ALL THINGS COME TO AN END......WEAR AND TEAR IN ALL THINGS!

OUR FRIENDS, Mark and Kathy Lessig, have now finished 12 more months with us as Councellors and Christian Educationalists in co-operation with their 'home' mission..     These very dear brethren in Christ  have truly challenged both staff and students in the School AND in the Homes concerning their personal committment to Christ. But they have demonstrated more than a theological idea in bringing the Gospel into the Classroom and the Family, they have also reached out to all they meet and rub shoulders here, with with the overflowing Love of Jesus.   We 'feel' His Touch and Care everywhere, and Esther and I have also been so blessed and encouraged by them.      Mark is a very 'active' man, with a gift of D.I.Y.!!     He has done a lot on his own property not far from us - an old 1940 colonial ranch house.     
Visiting US one morning, and noticing our kitchen was looking a bit hang dog after 20 years of constant use and wear,  Mark offered to give it a face lift - for FREE.      Just before Christmas he arrived with another Kenyan friend of his, and together they laboured for THREE days to repair, renew, and repaint out kitchen.     It was just such an answer to prayer, and done so lovingly and so unselfishly.      A very real and relevent Christmas Love Gift to us both, AND indirectly to all those who come to visit and stay with us.    We thank them  both for sharing themselves with us for those days - just for Jesus Sake.
Before work began the original cupboards and shelving were almost in a state of collapse,    The man who first fitted out the kitchen used the cheapest timber, hinges and handles he could find!  Mark and his friend restored all of this and also installed a second sink.  A truly 'sunshine' miracle.   It also gave Esther so much joy to be able to cook and cater in what ultimately was a NEW kitchen.

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NOW A FEW ODDS AND BOBS in pictures -

FIRST, ONE OF ESTHER AND STEVEN.  Steven was with us just a week before Christmas on a kind of express visit   It was taken just in front of Green Cottage, with the Old Tree behind them, and the grass already dry and withered by the sun.      They have both ever loved to chat and so both were in their element.     I was not far away though, but just to the right of them on our veranda - I like to keep in the shade; definately NOT a 'mad dog'.
Steve hopes to visit next year with his son, Erik, and also John Finney Joseph, Elisabeth's son!  probably in June/July, and even Elisabeth is thinking about coming out in August.

MOST OF OUR CHRISTMAS photos did not come out well this time,and so we have only a very few to put up.     To the Right is a photo of our grand daughter, Abigail, now 3 and eight months, in front of our Christmas Tree in Green Cottage.     She is full of happiness, and very intelligent.  we have enjoyed having her and Helen, our daughter, for most of this month.     Always happy, and always GROWING,   She and Helen will soon return to Nairobi to commence the 1st School Term of the year.    The house will feel empty!

TO THE LEFT, a photo of a Christmas Cake donated every year since the 1970s by our old Baker 'Paul's Bakery' in Eldoret Town.   They continue every year even though we now bake our own bread, and give them little custom.  Real friendship over so many years, without rancour or disappointment on either side.   It is usually delivered on Christmas Eve, and then divided up between the houses.    SUCH joy!!
We had our usual Sunday Service on Christmas Eve morning, and after supper, in front of Testimony House we had a Carol Service with a short Word from Daryl and the Bible under the stars.     No photos to hand unfortunately.

CHRISTMAS Day we were again in Church in the morning, and then on Boxing Day, we were all at the Pool-side, together with many guests for the Annual Home's Pic-nic.    Beautiful weather, and fun for all.We have 135 children and young people resident with us in the Children's Homes and Hostels at present, but not all of them were present with us this year.    Since their arrival some have been found out by relatives, initially unknown to us, and although they have still been unable to have the children repatriated to them due to poverty or some other ill, we are unable to prevent them from having access. and so now an average of 25 go home for at least one holiday during the year.    But we had plenty of old boys and visitors to compensate, and all together we were almost 150 in number.   And all were fed to 'the eyebrows.      A lot of swimming and splashings.  Races, and water games, and all the time the sun blazed down. The first to arrive in the morning were there at 10.A.M.    The LAST to leave left at 6p.m.     A very good Family Day for us all.     A day in which you were all very much a part.  Bless you all SO MUCH and we pray that you also may have had good reason the Praise God for His Goodness to you also.


