam ) to supper.    the photo below shows us posing afterwards inside the Restaurant.    Poor Esther seemed to be in the shade.

On Monday Martin and Margaret flew on to Uganda where they have been ministering and are now back in Nairobi    Their coming at this time was planned of the Lord, and deepened the friendship we have enjoyed for many years, as well as appreciating all those at Westhoughton Pentecostal Church, in England, who together with them, have faithfully prayed for this ministry since 1968.    Truly they have lifted up our hands many, many times, and we also have in turn been able to stand with them in times of trial and testing.    

THIS week we were also visited by one of our sons who came to live with us in 1971.   He is now Bishop Moses Otunga living and working for the Lord in Nairobi.     He has come to Eldoret with his family to attend the funeral of his wife's mother who had just passed away.    He came with his two sons and a daughter, plus one of his brothers.    It was a great joy to see them, especially his children, our grandchildren - now grown up of course.      They did not stay long, since they were on their way to the funeral some miles further on from us in fact.     Moses is now in his sixties.     In the photo, on the far right is our School Chaplain and Pastor, Wykliffe Ondanga,   Bishop Otunga is second from him to the left.

Otherwise the week has continued to be wet and cloudy, and nights cold enough for a fire in the fireplace.     God has been watching over us, and we are very conscious of His Hand upon us and under neath us.     Blessed BE the name of the Lord.      HOWEVER we sense the Enemy is also not giving up seeking whom he may devour among us, and unhappy that he has been unable to dislodge or in other ways upset our establishment.     We ask you all to remember us in your prayers;   We are most certainly praying for you.     God walk with you all in the week ahead, and watch out for you all.

Lovingly in Him

John, Esther, and Daryl Green