THIS IS THE KIPKAREN RIVER in Kenya. I couldn't resist taking the picture as it was so peaceful. Kipkaren is a small town on the main road from Eldoret to Uganda. There is a home for children here run by an American Organisation called Empowering Lives. The UG Children's Services Forum were visiting the Home - but, for a change, you have a photo of COWS instead of children!!
This river feeds the Trans Nzoia River, one of our largest in the Region.
As you see it here it is in drought - and may continue to shrink since the current outlook by the meteorological Services reported yesterday announces - ' ..although April is the rainfall peak period for the March to May long rains season, Nairobi and most parts of the country will continue to receive deficient rainfall for some time.' Oddly the Report then states that Eldoret, amongst other areas, are in fact receiving 'enhanced' rains. Not quite sure what 'Enhanced' means in this contest, but am supposing it means 'heavier' / 'more prolonged' rainfall. Those of us living here IN Eldoret might be surprised! So far over the last SIX weeks there has only been TWO days of 'prolonged' rains plus about another four days of limited heavy rainfall lasting just a few hours on each occasion. Generally our area seems to be receiving DEFICIENT supplies and thus Dams and Reservoirs are not being sufficiently replenished to prevent eventual water rationing and perhaps even severe progressive shortage - quite a worrying outlook.
Yesterday the NATION also reported a LEOPARD on the loose in Nairobi City!!

The Caption reads 'A VICIOUS LEOPARD IS ON THE LOOSE IN CITY ESTATE'. The Reporter then writes - 'The vicious cat attacked dogs on Wednesday night and killed several sheep in the densely populated part of the City......That this had happened far from any national park and in a densely populated area has puzzled residents leaving them to wonder how long the 'animal' had been living in their midst.'
Apparently they have not so far been able to trap the mysterious animal designated as a 'leopard', and whilst the hunt continues some residents have gone ahead and roasted the unfortunate sheep.......'
It seems rather droll that in a DENSELY (humanly) populated area there should be room for SHEEP - perhaps even goats, and chickens and even a COW or two! How can a 21st century capital city still permit its residents to keep farm animals cheek by jowl with them? Is it hygienic? Is it what one should expect in an URBAN - as opposed to Rural - area.
As to the so called 'leopard' the question remains "IS it a leopard?" Still more odd that in many parts of the UK such animals are also reported seen in both country and town! It is just one more indication of the apparent breakdown of law and order. Soon it will be hard to know where civilization and jungle diverge!
LAST NIGHT our Watchman discovered two young men hiding in our back yard! They were apparently very drunk, both clutching bottles of beer. The Watchman had seen them both jump over the wall and make for the rear of Green Cottage. He actually caught up with them and beat them with his cane. They were quite blotto and had little idea of where they were or what was happening to them. They turned out to be university students. They were escorted out of the compound and warned - though it is doubtful if they understood or even heard what was said to them. What a waste of years of investment by struggling parents - what a sad foretaste of what our intelligentsia and leadership in Kenya will become....... But booze is not just a problem for Kenya is it? And basically its not so much the booze but the inability of people to discipline their habits in order to be moderate rather than extreme.
PROVERBS 20v1 in the Bible reads -

'Wine is a mocker,

strong drink is raging;

and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise'

The Bible also says that GOD is NOT mocked - He is not to be scorned, laughed at, or made a joke of - Galatians 6v7. And MAN (male and female) is made in the IMAGE, (likeness) of God. When WE allow ourselves to be 'JOKES' - then God also becomes a joke!!? Do YOU want to be JOKE - someone to be mocked and scorned?

ALCOHOL in any form affects our whole personality and mentality. When used immoderately and without self discipline, ALCOHOL can render us unable to control our speech, thoughts, and even actions until we are altogether OUT OF CONTROL. It is at this point that we become a joke in the sight of others. We can also become DESPISED as well!

Some take alcohol because they think it will give them courage to face a problem, or to get over their 'shyness' and inhibitions. They seek boldness to DO things that normally they might be afraid of doing. Certainly ALCOHOL can blot out our natural good sense and moral restrictions. BUT THEN we become released to do what is NOT convenient - or even good. SOME drink in order not to lose out with their 'peers'. SOME drink in order to forget sorrow, fear, or pain. BUT ALCOHOL is not a permanent cure all, or way to happiness. It is in itself a MOCKER, and it mocks at YOU.

ALCOHOL makes us unconscious of ourselves, and totally forgetful of good manners and culturally acceptable social behaviour. Opinions and words that we would never normally let pass our lips, just tumble out of our mouths, often loudly, rudely, and ignorantly, leading to argument and even violent behaviour - Proverbs 23v29-30

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife?

Who has complaining? Who has wounds without a cause?

Who has redness and dimness of eyes?

Those who spend a lot of time with the wine;

those who go to seek and try mixed (alcoholic) drinks.

Those who habitually take in excessive alcohol become, to a lesser or greater degree, acquainted with the results listed above.. AND they become also to a lesser or great degree, DEBAUCHEES (habitually careless and loose in their moral life) having suppressed the 'likeness' of God normally restraining them by way of thier God given conscience. - Ephesians 5v18

SO THEN Alcohol CAN tempt us and lead us on to DRUNKENNESS which is a state in which we are no longer able to control ourselves sensibly. Such a person will experience, trouble, strife, wounds, eye problems, hallucinations, immoral behaviour, mental confusion, physical unsteadiness. This is a picture of a LIFE MESSED UP. It is a picture of HUMAN RUINATION AND CONFUSION. Don't forget to read the rest of Proverbs 23v23-35. This is a description of a SPOILED AND DEGRADED human being.

Look at Isaiah 5v11 - you can end up drinking day and night, spending all your cash on booz! You will be poor, and the poverty of your wife and children. Proverbs 21v17

HABAKKUK 2V15 says that some will use alcohol to purposely destroy moral inhibitions so that illegal sexual intercourse can take place! It is a work of darkness - it wrongs and hurts.

PAUL THE APOSTLE says that he would rather NEVER drink (alcohol) if it would help him NOT to hurt or destroy another person's life. Romans 14v21 / 1. Corinthians 8v13

FINALLY FOR TODAY I have just seen the SUNDAY NATION with a most distressing photo of a Kikuyu woman who on Thursday evening was forced to watch Police destroy the ragged tent she was living in at the Camp For Displaced Persons in Eldoret Agricultural Show Ground. No doubt a further effort to discourage the 4,000 or so (the government puts the figure at only half of this) remaining there from staying put. On page 9 the following is reported under the Headline

'Refugees left in the open after police destroy tents'

'Tents of displaced people at Eldoret Showground have been destroyed by police.

The internally displaced people were caught by surprise when police stormed the camp on Thursday evening. Camp Chairman, Wanjohi Ndung'u 68, said tents were destroyed in two hours.

And it is raining on and off. The elderly, women and children are now all at risk. The National Conscience seems quite willing to see them all die if necessary. So sad! Probably Scrooge would say ' Never mind, it will assist to reduce the surplus population'!!

GOD BLESS you, and seek to give you a SOUND MIND in the days ahead, wherever you are.

John and Esther