END OF A TESTING TIME.....

WELL HERE WE after quite a number of weeks, at the END of the 3rd School term of 2020!!   Yes, quite confusing at times it has been!     And here I am to the left, at the students Prayer Day for top Class of Primary School (Standard V111) AND  the top Form of Secondary School ( Form 4 ) just a week ago.  To day St.V111 have completed three days of National Examinations marking the END of their Primary Education.    It should all  have been happening at the end of 2020, but due to COVID and Shut Down,  it couldn't be accommodated.    The same of course for our Graduates
for Form 4, 2020 - they will start their exams next week and continue into April.     THUS for the first time ever both Classes find themselves Graduating  at the Beginning of the Year instead of the end, and attempting National Exams set for 2020 in 2021

And above is a not too clear panoramic view of the School Hall on the Day we had these National Candidates come together with their parents in the School Hall on 6th March.    Daryl and I are sitting on the front row, right.      It was a squash, and we more than filled the hall with more than 450 attending.     At the end of Prayer, Testimonies and Praise, the students were specially prayed for and and commended to God for His Blessing.

Opening in January, the School faced considerable constraints and problems.     We had spent a lot of money converting previously unused rooms and spaces for School use, so as to cater for our usual population of students all spaced out and taking twice their usual floor area.     We had  to find extra teachers, and all this without knowing if our parents would trust their children to return to Class after a long Lockdown, and with continuing cases of Covid across the Country increasing.        ALL our previous population returned!    Truly NOW, my Testimony Faith Home say - if it had not been for the LORD being on our side....!   YES we would have suffered an overwhelming flood - BUT we escaped.    And the School has remained open and full, and Teachers have worked with a willing and generous heart to make sure that our students, long OUT of the classroom for  most of 2020, have been able to catch up and FINALLY attempt their hijacked Examinations of last October/November.       It has been SUCH an experience.  And, whilst the threat of a 3rd Wave of Covid is threatening all of Kenya, WE have only seen ONE positive Case here in our school, and he, a standard 4 Primary boy, was met at the School gate, and on being tested there, before he could enter, was sent home.     He was made to self isolate at his parents home, and completing his days was finally returned to us fully recovered.

AND to day our Standard 8 Primary top Class Finished their exam, and Graduated.  Actually two Classes of 28 and 27 respectively.   In the photos some of the teachers can be seen sitting on the front rows.   We hope many of them will decide to return to us for their Secondary Education, but many may choose other Schools of their own, or their parents choice.

NO PHOTO to hand of the Secondary School candidates.    This will become available some time in April before they complete their Exam.     just wanted you too see a glimpse of our JOY.    We will make sure more photos will appear in April / May.       Schools in Kenya are so far remaining OPEN, and although from today until 10th May we shall all be on Vacation, we all expect to open as scheduled.\

COVID UPDATE

ESTHERS, sister and brother in law, plus their sons Mark and Tony, all recently tested Positive for C.19. but have managed to pull through, and are now mending well.     A worrying time for all of us, but the Lord has been Merciful.      So far no further Positive Cases have been found amongst any of us here, although there ARE increasing numbers of cases cropping up in our County (45 more today (24/3/21) but none in our immediate area.     

Generally, Positive Cases are on the rise again, in what is said to be a Third Wave.    Altogether since March 12th 2020 to date Kenya has discovered 123,167 Positive cases out of a total tested of 1,425,377.     Out of these Positive Cases 90,586 have recovered, and 2,048 have died.     Vaccinations have begun of some 1.5 million out of a population of approximately 52 million.

JAMES 'Manu' our son, has been having a challenging, and rather difficult year.    Some of you may have heard about it directly from him, but Many more will be unaware.     Anyway he has for some years been having problems with his eyes, beginning about three years back, with Glaucoma in both eyes.  He has been under monthly treatment ever since.  During treatment he finally lost sight altogether in one eye, and the other has continued to defy every effort to stop the advance of infection.    About three weeks ago he was told he needed an 'urgent' operation to save the eye.     Regretfully before he was able to take up the appointment he experienced an unexpected accident while travelling to his digs by motorcycle.    During the crash he found himself somehow caught between his legs, and had to be taken to a Doctor in severe pain.      Eventually he was taken to hospital where he went through a painful operation.      He is recovering now, at home with us, and seems to be mending well, but not without damage.      He still needs to get his Eye seen to, and  he is worried about  the delay, but God knows, and it will all be taken care of, we know.       Manu also has Diabetes and during last year began to experience seizures, which have turned out to be the onset of Epilepsy!    The doctors think that this might have been encouraged by over anxiety, and also the  cumulative effect of all the different medicines he has been having to take.    So, altogether, he has progressively found himself with more and more physical problem.

Esther and I personally want to thank all those, who rallied to help him with the expense involved in this latest challenge, and who lovingly sent in gifts to assist in paying his costs, showing their family care for him.    The Hospital charges alone were more than a Ksh.100,000/=, and of course he has remained unemployed, and in no current position to help himself.    Thank you all for your kind and very generous response.     I know it has deeply touched Manu himself, and we ourselves have been greatly moved, and do sincerely appreciate this demonstration of 'family' .    God Bless you all.    We would lovingly ask you all to intercede for his sight.

Our Love in Jesus to you all, and every one.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

HOW LITTLE TIMES CHANGE.......

In the photo above a man is displaying a bottle of 'bootlegged' whisky, which he found consealed in the wall of an old house in Virginia. U.S.A.    Whisky was illegal at the time (1920s) and had to be SMUGGLED from an illegal distillary to whoever wanted it.   If you were found with a bottle in your possession you were in real trouble.    People really loved their Liquor in those days - AND they do NOW, to an even greater degree and from earlier and earlier ages!!  Its use actually begins at home with parents, and so, of course, we now have to be ready to find it being brought into School - especially by Boarders, who may be missing it the more.

