THROW AWAY KIDS!!

HERE ARE NINE HAPPY FACES - well maybe the youngest isn't quite so happy! Nine children aged 2 to 9 years old who have been picked up from Eldoret Streets over the last three years and holed up in the Eldoret Child Rescue Centre. We left behind about 30 others of the same age group. We took 7 girls and 2 boys, and later on that afternoon (Friday 29th October, we took two more boys aged 6 and 7, making a total of eleven. ALL of these children have been abandoned, dumped, THROWN away on Eldoret Town Streets or at the door of the Rescue Centre. The Centre, originally built for 40, now houses more than 185 MINUS the 11 pictured above, and perhaps also minus another 20 taken in to other Charitable Children's Homes during the past week. The Centre is poorly supported by the Community and not at all by Government. Techincally it was opened as a Rehabilitation Centre with the idea of taking vagrant children into temporary (6month) care for investigation, rehabilitation, and then either repatriation to their families or to some suitable institution for further care of education. However this did not work out, and so in the end it has become purely a dumping centre with no real plan of how long to keep the inmates. It has had a bad record and has continued to exist purely and simply because there was no other place to take the inflow of youngsters flooding to the streets. In many ways it has been little better there than the Streets ? Some might think so, but I might not be right to comment! The real problem, of course is in stopping new cases continuing to arrive on the scene! Poverty amongst the majority of our population is increasing, and thus the more charitable aid, help that might be seen to be available, the more there will be to take advantage of it. In fact it does seem at times that we are only encouraging the situation rather than helping it.
ELDORET is currently said to be dealing with such problems more successfully than any other towns in the Republic. I personally, would not want to confirm it. There IS a lot of real concern both at Government (both local and central) and Private Sector levels, but so far not a great deal of material increase in the provision of residential care, rehabilitation, or simply good strategy. This weeks joint action by the Registered Children's Homes in our immediate Districts resulted from an Appeal made at the Children's Forum. Out of some 14 Homes there represented we only managed to get 18 offers of immediate help to reduce the present overpopulation of unwanted children under 10 years presently in need. For me this was a distinct disappointment, as I had felt that if we, poor as we are, could afford to stretch what we have to take at least 9, then many of the others who live a more predictable financial life would have done more. An urgent effort to obtain realistic statistics of the actual numerical needs are hoped to appear during November. It is indeed more than agonising to have to watch these children - from 2 to 18+ destroying their lives in front of us.

Of those we have recieved this week, we have placed 6 girls and 2 boys in Tyndale Cottage with Micah and Catherin Senge; 1 girl of 9 years (she has HIV) in Drakely Cottage with Steve and Emily; and two boys in Jacaranda Cottage with Joseph and Beatrice. Testimony House is too full already to receive more for the time being. We now have a total population of 146. And of course although our new arrivals all look like little angels, we are aware that they come to us with a great deal of unwholesome experience and aquired habits. Many have been exposed to immoral practice, crime and addiction to various substances. Of course we shall do our best to keep a careful eye on them all, and pray they will slowly accommodate themselves to our own way of life and to the influence of God's Spirit.

It is NOT the first time we have admitted children from the Rescue Centre - Perhaps more than 30 over the last 20 to 15 years. Generally they have responded and done well, but they have certainly needed a lot more care and supervision, love and patience. It is always interesting to note that these sudden influxes, and the urgency for them, have usually occured at times of economic problems for us as well. I am sure that we often reach out to help before we have even counted the cost. We have in fact been often critised and cautioned about this - since our budget is and always has been unpredictable. The Lord has always undertaken, however, proving always His Mercy and Compassion for the orphaned. He is SO good to all of us.
Generally we are rejoicing all together at our ability to have been able to offer help at this time to so many - our walls are indeed elastic!!

MORE photos on Face book. In the meantime our Love to you all. Having to be short again as I have been more than usually busy today - preparing another Sunday Message, working on a Bible Study for Monday, and finding time to celebrate Helen's 21st Birthday - it was last Wednesday, but she is home from Nairobi for the week-end so we had a family get together for her. God is good. Every little detail, the good and the bad is in His Hands, and we are CARED for.

