CHANGE, & CHANGING...........

GEORGE V and QUEEN MARY attending a DURBAR in INDIA where they were Crowned King Emperor and Queen Emperor.      This took place on the 12th December 1911 - just a hundred years ago.     What a lot of change was ahead of them - in less that 50 years!       And since I was born WHAT even greater changes have swept us all along into the space and technological world.      Faster and faster into yet another year - the Year of 2012.      SKY tv proclaimed THIS current year as one in which the world has seen the GREATEST change!   They went so far as to say that 'the world will never be the same again!'     Well I believe they are right.
NOTHING ever has remained as it was, and the world has continuously been changing since it began.

OOPS!   our Electric power supply has just gone off!    It was off yesterday as well for some hours.   There is quite a lot of apprehension everywhere just now because of Al Shabaab and the fear that they may seek to cause disturbances here and there.       Very much hyped up fears I think, and so far Eldoret has been quite untouched by any terrorist incidents.      BUT it IS annoying to be without electricity.   Hope it comes back in time for me to send this out today.......... (the unpredictability of life!).     In case anyone is now feeling alarmed for us let me say that Kenya Power Authority goes off quite often in a week.   Can be due to maintenance being carried out on the lines, or because a tree falls on a line, or because lizard gets short circuited in some local transformer.

For us this has been quite a year, and certainly there have been many challenges.   We opened the year needing more than £5,000 to pay School fees, buy uniform and pay salaries to our workers.    As usual we continued quietly in prayer, and on 5th January more than £7,000 arrived to provide for all this great need.    Surely God hears and answers.  
On January 3rd Manu, our youngest adopted son, working and living away from home,  was suddenly rushed to hospital with appendicitis!    The operation took place the next day, and was successful; he was sent home on the 7th, good as new!      
EARLY FEBRUARY it became necessary for us to find ways and means to obtain Birth Certificates for ALL our children in the Homes.     The majority did not have one, and to actually discover their early history and obtain needed documents to support an Application became VERY frustrating and time consuming.            We managed..........!       At the same time the Inland Revenue visited us and decided we needed to pay up about £100,000.     Eventually with the help of our Auditors this was reduced to £30,000.     We still felt this was unfair and without foundation, so we did not pay (could not pay) and the matter is currently in abeyance.
IT RAINED a little mid MARCH!     Finance a bit wanting, but non the less we ate every day.
Our children in the UK - Steven, Michale and Elizabeth decided to pay for Esther and me to fly out to visit them all.        Funds were at this time at their lowest.      It did not seem an appropriate time to leave Kenya.
IAN AND DIANE HOGLEY visited shortly on the 5th April, with Pam Wilding.    On the 11th Daryl, our son, was appointed Acting Director and General Secretary over all the Work.
On the 13th Esther and I flew to England.     We were basically spoilt by our children there, who just wanted to be with us.    We enjoyed ourselves.     We did manage to visit just a few old friends, but on the whole entered into very little ministry.;      But we did journey to Northern Ireland for the first time ever, and again were wonderfully blessed by the kind generosity of our friends Desmond and Virginia Hales of Port Stewart.
BUT on getting off the plane on the 14th April, my left foot erupted into terrible pain, and inflammation.    It was to discomfort me for most of  the trip, almost to the day I left England.      My Diary was not written up whilst I was away from Kenya, and Daryl once again discovered that its not all 'Tea and Cake' being the one responsible for everyone's well being - especially when times are hard - which they were.    Thank God for E-mail the the ability to be able to share and talk things through.
At the end of April, just before the Royal Wedding took place, Esther and I, plus our daughter Elizabeth and husband and  two children, plus Steven our son, motored up to the Scottish Highlands to meet my long lost and quite unknown sister, Patricia and celebrate her 72nd Birthday.       It was a very special and amazing occasion which of course was well covered in the Blog of the time.        She, together with her son and his partner will be arriving HERE next Wednesday!!!!     EXCITING. prospect.