AND FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK we have been busy looking into the coming year.     School will open on the 3rd January.    SO first of all, there is School Uniform and other necessities to think about.    Shoes wear out the most and this year we shall have to buy NEW some 31 pairs (leather), plus the repair of approximately the same number.  Then about another 100 pairs of Rubber shoes for PE and home wear.  THEN, there will be school shorts, trousers, shirst, skirts and blouses, ties, and socks!  Phew.      Still a lot to find, BUT this week a lot of our parents have called in to hand on uniform passed down from their own children, and still in good repair.  This will be a help, and we are glad that our parents are in the main very anxious to help us.    There are caring hearts even here around us.

FINALLY !!

                                             

                We send you all, our very best Wishes                                                           for

the Year ahead

A hundred years ago peace came to a war torn world

But the World has not known true Peace since.

But the Lifter up of our heads shall come

and he shall make Peace'

GOD BLESS YOU ALL SO MUCH

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

GREETINGS !

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!

YESTERDAY - Friday

Daryl was called to the home of the Vice President, William Rutto,

together with the Governor, and other County Officers, and Managers 

of Charitable Children's homes.

Daryl and other Managers with him were presented with

Goats, Sugar, Rice and Flour for Christmas.

Thereafter, the V.P. addressed them all

and confirmed that the Government appreciated all the help

and good work put toward aiding Kenya's orphans.

He also confirmed 

that the policy of the Government was currently to see all 

Charitable Children's Homes closed by 2020

to fall in with international  cooperation with the ideals of UNICEF.

a rather bitter sweet Gift!

and this time 'a little bit of sugar' has not made the 'medicine go down!'

The way forward for all seems to be Fostering and Adoption.

BUT IT'S CHRISTMAS!

and our thoughts are glued on Christ!

Our thoughts are upon the One to SAVE US - Joy to the World.

Thus we cast all care aside, all fear and anxiety of what man can do to us.

We look upward expectantly, with Thanksgiving

hoping for the SECOND coming of our Lord and Saviour

FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS.

AENON Trust has passed on many Christmas Gifts to us, on behalf of many who have remembered us, and we truly Thank you all, and the Lord our God who has put us upon your hearts.    TONIGHT is our usual Christmas Concert put on by our children, and performed in the School Hall, the public also being invited.      It is not a 'fund raiser' but rather a 'sharing' with friends and others from around us.   There will be Carols, A Play, and a short Christmas Message from the Word of God.   Christmas will have commenced for us all, and all the children are keyed up with the excitement of the JOY of Christmas; the EXPECTANCY of having JESUS in the midst.........Our hearts are all lifted up.   AND it is one of our 'Family' times with many who have left home calling back in, and fellow-shipping with us.

We shall all be thinking of YOU, and we do wish you a very Glad Time in which all the Wonder of what God our Father planned for our Salvation, and which JESUS was born to achieve for our sakes.

May the WARMTH of that LOVE surround each one of you, and give you PEACE and COMFORT, plus the ASSURANCE of His Presence with you moment by moment through the coming Year.

With our united Love in Jesus

John Esther, and Daryl Green

A MAN RESPECTED, YET BARELY NOTICED!

