The Wedding took place in one of our Town's Churches, The Africa Inland Church (Fellowship Church) at 10a.m. yesterday! It was the ONLY day available at this time - so many getting married it seems in this month of April. They were duly Married together by one of our Old Boys from the Homes, The Reverend Moses Ongonga, who is also an A.I.C. minister in the Fellowship Church All our Staff and Children - past and present - seemed to be in attendance, except for Daryl Green who was involved in some event in the Nairobi Area and unable to make it. But Carol, his wife, was with us, and this was so good, since Betty grew up with Daryl and Carol in Testimony House for many years from 1998 to 2008. After that Alice and Hesketh became Mum and Dad till she started out in life, on finishing College. And so of course Alice and Hesketh, who were in fact on leave, made sure they were with us for the Day. And Esther and I could not miss since basically it was to us that Betty's Father, who was terminally ill at the time, turned, and pleaded for us to take her, and her brothers into our care, on his death. His wife, their mother, had already died. It was a very sad and poignant matter. He himself died shortly afterwards, and so initially, just before Daryl and Carol took over Testimony House from us as house parents, they all came to us.........They have all been 'special' ever since to us both.
WELL it WAS a brilliant day, and it was a real JOY to be there, with everyone. So many of the extended Family were also there to witness their sister's long awaited wedding to Dan. AFTER the Service there was a BIG reception in the Church grounds with Lunch and Entertainment for all. Esther and I finally left at about 4p.m. We were feeling tired, having both got up at 6a.m. to get the Bride and Bridesmaids all ready. Feeling our age a little - probably the heat as well, it was up in the eighties most of the day.
Betty's brothers all came into our care together in 1998. Solomon also is an Accounts Clerk in our Office, Then Moses is working in Banking. Benson also into Banking, and Boniface still seeking steady employment. They have all grown up peacefully, and in Jesus, as if they had known us all their lives. We feel the same about them, but it is hard not to feel the same about ALL who we have personally had to do with.Our daughter Helen, still unmarried, arrived on Wednesday to be with us for some weeks during the Easter Break, together with her daughter, our grand daughter Abigail now aged five. Helen was one of the Brides maids and Abby was flower Girl. Great to have them with us again, and good to see them both well and loving the Lord Jesus. He is so loving and kind. Helen is on the left in the photo and Beverly Jebres, another old girl from Testimony House is on the right.
We are blessed to still be alive to see so many blessings grown up.
IT HAS BEGUN TO RAIN! It started on Monday with just a brief evening shower, and has so continued. Nothing too heavy, but at least the 'earnest of our expectation. But the days are so far still full of sunshine, AND heat! |I never do very well in hot weather; makes me feel quite drained of energy, but on the other hand I am feeling very well indeed. And looking forward to Easter. AND we are fortunate not to have a lot of glitzy advertising about the 'Holiday Season' - not even an Easter Egg in sight! Regretfully neither is there much sign that Jesus DIED for the World to be seen or heard. Very eerie feeling really - sort of an uneasy sense of waiting - for something to happen!
ON the 17th we are expecting David Brook, another dear friend from Huddersfield to be with us and to remain until the 22nd. David taught here in Alliance Girls School many, many years ago, and it is good to be able to keep our friendship going on. ALSO we are expecting our son Steven to visit over Easter, shortly - and then, before we know it, April will almost be done. This years seems to be going like turning the pages of a book.......we shall arrive at August all to soon.... And in between we shall be Greeting yet another Team of Students and Friends from Tyndale Christian School in South Australia - they expect to be with us early July.
EASTER will commence for us on Thursday 18th April with a commemorative Supper. Each Home will Remember the Lord's Passover Supper separately. Then usually some hymns and prayer.
GOOD FRIDAY Service on the 19th which usually follows a program of SEVEN Readings, and then, after each one, a short comment from different Christians who feel led from among us.
THEN finally a short Word of Conclusion.
SUNDAY we do not celebrate the Resurrection - it is a Sunday apart, Jesus not yet risen. I hope to minister the Word that day on Proverbs 10v12 - 'Love covers a multitude of sin.'
MONDAY MORNING is Resurrection Day for us all, Everyone together again for Praise and Worship, Breaking of Bread, Testimonies and a Word of Exhortation.
We shall not be so many this year - about 120 kids, and maybe 12 staff (some are away this year for their annual leave) and a few friends and neighbours from around us + any guest visiting.
We do pray that the Lord, who loves us, and longs for our fellowship, will be very close and real to you all during the week to come. The whole of the year ahead pivots on these few days when so much was done for us. Indeed the whole of our life pivots on it. Our love to you all, each and ever one, and our deep appreciation for all you do for us in prayer, and in often support. Truly we are made aware of how much GOD loves us when we see the same love in you and your care for us.
It is all to and for His Glory.
John, Esther, and Daryl Green
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