One or two of them did not do well in the Class they were in and parents decided to let them REPEAT. This in order to let them mature a little, and gain better focus in their studies.
BUT these days the educational pundits feel that this is a wrong idea. Children should go on, no matter what. For them to beheld up will effect them badly psychologically and give them all kinds of other 'hang ups' that will effect their attitude to school and learning generally.
KENYA, as it always does, follows the rest of the enlightened world, and is also now BANNING parents, or even School Authorities, to insist on a child repeating a Class. I am, generally, happy to go along with this. I do believe it is more damaging for a child to have to be left behind, and see his/ her classmates pass on in front. It is a special embarrassment and also an added reason for a child to feel inferior, or a failure. BUT there are ARE cases were to let a child continue to follow and progress by fiat in an average school, might prove even more damaging. WE, here in Testimony Homes often find a child with a special need or challenge in their lives, which adversely affects their aptitude in academic pursuits. Currently we have four who have consistently been unable to cope with with normal written studies. Not retarded, but definitely either very without interest in academic studies - though with certain aptitude in various physical and even technical areas. In the past we have been free to remove them from a class to assist them to 'catch up' under a special curriculum, prior to later rejoining their class encouraged and better equipped, OR even removing them from formal school and putting them to a more vocational training in order for them not to wast precious years, and to provide a short cut to being prepared to earn their own living in order to secure their own life and Independence. ALL of them are now facing a CONTINUANCE in formal school. They have just completed their final year in Primary, all at the bottom of the class, and will now - according to the latest Directive from the Ministry of Education here - have to continue on to High School. This will definitely present us (and no doubt a large number of other caring parents) with huge difficulties, including the worry of finding another four years of comparatively wasted education in the wrong direction, with the prospect, of at the end, still having to find a future for a child still unprepared or trained to leave home. It is called PROGRESS. As if all the learning and wisdom previously discovered had never taken place, and we are faced with NEW and advanced knowledge that has suddenly sprung in the minds of a new generation who have no previous awareness of how they managed to be where they are. AND, of course, this is just another manifestation of how The Rights of the Child are slowly taking away the right of a parent to choose and have authority over their children. It is, in truth, not the People who Rule, but just a few elected representatives who in the end promote their own ideas and view, often far removed from, and without even the understanding of those they are said to be speaking for! So much for Democracy .. God of course is rarely regarded. And if He were, then there would only BE His Will to deal with. A Tyranny? Possibly, if HE were unjust and unrighteous and unholy. He however IS all of these things, in Perfection. He has the RIGHT to Rule, but we, poor fallen, muddle headed, selfish creatures, cannot in reality be trusted to Rule or Guide anyone, even ourselves. Ah, how I long to see Him COME, and to experience HIS Kingdom on this Earth.
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Stan passed on to Glory five years ago, and we missed his letters and his exhortations, even though the Love of the Saints in the Assembly he began, continues to reach out in support and encouragement to us all. I am saying thus, since after Stan's passing, Doreen lived on until 2nd January this year, when she also passed on to be with the Lord. She had not been well for some time, and contracting Pneumonia, the Lord had mercy and took her into his arms. Our daughter, Elizabeth, who had always felt so very close to both Stan and Doreen, was able to be at Doreen's Funeral, even as she and her brothers were at Stan's. We shall miss them, but not ever forget them, nor all the family Bob, Val, Jan, and Shirley who we also love and pray for and remember. NOW we look to the day when we shall ALL be together again as we meet in the clouds of His Coming. What a DAY that will be.Doreen was buried yesterday, 17th January. Many of our children in Testimony Homes will also remember her; her loving affectionate laugh, and gentle spirit, always able to be there for a hug and a little private prayer - always together with Stan, a constant example, together, of Jesus being their life and strength. We Thank our Father in Heaven for such companions, such good friends, and such a strong sister and brother in the Lord Jesus.
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James Manu, our son, has just returned from his latest visit to the Eye Clinic. He has to attend at least one every month. His good eye is still suffering an infection which is proving difficult to eradicate. The drug needed to be prescribed cannot be given safely so far, as Manu's liver is also showing a weakness. However, this is said to be only temporary, and as soon as it has improved the new medication for his eye will commence. Good hope for his right eye therefor is still believed for. His Epilepsy has eased under medication, but his medication for this has also affected his liver! It also tends to make him sleepy - BUT his doctor and neurologist both feel a different drug will improve this situation, and he will start with it soon. He is very patient, but even so often feels depressed by this, and by the fact that he still cannot find regular work, and yet is responsible for himself. We continue to love him, and to believe for him, that he will yet come to trust in God's love for him, and even discover healing. Thank you for remembering him, and for praying for him.
This month has seemed to be somehow a long one; we are still only half way through it. School has opened, and now most of our kids are IN school, but we do still have a good number waiting to begin their College Year, and a number more waiting to START out on a Course for the first time after leaving High School last year. Always a bit of a Hurley burly, every January. But we are ALL well, and generally there is good and happy spirit pervading the Homes and School together. We DO thank God for His Grace and Mercy, fresh every morning to us all.
God Bless and be with you all, and uphold you day by day, constantly proving His Presence with you in JesusName
John, Esther and Daryl Green
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