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