ARRIVING BACK in Kenya on 30th June we were met by Daryl and were soon wondering if we had ever been away!!     The financial strictures had continued whilst we were absent, and Daryl had learnt a lot from the experience   BUT we had both been in prayer regarding the future of the Work, and so we were soon exchanging notes.     The main innovation which both of us had felt the Lord speaking to us about strongly was toward using some of our grounds to open up vegetable garden that would provide us with year round vegetables - AND a small Dairy to provide us with Milk, AND a Poultry Project to provide us with eggs and meat.!!     This was soon embarked upon and has indeed been a tremendous boon with more than an acre of garden producing, three cows, two of which have already given birth to a bull calf each, and one still waiting, AND the chickens supplying beautiful eggs and broilers to eat.    WOW.    
Daryl was appointed Chief Executive Officer; Director of the Work of testimony Faith Homes in total, with me given a watching brief as General Secretary for as long as the Lord might grant me strength.  He continues to do well.
We had both also felt that we might do well to centralise cooking and laundry activities.      The LAUNDRY seems to have really been a good idea, but over the period until this week we have felt that taking food preparation out of each individual Home has deprived each family of a fundamental element of homeliness and comfort - SO as from next week each Home will again be using its own kitchen to prepare food for the family.    BUT we shall not employ cooks for each Home as we used to do.   Instead the Houseparents will be responsible for cooking and preparing food with the children's occasional help.
IN LATE JULY our friends from Tyndale Christian School in South Australia again visited, and finding us in the midst of change, piled in to help, helping in particular with the conversion of vacant buildings to a Diary, and also putting up the Poultry Project houses.      We expect another small group of EIGHT to visit this coming February and another larger contingent once again in July.     REAL commitment, and hard work that has produced SO MUCH real support to us all - and ALSO to Joshua and Miriam Mbithi at NEEMA Children's Homes, just three Kilometres away.

A SEASON of Death then began to disturb us.     First, on July 25th  Johanna Okombo one of the very first of our children who came to live with me in Maseno in 1969, died suddenly and unexpectedly from pneumonia.    He was only 47.  
On the 30th July two of our longest serving Primary Teachers Joseph and Rachel Ochieng) from Testimony School both died driving their car to Nakuru.     They had been with us 22 years.      The School and us as well were all plunged once more into mourning.
On 14th August Esther and I Celebrated our Ruby Wedding - well we would have done, but she was away at the time visiting a long time sister in Christ who was her close friend recovering from Cancer.

The days passed quickly and we had almost managed to forge the double sorrow of those deaths in July, when again, suddenly, on 18th October, another of our children passed away.     This was Paul NGUGI who had been with us since 1974.   He was only 4 years when he arrived.   He developed a disease known as Hurlers Syndrome, which blinded and crippled him progressively over the next 36 years of his stay with us.    Doctors had only given him a life expectancy of SIX years when he was Admitted.    He was 40 on his eventual death.     He spent his entire life in TESTIMONY HOUSE.     He left a great gap.  Hundreds of Old Boys and Girls attended his funeral, revealing to us not just how HE had influenced so many lives by his own Christian Testimony and attitude, but also the 'Family Feeling' that there is amongst them all.    Out of this has been born a Family Association.

In November Esther and I have both been wrestling with various challenges to our health, but currently we are both feeling well and strong.    Esther had been having unexplained palpitations, and my Blood Pressure and Sugar had been rising too high.      Both our doctors are now apparently happy and satisfied with us, and we ourselves, as I have said, feel fine now.     We do thank God for His Health and Strength.

AND SO CHRISTMAS came and went, leaving us ALL very happy and contented.   It has been a very Wonderful Family Time for all the children and for us.     His Spirit Blessed us throughout, and whatever need we were confronted with HE provided for it.     Thus we had no anxiety, and were free to enjoy HIM, and each other.    All the predicted activities and events I described last week, too place and were enhanced by perfect weather.      MANY guests and visitors spent time with us too, contributing to our joy, including Dr. Paul Mbugua,  his dear wife Elizabeth and two fine sons, David and Samson.   Paul is now an Associate Professor at Kenyatta University and we have been family friends for me than thirty years.

