Our FIRST Term was supposed to close on 8th April BUT the Covid 19 Virus arrived and turned all our order into chaos. The Government closed ALL Schools on Monday 16th MARCH. And ever since it has looked forsaken and empty as in the photo above. Of course OUR children are still with us in their respective family homes, but the 700 odd outsiders from the district have all returned to their own homes - and many had not completed paying their Fees for the Term. And still no sign that Schools will re-open in the near future. And no outstanding Fees coming in to pay for the teachers salaries for April. No guarantees that we might open at the commencement of 2nd Term in May, OR at any time in the foreseeable future! Even then, not without a considerable need to change in the way pupils are accommodated in the Classroom.
AND if Schools do NOT open, indefinitely, what will happen to our children here in Kenya, and in all other places. The damage being done already psychologically, from this suspension of Learning, together with the Lock down in force generally putting the nations in a state of 'limbo', can only eventually bring civil unrest and an increase in crime. There is no Welfare System here that will assist all those losing their income from being laid off without pay, No possibility of finding alternative income from some other employment......THIS also causes many to revolt against Government efforts and mechanisms to contain the Virus, especially in those areas not current 'hot spots' in the Country. So far Cases confirmed remain mainly from Mombasa / Nairobi regions. SO if one lives in an area were no cases are being recorded, WHY wear masks, and distance ourselves from each other, or leave our jobs, or close our schools. SO far we have seen only GOOD order and obedience generally - but we are still at the beginning - Tomorrow the rest of Kenya may find herself also engulfed, and challenged. People have to eat - and people have to have HOPE.
We all live currently with the Specter of the Virus at our elbow. We now have to see each other de-humanised by face masks, walking, standing or sitting apart suspiciously wary of each other. Will this ever be reversed? We do not know right now. Maybe life on Earth will never be the same.
EVEN the swimming pool has had to be closed under the general ban on all places of social entertainment and gathering together.
We have so far been refused to use the facility for our Homes children - (since we are officially 'quarentined' and cut off from the outside, we had thought we may be allowed to use it just for our selves). A great silence hovers all around us, with a huge reduction in traffic noise from our nearby roadways, plus the decrease in human chatter and hubbub from the normal school population.
As of this morning Kenya has 336 confirmed Cases all from Nairobi and Mombasa Areas
14 are recorded as having died for the Virus. and 95 Recovered
14 are recorded as having died for the Virus. and 95 Recovered
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On the HOMES side, looking unto Jesus for our provision and general need, including payment of our forty strong staff salaries, HE has continued to maintain us without spoiling us or indulging us unduly. WE have all been healthy and in good spirits.
We have been content, and we do rejoice in the comfort of God's love and care of us all. This month we had wondered how the LORD would yet again feed us all and pay our bills. We have been warned by many that Covid 19 will diminish missionary and charitable giving generally, but so far not ourselves. But income is not 'fixed', and we cannot count on how much will come in, or even from where. On the 17th a gift arrived at our Bank (unknowingly - they did not inform us till the 21st) that immediately took care of 50% of our need for the current month. Then, actually on the 21st again we heard that a Gift from the other side of the world had been sent and was on the way to us of another amount making a further 50% of what we basically needed for the rest of the month. How Faithful our Father in Heaven IS, and how faithfully His children, who hear His Voice, ARE. Thus we are marooned within our compounds, yet not cut off from the Hand of God, or His People. Very privileged, and very Blessed. and very humbled at the Throne of Grace.
We have had to send SIX of our staff AWAY (apart from the Houseparents, ourselves, our pastor and his wife, and our Dairy man, and 2 Watchmen for Security) We will still be paying them however, as we have not terminated them, but merely suspended them temporarily. NO ONE is allowed to gain entrance who is not resident here. This excludes our son James Manu from visiting, but we are in regular electronic contact, and he is managing well. And also Daryl, since he lives six kilometres away in his own apartment with his family. He also keeps.. in touch electronically every day, though.
Peter Njugunah; Mary Nduta; Mark Kiptoo; Anthony Faragu, Pauline Nekesa; Edwin Kipkemboi
Joan Deizu; Daisy Maiyo; Sarah Muthoni
Joan Deizu; Daisy Maiyo; Sarah Muthoni
These are all responsible and serious young people. The photo was taken when they were dressed casually during some time off, teaching, and we are very glad and thankful to them, that they have been able to overcome the sudden interruption of their higher education, and to joyeously use the time for their younger brothers and sisters whilst they are locked down with us all . There as many more who also work most mornings around the Homes and in the grounds to make up for diminished staff, and to put to some good use at least part of their forced vacation. It has been a time for us to be very encouraged and happy to see so many taking hold of good character and duty to God and to each other. All of them Bright Stars in what would have been a very gloomy picture.
TO the LEFT a photo put up in on 27th April 2019, showing the collapse of part of one of our iconic Giant Euphobia bushes.
Just this week the still quite substantal remains also fell down and has now been carted away. It must have been at least 80 years growing.
The remaining TWO bushes on this drive way must be of a similar age, and may also begin to fall at any time.
We are not sure if we will replace them with a young Bush of the same species, or with something quite different. WE shall miss them after fifty years of seeing them every day!
All things do come to an end, sometime.
We send you all our Love and Prayers in our LORD Jesus. He is gathering all His Children into His arms, as we go through these new experiences, and Time. We are safe in His Arms; Everlasting Arms. God Bless and Assure you all moment by moment of His Nearness.
Lovingly in Him
John, Esther, and Daryl Green
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