ON THE MOVE ONCE MORE!!

AT LAST, we seem to be coming out of the Wilderness - at least for a spell!! We have just taken delivery of a 2002 re-conditioned TOYOTA Voxy, an eight seater people carrier!! VERY nice indeed. It is to be used for small Outings and other family matters as between the FOUR Homes.This has been hanging fire since last year when we received a donation of 10,000 pounds from a Christian motor charity that was winding up its affairs, and knowing our need felt to assist us. The funds arrived when we were totally without funds for general purposes, and since the donors had clearly specified that it was to be used to refurbish our transport needs, we decided to put the funds on one side where we would not be tempted to use them. We did not feel it would look very well (to others here that keep an eye on our progress) if we were seen to suddenly buy an expensive vehuicle whilst at the same time seriously economising and lowering our general standard of living in an effort to survive!! At the beginning of last month our housekeeping needs relaxed enough for us to feel that this time was right to go ahead and look for a fresh vehicle AND to also refurbish our old Nissan. The Nissan should be here as I write, and I will hope to include some picture of it as well. The Nissan has been slightly modified to provide more space for goods to be carried, whilst at the same time providing seating for 7passengers. This will now provide against all the Home's needs transport wise. A tremendous provision.

Perhaps an even greater Provision has been the total removal of accrued debts amounting to more than Ksh.1.2 million which have slowly accumulated since February this year. For the first time in the year we are, as of today, without any burden of debt. We do Praise the Lord yet again for His Faithfulness, and for the prayers and help of many in making this possible, and for teaching us Patience!!

MICHAEL JACKSON is dead! I suppose the first time I noticed him was on TV sometime in 1972 - he would have been about 14. Still with his family, a young man of obvious talent and good looks. Some will say he grew up to be even more talented and good looking - one of the Greats (if not the Greatest) of Pop Icons; the KING of Pop in fact. But to me although his ability as a song and dance performer went from strength to strength, he himself seemed to steadily deteriorate, and even become a grotesque shadow of the young, attractive teenager he had once been. Of course we all do grow up, and not always for the better. Constantly we are exposed to the erosion of all the elements that the world has to offer, and this must in effect change us, if no resistance is met with.

I think is true to say that we all come into the world handicapped in some way in our nature and personality, quite apart from physical disabilities that are often connected. Sometimes we wrestle to overcome, and sometimes we just allow ourselves to be hindered, and at times even defeated by our particular challenge. We give in to the handicap instead of determining to overcome and win through to the real reason and purpose which God had originally intended for our lives. It can be a lonely business. I think Michael became lonely at some time and sought consolation and satisfaction without success. It is a fact that we cannot improve or MAKE ourselves to be better than we are. Only God can change us for the better in any way. And Michael, in seeking to modify himself, only managed to lose his real beauty until he was in fact unrecogniseable as the child he once had been. I have often prayed for him. I still hope that somewhere along the way he did hear the Message of God's Love, Redemption and Healing. I know God loved him, as He loves you and me. He died for Him. I hope that Michael did in some measure come to know that for himself. If not he lived his life in vain!

INTERLUDE!

JUST BEEN CALLED back to my office. A family of SEVEN in dire straights.

The mother, an Agricultural Government Officer, died of cancer in 2007, and the father, a sixty year old retired Primary Headmaster, thereafter deserted the family of seven kids. They had to leave their home and find shelter in one room, from which they have now been evicted due to unpaid rent. The eldest daughter of 18 is very sick and bedridden. the next eldest at 17 has completed school but is unemployed, and has to beg to find a meal for all of them. Her younger sister aged 10 and two brothers aged 16 and 13 have had to cease schooling due to lack of money, and are all together destitute. What to do - what help can we give? Well we talked and managed to piece together all the details of this misfortune, and gathering all our staff we have managed to find places for the three youngest children here with us. We also managed to find temporary accommodation for the two elder sisters plus medical treatment for the eldest and a job for the follower. Now we can only trust that they will find a way forward in the Lord so that all the sudden misfortune will be turned into advantage. God is good. Their problem is not the usual one that we assist, but I felt unable to send them away empty handed so ragged and despondant as they are. God will Provide! God will do great things.

OUR BOARD OF MANAGEMENT met yesterday evening, and it was felt by all that the Secondary wing of Testimony School be given a period of three years to prove its worth and discover a way forward that will be self sustainable. However it was also felt that we should go ahead and plan for a Boarding fascility specifiically for the Secondary School in order to attract more students from outside of Eldoret to swell the numbers and assist in financing the daily running of the School. This will be somewhat of a risk, but it was felt that the Lord had not permitted us to open Secondary in order to close it down again.

STILL NO RAIN to be seen, but we know it WILL rain eventually. We press on toward the mark. Lots to prepare for as the days go by. The School Parents Day coming up on the last Saturday of July, and then the Kenya Wedding of Michael and Janet on 22nd August and the 40th Anniversary of TFH on the 29th. So much to DO and think about, but we believe the Lord will bless all our endeavour. Michael and Janet were actually MARRIED ON 8th

June in UK by Civil Ceremony. They are very happy. Steve, Anjie, and Elisabeth were all able to join them for the day, as also one of Janet's uncles who lives in London. From the photos it looked a truly joyeous occassion, and it was a blessing to be able to see another of our children settled in holy matrimony. Only Manu and Helen left!!!!

We are looking forward to having the whole family all here together for once - if only very shortly - something all too rare for us.

THANK YOU ALL ONCE MORE for being with us in our labours here. God Bless you ALL

John & Esther