AND SO HERE WE ARE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!     We feel, even more than usual, on the brink of momentous events.     We also feel the comfort of His Presence with us.      We wish you ALL a very  Happy New Year, but more than this!     We wish you the power and strength to face whatever may be coming upon us all;  we wish you the wonderful knowledge of His Fellowship in and with you day by day.
Let us remember one another, praying for one another, and encouraging one another till He COMES.

Sincerely in His Great Love

                                                                                                               John and Esther
          

YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS  to you all, and most of all let it be a true Renewal and Rebirth of Jesus in all our lives, for this is our greatest need.
In the midst, for many, of good food, personal gifts to each other, and for others a scarcity of all these things, LET US REMEMBER JESUS - for this is a day to understand that GOD in Heaven GAVE to each one of us past present and future a priceless Gift - the Gift of His Own Son, and through Him, by His Death on the Cross of Calvary, the Gift of Free and Eternal LIFE.  
WE give each other toys, chocolates, and whatever we think might express our love to the other.    GOD gave us Himself.     IF we are to also GIVE let us give ourselves - first to God, and then to each other, and then to those in need around us who are in the wide sense all 'family'.     Greater love, says our Saviour, has no man, than that he should lay down his life for his 'friend'.     So when we say we love God......our husband, wife, child, family friend, the man or woman on the street in the wide world around us.....just how MUCH to we really love them?   Do we love them enough to lay down our life as JESUS laid down His own.     No FORGIVENESS until we love like this.     When I would give my life for you, then I must forgive you all your sin as well.
So brothers, sisters, friends make this Christmas special.     Forgive each other, reach out to and for each other, and give the GOOD NEWS to each other - Tidings of Comfort and of Joy - A Child has been born and given into the world that has become the means of our cleansing and forgiveness so that we might once more be what we were created to BE - children of God.

THE SUN IS SHINING HERE IN ELDORET, KENYA - A BEAUTIFUL DAY of Light and Warmth, and Colour.    Last night a busload of our children went out into the neighbourhood singing carols from about 4p.m. to midnight!!!    Tonight our Family Christmas Eve fellowship on the lawn in front of Green Cottage.    All the children will be there again as they were last year, and we expect to have a wonderful time together sharing and remembering the Birth of all our Hope and Happiness.
TOMORROW the Christmas Service, an afternoon of family togetherness - some will play games, some will go for 'Family Walks' and in the evening each of our Homes will share a good Christmas Meal together.    
And on MONDAY we expect, God and the weather permitting, to ALL go for an all day outing and pic-nic to a nearby School Swimming Pool facility.    We usually arrive about 10.30a.m. and leave about 4.30p.m.      All four Homes join together for this outing, and it is now a tradition that we all go and fellowship and have fun.      Old boys and girls also come if they are nearby, and even friends.

LAST WEEKEND Esther was away in MBALE a Uganda Border town about 100 kilometres away.  She was with her sister Mary and brother in law Joe Kibe.     They left here on Friday last week and returned on Monday.     On the way home, (Joe driving),  a white saloon (top) made as if to overtake them.  The were just about 20 kilometres out of Eldoret.      Then suddenly the overtaking vehicle, radio blaring, turned abruptly into the rear offside of Joe's car, ramming it, and making it spin around to face the direction it was coming from.    Somehow both vehicles were now locked together and the Joe's car was then dragged along backwards by the 'rammer' who continued on his way, for twenty or thirty metres before separating and overturning on the road.        Fortunately there was no oncoming traffic, and a policeman appeared immediately on the scene.   It was very scary.   BUT no one was hurt in any way, although both cars had to be towed to the Eldoret Police Inspection Unit, they were both on the road again the next day!!     Poor Esther and family were quite shaken up, and although they had started their journey back here at 10a.m. did not finally arrive until 7.30p.m.
It was yet another proof of how we are all watched over by appointed Angels.     Thank you Father for your servants who constantly have the care of us.