Love in Him to you all

JOHN AND ESTHER

A TIME OF HAPPINESS

ESTHER AND I are seen here standing with Edith and Anthony 'Bones' + baby daughter, outside of their new house. We were there to witness the Dedication of their home by Joshua Mbithi, and there were quite a number of old 'family' members from Testimony House and others. Anthony and his twin brother Christopher came as 4 month old babies in 1974, (and grew up with Esther and me in Testimony House - Anthony being to the right in the black and white photo below). Both are now married and pastors of different churches in Town. It was very special to be there with them on their Day - last Wednesday! It has taken them about two years to build the house, with Anthony being his own 'contractor' going about buying everything himself as the work progressed. They put all their savings into it, and also borrowed from the Bank, but the LORD also assisted them with a large part, and so it is very much a combined effort costing approximately 30,000 pounds sterling for a very smart, well built three bedroom house. Bones already has a house tied in with his church so is not planning to move into the new one right away. They will hope to rent it out for a few years so that they will not feel the burden of repaying the Bank Loan they took out.So many of our old family members were there, and it was very much a 'family' occasion with ample time for fellowship and reminiscing. Esther and I both felt very uplifted and glad - and we needed that little boost and injection of encouragement. Children do have this habit of growing up and rushing off to all points of the compass in pursuit of their own dreams and activities. Even when they live in the same town it can be hard to see much of them. SO to see and interact with so many was a special treat and blessing for us.
I don't think those who have left us and grown up (including our very own probably) realise how much they bless us when they visit, singly or together. Very special, like bursts of sunlight Such a gladness to see them well and bravely finding their way in this chancy world of ours. And especially so when they themselves have found Faith and Confidence in God. We say 'Thank you' to Jesus!

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THIS WEEK has otherwise been a quiet one for me. I had felt I needed time to think a few things out, and thus I kept out of the Office and spent time at home with the bible. This left Daryl at the helm more than usual, and he has been grappling with some of the hum drum human and administrative matters that usually come to me. Good for him, AND for me. May do more of it, progressively and see how things pan out. At the present time this seems the way forward since I am quite often having to attend other related Children's matters in the District, and need to be out, and also need more time for myself. This will test Daryl without injuring the daily running of the ministry. God is good, and although we have been riding the whirlwind this last month, we have found Him as present and able as ever to provide for and surprise us again and again.

Short entry this week. Keep praying very much for us all. Oh, and I should share the good news that Catherine Senge - Mum in Tyndale Cottage, - is once more expecting! They are both delighted. Hallelujah.

Lovingly to you all

John and Esther

WHERE TO GO IN A DROUBT?

ON WEDNESDAY OUR STREAM OF REFRESHMENT DRIED UP! And no RAVENS were apparently flying, and there was no sign of a woman gathering sticks! This had not happened to us for some years - there has always been a trickle in the pipeline. This seemed like a major supply failure. (1. Kings 17v2-16)

Unfortunately life goes on for us all in such times, and the consumption of utilities such as water and electricity continue on, and the whole machine continues to run along........piling up debt by the hour. It's not so bad as long as a 'little' is available to offset expenses, but when nothing is there, and deadlines for payment begin to arise... THEN it becomes a desperate situation, and puts 'faith' to the ultimate test - which usually leaves me a little wanting. I still ' believe ' but am crying out for Father to help my unbelief in sudden doubt. We had just sold our car which had recently been repaired and refurbished. we made about five hundred pounds on the deal, and put it immediately into general funds...........we continued to sink!!

At such a time our friends Ian and Diana Hogley took us away! Before they had arrived they had booked Esther and me into Lake Elementaita Lodge near Nakuru for two nights and a day - just to give us a 'carefree rest'. We did not really feel it was the right time to just walk away, but it could not be avoided. I left Daryl holding all the babies and with instructions to hold everything and just pray! And we left...........with very mixed feelings ....... and truly found peace and REST as we went. We had a thoroughly refreshing time in beautiful surroundings. The last time we visited this particular Lodge was in 2004 when we had gone to celebrate our 33rd Wedding Anniversary. The main House had been built by Lord Galbraith Lowry Egerton Cole, 2nd son of the then Earl of Enniskellen, circa 1905. He owned 30,000 acres down to the shores of Lake Elementaita. On this land he attempted to farm sheep but they all died of a mysterious disease. Galbraith himself also became progressively ill with rheumatoid arthritis. By 1929, blind in one eye and riddled with pain, he shot himself. He is buried somewhere on his estate not far from a Monument erected by his wife Lady Eleanor Cole, overlooking the lake and visible from the house; a house little changed over the years although now functioning as the Restaurant and lounge facility for the Lodge. The setting is just perfect, and the peace of the place has to be experienced to be believed - even with the numbers visiting. THUS we found ourselves momentarily removed from anxiety and even apprehension, and placed in serene quietness and beauty to be taught once again, that our help comes from the LORD - just look and see! And we did look and we did see. How very kind Father is. We both needed that, and when we returned here to Eldoret on Friday afternoon we were ready to take up where we had left off - and we did, for nothing had changed, and we all continued to WAIT upon the Lord but without so much stress and worry.

