LAST BUT NOT LEAST

TESTIMONY HOUSE was, of course, the FIRST Children's Home and began in Maseno Western Kenya in August 1969, moving to Eldoret on Boxing Day 1972 and into the present building. Esther and I were Mum and Dad to this family until 1998 when we became 'Grandparents' and moved into Green Cottage nearby on the same compound. There are 40 children aged from 3 to 23, boys and girls in the current family, and Hesketh and Alice MULI are now Dad and Mum there. They have two young children of their own as well, all mixed in. Hesketh is standing at the extreme left of the group photo.

After we left in February '98 Daryl and Carol took over as houseparents and remained there for 8 years. Then Mr. and Mrs Muli took over. It is the biggest of the four houses, and as a house is the oldest having been built circa 1910. A comfortable and happy home from home to many. The Home stands on the same compound as Testimony School, and in 2008 a 40 bed Hostel for teenagers who are studying in College Courses locally was completed. College students are able to still fellowship and take their meals in the Home they grew up in, but sleep in the Hostel which provides rooms for four to six students at a time plus bathing and toilet facilities. It can also be used to sleep Guests. It was built over a period of twelve months 2007/08 through unsolicited donations, and is dedicated to the Memory of David and Kathleen Lillie whose friendship and support to the work of TFH has been used of God to expand and strengthen the entire ministry at different moments. We hope to use this as we did two years ago to also house the Team from Australia expected in June. !!!

OUT OF THE BLUE, Esther and I might be going on a short Safari! Our niece, who runs a small Travel Bureau, rang to suggest that we might like to get away for a week-end with her parents - Esther's sister and husband who we were with in Nairobi a fortnight ago. It seemed a good idea, and since funds were available that had been given to us personally we decided to actually GO. Quite unheard of for us to ever do something out of the ordinary. The last time was in 2004 when we went to Lake Elementaita for a week-end in August to celebrate our 33rd
Wedding Anniversary. We (I at least) are usually a bit 'stick in the mud' types..... ANYWAY, God Willing, we hope to leave here Friday morning for NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, to spend three nights in Lion Hill Lodge overlooking Lake Nakuru, well stocked we hope with Flamingos.

The Lodge is reputed to be very comfortable and surrounded by all kind of Game. Apart from an opportunity to see first hand what we usually only see tamely on TV, we will have the added delight of good company and fellowship. WE will leave on the morning of Monday 8th March, and hope to be home in time for supper. We are looking forward to it. Just one small anxiety - it is RAINING now almost every day, and this might give us a rather 'STICKY' time in the Park where flash floods, mud and uncaged wild animals provide plenty of opportunity for unplanned events and adventure. BUT - 'Be anxious for nothing....'

THUS I may not have opportunity to write on Saturday this coming week, and you may not expect to hear until Saturday 12th March as to whether or not we were eaten by lions, gored by a rhino, or simply succumbed to too much good food..............try not to be too anxious!

This week will end right here. Have another Message to seek guidance for, as I am again to bring the Word tomorrow at our Fellowship. Also letters to write, and the Minutes of a Meeting to type out and print. Too few hours in a day..

God Bless and be with you all, and provide YOU also with unsought-for Refreshment. He watches over you and us, and He knows our NEED.

Love you all

John and Esther

HOUSE NUMBER THREE

THIS WEEK WE ARE BACK IN TYNDALE COTTAGE, Tyndale was begun in 2003 in a rented house, and was first known as Trinity Cottage. However when the family moved into the NEW house, made possible by the good will of Tyndale Christian School in South Australia, we decided to re-name it - so now it is Tyndale Cottage. A Home to some 25 children, boys and girls between the ages of 1 and 18. Mica and Senge Catherine YEGO started this Home, and remain the Houseparents up to date. They have forged a family that is knit very close, and there is a very special and loving atmosphere amongst them all. This is not to say that 'family feeling' and loving care is not apparent in the other three Homes, but perhaps because of the currently very young age of the majority in Tyndale it seems realised more instantly there. And of course this is a family that has, in the majority, been together since the onset with the same 'Mum and Dad'. The few new members that have joined in with them found an established family, with established relationships. They just were sucked in and became almost instantly absorbed into the general atmosphere.
Mica and Catherine, shown below, were newly weds when they began the Home. They were to remain childless in their marriage for almost seven years until their little son Steven was born in November 2009. During that time they became parents to more than 30, and by the time Steven was given to them, they had learned a great deal about parenting - and they were more than prepared to receive from God one of their very own making. And the entire family rejoiced and erupted with happiness at this addition to their family. Looking behind the family group - bottom right - you can see the end of DRAKELEY Cottage. Jacaranda is just hidden to the LEFT, in between the two. A very compact compound, yet with enough play space and openness so that the whole is in no way cramped or overcrowded.

