TIME TO JOIN HEARTS AND HANDS TOGETHER AGAIN.

HERE IS THE 2019 TEAM of Help and Friendship from Tyndale Christian School in Adelaide, South Australia!    38 of them, and they are already IN Kenya, arriving here in Testimony on the 2nd July   WONDERFUL!    Everyone is excited to see them, and we hope they also will be anxious to see US as well.       They will, as usual, be spending most of their 14 days labouring, getting tired, and at times also perhaps dirty, applying themselves to physical projects among us.   They will be working with both us in Testimony Faith Homes, AND with Joshua and Miriam Mbithi at Neema Children's Home.
This time, with us, there will be work laying linoleum, painting, digging,  relaying paths and patios, and putting down a few recreational facilities.    Quite demanding, but they always give of their best, each of them, and leave good proof of their personal commitment and integrity.    A real Work Force, but also, at the same time,  a real Refreshment and Inspiration to the children, and to us all.    Each year this has been the case, and the relationship built up is quite amazing; the results in human and physical achievement incalculatable.

Some of the work to be done is upon a main path way that links Testimony House with The Office and also with Jacaranda compound across the road.   It also passes in front of Green Cottage. in this photo Green Cottage, our little home, is on the right, and we are looking up towards the Office and the Main Drive way out.   The patio and path were both put down 21 years ago, and are crumbling.   One or two, including me and a few other elderly visitors have taken tumbles and so there IS a need to do something to make its surface safe.....   Below to the left is a view from the office steps and down to Green Cottage

It is quite a distance, and half of it is quite WIDE.   The paving stones will be taken up, the ground again levelled, and THEN interlocking bricks will be laid down - (picture left).  This is Daryl's idea, and we think it will be a great improvement, and easier in the future to keep maintained.    Whilst this is being done there will be exploration to discover if tree roots from surrounding trees are interfering with the foundation of Green Cottage which is finding cracks occurring in the floor in places.    Below are two other views.  ONE of Green Cottage, on the left, and then one of Testimony House below it on the left where the Job materials are currently awaiting use.

In the FIRST photo, about midway up on the right can be seen a pale line crossing the lawn. This is the 'pathway' continuing from Green Cottage to Testimony  House and the main Drive again.     Thus you can, in your mind, place Testimony house (shown in the 2nd photo)  exactly opposite Green Cottage.
The RAINS have continued, and you can now see the beautiful scene around us, with so much peaceful greenery and space.  Remembering where we began fifty years ago, this is truly a little paradise.     And, indeed, I  believe God set it all up, just for us.    Especially so for those who first came here with us into Testimony  House.   But, of course it did not appear quite as it is today since the whole place had been neglected for three or more years, and was overgrown and with an air of dereliction - amazing how just a little love and care can uncover so much beauty.     And if this is so in relation to our physical surroundings, how much more this must also be true when applied to one another, and to those looking down hearted and themselves derelict.
Of course June/July is Kenya's usual 'winter-time', and with the Rains come cooler, even colder days.   So far rain has not interfered with daily work loads, and we trust this will remain so whilst the Team is with us.    We also hope that, even so, the rains will continue to be regular so that we might hope for the End of August to give us a few DRY and even sunny days to Celebrate with.

This is a fairly recent photo of me - just to prove I am alive and well, and indeed I Thank God for every day of good health.  My dear sister, a year my senior, has not enjoyed such good health, and now it is hard, at this distance (she is living in Scotland), for us to have any way of communication.    She has continued to be in and out of hospital for last eight years, and has suffered many minor strokes that have complicated her ability to write or even to carry on a clear conversation.    Very frustrating for us both, since having only just (in 2011) discovered each other, we must now still be resigned to knowing each other is there, but without the ability to benefit.     But at the least we ARE able to pray for her and to trust God for her eternal blessing.

AND I cannot leave out my dearest and only WIFE, Esther, who after 48 years of marriage is now more than ever part of me;  She has stopped dying her hair these days, and so she is quite grey, but in herself still radiates the beauty that has always been her's, both within and without.  We have and do enjoyed great joy and happiness, but we have also many times had to suffer each other, and in enduring have found ourselves so much ONE that we can never regret our patience toward one another - just as God Himself has patience toward ALL of us.     LORD you have Blessed us, and we look forward to have many days together yet, days to enjoy each other, and to show others the enduring happiness of keeping faith in all our relationships, and overlooking all those imperfections in one another, forgiving them, and making them bind us the more together.