And indeed we have already, in the last month, found Whisky on the School premises.    Did I hear gasps of horror!  - or maybe just a yawn or two?    After all, all over the world this is the kind of thing that has been cropping up in School life everywhere; especially High School, College, and University.      It would be much cheaper, for  parents, if kids were to just stay at home and drink - after all what kind of academic mind is going to emerge from a primal soup of mental fire and brimstone.

DARYL, as director over all, feels he has a duty to walk about every day to keep himself aware of how the School and Homes are enduring the wear and tear of so many children.    One morning he entered  one of the Schools Boy's Toilet blocks.    He found three Cisterns unable to flush, and always ready to investigate, took a screwdriver out of his pocket and took off the lid of all three of the cisterns.  In EACH ONE he found a bottle of Whisky - and it had not been put there a hundred years before, but very recently.    Each bottle had been wedged in the cistern in such a way that it prevented the flushing handle to work.        But how did they get there.     The Toilet Attendant is beyond reproach and had no reason to hide whisky in one of his own toilet cisterns.    It had to be one or more students.    Ah, how very disappointing, and after the School has been running so well and happily since it opened again fully in January.    A week later a further bottle was found, also in a toilet cistern, and this time with a wad of Marijuana as well.......Well, but this is a well organised, well disciplined School!   A Christian School!  How can such students be involved in alcohol and drugs.    Well no school is a prison and students come in and out every day, and at home and abroad, even close to the school, are places both of the desired commodities can be obtained ....!         The BIG problem is to control it, and to successfully steer young people away from them.         Did we discover our Whisky smugglers?    Oh yes, and necessary action has been taken to prevent it happening again - but it WILL.     Where there is a MIND, a way will be found to obtain what is wanted.       AND then what?    After discipline, correction, even serious effort to rehabilitate - YET no change of mind is seen, THEN finally we have to see someone LEAVE the School - and even leave the HOMES.     It is heartbreaking, but is happens.    

Alcohol and Drugs Kill.

At the least they damage and impair life permanently

++++++++++++++++++

ALL OUR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY students, from the Homes, have joined their Courses.   God Provided for each and every one and each one gave all the Praise and Thanksgiving to Jesus.    Our Father is so Gracious, and so very kind.       BUT one of our young men, who had joined University last year has been unable to return.      His name is Mark, and he has been part of Jacaranda Cottage Family since he was 9.     His family have never been traced.     He grew up well, and did well in School.    However, on joining University, he discovered Bhangi (Marijuana) and eventually - un-expectantly - arrived home very unwell.   He had to be hospitalized.     He recovered, but was put on medication.  The University willingly received him for his 2nd Semester but AGAIN he became quite wild, and behaved in a very unacceptable manner so that he was again sent back to us.    HE was again hospitalized, an currently he is still needing care.        His latest medical diagnosis is that he is Schizophrenic.    Mark gave himself to Jesus before he started at University,      He is not violent, but of quiet and peaceful nature - BUT during his recent 'episodes' he has in fact turned violent, showing a quite different nature. This is basically what is understood by Schizophrenia - a duel personality.     Jesus would have just seen it differently.      We have prayed, and continue to pray for him, that he might be delivered from this  attack on his life.      He IS intelligent, and has wanted to be a Teacher.    He longs to rejoin his University, but there seems little chance for the time being.      And it is in the University that the greatest incidence of alcoholic and drug addiction is highest.      So much so that we are seriously considering encouraging our children in the Homes to bypass University and apply to local day College foundations instead.

THE WEATHER HERE IN ELDORET, has been better than usual, and the normal DRY  season is currently being noticed.     Temperatures are lower that we remember  30 years ago, but still in the mid 70fs.     But already water is reducing in the tap.     Eldoret has almost doubled in size in the last three to four years - from 300,000 to 1,600,000!    Rainfall has reduced during the period, and the few reservoirs that feed the down are not enough, and soon reduce at the slightest reduction in rainfall - as now when it has not rained for for eight weeks.      AGAIN Daryl has been using his head to seek ways and means to improve water supply to the School and four Homes, but the problem in PRESSURE so that we cannot get water into our storage tanks.     Daryl is putting mini pumps into the system to offset this, but now the Town is rationing water.   Drilling for water is also a considefation.   Well, it keeps us all looking unto Jesus.

THE CURRENT COVID 19 VIRUS SITUATION   -   In our area not much has changed.    An average of 1 case a day; sometimes none at all are reported for our County.      We are entering the 6th week of the School, with daily comings and goings from more than 500 families, and all seems very normal.     The latest reported figures are as below-

TOTAL TESTED   1,206,161

TOTAL POSITIVE  101,534   RECOVERED 84,268    DEATH  1,776

Yesterday  5859 were Tested out of which 195 were found positive.   No  deaths.

BUT  it seems to us that we are FAR from overcoming it, or even knowing the TRUE picture.

schools remain open.   Masks must still be worn in all public places.    Distancing still observed.

=======================================================================                         

ESTHER and I are well.     Busy here and there,  with days passing very fast.     My LEG has more or less mended - just an occasional twinge, and am walking almost normally again, thank God!  I have not returned to the doctor.     I am sure he will not mind since the poor man is marooned in his surgery with his enormous waiting room crammed more and more - though it cannot be with Covid cases.  