ON MONDAY OF THIS WEEK Esther and I flew up to Nairobi to receive my Award. Poor Esther managed a 'wobbly' tummy on the way, and spent the best part of the morning feeling a bit queasy. However, she did eventually overcome it, and for the most part we had a good day together. Esther's brother in law, Joe Kibe met us at the Nairobi Airport and drove us into the City. We first of all had to attend the Kenya Probation & After Care Services Head-quarters. We were to meet the Director and his Assistant there. However when we arrived about 9.30a.m. they had both been called away to another function in another part of Kenya. We were then met by a Senior Assistant Officer. The Award had been solicited from the President by the Service in Thanks and Appreciation for the considerable material and human assistance Testimony Faith Homes has shared with them over the last 40 years. It was given because of my own personal interest and involvement in the Service as it applies to our immediate district. We have felt it complementary to the concern we have generally between us for the welfare of young people - even those who have fallen by the wayside. We have not, however, only assisted to help and rehabilitation juveniles, but have even aided older Probationers.

We left the Probation Headquarters and walked across the road to the Vice President's Office where the presentation was to be made. We were shown into a most prestigious ante room and told to wait. An hour went by during which we made polite conversation with the Senior Assistant who had accompanied us. At last she stood up and said she had to return to her Office but that we would be well looked after until the event took place. We thanked her and she left. Another hour went by. It was very quiet as if we were the only people alive in the building. I decided to take a look around and see if I could find out what was happening. No one was to be seen as I walked down a wide corridor. I came to the Office of the Vice President, and decided to go in, but as I did so the door opened and a Secretary walked out. "Can I assist you?" he asked. I shared my situation and he immediately conducted me to another palatial office inhabited by two lady typists.. "These ladies will assist you", said my guide, and left. Again I shared my problem. I had been ask to come for an Award. I had been here two hours, and had to consider catching a plane back to Eldoret mid afternoon. One of the typists arose from her chair and said, "Just wait two minutes," and disappeared. I waited, standing by a desk. Sure enough in a couple of minutes she reappeared clutching a rather battered A4 size brown envelope. "Here we are", she said a little breathlessly. "Here is your Medal! Congratulations!" She then shook the envelope, which was open, and out flew some papers, and booklets, and finally a small bronze Medal with a short ribbon. "I must apologise to you" said the typist, "should have given it to you as soon as you arrived! Have a good trip back to Eldoret." I was dismissed! No one to shake my hand or pin the Medal on my lapel. I took the proffered envelope, gathered up the booklets and papers, and lastly gingerly picked up the rather meagre looking Ribbon and Medal. I suddenly felt a little humiliated! What had I expected? Too much it seemed. But it was good for my ego. I left the Office and found Esther and Joe, and we together left the building. We saw no one else. except a Guard at the door. It was rather like leaving a well kept but quite unused art gallery.

We went for lunch together, joined by Esther's sister Mary, Joe's wife. We had a good and happy time together, then caught the plane back to Eldoret at 4p.m. Not quite what we had thought the day would be, but we enjoyed ourselves. It was like an unexpected Day Out; a real Treat.

I have hung the Medal on the wall of my office. I doubt if I shall ever wear it.. I am the recipient (though few will ever know) of the Head of State's Commendation medal, and can now put HSC after my name. Quite amazing. And in it's own way, I do own it to have honoured me, no matter how it was given or bestowed. AND the Probation Department is hugely delighted that I have been officially and publicly 'noticed' and 'appreciated', by their own urging, for a long and most useful 'friendship'. We shall continue working together and encouraging each other. They themselves are poorly paid and little valued for the work they do in trying to reclaim, rehabilitate, and even save human beings from their mistakes and troubles. Each one of THEM need a medal - and much more.

The week has proceeded quietly, calmly, and rather WETLY as it is still raining - But on Monday the sun shone, and the sky was blue, and Nairobi was fresh and inviting to us two elderly country trippers. Hallelujah.

