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