Now, I will close for today - the RAIN has begun again.     Our evening is beginning early with the clouds darkening the daytime.......but it will be truly dark here by 7p,m.  and if it continues cold we may even light a fire!       Our love to you all, with deep and heartfelt thanksgiving for your faithful fellowship, day by day, in Jesus.
Lovingly in Him,

|John, Esther, and Daryl Green

GRADUATION!

YESTERDAY, 21st JUNE, one of our many daughters Graduated from Egerton University!  A great Day for her, and for all of us.     Daisy (in her cap and gown) came to us in June 2005 when she was eleven, together with her elder brother Evans aged 14.    Both a little older than we usually like to Admit, but their need was quite urgent.    Both proved to be good students, and we are especially happy to see Daisy Graduating with an Upper Second.        She is hoping to pursue a career in Community Development.    She is already employed, and setting her sights on the future with the LORD as her Guide and Companion in the Way.    Please remember to spare a prayer for her - Daisy
Chep-chir-chir.     Her last name is not hyphenated - I have done so in order to show more clearly how it is pronounced - exactly as it is spelt, in three syllables.       All those in the GROUP photograph are members of the Testimony Family who were growing up together in the nineties and on.
LATER  TODAY at around 4p.m. our time, we shall have a small Farewell party for her in Green Cottage, with a few house parents and others, before she sets off tomorrow for Nairobi, and the future.      We usually like to send off those who have completed education, and who have found employment with some encouragement, and also to ensure that family values and concern will always be found here, and a welcome promised whenever they want to visit.      BUT, not all have left us comfortably. Some have just walked out, without backward look. Not SO many, but some, and we don't forget them, but continue to pray after them, that eventually, in the Grace of God, they will find themselves in the Kingdom.

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JUBILEE NEWS.      All is going on well.     Currently we are thinking that some SIX HUNDRED may descend on us at least  part of the Saturday Program

We are planning the MAIN Meeting in the form of a Service of Remembrance  and Celebration which will commence 10 a.m., and run until 1p.m.    Thereafter LUNCH for all.    We hope ALL guests will attend this meeting.
In the afternoon there will be time to walk around.   There will also be a Photographic Display to see, and also some Video to be seen.

ONE OF OUR BIG PROBLEMS REMAINS GETTING A REASONABLE IDEA OF EXACT NUMBERS.     We have very few PHYSICAL addresses available -  E-mail addresses tend to change without notice as well as mobile numbers.      This means that we do not know how to SEND an Invitation to you, and we do not KNOW who is definitely aiming to be with us, OR how many there will be with us - i.e. husband. wife, children.       ANY IDEAS?

ANOTHER problem is being able to provide copies of our Jubilee Brochure to those who are overseas       The cost of sending ONE copy to Europe, for example, is now Ksh.1500/- which is really beyond our ability to provide for.        I had hoped to maybe find how may of our overseas friends might like a copy and then have those attending return to their Country with them to post for us there - but this seems to be little different,cost wise, since post costs inland seem as much as airmail from here.         However not many of you - only six - have been touch requesting us to reserve a copy for them.  so perhaps we shall not need to worry - though it would have have been a joy  to share our Jubilee with  you all in some small way.

ACCOMMODATION is also a factor we are looking into /
Esther and I can accommodate up to FOUR at present.     The School can accommodate up to 200  in their Boarding Dorms and cubicles..      We might expand this by using some classrooms as well.  Of  course MANY will not need accommodation.    They will live locally.    But others from out of the Country or at a distance from our locality may need to consider ensuring having a bed somewhere.
Events beginning so early on the Saturday, it will be necessary to arrive find accommodation on the Friday evening.     We will happily do our best to assist, but we need to KNOW before you arrive!

For those who are hoping to come we would kindly as you to try and get friends in the town to offer accommodation OR if you are able, book into a Guest House..     We regret that we can only assist with making bookings, and NOT with the cost incurred.    Neither can we offer to pay TRANPORT costs to and from Eldoret.         It is not that we wish to seem uncharitable, but you will realise we truly could not afford to make such an offer when we will already be expending a lot of funds just to host the Event.

We still have almost TWO month to go to settle all the details.    BUT it is really  not very long, and we would like any assistance you can give in helping us solve any of the above matters.   We are praying and believing for a truly Blessed Occasion.

