THANK YOU, LORD......Oh Thank you, Jesus....!

HERE IS A MAN TURNED AROUND!      His nine friends are running around carousing, but THIS man isn't - he has stopped, turned around, and displaying his deliverance from Leprosy with a face filled with amazed joy, his bandages hanging loose in the wind, he looks back to the One who heard the cry of them all, with Thanksgiving and deep Gratitude in his soul.     YES, you are right, he is the ONE leper who did not go on his way with the rest.     He wanted to convey his thankfulness, his very deep thankfulness for what had been given him.    The Nine continuing to joyously appreciate their healing, seemed to take it as a surprise, and like winning a lottery see little reason to thank anyone, save Lady Luck.
THIS man, by  this time, perhaps, also with tears in his eyes fell down in the dirt in front of Jesus.   And Jesus said to him ' ARISE, Go your way. Your faith has made you whole - you are Saved.  The story is of course told by Luke in his gospel chapter 17v11-9      I hope to be speaking on this on Sunday, God Willing.

I had been reading Jeremiah, and once more came to chapter 5 and verse 7 of his Book in the Old Testament of the Bible.     This what it says in the King James Bible -

'How shall I pardon thee for this?

Thy children have forsaken me, and 

sworn by them that are no gods: 

when I have fed them to the full

they have then committed adultery, 

and assembled themselves by troops

in the harlots houses.

Shall I not visit them for this?

Being UNGRATEFUL 'children'  (neglected by their 'elders') they turned immediately to the lust of the flesh, and went a whoring.     God was out of their mind.    Why do WE say Grace at all our meals with all our children in the Homes? - because we want to underline our Thanks that is due; it needs to be seen as a necessity - Food and Provision do not just appear on the table by magic,  or by chance.

Paul, writing to the Church in Rome (YES, to the Church) says in chapter 1v21 -  'Because, when they KNEW God, they did not glorify Him  (in the Amplified Bible - did not honour, or give Him Thanks, but instead became useless and godless....'

NOT ONLY do men find it easy leave God out, and even not to see or recognise His hand in all the blessings of life, they have found it easy to be thankless to one another; to their family, their husbands and wives, their friends and associates - and yes, even the people of God seem not to remember too often the words 'Thank you'.      I thank my unchurched Mother for teaching those simple words to me before I ever read the Bible.     Just think of those TEN Lepers again for a moment.     Nine of them were Jews, Israelites, The People of God and the Bible.    But 'Thanks' was not in them'.    They took their blessings, ALL of them I believe, for granted, and said nothing.    90% of the Group knew about God.    Suppose this were true also, today, about the Church, generally speaking - ninety percent of them plain selfish, and without an ounce of thanksgiving in them.      

Only ONE leper of the TEN found GRATITUDE welling up within himself, forcing him to turn back and run to Jesus...to THANK Him.     He was NOT a Jew, he was stranger, one they would normally kept away from as a heretic.  He was a Samaritan.     Just ten percent of the group, and they were all lepers - you might say they could have represented sinners in general;   10%  of the sinful world.    And the Bible does say we are ALL sinners, basically, but here we are told 10% might turn from their godless lives and sin, and GIVE thanks for a new life offered and given to them.      A lesser number than even Billy Graham believed came to the Lord in any one of his Crusades.     Shocking isn't it? -  what we are seeing here in Kenya, and in the society in general.     Writing to Timothy in his 2nd letter, Paul assures us that it WOULD be worse in the Last Days - and it is.       Am I being do negative, too harsh?     I wish I could believe otherwise but I cannot.       THIS IS THE TIME for all who are responsible in bringing up children to TEACH them how to be GRATEFUL, how to be Appreciative, how to be just plainly THANKFUL for EVERYTHING even the air they breathe.    The GIVER looks for Thanks,

He is coming soon.

P.S.   I apologise if you do not approve of my picture above.   I do have another of the leper kneeling before Jesus, less 'grotesque'.............but I felt in my self the REALNESS of the one in my picture; one can almost SEE the dawning of the hugeness of what he has received....and the pain of being unable to say Thank you quick enought!      I hope you will forgive me, and the artist.

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MOVING ON I must explain that we have had to fight against 'ingratitude' both among the children and even staff, at times.    We still run up against it,  perhaps because we ourselves, waiting on the Lord for EVERY need, sometimes painfully, and uncomfortably, are constantly found in the case of the ONE Leper.     Thanks just flows into our eyes, and into our voice, and leaves us, as he, prostrate at the feet of THE GIVER.     Knowing Him, loving Him, and being utterly beholden to Him, how can it be otherwise.   We can do nothing but run every back into His Arms.

