We DO Congratulate ALL our students since, apart from the Exam itself, the circumstances leading up to it, and the difficult conditions surrounding its execution, it was the worst time, nationally, the Country has so far seen - all due to Covid 19.     THE RESULT for US in Testimony, has not been the BEST so far, and there is a sense of disappointment both in the student, and the teaching body, both.  Even the Pandemic, the atmosphere, perhaps, that it has brought with it, seems have affected how staff and students have respected the school materially.   This last term especially has seen more breakages and vandalism than ever before, and a general disregard the image of the school.   But we have prayed about it, and we feel sure the Lord will restore the previously enjoyed good behaviour, and respect for  

the classrooms and buildings.

But there has been much to Thank God for, and we are, overall, encouraged, as we are now started upon a new term and hoping for a more settled and uninterrupted School Year.

It has been 'rumoured' here in Eldoret, this week, that there have been 12 Positive cases of the new Indian variety of Covid 19.    Nothing official so far.  

The current Government Figures as of 12th May 2021 are as follows{-

NEW Positive Cases 410 out of 3,788 Tested  =  10.8% Positivity.

Fatalities 22.

Total Pos. Cases 164,386  out of Total Tested 1,729,345

Total Recoveries  113,244.    Total Fatalities  2950

OUR School has completed the first week of a new Term without any major problem, and no sickness of any kind occurring.    We Thank the Lord.     However we have noted that the rate of 'wear and tear' in the Classroom and even generally with the School rose higher than ever before.   We are not sure if this has something to do with the new arrangements and surroundings we had to negotiate in order to open. OR a general attitude of careless 'bon-homme' that may have infected both students and staff, so that there was not as much responsible student behavior and teacher supervision.    Broken desks and windows;  Graffiti, vandalism of Notice Boards,  and even miss placed text books.    We will obviously now need to redress this situation, and bring in a stricter regime.     The Long Doubt and the ensuing heavy rains have also found out LEAKS in our roofing in many places, so a lot of immediate attention has had be given in stopping and repairing damage from these leaks. 

FINALLY our dear son in the Lord, is now 'DOCTOR Sammy Kirui', one time part of our Testimony House Family, learning in Wareng High School in Eldoret, and later in Kenya Highlands Bible College as it was then known.    Sam has been in the U.S.A. for some years completing his education, finalising with his Doctorate.     We are VERY happy and glad for him, and proud of him too, of course'

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LEAVING Education we will close for this week with two Birthday.    One happened way back in March, when our little grand-daughter, Abigail became 7 years of age.     She is a real bundle of activity, gayety, fun, and delight, now just about to enter into her 2nd primary Grade next term. You will remember that her mother is our daughter Helen, who is also teaching with us in Testimony Pre-School.

This photo was taken a few months before her Birthday.  She had a Cake of course, but was especially  thrilled to just BE SEVEN!  We have really been glad for them both, Helen AND Abby, to be with us during this time of the Pandemic.   Good Company, and good encouragement for us.

AND THIS IS PHOTO OF ME turning 81 just on the 11th May, with Manu to the left, Abby in the middle and my darling just to the right.  Not a very good photo in fact, but it records the event.   We did nothing special but Manu cooked us a Wonderful chicken supper which we all shared with jollity.

So many sent in their Good Wishes and many more actually came to give them in person.   I felt very honoured, and rather humbled by the remembrance 

of so many family, past and present, young and old.

It was a good day, and the rain held off.   God IS so good, and kind to us all

And YES, I also had a cake made by Helen.  It was quite enormous and quite delicious!!   And as if that was not enough - a dear friend and sister in Jesus came with her daughter to gift me yet ANOTHER beautiful cake.    So altogether I felt very spoilt and

loved - and to round it all off, Steve, Mike and Liz all video phoned  with their families and we were able to be together during the evening.

Thank you ALL for sharing and making my Day remarkably enjoyable.

And now I am ALIVE and ready to PRESS on to the whatever the LORD still has in store for me, for it is sure that EVERY day we have is God Given,  and has reason and purpose behind it.    finally I want to close with a word about the author of a hymn I have been so blessed by - Daniel W. Whittle, born in 1840 just a hundred years before me.   He was an American, and fought in the Civil War.   He was injured in one battle and treated in a field hospital.   It is said that it was there, in pain and discomfort, Whittle turned to a New Testament that his Mother sent him, and began to read.    And as he read his darkness fled away and LIGHT flooded into his soul.     The hymn I love so much is his testimony.

ONCE FAR FROM GOD, AND DEAD IN SIN,

No light my heart could see,

But in God's Word the light I found,

Now Christ liveth in me!

As rays of light from yonder sun,

The flowers of earth set free,

So life and light and love came forth

From Christ living in me.

As lives the flow'r within the seed, 
As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace,
His Spirit dwelleth in me.

With longing all my heart is filled

That like Him I may be,

As on the wondrous thought I dwell,
That Christ liveth in me. 

                                                   

 

Daniel Whittle 1840-1901

So that's it !   God Bless you all, and don't forget to pray on for us, and we will be doing te same for you.  We are all networked in His Spirit.    A little early this week, but then I did not even send at all last week.  

Much Love in Jesus to you each one

John, Esther, Daryl and all at Testimony Faith Homes and School