We are working on a Final Program, and if possible I will publish it soon on  this Blog.

Please understand that due to the fact that we have limited space and facilities we also will ONLY allow ENTRANCE to these Events on production of an INVITATION.       Without an Invitation  our Gate Wardens will NOT allow anyone to gain entrance.

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FINALLY for today a photo of the Greens of Eldoret minus James Manu who was not with us that day.   At the back left is Daryl, then Becky, then Granma, then Granpa, and in the front row from the left is Jeremy,  then Carol, then Jesse - quite a group.

MUCH love to you all, and keep  praying for us as we also do for you.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

D-DAY 

6TH JUNE 1944

AN INVASION TO PUSH BACK EVIL.

A GREAT SACRIFICE IN ORDER TO GAIN GREAT VICTORY.

but what a mess it must have seemed, what hellish chaos.

hundreds of Allied ships gathered in the early morning light, off-loading thousands of Allied troops into the churning sea.    The roar of gunfire.  Shells from the destroyers whistling over head, and the thunder as they found their mark on the enemy upon the shore.   Smoke, shouting, screaming, all amid the surging water, and bodies, already dead before they reached the beaches; left behind by their living comrades, committed to living and succeeding in overwhelming the opposing force entrenched upon the land beyond.     Surely God was with them.
More than 2000 from the United Kingdom, and 2000 from the United States
plus others from those Allied together with them,
DIED on that day, in that Action.
BUT THE GERMAN NAZIS WERE PUSHED BACK
and finally
DEFEATED.

I was then only four years old, part of my little time spent in London, and later in Yorkshire in the North of England.     I remember the sound of bombs still, one landing not a hundred yards from where I was living at the time.    I remember the Air Raid Sirens sounding off to warn the people to take cover; to run for their lives, to find shelter.     I wrote a little about this in the Blog of 29th April 2017.       I grew up feeling greatly beholden to those who fought so bravely, and who were to give up their lives in such numbers.    I have also always felt a sense of wonder and thanksgiving that they did it all with such comradeship and united vision, valuing their free heritage and Christian tradition.     I felt it again as I watched and listened to so many of those who were there at the time, and who lost so many of their comrades in the sea, and on the beaches and on the land that day.     To them their Memories remained fresh and forever, as their voices quavered and the tears ran down their faces, as they relived the scene and suffered again seeing so many dear comrades fall at their side.   THEY lived to tell the story.        Many of their own relatives and family had never heard from them the events of that Day until NOW.    Very moving, but I was myself moved, and also glad to see, so long after the event,  such human pride and thanksgiving for their achievement.     YET I CANNOT FIND A REASON TO GLORY IN WAR.    I cannot refuse to honour the bravery of the countless lives that fort against us, or the countless families left bereft and deeply wounded by their loss, even as we ourselves.    Indeed I have often found myself distressed for them.     WAR is nothing to CROW about, even when we might excuse it to be necessary.      God Himself, as it is written, has no pleasure or satisfaction in the death of any, at any time, for any reason.      Ezekiel 18v31-32    Friend or Foe.

The Kings / Presidents / Governments of the earth war together, but are seldom in front of the battle.  They call upon the common men and women to go to the Front and die.......'Cannon Fodder' they were, and may still be, called!      Not expendable, but not necessarily missed, they went gallantly and bravely forward to shield king and country.        I am glad to see them praised.    But it will not stop WAR.   Will not bring to an end the Differences of a Few using the generous good will of the masses to fight for them, and if necessaary die for them.      Not praiseworthy - yet necessary?    Perhaps, but God Himself is not happy with it - even when HE has seen it to be necessasry.

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Here is a photo of one of our boys who grew up in Jacaranda Cottage.    In this photo he is about to leave us and take up a pastorate with the African Inland Church, for which he trained.   He came to us when his legs were in irons, but still very mobile, and today he is without them, and his problem solved.     He is a very effervescent person, very active, optimistic, and cheerful.  He was 10 when he arrived.  Bright, but playful! His name is Mariko Epa, and he is taller by a few inches than me.
During his Secondary School years Mark suddenly turned from his playfulness and made a serious decision to give his life to Christ, and there after his life was transformed!    It was so marked that it really spoke to all his peers and the children he had grown up with.   On leaving Form 4,  and then in April 2016 he entered Bible College.    He is now pastoring in Kitale some 80 kilometers away from us, and God is truly blessing his ministry there.     He arrived this week to advise us that the Lord had found him a young lady who had agreed to marry him!   Well we had been in prayer for this, so we were were glad to hear the news.      |He will be bringing her to see us soon, then there will be a pre-wedding on the 31st August in Kitale before the expected Wedding in December.    Wow!      It was just yesterday he was 10, crippled, and unhappy.    And now he is 30 and healed, happy, and occupied for God.     All to the Praise and Glory of God.   How we Do rejoice for him, and in him.     Thank you Lord Jesus.