AS A LAST and special gift Diana had organised herself to prepare the four of us with a wonderful meal of Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding!! Something I had not had for a good number of years - and Oh my, it did taste good. We all revelled in it and once again Thanked our God for all His kind thoughtfulness along the way, even as He teaches hard lessons not easily learned. Ian and Diana left us this morning - until God Willing, they visit again. The last of the Yorkshire Pud will be eaten for our supper with the left over beef in just a few minutes. - the photo is not of the actual food eaten, but ours looked even better, and could not have tasted less enjoyable. Indeed that Yorkshire pudding looks EXACTLY like one of those Diana put on our plates last night! Mmmm

This morning we had word that Her Majesty's Inland Revenue had decided to pay out on Gifts sent to us over the previous period - PROVIDING (together with other Gifts sent to AENON Trust) just enough to keep us going on going on! It IS wonderful - I continue to know it - to live by Faith in His ability to save us from ALL our anxieties - but I have to admit I am often found wanting and forced to discover still how vulnerable I am, and easily shaken even after all these years.

God be with you all, and never fail to encourage, and build you up in your faith. He will never fail you.

John and Esther

40 YEARS AGO

A MOTLEY CREW INDEED. All of us standing outside the rented home of the then Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, Right Rev. Festo Alang, we were the original 'Family' of Testimony Faith Homes. 24 youngsters, all boys, aged from 6 to 16. It was a rough crowd, and many of the older ones did not stay long, being already too used to their own way to knuckle down to a regulated home life. We had been going for only about 10 months. Most of the youngest stayed until they completed School, and found employment, a good number still being in touch with us. Remembering these very early days I found a News Update for October 1970 which I thought I would include in this week's Blog, almost forty years to the day later!

TESTIMONY - OCTOBER 1970

"What does it cost to be loved and left alone?"

Lenrie Peters of Gambia

BEARING IN MIND the question above, let me relate two incidents.

I was sitting with my 'helper' Okila Olindi, in the Hospital landrover. The morning was hot, and we were parked in a back street of Kisumu, where many shops and emporiums are situated. Across the street I caught sight of a boy of about ten going into an open fronted drapery store. He was in rags; dirty. He gave one the slight impression of a down and out animal more than a human being. His stomach was terribly distended, and he seemed to stagger often as he lurched along. He entered the shop, holding out his hands, apparently asking for money or food. The storekeeper cuffed him soundly, and as he fell back into the dusty, littered street he missed his footing and collapsed into the rubbish filled gutter. He picked himself up and came on uncertainly towards us. We tried to speak to him, but his language was not one that either of us could understand. He went on sadly from us, lost, unwanted and uncared about; one of so many.

THEN, a few days ago, I was travelling back to Maseno from Kisumu by bus..The bus was hot, overcrowded and slow as we chugged our way up the tarmac road. Suddenly some passengers began to point ahead, and there in front, on the road, was a man walking. He was quite naked. People were shocked as well as mockingly curious. The bus overtook and passed him by, heads all screwed round and necks stretched to see better - then we stopped. We had hit a Police Traffic check. As we now turned our attention to this new development, into the bus swung the same man - still quite naked and probably not more than twenty years of age -

"Ladies and gentlemen.." he said, "this is a bad world......."

A policeman pulled him back, and out of the bus, and the youth turned about and ran like a mad thing down the road and away from us, as if he would attack a herd of cows a mile away. He had spoken in perfect English. The people in the bus were quiet. The Police laughed. No one really cared. What DOES it cost to be loved - and left alone? What does it cost to be concerned, yet not to be involved. The answer is very short - IT COSTS NOTHING! Nothing at all. That love is worthless.

And all the time since that time, I have been more and ever haunted by the thought that there is no one to care - NO ONE TO CARE. Yet this is not really true - God Cares! Yes, God Cares. In me? In you?

It is just over a year now ( October 1970) that the first two boys came to my little house in Maseno Hospital. The one only 12 years old, yet already tainted with women and strong drink; a taker of drugs - almost an old man already. The other, his younger brother, crippled through neglect, and well taught in the art of a lie. What kind of miracle was it that God put in their way? Not the kind commonly heard about from evangelistic platforms. Some look down their noses and label it 'social welfare'. Not really the same as preaching the gospel. Yet in fact by it Christ came and worked a miracle and in the midst of us here, and there has been deliverance and healing.

One visiting pentecostal preacher from the USA recently said to us here -

Ít's no use preaching only -

It's no use praying only -

We've got to DO something with it;

And it's the DOING that will COST not the other two.''