GOING BACK now even further to 2007 Tyndale and Drakeley Cottages were both being built by the same Contractor.    He proved himself (although with a Christian Testimony) to be very unfaithful, and put in very substandard material into the construction, and also was found careless.
DRAKELEY Cottage especially has suffered.    The house is built on sloping ground and one end needed a lot of 'filling' in putting in the foundation.     This filling of ballast and earth later was found not to have been properly compacted, and in 2009 we found cracks in the outer wall of the one end.
We had another contractor in and the floor was dug up, but by 2010 the problem re-appeared until we could not use one bedroom and bathroom for fear of collapse!!       The cost of repair, which will necessitate a great deal of work on the floor, foundation and outer wall of one end of the house was something we could not contemplate.      So we told the Lord about it and left it there.      Just this month we were advised by a friend in Northern Ireland that a group had heard about the ministry here, and having funds on hand were offering to put them at our disposal to BUILD a new Home for the kids.      However although a sizable sum of money it would only have accounted for perhaps one quarter of what we would have needed to put up a new house.     I replied that we really could not contemplate building in the near future anything substantial, and suggested that maybe the Lord would have the funds used somewhere else where an immediate project was in view.     HOWEVER, I did say that we could use the funds for repair of a building that was in need, if this might fall within their vision for their use.        They have written back to say that they will be delighted for us to use this money for this purpose.     GOD is so good to us.    SO we hope to start work there soon.
I shared this because it is yet another example of us only sharing our needs with the Lord - but HE puts them on the hearts of those who have not known from us anything at all!     Surely this IS a Wonder.       He IS Wonderful.

This year has almost ended, and 2012 is very close.     A NEW year!      Yesterday I heard someone talking on SKY tv and saying that our world had changed completely since the beginning of this year!     No doubt he was referring especially to the Economic & Financial Crisis.    But in truth our world has been changing faster and faster over the last 50 years of my life.    And since the advent of 2000 things have speeded up even more.     CHANGE?    Yes I would think so, and I still have in mind that our Lord said that the generation that saw the Fig Tree (Israel) putting forth her shoots once more (1947) would not utterly disappear before His Return.     CHANGE is imminent more than we can imagine.       WATCH therefore, more than ever before..........HE who was born IS coming again - this time tall and majestic with the Crown upon His head.     NOTHING will ever be the same after that.

God Bless and enfold you in His arms

John and Esther

KEEP FOCUSED on HIM!

MY PERSONAL PRAYER for myself is that I might know Him, and the Power of His Resurrection, more and more.     It is so easy to begin well and enthusiastically, and then find the cutting edge of our life in Jesus has been dulled or blunted.    And whilst we may still know the theory and language of our faith, we can at the same time be losing the inspiration and the energy to actually LIVE the LIFE.    I think that is why I appreciate Christmas - it is a time to take a rain check to the BEGINNING just to confirm that my face is still set like a flint to go all the way with Jesus to Jerusalem!!    Am I still walking in His steps; am I still hanging on His every word?
JINGLE BELLS and Father Christmas quite apart; the world's 'Christmassy' distractions put aside, am I keeping up with Him?    Is my dependence solely upon Him?    Or have I slowed down, turned aside and lost the passion and sparkle of my first burst of love for HIM Who IS my Life?       Oh yes, I may still look to the Cross, but I need also to look to the Manger.       I dont' want to end up like King Asa, in 2.Chronicles 14-16.   HE began well, and his heart / mind was perfect with the Lord all the days of his life - but towards the end he somehow hung back and compromised with his faith.