NB - More can be read about Mark in the Blog of 30th April 2016.

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General Matters

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THE WEATHER has now changed from summer to Winter; marked coolness, cloudiness, and SOME little RAIN.    But at least, although little, the rain is coming in pretty regular showers, so the immediate problem, at least in our area, has been relieved.    We have water back in the taps and we Rejoice greatly.

THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES have no far not replied to an invitation to meet with the Mangements of Charitable Chidlren's Homes in our County to discuss in greater depth what might yet be possible.

We are still pressing forward to encourage this to happen soon, and we are FAR from giving up hope that we shall see a door opening for the future soon.   Please continue to pray as we continue to take children IN to our homes.      AND YES, it IS incongruous that whilst insisting we are being 'Closed'

the Department is STILL sending children to us!!

50TH ANNIVERSARY IN AUGUST - Arrangement still going on.    We expect up to 500, visitors including our old boys and girls.     The main Meeting will be on the Saturday the 24th.   distant visitors are expected to arrive on Friday 23rd.   We shall be using School Dorms to accommodate some, and others may arrange their own accommodation with friends or family in town.    On the Sunday we shall have a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in the morning.

The Brochure is now printed and available but will not be officially given out until that week-end.

Those wishing to have a copy, but not able to attend the Celebration, should book a copy NOW so that we can reserve one and arrange to have it sent or brought to you.

DRAKELEY COTTAGE -has been shut most of this year, and the family moved to Testimony House.

We had not been taking in more children since November last year, and the Floor at one end of the Cottage had begun to suffer subsidence.     This is now being attended too, and the entire house cleaned and made ready to receive more children within the next month.      Hesketh and Alice Muli will  houseparents.

Looking out of the window, the sky is BLACK with rain-clouds, and thunder is already rolling hidden their midst..    It is suddenly COLD, and any minute it will definitely RAIN.    The lawns now a lush green, are already grown more than 6 inches high - not close to an 'elephant's eye' yet though.

We are all much in prayer at this time on all counts, and we would humbly ask you to also remember to put a word or two in front of our Father in Heaven on our behalf, in Jesus Name.    God Bless you.

I have sent out Updates to all now, and you should all have received by next week.

Our love and Prayer always to and for each one.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

FAMILY

HERE IS A PHOTO OF SOME OF THE GREEN FAMILY TAKEN IN 2014 AT ESTHER'S 70TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Back Left.  Anthony Bones, |(Pastor), Richard, (Business-man). Lucky, (Civil-engineer) Christopher (Pastor / Business-man)  Michael (Programmer) Bottom Left,  Francis  (Chef / Houseparent in Drakeley Cottage)  Daryl (CEO-TFH), David, (Accountant / Farmer), Steven, IT specialist.

They are all close to us, and support us as good sons in the Family.    All except, regretfully, Francis who sadly passed away to Glory last year.   But these all grew up together with us, and with each other, and the ties that bind them and us together are very close indeed.    BUT they are only a handful that represent so many, many others, now scattered from us in the U.S.A.,  Australia, England, and of course throughout Kenya.    THE GOVERNMENT says it is closing us down with all other Children's Homes because we destroy the concept of family life.   WELL in August we hope to demonstrate OUR Family Life as we all come together to celebrate 50 years of Happy Memories and strong ties of affection, and support for each other.      Blessed BE the Name of the LORD Who brought us all together, and continues to be our Guide and Teacher, making a family home where there was none.

 a glimpse of the 'Many More' but only a glimpse!

Each year there are more, and will be more.

Even IF the Home were closed, 

THE FAMILY

will live on, and go on expanding.

And we shall continue to Celebrate Family year by year.