Much Love to you all - have yourselves a wonderful week.

John and Esther

IN TRANSITION

THIS WEEK WE VISIT JACARANDA COTTAGE. On the right is a recent photo of Beatrice (47) and Joseph Allan (51) ROP who are our latest Mum and Dad there.

Jacaranda was first of all rented, and then purchased in 1975. It is on the same compound as Drakeley Cottage and Tyndale Cottage, and all three are sited opposite to Testimony House, across a 50 ft tarmac road. It was initially bought to house children squatting in the Municipal Rubbish Dump, abandoned by society, drug addicted, sick and very anti-social. Francis and Elain Wainaina were the first to be houseparents there to a family of some 27 boys and girls. One of those girls was from Testimony House where Esther and I were Mum and Dad. She transferred to Jacaranda to help them begin to also assist girls. Her name was Miriam Peter, and later after training as a nurse and marrying Joshua Mbithi, she was to return there as the next Mum after the Wainianas left. Francis is now Vicar of Starbeck Anglican Church near Harrogate. Joshua and Miriam are now directing their own work - Neema Children's Home just a few kilometres away from us. Jacaranda has had the most changes of Houseparents over the years.

1975 to 1981 Francis and Elaine Wainaina

1981 to 1986 Hans and Sonja Jensen / Bob and Joy Grahamslaw

1986 to 2003 Joshua and Miriam Mbithi

2004 to 2008 Phillip and Roseline Nzomo

2009 to ? Joseph and Beatrice Rop

Normally we hope and pray that those that apply to be houseparents will feel it is a long term commitment, and it certainly was with Francis and Elaine, and Joshua and Miriam. But there can be no guarantee how long a couple might feel finally led to stay. With Jacaranda it has proved difficult for the children, and even today it is evident that when parents leave, it churns everything up emotionally in the family. That is another reason why divorce and marital separation of any kind when there are children in the midst is so selfish and imperfect. Of course those who feel the need to go that way in their marriage have their reasons, but Jesus says God permits it ONLY because of the HARDNESS of men's (and women's) HEARTS! I suppose UNBELIEVERS will feel quite free of any constraint presented by such a statement, but the Christian Believer is condemned if he does NOT seriously consider his or her state of heart.

Would Jesus have done such a thing? We - as very affected grandparents - see this just now with Daryl and Carols children caught up in the turmoil of what looks more and more like an immanent separation in their parents relationship. Much prayer needed. WE are not believing for anything but a complete victory in all this.

With the Homes it is a RISK we have had to take, (the turnover of houseparents) and so far, perhaps for just a very tiny reason, things have managed always to hold together. Life gets a bit rough, but at least, so far there has been the small comfort of having me and Esther still here, as an apparently permanent reference point. How it will pan out once our time to go comes we do not know. God will work it out if Testimony Faith Homes is still needed by that time.

The ROPS are older than those usually wanting to be parents in the Homes. Their own children have grown up. They are more mature, and with much experience. We can see that coming into the Jacaranda Family as they have, after two or three others, was quite a challenge, but we also see that the troubled waters are already calming down, and the children do seem to have taken well to them, and they to the children. We thank God for it.

They have 29 children with them in care. Their youngest child is about three years and the eldest in his twenties. The majority are in College with little time left. This means that by the end of this year they will expect to see many leave and others come. Suddenly the average age in the Home will become much younger - between 3 - 10 which is the age we Admit.

We DO pay our houseparents - each of them - a small amount each month, the Lord providing.

This ranges from between 8 and 12 thousand Kenya Shillings each. They live IN the Home of course, and eat together with the children, and so the money is in a sense 'pocket money'. However it is not a fortune and they will not hope to get very rich on it. Esther and I never had such a provision, but even so the Lord kept us well and happy, and satisfied. He has always provided what we needed, and of course He will and is doing the same for our four sets of houseparents.

Our Chaplain - leader of our Fellowship - Christopher Kosgei has moved on to a bigger church. We are glad for him, for we felt that his ministry gifts needed sharing with more than will ever come to our Sunday Fellowship. He will still be in town, and we are sure to have him over to preach, and perhaps conduct baptisms as well. Thus we shall still be in close contact. He has served us well, and the Lord has helped him to grow spiritually in the Ministry of the Word. For the time being I and others here with me will take over once again the responsibility for our weekly meetings. The Lord will provide !