Daryl has been VERY glad to receive letters from so many, and I do thank you as well, since it has really helped Daryl to believe in a future without US -  not that we look like dying just yet, but you know what I mean, I hope.     And it has now meant we can see each other's situation without being in each other's way - and I will be able to be more prompt with letter writing. 

We have been asked to consider going ZOOM and connecting to Christians in the UK.   We are looking into it this coming Monday, and if it seems viable we could think of linking up with other groups.  Any offers?

And I think I will break off here till next time.    We are praying with, and for you all.   We follow the news especially for the U.K. and Europe  in general in particular.      The Weather!!  The political climate that seeks to divide instead of unite!    The continued privations and rebellions caused by Covid 19 with all the innuendo, rumours, and HYPE still.     BUT in the last FEW DAYS there have been just a FEW glimmers of more positive and HAPPY announcements and comments - a BIT of a change from all the negative, and apprehensive words of doom and ever increasing negativity.         HANG ON to your Faith dear ones.  Look simply back to the Cross, and to Jesus.      I watched a Film on U-tube recently entitled SHEFFEY.    It is a true film about an itinerate Circuit Preacher in an American outback in the 1830s onwards.    Well acted and well produced.     A Very SIMPLE UNADORNED story that portrayed the very simple TRUTH of a very simple and uncomplicated peace of Good News.    Something that was not welcome even by Christians in the 1830s.      I liked it.      Look out for SHEFFEY and spend a quiet hour and a half re-considering your life with Jesus by your side - not just in the church.

Love to you all in His Wonderful Name

John and Esther  Green

    

                                                                                                  

TESTIMONY SCHOOLS ARE OPEN!

Praise the Lord our God !!  It has not been easy to effect Government Directives that had to be achieved in order to open again.   The fact that students could no long sit together without space of at least 1 meter between them posed the biggest problem.    We closed with 800 students, and all classes full.   Could we now cope with putting them all at a distance from each other.    And if not, and if we could not achieve the population at which we closed, would the school be able to cover it's cost;  we had always operated as a non profit making School, wanting to offer education without too great a cost to those who needed it.     We did not have funds to build new classrooms, and hardly enough to consider conversions and alterations to what we already had.    We looked to the Lord, and carried on through the months from March 2020 to December.   

God alone has been our provision and stay.  And He, alone, has given the wisdom and strength of mind and body  to Daryl, enabling him to face, almost single handed, the daily planning and headache.   He took on the whole responsibility, with only a handful of untrained support to deal with all the labour involved.  Planning how to re-arrange existing classes and other rooms to accommodate almost double the existing space needed; , physical conversion of many such rooms, repair and refurbishment of desks, chairs, and tables (Some existing desks made for TWO had to be cut in half and made into two single desks).  Paint work, redecoration, extra plumbing, and electrical wiring.   Digging drains and cementing paths.     It seemed an impossible work to be accomplished in time - and with no reserve of finance to hand.      INITIALLY the Government had intimated that they would assist private schools with some of the related costs in labour and material, but they were unable to fulfil these intimations.   But they DID issue more than 75 typed pages of detailed Instructions of what each school must provide and make arrangements for, before Permission to open and operate would be granted.    WE have been ONE of a few that so far has been granted that Permission.       And ALL of our students have returned to Class.  

DARYL began the work in September last year after we opened, partially, to just THREE classes on a kind of trial basis.    He began with provision of extra Hand Washing stations.   Very simple constructions, but still took time to put together with basic plastic bowels hanging in  an angle iron frame, with its own tap and water supply, and soap dispenser.   At least FIVE rows of these were put at five different points around the school.      These were in ADDITION to the already Boys and Girls Toilet & Ablutions installations.  Children AND staff are all expected to FREQUENTLY wash their hands as they move in and out of Class and around the Compound generally.

Some walls had to be knocked down in order to enlarge some rooms previously not used for classrooms, and that were too small to accommodate a reasonable Class Population of 25.  It has not been easy to see the utter mess and chaos caused by change and re-arrangement of what had been a very well organized School, with clear divisions between Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Departments.      Will we ever be able to see a return to normal, and original order in the Schools re-established?  Today it looks far away.

BUT our situation is far removed, just now, from the CRISIS we see in Europe and the UK now facing up to, to say nothing of the U.S.A!!

However, testing seems to have flagged a little, and it is difficult to gauge if things are as encouraging as they may, on the surface look.......As of 7th January.     Total tested 5424   -    Positive Cases Perceived 335   //  Total tested positive since March 2020  -  97,459  The Total Recovered over same period - 80,671

Total Deaths..............................................   1,703

RETURNING TO OUR comments regarding changes we have had to go through over the last 6 months.

First a few photos of our Pre- School Unit                       

WE have allowed all classes but one to remain where they were - the youngest however have been relocated to what was the Secondary Girls Boarding Hostel.     The big problem was the lack of tables and even chairs, which in the end had to be fabricated just a few days before we were to open!     But we managed, and we have been able to accommodate almost the total number of students we had before.

Pre-School students are probably the most difficult to distance from each other, since they are totally abandoned to BEING together in everything, and especially at Breaks are ever rushing around together and playing games that seem to demand 'touch' and close chatter.  They reman a great joy, just to see their happiness and freedom from a any kind of fear or anxiety - even WITH having to wear masks all day.  But their teachers find it hard work to enforce the Rule of Law - and insist on spacing out of the classsroom. 

I am a little frustrated with my Blogger.   They have been constantly changing (improving) themselves and thus making what was easy and straightforward, for an old duffer like me, totally awkward and ,a nuisance.     These days I am unable to find out how each progressive page I create is actually looking and I must apologise if finally it prints out with page gaps,  and so on.    I have tried communicating with them but they seem very unhelpful.     But it does make every blog a labour.     Even difficult to put a phot where you want it without a hassle. 