There are times when days run out for some of the children, grown up, and needing to stand on their own feet.   Some do not like this time, do not want to leave us, do not want to fend for themselves, and, annoyed that they MUST move on,  they often turn, like a revengeful animal, to curse us.     We find it hard to bare, but we walk with it till they finally do walk through the door.    Some have still a long way to go, and many have known little to be thankful for, prior to arriving in Testimony.     We are doing our best to teach them, against the tide of the current drift in society around them in school,  Something to pray about?     Oh YES!, and something to search our own hearts about.     Just think of a world without natural affection, or gratitude.    It IS coming.

TO THE LEFT and right, IS A MUCH USED AND PRIZED TABLE TENNIS TABLE!    It is not new.   In fact it was presented to us by brethren from Westhoughton Pentecostal Church in the UK way back in September 2012.   Pastor Martin Speed was the one to set it up and challenge the first children.  Since then it had been in constant use,  Then an accident put two of the supports out of commission, and try as we could we have been unable to obtain the needed replacement part.  Meanwhile the DEMAND for it to be in use caused it to be secured and propped up, even with bricks.      This last week DARYL  came across exactly what was needed to properly repair the table.     All it had needed was a 'caster' or roller, on a bracket!    It had to be special, and it just was not here.    BUT now Daryl has actually managed to MAKE such a fitting, and it works perfectly.     Here, in the photo, you can see it in Daryl's Office the day it was set in order and a test game played.    Great JOY among many to see it going on.    And yes we thanked the folk in Westhoughton Church, and we have thanked God for inspiring them to provide a gift that at once encourages sport and healthy entertainment whilst at the same time brings people (children and staff) together.      We are now planning to use part of the OLD Jacaranda as GAMES room, and then the Table Tennis will be installed their.

AND FINALLY THIS WEEK, a view of one of the Farm Plots.   Unseasonable weather had slowed things down a little this year, but we are beginning to catch up, and see a return to the good order of previous years.       Tomatoes are finally growing up, and their 'string' supports in place, and in the garden surrounding the Green House, vegetables are now also planted rotationally to give us an on-going supply for both the Homes and Kitchens.    The 2nd Farm plot had been given a 'Rest' and only now will it be planted out again.    A lot of activity and good help from our seniors still on vacation from College.
THE TOMATOES shown here are in their 1st Planting, and the 2nd Planting of seedlings will be going in soon to give us an ongoing crop to take us through most of the year.  This will keep the Homes AND School supplied with the chance to also SELL those we don't eat.

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The retaining wall of the Swimming Pool has
also been rebuilt during the week, and all seems
well, and no sign of a deeper problem.  The wall can be seen to the right of the photo to the right..  Quite a lot of activity over the last week, and most of this due to the efforts of Daryl.   He has his hands full, but full of ideas and energy.


And LASTLY a recent photo of our our COWS.

This is our Dani!    We think she is the prettiest.  In this photo she is in her Beauty Parlour having a general beauty treatment!    She is a darling.

She has a baby heifer, but black and white.

then below are her two 'sisters' (though not related), and not so pretty.     They are all doing fairly well at present, and enjoying, if not the cold, at least plenty of grass in this current rain.

They supply all the milk for the Homes at present, and are cared for mainly by Mica Yego who is Dad in Tyndale Cottage,     He seems to be good to them, and he has a true of animals, especially cows.

We have just about used up available ground for agriculture and animal husbandry - not much; just about half an acre.     The poultry are also doing well as well, and so far we are keeping the rats at bey.

We have only two regular men working.

As we walk around, we are so grateful to all those who, over the years, have assisted us to make this small home farm possible.   The most Thanks to friends in Australia who most consistently helped us.      It has been a much appreciated benefit to us all, especially at times of financial drought!     

This week we were notified by the Bank that a donation had been discovered sent to an Account which was not closed but not currently used.      It had been sent to us last December, and had remained sitting unnoticed in the account until their last 6 monthly statement for 2017 arrived this week - and all our other Homes' accounts were empty!      What a Surprise!    What a wonderful Provision at a time of special NEED.     We were lifted up!     And our Thanksgiving was ardent and real, both to God our Father in Heaven, and to our friends in the UK who heard His Voice on our behalf, because of Jesus..     Blessed be the Name of the Lord.........more and more and more as we look around us.

Our love to you all, and our everlasting THANKS to you all in Jesus Name.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

VOMITED OUT OF THE EARTH!