THESE LAST FEW WEEKS I have been hampered once again with a very painful BIG TOE on my left foot.     I have had it before.   It does not seem to be an ingrowing toenail or related to the main joint - just the tip of the toe which is red and tender.      This started in March on arrival in UK, and has come and gone two or three times.      I have so far done without seeing a doctor about it..........
but this week it has been SO painful and frustrating.........and as King Asa in the cartoon  I have cried out 'MAYBE I should have this looked at.'     And he DID.   He took that problem to the Doctor and NOT to the Lord, and he died.   Well I am still enduring...   I hope to continue so to the END.    
The BIBLE teaches that the one that ENDURES to the end will be saved, and secured - the one that keeps on GOING ON.    the one who FIGHTS the Good Fight with ALL his/her might to the very last moment of life - THAT one will be SAVED.
look at Hebrews 10, 35-39 in the New Testament!     It says there -

'DO NOT FLING AWAY your fearless confidence in Christ Jesus, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward, FOR YOU HAVE NEED of steadfast patience and endurance so that you may perform and fully accomplish the Will of God, and thus receive and carry away and enjoy to the full what is promised.     FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, a very little while, and the Coming One will come, and He will not delay.    BUT the just shall live by faith, and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, my soul has no delight or pleasure in him.   But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery and destruction, but we are of those who believe e - who stick to and trust in and rely upon GOD through JESUS CHRIST

And again in Galations 6v9 & 2 Thessalonians 3v13 where it is written - 'Let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time we shall reap if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faith. (if we continue without weakening).'
IT IS SO EASY TO FLAG!  
LOOK AT REVELATION 2V2-3 -

'I know your industry and laborious toil, and your patient endurance, and dhow you cannot tolerate wicked men, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles, and found them to be impostors and liars.    I KNOW you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My Name's Sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary,  ----   BUT - you HAVE left, abandoned, the love that you had at first - you have abandoned Me, as your first love!     REPENT THEREFORE, change the inner man to meet God's Will, and do the works you did previously when you first knew the Lord!'

In other words, instead of being a FORCE for Righteousness, it is very possible to become a PUSH-OVER by the World and the Enemy - becoming WEARY of well doing!

A WEEK TODAY will be Christmas Eve.      During that evening we shall all (staff and children) assemble on the front lawn near the huge Mahogany Tree, and sing carols, listen to the story of the Nativity,  share prayers and our supper there under the stars and a few lanterns.     We did this for the first time last year and it was a truly wonderful occasion which we will probably continue to enjoy till He Comes.
IN TOWN this morning Father Christmas (an electronic one) swayed to the canned music of the saxophone he was supposed to be playing.      Better than the one they had last year I suppose.   Just one little kid taking an interest.     The shopping mall was overcrowded with noise and bustle, but still no other sign of Christmas to be seen.     Outside the town flooded with a mass of traffic and people.    HOT, dust filled, dirty.      BUT the sky was blue, and the trees green;  just needs one to look up, and things seem better already, and God closer!!
At home the kids are all happy and playful in the sunshine, and in the safety of our grounds.   Truly a little Oasis of Love.        The children are just full of Baby Jesus, and the Wonder and Beauty of it all.    A summer breeze of excitement and expectation.       OUR prayers are with you all, and we know and trust yours are reaching out to US.

Lovingly in the Name of His Majesty


John and Esther  

            

1. 
   

LET THEM EAT CAKE!

DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION in 1789-99 the populace of Paris were starving, and clamouring angrily at the gates of the Palace of the French King, Louis XVI. There was no food in the City, not even bread, the most common commodity. And the people cried out for Bread. Queen Marie Antoinette, Louis' wife is reported to have asked what all the clamour was about, and on being told that the crowd were shouting for the want of Bread, she replied 'Then let them eat Cake!' Cake was even more expensive, though there was plenty of it in the Palace. If the people were too poor to pay for the little bread available it was unlikely they would afford the food of the rich. She is therefore credited with being both ignorant and unfeeling, almost oblivious of t1he plight of the starving masses of her people living on her doorstep. She and her husband, Louis, had their heads Guillotined by the masses just a few months later. According to the latest historical comment, however, it would seem that Marie Antoinette might never have said those words - but someone DID. And the sentiment so expressed has not really altered over the last two hundred years. It seems the People and the Rulers rarely understand each other.

The truth remains that those who HAVE money easily forget how it is to have NONE!

HERE IS A CHAIR!