To continue - here are some photos of various Classrooms - old and 'new'.

The recommended spacing of desks precribed by Governmend in Kenya is 1 meter only.   We had to remove and relocate 16 desks from the Classroom on the left which has space now only for 20 rather than the previous 36.    The photo to the right shows where the the 16 were relocated - to a converted Senior Boys Dormitory!  This had to have a wall taken down halfway down the length, and to the right a new partition put in.   The Boys Dorm was re-sited to another building.

Below to the left is a view of one of the junior primary classes where double desk needed to be divided into two singles so that we could use them still.   It was a lot of work but well done.    Two of or senior boys helped with the welding.   The result is really 'stop-gap' and we  hope,  eventually, to provide a less stark desk for this Grade, once things return to normal.   This Blog cannot do real justice to the work that has had to be done.     Additionally even some of our Staff have had to be re-located into difficult circumstances, and as said before, the School has had to see different departments encroach upon another for the time being.     Less convenient to students and teachers alike.     Also for the 600 or so day students arriving each morning it is NOT easy to see everyone individually TESTED, temperature taken, and sanitated all by hand BEFORE entry;   it takes time and patience.

BUT the SCHOOL is OPEN.      And, to some extent the HOMES remain open also.    We currently have 125 children and young people resident in our four family homes.     So far so good.   In the Beginning of my time in Kenya the LORD spoke and A  Family began, was sustained, and made to grow and prosper for fifty years.       We accepted whoever came to the Door, and still  do so.   The Government refers to each of them as 'OUR' children, as Wards of the State, but they do not in any way provide a shilling for their keep; their food, health, education, and general wellbeing.      It is God who opened the Door and it is God who Provided all each one was to need.        WE see them all as His children - and OURS as well, in His Name.       Since 2008 we have been under threat of Closure by the Government.   Twelve years have passed.      The Threat remains.     We also remain.     Fear NOT, says the LORD to our spirit.     Sing Praises, Stand and do nothing, and SEE the Salvation of the LORD.

And this is where we continue to be.        Thank you all who have likewise stood together with us, and been the channels of His Blessing day by day and moment by moment.

TEN of our College students (4 in University one doing I.T. and the others Teaching) and the other 6 doing Nursing, Secretarial, Accounts, I.T., Business Management, and Theology!   4 Girls and 6 boys. Ten more waiting to join their Colleges.   Some will Graduate this year, and others will hope to START their Course.    SO already many are believing the  LORD to find WORK......and this is much harder than it was with Covid 19 adding to the to difficulty.

Esther and I still carrying on from our little retirement cottage as honourary 'grandparents, with many opportunities to share in daily chores, and especially in praying for and finding time to relate to the children as chance is given.    We feel it a privilege to still be allowed a share in this ministry at our time of life.     We are both well.     I am still Diabetic, but well.     Have what my doc thinks might be a bit of arthritis in my left leg, but am mobile and still get about.   Esther too is generally well, and still busy with everything and everyone, as well as her hobby of Quilting!            A group of our Old Boys and Girls ('sons and daughters') sent us monetary gift just before Christmas.     We were very moved, and thank God for their care of us.       And, of course, Daryl is ever in and out every day, sharing all the news and so on, and does his best to bare with us, and take physical care of us.    We are Thankful.

I am not sure how regular my Blogs will be this year.      I am feeling slower, and frailer.   But I will try to share when I can.      I am encouraging Daryl to do his best, now, to be in touch with everyone.

God Bless you all, most of you we are supposing, still in Lock down.      Open your eyes, and SEE the very real fact _  if you are Believing in Jesus _ that beyond our carnal vision are ranged all the Forces and Power of God to protect us and ward us off from all the powers of the Enemy directed on us.   We are NEVER alone, and never out of His Hand.

Lovingly in Him

John, Esther, Daryl, and all the staff and children here with us.

] 

 

 

 

GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT MAN'S

 SURPRISE !?

WELL, It must have seemed a surprise to many at the time.   I only came across it yesterday, and I was very Surprised indeed.      I discovered that in June 2019 the Kenya Senate had moved a Bill for the Establishment of CHILDREN'S HOMES in Kenya!

And it WAS a surprise, since 2008 the Government has been threatening the closure of ALL Children's Homes by 2020.    Also the Mover of the Bill, Senator Agnes Zani  (see photo right) seemed to be ignorant of the fact that Children's Homes had already been established in Kenya since well before 1963,  and that the 
Regulations for Children C.C.I (Charitable Children's Homes) 2005 were, as far as I can see very similar, for the most part, to this 2019 Senate Bill.    Were the Senators properly informed of what the Government had already established through the Department of  Children's Services, or were they quite ignorant of such matters?   Had the Senate, in addition, not taken notice of the Government plan to dismantle, and disestablish Children's Homes?      OR was the Senate, knowing the whole subject inside out, of a decidedly different opinion?   On the face of it the Senates proposed Bill seemed like a slap in the face for Government.

The SENATE Bill was moved on the 20th June 2019, and on 26th September of the same year, we were to read the Headline  "KENYA TAKES STEPS TO REPLACE CHILDREN'S HOME WITH FAMILY CARE"  ............And the Senate Bill never went further than the 1st Reading.    It was stopped dead in its tracks.      VERY SURPRISING - The difference of opinion, I mean.