THIS IS THE SCHOOL RESERVE WATER TANK!    Half of it was buried in the ground to 50% of its height, until last night!    In the midst of a heavy thunderstorm, with appropriate Thunder and Lightening, it suddenly popped up and out of the ground, leaving it as you see it in the photo.     The Watchman, who was nearby said it was struck by Lightening about 10p.m.
However, I was not too sure about it.   If it had been full of water, as I would have thought, then it would have needed quite a 'push' from underground to make it rise up out of the hole - EVEN if such a thing could have happened!
On more enquiry I discovered it had been leaking into the ground for some time, and had in fact been slowly draining in order to have it pulled up from the ground to seek for the Leak or even replace the Tank.
On inspection the leak was found at a point around the bottom.      It seemed clear then that the leak plus continual rains for last few days had slowly 'forced' the almost empty tank UP from its bed, until it toppled over!      Amazing, but not impossible.      Not the initial picture of the power of God pulling it up out of the ground amid the awful glare of Lightening and roar of Thunder though.    The Watchman was a little disappointed the supernatural had somehow got watered down till it was less jaw dropping in the telling.
THE same night one corner of the retaining perimeter wall of the Swimming Pool also collapsed.      From the lower edge of the Pool to the wall is about 6 metres.    The ground slopes quite steeply from the pool surface level to the lower ground seen here in the foreground   It had received a considerable and substantial land fill of rock and top load of soil.       This was done in 2013, and had seemed quite secure, but the rain this last week has been VERY heavy and prolonged, so that we think the weight of the land fill shifted with the added weight of unusual water, although some provision had been made for water drainage at the bottom the wall.    Further investigation is proceeding.

Quite a night's work, and of course quite a costly one in terms of repair and replacement.    Our immediate reaction was one of "WHY now, Lord?'      Not very convenient for us.     BUT on the other hand it has confirmed that we were LOSING water, and paying for it.  Perhaps the fallen Wall may turn out an Alert, before the REST of it falls down as well!
From the aspect that ' all things work together for those who are called according to His Purpose' we should once more stand in AWE of His unending and abounding GRACE that is constantly poured out to us.

Heavy and prolonged RAIN, and dark grey leaden clouds do not make for ' joy and gladness' as is the case wherever they happen to occur.     At least they do not occur often in our case.    Our yellow buses have least advertised their bright and sunny presence during the period.
Not a lot happening otherwise, though we received a collective Gift via AENON Trust last week which enabled us to pay a good many long standing, and heavy monthly accounts.   We rejoiced greatly with Thanksgiving.       Again that Wonderful Grace of God.       We held nothing back of what came in, and gave it all out again, leaving ourselves with nothing, but our hearts awake with the knowledge of Who holds our hand and walks with us all.      All our lives entrusted, and all KEPT and sustained by HIS Grace.    In fact this coming Sunday I shall be sharing a little about Grace,

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw into the Treasury two mites, which make a farthing..  (The Gospel of Mark 12v42-44)

JESUS had been sitting near to the Treasury in the Temple, watching how the people gave into the Treasury, and many that were rich cast in much!
Turning to His disciples, Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you, This poor widow has cast in more than all of those who have already cast into the Treasury.     They all put in what they could spare, but she cast in all she had, even all her life.'

SHE put in ALL her life!    All she had - even her very hope.    Some have said that she did this because of her love for God.   Even though this may well have been the case, I feel that she gave all she had because she knew how much God loved her.     It may have been her LAST money, just as it was the LAST of the oil in the cruse of the Widow of Zarapheth, but she BELIEVED God, and somehow was assured that she would not be destitute, and WOULD LIVE!     She believed that with nothing to sustain her in the world, God would see her, and would not let her perish.     She gave all her life ( I wonder if she had done it before )?       Yes I think so.     She knew she did not have to hang on to life - LIFE would hang on to her.
ALTHOUGH, the following Scripture was actually discussing charitable giving, I was very struck by the Amplified Bible translation to 2.Corinthians 9v8. -

'God is able to make all Grace, (every favour and earthly blessing)

come to you in abundance, so that you may always, 

and under all circumstances and whatever need,

be self sufficient (having enough to require no aid 

or support, and furnished in abundance

for every good work and charitable donation.'

God's Grace is found in His Love for us  - in HIS undeserved, unconditional, favour toward us, His son or daughter in Christ.    If we have BELIEVED and trusted in Christ Jesus to save us and to pay the price for our Forgiveness  -  then nothing can or will be able to separate us from God's love for us.

Romans 8v35-39.     If Jesus is in us, and with us, in our life, then we are kept, moment by moment, in and by His Grace.    He WILL provide our daily needs, forgiving our errors, as we also (by HIS grace) forgive others who may offend us.    And HE will set us free from temptation's lure, and lead and guide us away from all evil.

GOD does all this for us, and plants His Grace, His undeserved and unconditional love, in our hearts to GIVE out in the same measure to whoever may be brought in front of us.