It is not an ordinary chair, although it looks cheap enough. THIS chair costs Kenya Shillings 200,000/- (approximately £1430 OR US$2220 per chair) BUT these chairs are special. They are to be the NEW chairs planned for installation into the 're-furbished' Parliament Chamber, hoped to be completed in March 2012.

It seems that this NO 'casual' receptical for the backside of a Member of Parliament. According to a recent Press Release THIS chair, and those like it, (about 35o of them) will be made of 'State of the Art' materials which will be the best that money can buy. It will have an expected life of more than sixty years, being impervious to wear and tear. This chair is also FIREPROOF - in case, perchance, the occupant becomes overheated! It is adjustable, but unable to be moved or lifted from the floor - in case some irritated 'Member' might want to pick it up and throw it at an adversary! It is maintenance free, and will never need cleaning or even dusting! ORIGINALLY these amazing chairs were to cost DOUBLE the current advertised cost of Ksh.200.000/-. Realising, however, that this might seem a little TOO expensive, the Government turned to the Kenya Prison Service to take on their manufacture - instead of the specialised company first approached. Kenya Prisons use the prisoners to make, amongst other things, furniture of all kinds for sale, as an aid to funding the cost of the Prisons daily running. But how well-made will these chairs turn out to be? Will they be worth the money they are asking of £1400 a chair? Or may be the chairs will finally be made in China for a mere fraction of the advertised cost.

BUT PERHAPS, after all, it is JUST A PIECE OF CAKE!

Something beyond the reach or understanding of the ordinary Kenyan who barely has enough today for even a loaf of bread. Something to UNDERSCORE, the almost total insensitivity and irresponsibility of the Government for its people. The MP is paid £5,000 or so a month to SIT in Parliament, and will SIT on an appropriately VALUABLE chair worth almost a quarter of a million shillings paid for from Taxes demanded from the already poverty stricken populace.

The average wage of a common single labourer, domestic, or clerk is around £42 a month. The rent for the room he lives in might have to be anything from £7 to £14 a month. His food - just basically - up to £25 minimally. Not much left then to buy clothing, pay for medicine, transport to work and all the other unexpected expenses that might arise. - AND REMEMBER more than 60% of the available workforce is UNEMPLOYED to start with. The GAP between the common man or woman, and their Rulers is immense and growing all the time. Do not the Rulers SEE - do they not CARE? Can they really be so willing, as the Roman Emperor NERO was, to just sit and while away time, watching Rome BURN without lifting a finger to help? Well Kenya is just a little piece of planet earth, one of the least of the Nations - but what is happening here is, in fact, happening everywhere - and the peoples of our world, more and more, begin to ROAR like the SEA, rising up to revenge themselves and to overwhelm their rulers.

THIS INNOCUOUS CHAIR IS A SCANDALOUS CHAIR!.......It has shocked the common man who has in this current year suffered more and more economic disasters, one after another.

One Reporter has commented -

'Not too long ago, the Kenya Shilling lost its value

by the biggest margin ever.

This has led to sky rocketing fuel and common commodity

prices.

The cost of living has risen so high that one wonders how

ordinary Kenyans survive.

The life of the common man has deteriorated in so many

ways that many see no hope of survival in fact.

This is already leading to crime and social unrest.'

On the other hand we should probably not feel to bad about. It could be much worse! Just today I came across another expensive chair. I include a photo of it to the right. It is an entwined Fork and Spoon. It is quite innovative and probably most apt for an M.P. who for the most part SITS in order to feed him / her self. It only costs £48,000 or US$75000!!! However it seems you can get it for less - just depends where you shop! I saw another wood and leather chair as well selling for between 2 and 3 million EUROS!!

THE TEN UPHOLSTERED circa 1950 Club chairs that I purchased from Eldoret Club in 1974 cost me only one hundred shillings each - they were quite elderly already, but have continued to provide homely and comfortable seating for innumerable children and adults right up to the present day!! NOT made from anything very expensive or pretentious.