WE MUST NOW SADLY ANNOUNCE THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF one of our senior Primary Teachers in Testimony School.  Benjamin Khamasi, born on 7th February 1962,  came to teach in our School, 22 Years ago in 1995.    He had graduated from his own primary education with straight 'A's  and continuing to High School was able to attain a Division 1 as he Graduated in 1984.  Thereafter he entered  Meru Teacher Training College where he won a P1 Certificate in 1988 and straight way commenced teaching in a number of Schools, mainly Private, finally coming to US in 1995. 
A sincere Christian man, of diligent competent,  and careful nature, he soon shone as a teacher who was indeed 'given' to his profession.    Nothing was too hard for him to attempt, and in everything he proved faithful and accountable.
In 2010 he was promoted to Senior Teacher, and later in 2013 also to the post of Deputy Headmaster in Primary School.     A diligent and careful planner and organiser, yet ever humble and hard working, he became a very  dependable and respected teacher among teachers.    He could also be very direct in his speech; very definite and determined - not an easy mind changer, and therefore not always popular with those who looked to 'win him over'.    Thus he won respect.
Ben became ill at home  a few weeks into the Holiday.    He suddenly lost feeling in his hands and feet, and became unable to speak or swallow.      After a week or more he was taken to the Referral Hospital in Eldoret and has been there ever since - about two weeks.      He was seen by a number of doctors none of whom ventured to provide a diagnosis that might explain his problem.    He slowly regained use of hands and feet, and throat, and was about to be sent home the next day, but passed away suddenly in the afternoon.       From the descriptions we received, we wondered if he had suffered a kind of heart attack, or stroke, but none of the doctors that saw him seemed to follow up on such an idea.      He leaves a wife, and five children.     We shall miss him enormously.
He is to be buried at his family home in Bunyore, Western Kenya on Tuesday next week.     The School will hold a Memorial Service for him on Monday 18th December.    We expect a good many of our parents, staff, children and friends to attend.

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CHILDREN from all three of our Family Homes singing carols last Christmas.   All happy,and all safe and secure to follow School, and prepare for the future without anxiety.
This week one of our Old boys, John 'Jonny,Jonny' Astariko commented of government plans to do away with Children's Homes.    He writes -
'I am saddened by the whole scenario,
and it kills me to know that the very place that brought me up,
and made me who I am now,

would be taken for granted by the Government!

It shakes me, but all my prayers and thoughts

are with you all, and with ALL the children of 

Testimony Faith Homes.

Here he is to the left, and also to the right where he is partying with his two young daughters.   We do believe he is not the only one of the many hundreds of boys and girls who found a shelter and refuge when needed, who were able to also find Assurance with which to jump off, and into the world.     Surely it was not always the perfect 'home' but it was certainly better than the Street, or some impersonal and institutional 'Holding Centre'.      Thank you John!

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OUR SON Steven, has been with us this week!    It is always good to have him with us even for such a very short time.     He hopes to be back next year, God Willing, together with his own eldest son, Eric, and possibly for longer.    But we have enjoyed so much having him with us.     He leaves us tomorrow evening for Nairobi and on to the U.K. where storms of ice and snow await him, together with -4c temperatures!!!

Thank God for our current sunny weather, and comparative warmth.       

I watched a Black and White film this weak on You Tube.     It was made in 1951 when I was eleven.

It is entitled, 'NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER' and is a simple story of a small orphan boy and his donkey, Violetta, who earn their living together in the town of Assisi in Italy.     The donkey falls ill, and filled with anxiety for the animal that is everything to him, he seeks permission to take her to the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi, that he might answer prayer and heal her.     On finding only opposition and frustration, the boy finally leaves Violetta in the care of a friend and walks to Rome to see the Holy Father.     Once there he again discovers opposition, but continues to seek a way until eventually he IS allowed to meet the Pope, who grants him permission to take his donkey into the tomb.      The film ends as we see him and Violetta walking into the tomb..........       I found it at once a very simply told, and moving account of a child's love for his animal, and dependence upon his faith in St. Francis.      Yes, of course it was a Catholic film.     One lady commented that 'she saw no value in it at all; rather childish and uninteresting unless perhaps to a Catholic.'       I felt sorry for her.

The film showed great compassion for an animal by a small child.     Oh that we were all compassionate - and not only to animals.     It also portrayed the 'innocence' of the child in believing not only in the efficacy of the Saint, but also in the goodness of those of those around him, and the unbelief and arrogance of those who had no time either for children or faith.      I am a Christian,   I also happen to admire what I have learnt of the man known as Francis of Assisi who also was a Christian.       I was moved by the film.       Good for children and adults alike.    I recommend it.
The film is taken from Paul Gallico's short story 'The Small Miracle'.

