Saturday 27 February 2010

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








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