Yes Christ has shown us the way. He gave up everything just to rescue us from sin and misery; from loneliness and guilt. Not just 10% did He give, but ALL that He had. EVERYTHING. How much do WE care? How much do WE love? Perhaps because of these things we have found ourselves increasing the number of boys (no girls in those days since I was unmarried)

and we now have 35! It has meant that our financial outgoings have more than doubled, causing a little heart searching - was I really wise to allow this; was it of the Lord? We had increased our family by 15 in just over a month. But we had the space. I know Jesus would not have thought of the material risk, and I don't see how we could have done differently. He has never ever let us go hungry, and every day our daily needs are met. Oh, OTHER needs might be hanging around a bit, and old Satan sometimes come strolling round to test us. Yes, he is very ready to try to rob us of our peace and assurance. Yet even now with 15 extra mouths to feed the burden of faith is no greater than it was with fifteen less! The family is BIGGER but the burden is no heavier. But of course we still need for you to PRAY with us and for us. ((In June 1970 it had cost us only Ksh.3,000/- to pay our months bills and outgoings for 20 children and three staff members. - by October it had almost doubled because of the new intake of children))

ONE NEW DEVELOPMENT! I am planning to get married in March next year!! Thus instead of just ME alone, I now hope to bring my wife with me into the work here and even back with me to England for a brief visit. (We ended up marrying in August 1971, and the visit to UK was in fact delayed until March 1972). Please remember to pray for me, and for Esther, my wife to be; it is not every woman that would meet the challenge of my present situation - leave a safe government position, a good salary and well equipped modern house, and come to live in one room in run down conditions with 35 noisy boys! Love IS a wonderful thing. God is very good to me!

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It is always good to look back! And looking back I see my dear darling Esther all prepared to be a companion, and more than helper for all of these long, often arduous, and adventurous years. For me a most indispensable and necessary provision from Father in Heaven. I say Thank You Lord for her love and patience - not just toward me, but to ALL the children she found with me, and who would additionally come to be part of our family - the Testimony House Family in particular, and even the many others that have become part of the ever growing Testimony. Faith HOMES Family. She has and IS still a wonderful companion and wife, and even more a wonderful Mother and 'grandmother'. We have so much to rejoice in. Yes, some sorrows too, and children we still weep for and pray for as we wait for the Salvation. BUT oh, so much joy...............I hope you will realise how much of it was and IS still realised from your own part in this ministry - a ministry which has enveloped and contained our marriage and lives. Thank you for your partnership, your staunch support and prayer.

God Bless you always

John and Esther

A NEW HOME FOR CHILDREN

THIS IS RIZIKI CHILDREN'S HOME, Nakuru, Kenya!! Riziki Children's Organisation was actually born out of AIC Milimani Children's Rehabilitation Project. In this Project Esther and Julius Kivindyo were among the Committee Members. Through this Project Riziki came to be known in the UK during 2005, and our old and dear friends from Huddersfield, Ian and Diana Hogley were amongst the first to visit and see what was going on there.

The need for RIZIKE arose when it became clear just how much need there was for a proper 'home environment' for orphaned and vulnerable children in Nakuru.

Discussion about starting a separate Home began, and soon land was purchased and construction begun under a new Management to be known as Riziki Children's Organization. By June this year the House was finished, and the first children, seven in total, were admitted. To day there are eleven out of a possible population of 24. None of this could have come about if Julius and his wife had not trusted God and taken on the burden and vision He gave them to help and assist the needy children around them. They have worked hard to plant this home in the midst of a peaceful and hardworking local community, and in doing so have won the interest, respect and support of that community.

As they have prayed so God led others to them who also caught their vision, and took it home with them, spreading it, the Holy Spirit meanwhile stirring up hearts and lives to take up the burden, and to actually contribute in prayer and money's worth to see the vision come true.

It was our privilege to be there to SEE it demonstrated, and to HEAR God Praised and Glorified for it all.

The Guest of Honour was a practicing Muslim, Mr. Abdi Shiekh Yusuf, Provincial Children's Officer for Rift Valley Province. He was hurrying to get to the Mosque, a thin man, but virile and very energetic in his Thanks to God for this new and added refuge for children, AND also in his pronouncement of certain DOOM on all those who were using children to make money, and for their own twisted and ungodly purposes! Standing there in his unpretentious kanzu (long thin shift) he truly looked the part of an old prophet warning the populace. Warning that God would not be mocked and that He would certainly hand out Judgement both now and in the next world to all those who miss used and ignored the plight of needy children.

It was a good day. We had left Eldoret about 7.30a.m. and we were back again by 5p.m. I have posted the photos we took on Face Book.
We hope to see Ian and Diana here with us on the 10th October for a few days rest and fellowship - we plan to REST as well whilst they are with us.

Only a SHORT entry this week! We have had quite a busy day here at the Homes in Eldoret. The weather is fine and warm - perhaps the rains have ceased for a while. Still have a Sermon to prepare for tomorrow Miraculously, once again, we received funds enough to pay all our workers on Thursday, the very last day of the month. Wonderful. Thank you Jesus! Thank YOU all, in Jesus Name as well.

Lovingly from us all

John and Esther