The Valley of The shadow of Death

ESTHER WANJIRU, the little light of my life, my Very Special Gift from God,  mother of our children, and of ALL the children that Jesus brought into our hearts and family over these fifty one years.       She will be 78, this coming August and, apart from when giving birth to our three children, she never spent a day in Hospital until recently..  That's my hand on her shoulder, but she has been my strength all these years; a true handmaiden of the Lord to me.     I cannot imagine ever having to do without her.

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Towards the beginning of November last year Esther discovered for the first time, what felt like a small spongy marble like cyst in her left breast.    It did not seem to be rooted in one place, but could be moved around freely.    She decided to see her doctor, and he sent her to another place for a few tests.  They told her not to worry.    This was not a cancerous growth, but an entirely harmless cyst.   She came home relieved.

In late February,  she came and shared again, that the 'harmless cyst' was growing bigger.    A little worried wrinkle appeared.     'Let's go straight to the root of the matter', I said.    'Let's go to The International Cancer Institute, in Eldoret.'    This very efficient, clean, and competent Clinic immediately demonstrated both knowledge and understanding.    Taking all the information we had, including scans and other tests of all kinds, they re-ordered further tests, and finally sat us down to clearly advise us that the tumor in Esther's breast WAS cancerous, and dangerous.    HOWEVER the tumor was not in any way attached to the breast, and in an early stage of development.     hey recommended Surgery that would not need to remove the breast, but to merely remove the tumor.     

Mediheal Hospital Eldoret

We left and made our way to nearby Mediheal Hospital where Dr. Seno Saruni, was waiting to meet us.  He already had heard from the Clinic we had just left.    He assured us that although Cancer had to be taken seriously, in our case the conditions all looked very hopeful, in every.   He recommended the Surgery be done there in Mediheal, and suggested a date a week or so away on the 22nd March.      We left satisfied that we had a finally clear and safe Diagnosis, and knew how to pray.  Esther entered Mediheal in Eldoret, on Monday, 21st, and surgery was performed at 12 noon on Tuesday the 22nd.    All went well, and the tumor was safely removed without leaving any indication of Cancer still remaining in the breast or its environs.    The Surgeon was delighted and happy with the way it had gone.                                             

Dr. Ivan Seno & family

He immediately gave permission for Esther to return home the next day, Wednesday 22nd March.   I had been kindly allowed to stay with Esther in the Ward throughout her stay.     We both have to say that we were impressed by the kindness and diligent care of the nursing staff, and indeed for all those who had to do with our stay, especially those in Theatre.    We shall ever be appreciative for the calm confidence of Dr. Seno Saruni, who conducted the surgery, and encouraged us to see things positively all the time, even after the operation.      If this is how Mediheal take care of their patients, then they are combining to help the sick to be healed.  

The Operation had taken only one hour, but Esther had been given a General Anesthetic.    In all, she had spent  two days and two nights in hospital.    After waking up after the surgery, Esther seemed as bright, and alert as could be, and no pain disturbed her at all.    Surely Prayer was answered for her, and indeed hundreds who had heard of her challenge to health and future, HAD been in prayer.    More than 100 thronged the hospital whilst she was there, just to wish her well, and demonstrate their love and concern for her - well over 50 of our children, all now grown up,  plus a similar number of local friends and acquaintances.      Some, unable to be actually let in to see her in the Hospital, followed her home.

Such a wonderful response.     Letters and phone calls also poured in.      Thank you, each and every one of you, sons and  daughters, and brothers and sisters in Christ, and many others... Thank you with all our hearts, for you kindness, love and care of my dear wife, your Mum and Friend.      We feel the LORD has delivered us.

All the cost of the Treatment and Expense in and out of the Hospital relative to the whole matter was put into our hands by the hearts and hands of countless others.     We have no words to express our very real and deep appreciation.         The verses I want to now quote have been used before.   They remain apt and relative again  to day in relation to what has happened.     Certainly the very thought of Cancer darkens the world we live in, and weigh heavily upon our spirit like a thick gloom.   I think we did, all together, find ourselves IN the valley of the shadow of death.   

2.Corinthians 1v8-11

We would not brethren, have you ignorant

of the trouble that came upon us....

...........we had, (as it were) the sentence of death upon ourselves,

in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD,

who raises the dead!

Who delivered us from so  great a death, and DOES deliver;

in Whom we trust will trust that He will yet deliver us.

 YOU ALSO HELPING  together by prayer for us;

that for the gift bestowed upon us,

by the means of many persons,

Thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Since returning home, Esther has been up and about every day.    Initially she felt a bit sleepy, and at times a little nausiated, but we had been warned that the effects of the Anesthesia might be felt for a few days afterwards, in this way.....Right now she is feeling much as her old self.

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TODAY the sun is shining, but threatened by thundery looking clouds and temperature of 25c!

Might rain later if we are lucky.    Everything very DRY and hot.       All the children, except for a few are now out playing with our dogs - five of them - or some kind of ball game.    The FEW are still completing their National Secondary School examinations.

The National Primary School Results came out yesterday.    Not a bad result at all, but not any better than last years.    We are not satisfied with this, and there will be considerable effort to bring better results next year - although this 'exam' will soon be extinct.     But we are not especially concerned with our national standing as a School.      We ARE concerned that the least promising students will be able to improve themselves and their skills whilst they are with us.     So far this is working, and our parents are happy to see hope for their children all the way.