MY QUESTION NOW would be 'Does the Government merely DICTATE Policy to the People, rather than making sure the Voice of all the people is, in fact heard?     When the Government called a Meeting here in Eldoret, our civic center, to present the Government's determination to close all C.C.I.'s by the end of 2021, those attending were told that there would be no ground for argument.  The matter was settled.     Not very democratic.    And not very appreciative of more than 50 years of private investment in alleviating the Government's responsibility in caring for it's own needy children.    INSTEAD we are being TOLD that 'ALL Children's Homes are unhealthy and bad, and in the best interest of children must be closed.'    Willy Nilly.    A decision made without any regard to the available evidence that not ALL Children's Homes are bad, and many are providing exactly what the Government is saying  children need most - a stable home and family; and they provide it free of cost to Government.    

All in the midst of Covid 19's destabilising fears, and social upheaval,  rising death rates, rising economic challenge,  increasing unemployment, and general discontent. 

    

What are we doing in Testimony Faith Homes and Schools?     We have been told to work hard to discover how we should re-tool from caring for orphans to whatever..!

Well this is what we are trying to work out -

1. To Repatriate - This is first of the Governments reqirements.    We do not have very many children who CAN be repatriated, since they were either abandoned without traceable family, or they are victims of tribal clashes which annihilated their homes and families.     The twenty or so our of our 130 who may have family were originally brought to us, with few exceptions, by the Children Department who felt sure it was necessary in order to ensure the safety and best interest of the child.     Each case will now we re-assessed.     Any case were a Relation is found to exist. and be wanting the take a their child, and if the child is also found willing and happy to be reunited, and if the material sistuation proves satisfactory, it will be further investigated.    Where all seems safe and satisfactory in such a case, the child will leave us.

2. What next..... The Government wants to arrange Adoption or Fostering..    But we are already fostering ourselves in our four Cottage Home.     Children have grown up  with us, and are currently settled, and attending School.     Each Home runs as a family, and the 4 Homes see each other as a wider or expanded Family.      We  will do all that we can to seek  ways and means that there might be for us to be permitted to allow those left with us, after 'reptriatrion', to remain with us until they complete education, and find employment.       Thereafter, however long it takes, the premises being used for HOMES will most likely be used for the expansion of the School, which it is hoped will continue for many years to provide Christian Education.

If we are allowed to keep the residue of our  children, as suggested above, we could perhaps treat them as Boarders in the School, and though still staying with the Family, so to speak, would not come under the designation of  orphan in a 'home'.

We began with a real desire to help the needy children of Kenya.     We have ever tried to have a good working relationship with Government, and I believe we have.   We would want to do all possible to continue to do so.

.

We, all remain WELL, and Thanking God in our hearts for all His Care of us all.    All is continuing!

I personally have not been too well for about three weeks.   It started with a pain in my left hip joint. The doctor has diagnosed it as a trapped nerve, but it has not improved, and now the whole of my left left is a bit painful -  not constantly, but on and off, and once or twice has just given way and I have fallen.   I have not finished the course of drugs prescribed and next week I may go in for a Scan.  Otherwise I am well, and quite occupied.     God Bless you all -  I will be dropping a word from time to time, right up to Christmas.    We are with you all in Prayer.    All our Love in Jesus

John. Esther, and Daryl Green, and all Testimony

mony

 

HELLO EVERYONE !   On the left is the badge of The United Kingdom of Great Britain, representing the Nations of England Scotland, and Ireland.    Wales is also included under the flag of England of which it is a principality.      SOME ARE SAYING it may soon have to change it's name!     How very sad that will be.

The FLAG of this Nation has not only stood for political unity but for the Christian Faith.   The National Flag, adopted in1707, displays the crosses of St. George of England, St. Andrew of Scotland, and St. Patrick of Ireland, and in doing so has stood for all that Christianity stands for; the proclamation of Salvation of all mankind in and through Christ the Saviour, and the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Wales does not appear on the emblazened shield, for  it is counted as being part of England itself.  It is Not a Flag that should be laid up and lost to sight.  The world needs to know how sinful it is, and how in need of forgiveness it is, and how GOD in His Mercy has given a Saviour, to SAVE all those who  will believe in Him, before He comes as KING over all the Earth, to Rule with all Authority, according to God's Pure Holy Way, instead of ours.      BUT, AND IF THIS POWERFUL FLAG should falter and fail, then it must be that the KING of all the Earth is soon to appear with His own Banner, more glorious then any other, to take control, and enforce God's Will.    We should take care we are ready to receive HIM.         

I was born in England, so you should understand my sentimental affection for its flag.   I was brought up to admire and value those men and women in our history who demonstrated courage, honour, and morality; our National hero's such as King Alfred the Great,  Sir Francis Drake, Isaac Newton,  Florence Nightingale, Admiral Lord Nelson, to name but a few; people and characters stood out and revealed special qualities one could look up to, and aspire after.     And, as Shakespeare wrote so often, in love and pride of England's scenic beauty, and human courage and  bravery -  'THIS ENGLAND, this royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars; this other Eden, demi-paradise, this fortress built by       
nature for herself against infection, and the hand of war.  This happy  breed of men, this little  world, set in a silver sea  .........This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England!......this ENVY of less happier lands.'  Was England like this in 1359, the year it was written about in the play?   Was it even true in 1597,  two hundred years later, when Shakespeare wrote the play, and put the words in John of Gaunts mouth as he died...?    I think it was !