BUT do we let HIS Grace control our actions toward others?     Is HIS Grace seen in us - or have we shut it away just for ourselves, whilst we reserve to others the lean ration of our own fallen appreciation of what we think others deserve.

WE tend to judge the undeserving (in our opinion) as being unworthy of our interest or concern, at times.      We often turn away from the troublesome neighbour, from the beggar we 'know' will waste what we give to him.    We often cease to want to bare or suffer one who has repeatedly failed to keep their word or promise.     We often hang back from wanting to forgive, and whens we feel short of what WE need we even soon being to grumble and moan to ourselves - and to God.    Are we then BLIND to His Grace - leaning to our own selfish appreciation of situations, people, and life in general.

JESUS tells us in Matthew 5

Resist no evil.

To him who seeks to take away your jacket, give him your overcoat as well.

Give to him that asks, and from him who would borrow, do not turn away.

Love your enemies; bless them that curse you, and pray for them who deceitfully use you.'

When many read these words, they find them selves saying that the words are not meant to be taken literally - we have a right to protect ourselves and to defend ourselves.     These people are the ones in the wrong, I do not have to consider their problem, situation or need.    It is ME, and how I feel that matters.

God's arms are always OPEN for us.     He is always waiting.      Am I?  Are my arms open for my enemy to run into, for solace - and forgiveness?      What is wrong with me, when I find myself full of judgement, criticism, and unforgiveness?      Where IS this Grace of God that the Godhead has bestowed upon ME   -    open the door of my heart LORD,  open the DOOR of my heart.....and let me say sorry, forgive me, receive of God's Love and Grace through me.

WE may need to calm down and seek for Jesus in our heart.    It may need OUR repentance.  Repentance for refusing to be honest with ourselves, and to see that all is not NAILED down to the Cross with Jesus;  that our lives are not truly TIED DOWN to the horns of the Altar.

REMEMBER Hebrews 12v14-15 especially.   It is more explicit in the Amplified Bible.

And finally - 2.Corinthians 9v7 -

'Every man according as he decided in his heart,

so let him give,

Not grudgingly, or of necessity,

for God loveth a cheerful giver.'

Yes it IS talking of giving charitably what you have, and may not be directly connected to where my thoughts are today, but I DO feel they have a very creditable application.     If I am guilty of having wrested scripture out of context unreasonably or dishonestly I ask forgiveness.

FINALLY let us Remember 'LOVE (the Grace of God) never fails'  1.Corinthians 13v1-8

All for this week.    OUR love and prayers always to each and every one.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

MOVING ON,,,,!

This is a photo 

 of an American School Bus.

All United States School Buses are painted

a particular shade of Yellow in order to make them more noticeable

to other road users and thus safer from accident.

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In January of this year, the Kenya Government, announced that ALL school buses had to be painted a particular shade of YELLOW by the 31st March.      This was a Safety Measure to help ensure that all such buses were NOTICEABLY visible to other traffic and road users..    The Name of the School, and any other print must be painted in BLACK.   Again this is believed to be the best contrast to the yellow base-paint, and most easily SEEN - especially early morning, and late afternoon when the light is often not so pure or bright.      It is believed that this measure has been inspired by the fact that U.S. school buses have been painted in this manner by Law since 1939 in an effort to minimise accidents on the road when transporting school children.      Since then it has been confirmed that this measure was, and IS a definite benefit.       It has been a very costly undertaking, and our School has had to struggle in being able to convert our three existing buses to the new specifications.

Not everyone likes the new colour, but I guess it will soon become accepted and everyday.

HERE we can view one of our buses, as it is today in it's new colour!

The children at least are very excited by the change, and of course it makes each bus look almost new!      School buses had all been painted in different colours previously and were made distinctive in this way to each School - NOW one will have to LOOK  for the name more carefully, since each bus will now look the same as every other school bus!      But still, I think, a good move, and a SAFE one.

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ABOVE two of our grandchildren,  DARYL's son Jesse, and daughter Becky, taken not long ago when they were 19 and 15 respectively.    Jesse is in college and Becky in her final High School year.
It is our joy to have them both still close to us, and able to share in their growing up.
We are hoping to have two more of our grandchildren whom we do not see often, visit us with our son Steven in June this year - Steve's son Eric, and Elizabeth's son John-Finney.

Apart from this little news.    Our Internet Server broke down for almost ten days, and then my computer also developed its own problems.    Glad to be back.     We had no incoming post from the 5th to 30th March!!       Please forgive us for being delayed in dealing with the backlog.

Love from us all in Jesus Name

John, Esther and Daryl Green