We are happy to share that one of our boys will be Graduating from Theological College next Sunday, and will commence his practical training as a Pastor, in the field.       We are very glad and happy to see yet another of our children going into God's Service, this time with the Africa Inland Church.

NEXT WEEK  Testimony House will be empty and Daryl and his team will be moving in to clean, repair and make ready for its return to a Family Home.

AND ANOTHER MONTH has almost ended, and as usual we have found ourselves running dry financially, and getting short of this and that !    BUT, as usual, God continues to assure us that He hears our Prayers even though we continue NOT to publicise our material needs in any way;  pinning all our hope in HIM, that He WILL hear, AND answer - and DOES.      We thank, through Him, all those who have contributed to our need in one way and another, during this current month, and for the one ahead.    God Bless you all, and hope and believe e that your prayers  are answered with ours.

Our much love to  you all in Jesus Name!

John, Esther, Daryl, and all the Testimony Family   

     

     

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

Back Row:- Solomon//Dennis/Seven/Lubembe/Stanley/David/Stanley/Bethuel/Dan/Joseph/Victor/Hesketh

Front Row:-Daryl/ Joseph/John/David/Mica/Samuel/John/Mike/Jacinta/Esther/Alice/Eunice/Mary/Senge/Doris/Alice

HERE IS AN UP TO DATE PHOTO of all those who faithfully, day after day, work together for Testimony Faith Homes.      Without them we could not cope adequately with all the necessary care needed to bring up more than 130 children in four family homes, occupying some seven acres of recreational,  vegetable and floral grounds surrounding them, plus the Dairy, the Poultry Project, and the Bakery.    SO much to do.     Oh!  And I forgot!  Most accountable of all, all those working in our Finance and Reception Offices -  Accountants, Statisticians, and Executives all.     

We have not included in the photo our School Staff since they are NOT on our pay-role!     The School Principle, and Teachers are all paid from School income derived specifically from Fees from external  members of the public seeking places for their children in the School.     The School belongs to TFH, and is Managed by TFH, but financially, it runs independently of the Children's Homes.      However, SOME of  the Homes Staff also double up to assist the School - such as those in our Finance Office.       Later, when I share more about the School (not today), I will put up a photo of our School Staff - and you will see, also, the faces of those in THIS photo, who also help the School, additionally to their duties with the Homes. 

Our House-parents (currently) are Hesketh and Alice Muli, in Drakely Cottage, John and Doris Chumba in Jacaranda Cottage, and Mica and Senge Yego in Tyndale Cottage, with Eunice Lahol as our Relief Parent - all residential on campus.     Additinually John and Esther also stay on the compound in their 'Retirement Cottage'.      Everyone else, including Daryl,  live outside, coming in on a daily basis.

The Homes share the use and expertise  Mary Atieno - Social Worker;   Joseph Okoth, Dan Natto, Solomon Ngunah Accountants, with the School.

Others such as John Mtumbwe, Stanley Koech, Lubembe Mutanyi, Steven Waithaka, (and Vincent Alusa, NOT in the photo) work in Maintenance Team which services the Home AND the School.

In all ways we see out Staff, as a Team, and part of the Family of TESTIMONY, with all the Children.

We seek to be concerned for each other, and responsible to encourage one another in our Christian Faith.      We are often tempted away from this  'togetherness' but it is the fundamental and continual  aim, to progressively achieve - day by day.

Currently the cost of Salaries for The Four Homes averages at Ksh.450,000/- monthly.  (pounds,

3.000 Sterling .       

SOME may consider this too much to spend on 130 children's care.  I am sure it is much less than in the 1st world Countries,  and Kenya Government has laid down requirements for the staffing of Homes such as ours.     BUT we try to  do what we can to reduce the need for even more staff.

For Example we do not employ chefs or cleaners for the HOMES.    The House Mother in each house is responsible to cook, although she is able to draw on the assistance of those children with her, who are old and capable enough to be of help.      Generally the children are expected to make their own beds, and to clean the rooms they inhabit.     It is part of the inter family responsibility to each other and themselves,

And just to emphasise a Mother's cooking, here is an old photo of my dear Esther, a little warm from the kitchen with the Christmas Turkey......Aah!   there's nothing like Mum's cooking!!!!!  say her children.    And they still remember it, and days she  - with their help - brought  to the table meal after meal.

Pray us all in TESTIMONY - 'Opposition' is at work.

Pray for us all, as a Family, in each of our Family Homes, together also with all those who with, and for us, in our two compounds here in Eldoret in Kenya.

PRAY that we shall continue to work at BEING FAMILY,  and providing evidence of the importance of family in a world slowly losing it's understanding of how to live with, and bare, each other, in patience, at all times - 'for better, or for worse'.      Each of our Family Homes should be a place that witnesses to a settled, stable, warm refuge,  to each member; where all can find forgiveness, acceptance, and loving kindness, however far one may have strayed,  or however close one  may have stayed.     We should all be able to say 'This is my home, my family, and I can find a welcome always in their arms'.

God Bless you all, my dear family and friends.

John Green

Testimony Faith Homes.  Eldoret.   Kenya.  East Africa