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BUT NOW,   420 years further on, tis  becoming less of all that...........THAT ENGLAND, that was wont to conquer others, has made a shameful  conquest of itself'     

And this is not entirely due to the Virus, Covid 19!  What was and IS England, is being repudiated by strangers who know nothing of our history, or how we, through hundreds of passing years, struggled in peace and in war to LEARN, by the Grace of GOD, how to attain what now is near to be pulled down.      But does it matter?   Is the glory of the earth more than the Coming back again of its true King?      If HE should return tomorrow then yesterday will be forgotten anyway, and totally obliterated by the glorious brilliance of His Coming.     Sometimes we are deceived into hanging on to what is past or passing, and in doing so are made to MISS OUR WAY, and even to cease in going forward at all, as we travel on this 'pilgrim Way', for we ARE all pilgrims on this journey of life, as we continue onwards on our way to worse or greater things.    I often find this in myself, and get up  and shake myself, and open my eyes to SEE where I am, and to consider once again WHERE, and with WHOME I am going.      Will it be Biden?     Will it be Johnson?   Will it be GOD?     I must wake and put God first, for I am supposed to be heading Home, back to my true and meant roots, and God must be ahead of me, my Guide and the one Who will welcome me on  my arrival.      Yes we need to take great care that no-one and nothing, cheats us or prevents us, from getting there, and achieving our Crown of Life.

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HERE IN KENYA
We persevere with Government Rules, Covid 19, unseasonable weather, three quarters of our School still closed until January 2021.   I have also been made lame with my left leg.   Mr. Doc says it is trapped nerve in the vicinity of my left hip.   Previously, last, year he said it was a kidney stone!   Well he gave me some drugs, and after almost a week my leg is a little better.   I am believing it will soon be healed.     I have the same     occurrence with the same leg three times in the last few years.   I guess it just might be a nerve.

COVID 19 continues to be almost the only news.    According our Health Department numbers continue to rise, and the Nation still fairly shut down, Hotels, cafes, sand bars, shut down but Churches can hold services with no more than 100 per meeting.     School will remain shut till January, except for the 4 Classes that have already returned to School.

AS ON 10/11.20  we have 63,44 Confirmed Cases // 42,658 Recoveries // 855 Deaths

Hot Spots Today  -   Nairobi 371 //  Mombasa 82 // Kiambu 52 // Busia 35 // Uasin Gishu 34 

The weather has continued to give forth rain.   This is not usual for this time of year when wheat and maize needs to D R Y on the stalk in order to have a good harvest.    Not this year, and it looks like it will be quite a hard year next year altogether.     WE have not planted cereal crops but we have planted other vegetables in our plots, and they have yielded, and continue to yield bountifully.    But no doubt we shall have to pay heavily for MAIZE which we use to make a staple basic food - Ugali  

We our selves are still living in 'Green Cottage' opposite Testimony House were we began fifty years ago It is a bit like a shop, with so much coming and going.   All the milk and bread comes to us from the Dairy, to be shared out to the four family homes,  and then the children are always dropping in to see Grandpa and Grandma.   Old boys and girls also suddenly appear, and this week we had a surprise visit from MELVIS Oduor, who came to us in 2000, aged ten years, together with his elder brother and two sisters.

He completed his education with us and found a job in Uganda, since when we have never seen or heard of him - but he was at home with us today - and we were very glad and happy to see him grown up, and

trusting in God.      It is really great when our children droop back in after leaving here, and many do so. We feel did manage in a small way to build a home and family where there was none.

Christmas is soon to be, and and out of school our children from the Homes are preparing for our usual Christmas Concert, which is open to the public on the 23rd December, and our Carol Service during the evening of Christmas Eve on the 24th; we have that in front of Testimony House.    School will have closed of course, and we shall all come together for our Christmas Morning Service on the 25th.   This year we shall be repeating our Nativity Play for the Concert night; it was well received last year, and we are thinking of making it an annual event.

The year seems to gone quickly for us.   Always so much to think and pray about, AND to actually be involved in still.   Esther and I are still involved in management and have places on the Board of Management as well as the Bi-weekly Finance Committee.     But it is still to the LORD we look for Guidance, and for all our needs.     Without His Holy Spirit in our midst, our human efforts would come to nothing.

May all our Friends and Readers recieve our Love and Greeting in Jesus Name, and know that our prayers ascend to God each day, in love for Family of Friends, and for all those in the world beside, that you may be blessed and protected from all harm.

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

SEE HOW THE DEVIL LAUGHS - ALL AT OUR EXPENSE!

 

A GOOD FRIEND AND SISTER IN CHRIST recently wrote to share a quote she had received purporting to be from The Screwtape Letters by C.. Lewis, published in 1942!

'Satan - I will cause anxiety, fear and panic;

I will shut down business, schools, places of worship and sports events.

I will cause economic turmoil'

Jesus -  I will bring together neighbours,

I will restore the family unit, and bring dinner

back to the kitchen tables.

I will help people slow down their lives

and appreciate what really matters.

I will teach my children to rely on Me, and not on the world.

I will teach my children to trust me, 

and not on their money and material resources'

WHEN I read it I did not remember it from my own knowledge of the Book cited.   In Screwtape Letters the content is based entirely on an imaginary dialogue between junior and senior demons.  I did not recall Satan talking with Jesus.    Also it seemed too tailor made for NOW, rather than 1942,when it was supposed to have been written.  

WELL, on looking up the matter, I have discovered that the Extract IS a fraud;   it was not taken from Screwtape letters, or any other book Lewis wrote.    This is affirmed by REUTERS and a number of other sources.    Reuters states that this 'extract' can be traced back to Facebook post made on 12th March 2020 by a U.S. woman names Heidi May.   Reuters also states that on being interviewed, Heidi May told them that she had been feeling overwhelmed (with life). adding 'Jesus spoke these words to my heart.    Well Hiedi May I am sorry you needed to get C.S. Lewis to falsely add words to those you believed had been given you by  the Holy Spirit.     I can and do forgive you, since if these words have come from God's Holy Spirit they are worth much more than if they had come from any OTHER source.    I for one can believe Satan is behind everything that is happening right now in our world.

