Thursday 27 August 2009

THE WEDDING - AT LAST!

THE DAY DAWNED GREY AND CLOUDY. The lawns between Testimony House and Green Cottage had all been trimmed and then upon them a Wedding Tent erected, and some three hundred chairs placed. There were so many flowers, and just as the Bride arrived so did the sun, together with a few light spots of rain, and then for the rest of the day sunshine and warmth. God surely answered everyone's prayers for a FINE day!
The BRIDE was of course late, as almost all Brides seem to be, but otherwise there were no hitches, and and the Service commenced at about 11a.m. Some seven hundred guests attended - we think! It was probably MORE, since we had catered for 1000 and all the food went! After the Ceremony the Bridal Party went for a brief recess to take special Photographs, and the Guests made for the Receiption Tents which (5 of them) were pitched on the lower lawns. It was a truly delightful and wonderful day, when two young people, loving the Lord, came home to their families to witness and demonstrate that their marriage was made in Heaven and confirmed by God Almighty in Jesus Name .
There were FOUR Groomsmen, and four Bridesmaids in the Party, plus two page boys and two flower girls.. Daryl's young son,, Jesse, was one page boy, and Steven's daughter Tonia was one of the flower girls. MANU was one of the Groomsmen, and also two of our old boys, both pastors ( Christopher Kosgei and Anthony Kiprotich - both twins, but not identical).. Our family was almost complete except for Elisabeth's husband Prem and their two children who were unable to travel at this time from England. In addition Esther's sister and family came up from Nairobi to join in, so we were quite a party on our own side. Michael and Janet are still with us for this week and then will go away for a week alone before returning to the UK. Steven, Anjela, Elisabeth and the children will leave on Monday next. BUT BEFORE they leave we have our LARGER Family Reunion and Anniversary taking place this coming Saturday again. We expect to be a fellowship together of some 500 including old boys and girls visiting. So much squeezed into a fortnight, and not without pressure and even ATTACK from the Enemy who is ever ready to gate crash into one's affairs. Nevertheless we PRAISE the Lord our God, Who has kept us, and answered our Prayers, and effectively demonstrated that He is GREATER than that enemy!
However, I was quite unable to service the Blog on Saturday or even later, and it looks very much as if the same will occur this week. I must thus ask your kind indulgence and patience as I try to recover my normal routines enough to settle back into my Saturday appointment.
WE are all WELL, and strong in the Lord, BUT we do have need of your prayers at this time both in respect of our material AND spiritual state. We know the Holy Spirit will guide and direct those prayers. I had personally hoped that I might hand over the bulk of my administrative responsabilities at this time to the one who will follow me - but at present that seems still unable to be. I had also thought of taking some time to return to the Uk to visit and personally share about the ministry here, but that too is on hold since I do not have anyone able to stand in my place as far as the running of the Children's Homes are concerned although the School is strong and well cared for. Still all is not lost by any means, as I remain well and energetic enough to carry on for some time yet. Perhaps next year the situation will have changed. But it is something to pray about, and I will appreciate your fellowship.
God Bless you all, and little by little the many events and happenings of these two busy weeks will filter through as I continue to share and write week by week.
Love from us BOTH - John and Esther





























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