NOT A VERY GOOD PHOTO, but a very special one.     On Wednesday evening, in Testimony House, we were saying Farewell to one of our daughters who grew up in Drakeley Cottage family.   PAULINE came to us in 2003 when she was only seven years old.    For most of that time her Dad and Mum were to be Francis and Eunice Lahol.    Now, after 18 years of being daughter to many, and sister to many more, as she grew up, she is leaving us to begin an independent life as a NURSE.     It has been her ambition from when she was still young, and now she has attained it, graduating with Distinction.     She is to join the Africa Inland Church in a newly commenced missionary enterprise, initially in Athi River, south ease of Nairobi..       To begin with she may be the only Nurse there!      She is so happy, and we also happy with her, and rejoicing to know that she goes hand in hand with Jesus, her Lord and Savior.      We sent her off with a little party held with members of her Drakeley Cottage family ( now abiding in Testimony House ) with Mum Eunice, and a few others including ourselves.      Cake, Soda, a Presentation Bible and a small monetary Gift to  start her off with; it was a GOOD time!    We know we will keep in touch, and this the way we hope each and every one of our children will one day be able to step confidently out to begin their own life!      It does not always happen, and instead we often lose sight of one or another as they rush to please themselves away from us.          Thankfully many of them do return later to tell us GOD met up to them, and they realised how much their stay with us all in TFH, this finally come to mean to them.        IT IS ALL OF GRACE!  

OUR AIM

From the onset, before we were married,

the Holy Spirit spoke to us both,

and told us to open our hearts and home

to children who had lost both home and family.

Yes, we would have our own home and family,

but we would share it with those children who had neither.

                                                             

We tried have hard to accomplish this!

It was harder than we thought.  Our hearts hurt sometimes

But we pressed onwards, knowing we were bound to make errors in our parenting.

We have, but we have learnt.    We have continued to pursue the Vision.

NOW we have four extended families, each with a married couple,

doing their best to be Dads and Mums to children not their own;

NOT their own, but just as if they ARE their own in Jesus Name.

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DO YOU SEE THE IDEA?

It hasn't changed - though it has been contested!

Contested by our own imperfection in letting it BE diluted here and there!

And contested by sociological changes made by Government in the way they see 

how needs of homeless children should be provided.

BUT we CONTINUE to pursue the Vision.

Both for the Children, God brings to our doors,

AND for the men and women who proclaim their calling to work with us.

WE STILL NEED to accept being One Family Together in the wider sense

This was our family in 1987

there are more than 450 in our Family so far

WE would ask you to join us in prayer.    Pray for us that we might be prevented from sliding out of the concept of being a family, into the equivalent of a secular institution, with groups of orphans who sometimes feel away from, instead of AT home; and Mums and Dad who feel like 8 - 6 Care-workers who are sometimes on duty and sometimes OFF, rather than loving parents always there and on call for their children.        This can happen - is happening.       We are forgetting to be family,   Staff are becoming 'individuals' working together, instead of brother and sisters together in a Family - Staff not Mums and Dads.      And our children are beginning not to 'FEEL'  brother and sister, sons and daughters in one big family complex.      They might begin to feel shepherded, guarded, instead of loved, valued.    There has become a feeling of  ourselves being 'employees',  and the children as work-load.

I guess  it could be a case of  taking things for granted, and forgetting to  keep up with  the inspirational moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives together.      We ARE working on it, and there IS an assurance that we shall be restored and improved, if not perfected.      We are not sitting back satisfied that all is as it CAN be, we are striving afresh and anew towards the high mark of our Calling.     Hope you might grasp  just a little of what I am trying to convey.        We are not depressed or cast down, but enlivened to dust ourselves down and press on.       You all  know the Enemy and his Wiles.     Well I think he nearly had us sleeping with our eyes open, and just not SEEING what was happening.

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We do Thank God for continuing to supply our daily Bread, and we also Thank all those who, on hearing the prompting of His Spirit, re-acted to offer themselves as His hands and feet = together you combined with His Love and Care to provide for us.    Blessed be you all in Jesus Name.   We have all continued to be well, and the School Holiday has gone well.    We should re open on the 10th MAY, and we are looking forward to it.     Secondary Form 1 may open later this year.     There has been quite a lot of messing about with the Termly timetables, and it will probably not get back to normal before next year.

Covid 19 Update.

Curfews are still in place since my last report.

Numbers being tested vary from day to day -    from as few as 400 up to 5,000 +

As of yesterday, 22nd April this was the situation

Cases Tested 5,673                 Cases Positive  904

NAIROBI still top of the list for daily Positive Cases

Cumulative totals

Cases Tested     Positive Cases   Recovered     Deaths

 1.624,663              154,392              105,367       2,560

Current Positivity @ 15.9%

MOST of our Staff now having had their 1st Jab.   2nd one due on 24th May.    NO effects noticed by anyone .

YESTERDAY it actually RAINED heavily for about an hour.     It is forecast to continue rain LIGHTLY FOR THE NEXT WEEK.     We shall see.      We were more than thankful for the little received yesterday - today, so far, no sign of any more!     

We try to remember each of you as God lights up you name, day by day.    We need to always lift up each other, for every day we need help, encouragement, and the proof of His Life in us.   God Bless you all, encircling you with His Everlasting Arms, providing you with His Love and Mercy.

John, Esther and Daryl Green