AND I can believe that JESUS will use it all for the good of ALL, and especially for all those who BELIEVE in HIS WORD.

Randy Green ( not a relative of mine ) writing for Peace Officers International, attributes these same words as mentioned above, to have originated from a Catholic Priest named Jerome Zeiler.   Randy uses them to preface his own comment  -  "God is working to revive His people and restore their first love.  He is leading us to repentance.   He is teaching us to pray without ceasing, and to trust Him for every need we have.   He is refining our faith and teaching us to love our neighbour as ourselves.  He is reaching out to those who are in darkness and inviting them to come into His Light, and into His Kingdom. God said in Isaiah 50  '...let the one who walks in the dark who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and rely on their God'

Whatever you are facing you can say with Isaiah 'Because the sovereign Lord helps me I will not be disgraced.   Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.........'   Isaiah50v7.     God will never forsake you or abandon you,  He is with us, and watching over us.  

Thank you Randy - you, as a Police Office, you need all our prayers, as do all those who stand with you in these times of very real human turmoil.    God Bless you all, wherever you are serving.    You may not all be Believers, but there is no doubt God loves you, and wants you to know and rejoice in that Love, and to believe He wants you to LIVE and not die.

COVID 19 IN KENYA TODAY

The latest figures to hand for 23rd October 2020

TOTAL TESTED SO FAR -  646,367      found POSITIVE  47,843

                                                                   Those Recovered  33,422

                                                                   Those deceased         884

                 

Current Cases being treated ................................................       13,537  

Current approximate population..........................................50,000,000    

As on 23rd October 631 positive Cases confirmed out of 6,142 tested 

and included in the previous figures as above.

There has been alarm because daily confirmed cases are seeming to rise.

However the daily Cases TESTED also had risen, and it is not noticed that the INCREASE in actual confirmed Cases has increased against the percentage tested.

The CHINESE are reported to be treating confirmed cases almost the same as common ;FLU!!?

AND it seems very successful and allows life to go on almost normally.     AND China's economy is booming.      So who is panicking - and WHY.      What is in REAL danger World Population, or World Economy ?    Are we afraid of a VIRUS when we should be seeking the real Enemy.

AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN - STILL RELATIVELY THE SAME IN NUMBER, some 130 spread in four family homes each  with a mum and dad.    Grandad on the far left, and Grandma extreme right.

In 2014 the Government declared that all Children's Homes would be closed by 2020.    There followed much discussion, and eventually we were told that WE would be among a few to remain OPEN.

THIS WEEK, Daryl was called to a Government Meeting in town  and advised that we had better soon decide what to do with our Homes since they would soon be closed and our children dispersed by fostering or adoption.     Will there be no end to threats and innuendo by a thankless Government who lacks any real concern for the true welfare of its children.        WELL, in the middle of so much social upheaval and anxiety, we felt unable to take this latest encouragement very seriously, and we are going on as we always have - trusting in the Love and Care of God.     He is the one who really CARES, and who has ever held us together in His Arms.      And WHO IS ABLE to take us all out of His Hands.

BUT SCHOOL IS STILL OPEN......with a lot of uncertainties.   The two Primary Grades, and ONE High School grades have now been open for two weeks, and students have settled very well, and with a lot of joy and gladness.    No one has shown even a symptom of C. 19.

BUT - what about the rest of the Classes?  They were said to be opening on the 26th October, but this has now been cancelled.    Some are now saying the first week of November......All is up in the air, and everyone in a state of uncertainty.

We are supposing that the Classes already going on WILL continue - two of the (Primary 8 and Form  4) being National Examination Classes.  We are acting as if the rest will rejoin us ANY time.     And we hope C.19 will not panic the Government into backing away from ensuring Schools OPEN, and our children are not denied the chance to go on with their Education.     LOTSs to pray about.!      We also are praying for all of YOU!    Our Enemy is not likely to spare us from personal directs attacks upon our lives just because we are suffering the effects of a Pandemic.   To pile more and more upon us is his delight and enjoyment, but the LORD is our Strength, and our Strong Tower, and none of his arrows will mortally wound or even reach us as we lift up the NAME of JESUS our Shield and Defender.

God be with you all.     Do not be persuaded the Winter will be DARKER  and more ARDUOUS than ever before.   Do not be pressured into FEAR, panic and anxiety.  SATAN would blind your eyes and deafen your ears to the Truth - JESUS SAVES, do not FORGET it.    He is our LIGHT and our Salvation, and HE can and will turn all the darkness into DAY.     BELIEVE and TRUST in this.  For all that the WORLD is telling us, and all the statistics, and evidences they are confronting us with about C.19, there is something (to me at least)  curiously unreal and theatrical in what is taking place.   AND NO I do not mean to put aside the very real sorrow and pain seen and experienced by those who have died from C.19.   We cannot deny or make light of their deaths.    BUT, on the other hand have we been greived by all those others who have died of countless other diseases, ,maladies and accidents,even that daily pass away.       Publicity and the Media, and maybe even other forces could have put everything out of perspective, frightened us all out of our usual sanity and common sense.    We should take care.    The Man of Sin may well be WITH us in the world NOW.     When He comes the Bible says he will DECIEVE, MANIPULATE and make us all believe a LIE.     