WE ARE A WEEK FROM CHRISTMAS!     Guests begin to arrive on Tuesday.    By God's Grace passed on to us by so many we have been able to have our needs provided for;  enough to Celebrate Christ's Birth, to rejoice together, and to appreciate what is take to Love each other as He Loves us.     Our Love and Thanks to you all for your prayers.

John, Esther, and Daryl Green.

ARRIVALS - AND APPREHENSIONS

TODAY, I AM ABLE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW 'DAD & MUM' at Jacaranda Cottage  -  David and Doris Chumba.       They arrived on Wednesday evening, and Esther and I were able to visit them in their new home the following morning.    They both seemed to be already settled in, and we were very much impressed by their testimony and also by their attitude toward God.      We hope they will go ahead to prove their Calling.       It is always a big challenge to the children, to have to first of all LOSE 'parents' and then to ACCEPT new ones who are complete strangers to them.

INITIALLY Esther and I thought we would never leave being Dad and Mum in Testimony House, but with a population of more than forty, in those days, we felt as we came came closer to 60 that we would not cope well with a family ranging from 9 to 24.     We were right to retire from houseparenting, but in doing so we had to accept that as time went by in each Family Home, we would need to accept NEW parents coming in to take the place of those needing to leave.    It has not been easy,  and on looking back we might now have remained in Testimony House till we died, without starting the other homes.     A moot point really, since we have been able to absorb and help four times more children by opening up four Homes, and allowing a ring of changes to happen when the situation proved it necessary.     BUT we still feel that the 'longer the better' is the MOST desirable when it comes to considering just HOW long parents should stay as Dad and Mum in their designated House.       Esther and I were 28 years in ours.    Joshua and Miriam were 19 years in Jacaranda.     Others have managed between 3 and 8 yeas.         Please pray with us for David and Doris as they adventure their heart and life together, here, for our children, and for God.  David is just entering his 50s and Doris a little behind in her forties.     May God Bless them so much, and defend them from all the wiles of the devil.

We have also seen an addition to our Farm.    Some two or so weeks ago the first of our current TWO cows gave birth to a heifer, whose photo I include here.    She is most friendly and curious, and Daryl has felt to call her name Danni, in sincere respect and love to Danni Potter, in South Australia.   Danni is wife to Mike, and both have for decades been adopted with their children into the Testimony Family.  They have also long had a practical interest in the success of the Dairy.      So please pray for this latest little one in our family.     We do thank God for her.      Her mother and aunty continue to provide a good and fresh supply of daily milk for our children in the Homes, and even some to the School boarder.

On THURSDAY this week, our little daughter, Helen came with her 3.8months daughter to stay with us over Christmas.   Always a joy to have them both with us, and to observe yet again how Abby is growing.     THEN Today,  Daryl and I were at the Eldoret Airport to once again to welcome STEVEN who has flown in just for a quick week's visit before getting once more embroiled in his rather demanding work.      Always great to have him visit, even when alone.    We are hoping next year he will be coming in the summer with other of his family as well to rejoice our hearts.     He was here last in 2016 together with his daughter, Tonia - again just for a short visit.    We enjoyed them both, and Esther and I will no doubt challenge him yet again to a game of Scrabble before he leaves.
STILL TWO WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS !!     I am praying that all may have received our latest UPDATE and also Christmas Card to 'almost end the year with'.       Our decorations in Green Cottage are finally up, and next week on the 16th all the other houses will also decorate for Christmas.   Otherwise life will continue as usual during this next week without any other event to draw attention to the Season.     THEN in the following week, all of us hope to be quickened by His Advent and Birth together.     We shall share as we go along.

Our combined Love and Prayers come to you daily as we meet together, and we believe that God, our Father in Heaven, in the Name of His Son Jesus, will continue to empower you to make this Christmas one to be especially remembered.

Sincerely in His Mercy and Grace
John, Esther, and Daryl Green

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW...!

