AT THE END OF THE BLOG for last week, I mentioned that we had received some more young children into the Homes. I thought I would enclose photos of just a few this time round, and add a little more about them, and how they come to be with us. For a year or so the Authorities seemed to ignore us, and we had NO Admissions from the Children's Office; it is, therefore, encouraging to find a slight thawing in their view of us, and a willingness to bring children to us. I am unsure as to why this should be, but it may be the Government is finding plans for closing Children's Homes not quite as straight forward as was first thought. Certainly the number of children in need of help is not diminishing.
In October 2015 we received three children from Eldoret Rescue Centre, - Faith 12, Emmanuel 8, and Beckham 7. Their father had taken them to the Rescue because he said the mother had deserted the family, but in fact he had abused her, and she ran for her life. He was imprisoned thereafter. On learning where her children were, the mother visited and continued to visit. She is about forty and has started a small business selling vegetables. She also visited her husband in prison, and on his release they set up home together once more. He also found a job, and during 2016 he and his wife applied to the Children's Office to have their children (still with us) returned to them. We met with them also, and in 2017, in August it was agreed that their request be granted, though we continued to help with school fees for the children, near to where the parents lived. All seemed to go well until this year. Suddenly the mother appeared to say her husband had returned to his abusive behaviour and had tried to poison the children, and had now deserted. She was again destitute and helpless to care for the children alone. After discussion it was agreed that once again the children be brought under our care until she could improve her situation. They arrived back last week as already mentioned before. They are SO happy, and already behaving as if they had never left. We are are helping their mother to re-establish herself in small business (the one she had had to cease due to her husband's determination to have any money she made for himself.) We hope she will be able to get herself secure. Until then she will visit the kids at week-ends. She seems a serious and level headed woman, anxious for the safety of her kids.
Then,. on the 12th May we Admitted Emmanuel Kemboi, 3, and his brother Moses Kibet, 6 into Tyndale Cottage. Both children come from the Kaptagat area, about 20 kilometers from Eldoret. The case was brought to our notice by the County Children's Department.. The children's mother had left home when Moses was just three years old, due to her husband's abuse; she left both children behind her with her husband, who then went on to abuse the children. During one incident he drunkenly attacked the eldest child, Moses, and attempted to strangle him, prevented only by the intervention of a neighbour. Both children where then taken to Eldoret Rescue Centre. They spent some weeks there before being transferred to us. BOTH children had been seriously affected by the treatment of their father (now on the run from the Police) and are still quite withdrawn. I enclose photos of Moses obtained from the Rescue Centre when admitted there, and you can clearly see the marks left at that time of his father's attempted strangulation. 
We especially ask you to pray with us for 3 year old Emmauelwho though not so physically hurt, suffered considerable mental upset and apprehension, having had to see his brother so brutally treated and having no way of escape from a truly terrifying situation. Both children need spiritual healing, and without the loving help of the Holy Spirit may take some time to remove from their memory all they have been through.
In letting them join Tyndale Cottage and Micah and Catherine-Senge, we believe that the Lord Jesus will quickly be able to help them feel loved and cared for, and that their sense of security and well being will be restored to them. The Tyndale Family is a fairly young family with not too many teenagers. Also Micah and Senge will just lovingly reach out to them both.
MOSES may carry the scars on his neck for life, but we are in prayer that they may be helped to heal up completely with the help of that ' Balm of Gilead' Bishop Michael Curry referred to in his Wedding Sermon on Saturday. Blessed BE the NAME of JESUS.
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| Emmanuel & Moses |
'There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.'
NB - in the Photo of the boys together, Moses still looks a bit down and sorrowful. He had just arrived, and now both he and Emannuel are beginning to gather confidence and happiness in their new home and family. Both are already playing and making friends.
BUT they speak no English, and so they will have to work hard to fit into School where teaching is in English, generally. But we feel sure they will catch up. Emmanuel will be in Play School, and Emmanuel may have to attend the Top Class of Nursery before transferring to Primary 1 later. God's Holy Spirit will help them.
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THE MONTH OF MAY seems to have flown by! Weatherwise it has been a 'grey' month of cloud and rain and comparative cold! Still the same today, as I sit typing this out. I have to take time as it comes these days, and thus no longer can guarantee a regular Saturday Blog - just one whenever time allows. With the opening of the 2nd School Term on 4th, the student tide rolled back in from the neighborhood. But having gone on holiday spiritually on the up and up, they all seemed to returne devoid of their joy. Usually on a Sunday morning the Church is packed, during Term, and when given chance to testify and otherwise share in the Service it is hard to hold them back. Not so on their return. Almost a dearth of spiritual life smothered us. This Sunday I was the one ministering and chose 1.Peter 2v11. 'What are we doing - Where are we going? I sat down without making any Appeal. Pastor Wykliffe then got up, and just said one word, beckoning with his hand...
'COME!.........' and more than half of the congregation of 300 stood up and came to the front, many of them in tears. It was quite wonderful...........and instead of finishing, the Meeting found itself in prayer and worship and re-dedication. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Our son JAMES Manu, is currently in Nairobi where he has been job seeking and also visiting friends. His latest visit to the Eye Clinic was not so encouraging, as the occulist found too much pressure in his left eye. This has been persistent over his last three visits, and they have not discovered WHY. On the other hand there did seem improvement visually, and although on this occassion Manu suffered some discomfort for some days afterwards, he now seem happy, and his eyes quiet. This has been a long haul for him, and a worrying one. BUT he is encouraged, and it has been good to see him looking forward into the future with a prospect of once more being an independant and employed member of the community at large. This is a healthy change. He has been much inspired to know so many have prayed, and are praying for him, and I know he would have me Thank you all, as Esther and I also do. We believe Jesus will bring him through not merely to see, but to SEE God's vision and purpose for his life. He could have died the day he was born, but God gave him LIFE, with an intelligent mind, and a generous and warm heart. Our Daughter in Law, JANET, married to our son Michael, has been told she must have a 'pace-maker' and will have one installed very soon now. This is the culmination of many months, indeed years of illness which has taken some time for doctors to sort our. It is not something she would have looked for, and in many respects is a huge disappointment for her. Currently her Mum is there with her from Kenya, and so this will be of comfort and help. Mike still working hard, and Liam, now four years old, also growing well and strong. Please remember them all, as your remember us.
STEVEN, our son, may be visiting Kenya on business in the course of the next week or so, and if he does then he will surely try to fit in a visit with us - however short - and he is still hoping to be with us in July with our grandsons Eric Green and John-Finney Joseph. We are blessed.
THE MINISTRY OF TFH continues in the Strength and Power of Jesus with your own fellowship and participation. It is all by His GRACE. We are Witness to His Faithfulness at all times. Just now is a time of material challenge and spiritual dependance. God Bless you all, and keep us ALL waiting on HIM who is yet to come.....
Lovingly in His Name,
John, Esther and Daryl Green
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