Our love to you in the FIGHT.     We shall all come through.  NOTHING will stop us in HIS Name.

John, Esther and Daryl Green, and all here in Testimony Faith Homes & School

                                                   

THE END OF AN ERA

THIS HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK WITH THE GOVERNMENT SUDDENLY ANNOUNCING THAT ALL SCHOOLS WILL OPEN AS FROM THE 5TH OCTOBER.    On the face of it a very welcome and sensible decision, until you receive the 50 page Book telling you HOW to Open, and with what V.19 Preventative Precautions.    The Private School sector under which our School operates, has had no income for 7 months, and with no funds in hand it has been impossible for many to even begin to bring their school in line with the new C.19 Standard.      We are still struggling, and of course UNTIL we come in line with Government requirements we cannot ourselves open - and we have not YET opened....but WE ARE HOPING TO OPEN next week!    Hurrah!

BUT, the Government is ONLY permitting Schools to open Primary Classes 4 and 8, and High School Form 4., initially.       So we shall not have our usual population - only approximately 155 out of 800.  Also not our usual number of Teachers - approx. 18 out of about 48.      We have had to ADD a Classroom for each Class/Form,  in order to accommodate 'Spacing'.      We have also had to Accommodate the need to provide hand washing points for all students and staff - ONE to ever fifty, AND provide a Temporary Isolation Room for any who may show symptoms of C.19 whilst they wait for transport to the nearest Medical Centre for Testing.   AND, of course, we must equip ourselves with Thermometers to keep a check on temperature     There is no doubt SCHOOL will be different as from now........

BUT it is a start.    For us, one fraught with very real problems and challenges, which can  affect the success of the School AND even the future of our Children's Homes.     But we do not stand alone, or without Strength, for we continue to BELIEVE God IS with us in JESUS Christ, Alive and present in our midst.    We ourselves are still weak humanity, but HE is strong and gives us Confidence and Assurance that we shall overcome.

DARYL has been shouldering most of the mental and physical load in planning, and actively achieving the changes and readiness needed for bringing us to Opening Day.     He a handful of our staff, and a huge input from our teenagers, to help do the heavy work of Cleaning and refreshing the School, as well as seeing to the provision of new fixtures and fittings.    Still going on right NOW.
 Of course we have done our best to rally behind him, as the old guard, to encourage and pray with him.    ONE of his activities has been in going through our twenty four classrooms to ensure desks and chairs are found in good repair and general condition.     He and his Team are STILL involved in achieving this - together with so much more.

I have just now been walking around the initial area to be opened on Monday.   Still  a lot of work to be done in cleaning and removing litter.   Amazing how plain dirt has a habit of collecting from no where - and even more amazing how it can remain hidden from the sight of those able to remove it!

Daryl still active identifying Hand Washing points. I Found him organising one for the Reception Office, and found others being actually MADE for children to use in the Dining Area.     Can we actually complete it all by Monday?     Our Teachers, who have still been laid off without pay, are also here this morning, going through the new proceedures laid down, and now walking around the Classrooms that will be in use, with Anthony Ndungu the School Principal.     Very  encouraging to see them all here, anxious to resume work;  they are all amazing, and I must express to them all our very Thankful and Grateful appreciation of their loyalty to, and pride in, their School.

Life continues in other areas, quietly.    The Covid 19 continues to dictate a lot of change and a lot of frustration, but not nearly to the degree of many other unfortunate Nations on Earth!    Yesterday's figures for Kenya are - As at 9/10/20

Confirmed Cases        Recovered Cases      Inclusive of yesterdays Confirmed Cases of 442 out of

40,620                         30,876                      5,327, Tested.   Most of these new cases recorded  from                                                                             Nakuru,   Nairobi,  and Uasin Gishu in that order.

This is showing an increasing number,   but relatively not dangerously so.    

INSIDE Testimony Faith Homes we have recorded no Case so far, for which we are grateful, but we are aware that the incidence of recorded Cases is growing even in our area, and that with the Opening of School the risk of infection will rise, at least initially, for all of us and, to all intents and purposes, will  be forced to open up our previous state of Quarantine to the local world around us.

THERE HAS BEEN  HEAVY THUNDER STORM whilst I was typing this.  Everything is VERY WET, and outside is looking very grey and wintery.    But our winter should be giving way to Spring!    No!   IN FACT  here in Eldoret we have had a rather dull, cloudy and wet year.  Surely it HAS found the odd day full of sunshine and blue skies, but for the most part  there has been no HOT SEASON this year, and  it look as it it may con-tinue.    But we are GLAD to see plenty of rain this year, although it may well not be good news, at this time, for a good Maize and Wheat Harvest.  Now we wait for what could be a VERY dry  time.

AND NOW I AM SIGNING OFF  - maybe permanently.     BLOGGER.com has changed a lot of its Settings and arrangements recently, and together with hundreds of others I am finding these changes too much to cope with.     I have found it impossible to properly Edit, and even Post my Blog for some time now, and although I have also tried to share my problems with the ' Managers' I have felt very unhelped  by them.     I have blogged since 2007 very happily, but not any more with them I think.   I may try to find another way.     

Esther and I are still well, and well occupied.     We will be delighted to reply to any who want to keep in touch and want to hear more about what is happening here.     We are much in prayer for all of you, wherever you are in our condemned world.     Revelation remains THE book in the Bible to READ and pray over.     There is so much there that reflects our world at this time, and also the mentality of mankind at this time.       BE READY for CHANGE.     It is coming soon.

Without love always in God and in His Son, JESUS

John, Esther, and Daryl Green, and ALL in Testimony Faith Homes Family