ON THE 29th NOVEMBER, OUR FOURTH FORM children in Secondary School concluded their National Examinations, and came together for a final Farewell Lunch with their teachers, and others.  In this photo Esther is cutting the Cake.   I am to be seen at the top table with a few others.    Daryl is taking the picture.
This is an Annual event, and it is always very special, and enjoyable.  Many of these students, including of course some of the Home's children as well, have been in the School for up to 12 years.   Now they must leave for University, College, or Employment!    A big Jump into the BIG pond of the world around them.     With continual shortage of jobs, and continual lack of moral integrity in our Universities and even Colleges, this transition is fraught with may dangers and anxieties for parents as well as their children.      And obviously this also is a matter of concern and challenge to us.   
The General Syllabus is also changing over the next few years.  At present we are expecting to consider whether or not we will continue to run Secondary School, or concentrate on Primary only.  This will only become clear as the next year proceeds.   We need to be very sure about this before continuing beyond 2019.
This particular event took place between the hours of 1 and 4p.m. on the 29th.   I was also able to share a final Word, together with others who were there with us.    We pray that God will watch over each one of these young people.

OPPOSITE IS A PHOTO of the Macharia Family - baby Esther, Agnes, Ben, and Joseph.    They came to us as family to run the NEW Jacaranda Cottage in July 2015, taking over from  Beatrice and Joseph Rop who had been with us eight years,  and were then retiring.
They fitted in really well, and won all our hearts.
Regretfully they have unexpectedly had to leave us at the end of October, whilst they were on leave with their relatives at home in Njeri.     We shall seriously miss them as whole hearted labourers together with us all, and for their spiritual commitment and input with the Jacaranda Family.    We hope not to lose touch with them and also that they will be able to visit from time to time.      PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR THEM.  BUT NOW we have to seek the Lord as to who might replace them.      We have already met a prospective couple, and they will be visiting again this Sunday when we hope they will spend some time meeting other of our community, as well as the children in Jacaranda Cottage.    They are committed Christians, and have experience in helping children and young people.   They are both in their fifties.      Hopefully I will have more to say next week.    Until then the children are being cared for by other of our staff.    They are safe, but rather sad to lose the Macharias.

JAMES MANU, OUR SON, attended the Eye Clinic a little early this time, but returned with better news than last time.    His Consultant says there is improvement, NOW, in the one eye, and even in the worst.   He thinks he will need to continue Injections for two more months, and that he may also have to do a minor op to re-attach a loose retina in one eye.    It has been a long and rather painful haul, but Manu seemed much encouraged this time, and we continue to BELIEVE for the Answer to all our prayers.

AND DECEMBER has commenced!      Christmas, which seems to have begun in September for most of the rest of the world around us,  is still to begin to be seen here in Testimony.     We have usually waited, for example, to put up any Christmas Decorations until about the 18th of the month, but we may start this coming week, this year, as we expected visitors to begin dropping in soon.     So far, in our Town shops, there is NO sign of Christmas.    Everything remains the same, other than the fact that shops are not as well stocked as they were, and prices are rising daily - all a sign of our continuing economic constraints.    BUT the sun is shining, and the skies are their usual stunning blue.
Daryl is about to take his Annual Leave, and all our School Staff are also away for the Holiday until the first week of January.
This week planning will begin by the Houseparents to look into Christmas needs, and especially the Christmas Week housekeeping.    As you will remember each house celebrates Christmas individually.       Also there has to be other matters to plan into the month free time, like family games and other communal activities, plus the Christmas Concert, and Carol Singing which usually take place just before Christmas itself.     All this whilst still trying to balance all our normal monthly responsibilities and needs.       Helen and baby Abigail should be here on Friday, and our son Steven also visiting on Saturday for a week or so from the UK.       Also our friend Paul White and son Joshua are hoping to join us for Christmas.        SO with a short staff, and Daryl away us Old Foggies will no doubt find ourselves On Call, and probably more involved than usual.     But we continue to Thank Father, for good health and strength - though I still have a few challenging visits to the dentist to fit in over the next fortnight or so.

I will try to put an UPdate AND a Christmas Card in the works before Christmas, but of course it may be delayed on the part of any I have had to post.      We covet your prayers over this period, and we Thank you all for your love and care.       We shall hope to continue to put up a word or two each Saturday as usual.     Let us lift up the arms of each other in the warmth of His Love, and the JOY of the Season.

Sincerely in Him
John, Esther, and Daryl Green