Another busy week has flashed by, and tomorrow I shall again be preaching. Last week it was Benson Laguina one of our old boys recently graduated from University with a BSc in Christian Ministry. Rather an odd sounding degree. He is already working for the Lord, and it was good to have him with us, sharing God's Word. Sunday afternoon our Fellowship Men's Meeting will be meeting in Tyndale Cottage with Micah Yego as our leader. The Ladies will all be meeting in another place. In the evening Esther and I will be attending our weekly Missionary Prayer Fellowship.

THEN, on Monday morning I have to fly up to Nairobi to attend to procedures relative to 'the bestowing of the Presidential Award. Esther is going to come up with me of course, and we hope the Lord will be glorified in whatever happens. Can't be away long - and will return the same day in the afternoon. NO ONE to leave behind still. Rather limited freedom of movement. But we feel fine. We are content, and we feel the Work is secure and blessed.

More next week - God Willing.

God Bless and Satisfy you

John and Esther

OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY!

ON WEDNESDAY a small group of us were praying for RAIN. We had a few showers but they had not been effective to every part of Town, and some areas had remained parched. One or two big housing estates had been without water for more than ten days, and life was more than difficult. We lifted up our voices together and cried to our Father in Heaven for RAIN. Outside the day was brilliant and HOT. The sky was totally cloudless, resolutely blue, tinged with a hard brassiness from the unyielding gold of the sun. BUT we prayed on, and with vigour.

At mid-day the following afternoon, the blue sky seemed to have a grey/yellowish veil drawn over it, and as the afternoon wore on this grew darker and darker - not cloudy but just curtained off. About 4p,m, it began to rain, more and more, harder and harder, and continued all night - and is in fact still raining on and off up to now. AND THIS MORNING, I woke to the sound of the Hoopoe Bird who is traditionally associated with RAIN, singing his song in the garden - quite out of season; like a cockerel crowing in the midst of the darkest night! Hallelujah! And the Lord heard us and is watering the very parched areas of our Town. If only His People would the more lift up their voices.

Some of you have replied to our circular that we put out and the leaflet enclosed. We shall continue to do the best we can to keep in contact in the way most appropriate for all.
But the weekly BLOG will continue on. Where any one might prefer for me to just send via E-mail I am sure this can also be done - but of course some computers might assign it to the waste bin as 'junk mail'!!

Here is an up to date photo of Steve and Emily SITUMA- Dad and Mum of Drakeley Cottage and another of some of their 28 strong family. Steve and Emily have one child of their very own, now four years old and named Asariah (an Old testament Bible name). They became houseparents to Drakeley four years ago. About 50% of their children are under 11, and many of the youngest were initially HIV positive, but now registering as NEGATIVE. One of their eldest girls is Maureen, and this next week will be joining College to train in Hotel Management. Steve and Emily are helped in the Home by a cook and a lady to assist with washing. Steve also assists with Town shopping for the four Homes, and is also a good carpenter

Drakeley Cottage was completed in March 2008. Tyndale and Drakeley were built by the same Builder, but he was not so honest, and ran into financial problems before finishing Drakeley. In order to actually complete he illegally economised and the result was very bad for us. Part of the foundation filling was inferior causing the floor to sink one end of the building, and for some walls to crack. Of course this meant urgent repair work which was done only towards the end of 2009. Now all is well. The house covers an area of almost 3000 square metres and cost Ksh.4.8 million shillings in 2007/08. It is a five bedroom house. Tyndale Cottage is identical.

Each week from now I will go around the Homes once again to bring you face to face with each family. We feel very glad and proud of each, and so grateful to be able to SEE the Lord reaching out to so many lives, and providing them with shelter and love.

Esther and I send you all our love, and once more thank each of you for every thought and help. Helen has commenced her first post as a Nursery Teacher in Nairobi and is making out well.

Manu has cut off his pony-tail, and looks much younger, and less of a 'pirate'. He is still enjoying his work in the local Referral Teaching Hospital, but we are a little worried by a sudden weight loss from 70 down to 60 kilos in just six weeks, and the fact that his hair is falling out (that's why he cut the pony-tail off). He will be having a full medical soon. Please pray for him as he is feeling apprehensive and nervous - working in a hospital does nothing to encourage his fears of what might be wrong with him!!

Remember, He who loves the most and best is by our side each day. Keep Him in mind and heart.

Lovingly in Him

John and Esther