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THIS IS A PHOTO OF MY SISTER PAT, AND ME TAKEN IN APRIL 2011 on her 72nd Birthday.   We had never met before. Both us had been  separated due the breakdown of our parents marriage.   I had been adopted, and did not discover I had a sister until 2011.    We found ourselves to be very alike, and we 'clicked' straight away.    We both had missed so many years.   She had been taken away by her Father when she  was two, and he remarried.    What a nightmare 'Family' can be!
Our mother also remarried.    Pat's new mother did not like her, and she had a hard time for the next eleven years.  And my adoptive family was otherwise a childless marriage, and already on the rocks.  So much for family life - nothing is perfect, and certainly humanity is not.   We both suffered away from home - our real home with our real parents.    She ran away when she was 14,and worked as a shop girl...........Much later she married - and that marriage lasted fifty years before her husband died of a heart attack just before
we met. My adoptive parents separated, and my adoptive mother ran off with another man, taking me with her when I was ten.  For seven years we then ran from place to place, unable to pay our way anywhere. I seriously missed having a Father, and my sister missed a good Mother. But we both made good and found a home and family of our own. I found Esther, and after 48 years are still in love, and happy in our marriage together.
Family IS something important and desirable.   A happy stable marriage with each partner keeping their promises to each other, and willing to suffer and even if necessary endure one another, makes for a stable and secure home for children to grow and learn in.    Yes, and even the occasional problem does no harm if the marriage is secure and stable.     I think WE both missed 'home', and we certainly missed a parent who loved us.     BUT we  did not find ourselves In Care, in an institutional Orphanage - and we did not miss it, for all the problems we went through 'at home'.

When I took my first two boys in I did not think of building an institution, and when I asked Esther to marry me 2 years later, we both agreed that we wanted a family, not an institution.   We wanted to offer children without a home and loving, caring parents,what they lacked - a happy, secure home, with loving parents.    Our home and family would open up to whosoever God sent to us with such a need...............NOW the Government has become soured with what they feel is the average Charitable Children's Home, where they say they have found generalised incidences of peadophilic and institutional abuse, far removed from family..       Are they right?     They rarely identify the actual institution they accuse, and there is no doubt there may be some.  BUT surely not ALL.
Nevertheless, they DO have to act with proper responsibility toward the safety of children.  They have decided to Re-integrate all children who may have been committed to Children's Homes who may still have parents or relatives able to give them a home.    Or, failing this, to have children currently in care to be either Fostered or Adopted.      Yes, on the surface we accept this could be preferable to being institutionalised.     BUT none of these intentions might always lead to success.
Also the Follow up, in order to assure children are still not abused, or used, even in their new placement, might be difficult to ensure, due to lack of personnel available to actually  do it.  THEN also the initial upheaval caused to the children themselves, and the added trauma to what they may already have been exposed to, might cause an even greater injury, to the 50,000 or so currently in Care.

We are not an Institution, and have not suffered any incidents in the families we have set up, so that I dare to say children (accepting that they are NOT in their own homes) have lived happy, secure, and (apart from normal restraint found in any well ordered family) peaceful lives in stable surroundings, with loving foster parents living in with them night and day.

We no not mind being SHUT DOWN as a C.C.I., if that must be the case, BUT we would like an opportunity to be re-scheduled as a FOSTER HOME / Reception Centre.    The numbers needing care are STILL rising.    Surely all those of us honestly offering FREE care and protection should not just be told to Go Away - You are not needed?        We ARE needed,  we should be taken advantage of for the sake of the children.      Right now we need to PUT THE CHILDREN FIRST, and all the sociological arguments second.    After all, it is certain not ALL the children can be returned to families that have already been labelled unsuitable, OR to foster or adopt.   Some will be too old, too ugly, too sick, .........   WHERE will they go - to an INSTITUTION.       Surely not.   TFH would like to remain a refuge for needy children - even they might be the most unwanted dregs.   Oh LORD help Kenya Government to talk with us, and those of like mind with us, and find a way to USE us for their children's sake.   We ask it in JESUS Name!     And we Believe you hear us, and it will be so.


Our  Love again to all of you, our dear even wider family of friends and supporters in Christ.   Make our prayer your prayer also on our behalf.   Let us storm the Gates of Heaven, together.


Affectionately always in His Love, Mercy and Grace

|John Esther and Daryl Green



NB - We shall be sending our our 2nd Update next with with acknowedgement.

         If you WOULD like a copy of the Jubilee Brochure please let us know before the 24th August in order that we can  assure  one will be available.