LAST NIGHT, FRIDAY, we had our quarterly Board Meeting, We have twelve members of the Board. Esther, Me and Daryl plus Anthony Ndungu the School Principle and EIGHT

others who are from our locality, and all Christian educationalists and businessmen. Last night the School was under discussion and the upshot was that it was agreed by all that in the next twelve months we will hope to BUILD four new Classrooms. This will permit our High School to add a further academic stream of classes, making TWO streams all-together. It has been very costly to run the school on four classes only due to the number of teachers that are needed. The same number can service eight classes just as easily as four, and hopefully the income will be that much greater with more students. The School as you know is open to the public who must pay for a child of theirs to be accommodated. The Homes' children go FREE.

The current buildings were all put up in 1987. They still look good and in good shape. BUT, yes there is a but ..... all the floors were covered with a vinyl tile that both cracked and

wore badly. All the floors have now become an embarrassment to our general testimony of care. SO we obtained permission to relay ALL the classrooms and office block, commencing with almost immediate effect. We hve come a cross a DUNLOP Vinyl & Quartze tile which is both supple and hardy. The School of course is paying for all this, hopefully, from expected incoming fees. But of course we have no guarantee as to how many children will be with us at any one time - they come and go......! SO there is also a large element of FAITH involved in all this as well. But the School has become very popular because of its good academic performance. Please pray for Daryl who, as the new CEO will for the most part be up front and responsible for the progress of these projects. Pray for Kenya too as 2012 arrives and proceeds toward the expected Election at the end of the year.

THE RAIN at last seems to have given way to sunshine, at least for the moment BUT it is still quite chilly.

Currently a Prayer Conference is going on in the School, and a large number of our older children have taken themselves off to it. From the sound of it they are being Blessed. Thank you Lord!

NEXT WEEK a group of 18 small boys will be circumcised, but we think they will be bouncing around by Christmas just the same. Generally, with few exceptions, it is a cultural tradition that boys are circumcised - usually around the age of 13 and under. This is done at our local Teaching Hospital.

Decorations will go up next week. Christmas is still invisible to the naked eye, but SOON it will be seen to spring forth with JOY to the world bursting all around us. NEW Hope is also on the way, and with it strength to come out of our sorrows and defeats into a WIDER PLACE of new opportunity and expectations. Continue to pray for us.

God will walk with you in the days ahead. Endeavour to keep focused and not to be sidetracked by the world and all its glitz.

We love you all

John and Esther

CHRISTMAS IS HERE AGAIN - almost!!

I wonder if this tree at the White House will yet again be referred to as the HOLIDAY Tree? I guess it is already there.

WE are a week or two away from even thinking of putting up our usual meagre decorations. No sign at all that Christmas is coming in Eldoret Town. No lights, no sights, nothing at all. A few of the larger Supermarkets will begin to decorate soon, and one might even have in incongruous Father Christmas! Very few, if any, know who Father Christmas was. Every year on our streets in Eldoret one can see a couple of vulgar men dressed up in red and ermine pretending outlandishly, even rudely, to be this Father Christmas, but their display is so ill mannered and course as to be offensive. SO.........

Christmas here is almost naked here, often ignorantly observed, and more often passes unnoticed apart from days off from work, and more drunkness than usual. Sad.

BUT we shall have a good and pleasant time together. For not only will we be making our Homes aware of Christ's Birthday by dressing up the rooms with Cards, and balloons, and even a Tree in each Home, but we shall also be REMEMBERING all that the Birth of Jesus means to each one of us. Yes, by His Grace, we will eat and play games, and enjoy friends visiting with us, AND observe His Presence with us in the midst. There will be carols, prayer, and exhortation. There will be storytelling, laughter, and fun. There will be Thanksgiving, and Joy. Each year it is so for us, and each year the reality of Jesus blesses us all together. Even old boys and girls come to visit, and fellowship, and the sense of home and family once again comes alive for both those who hare here and for those who have left. Already a Christmas

Concert is in preparation and Carol Singers practicing. Now next week we shall be thinking of how to provide against Christmas Services and other annual events. It is a time to be remembered, and I think all those who have left, take a special impression of Christmas with them, and the certain knowledge that God in His Love gave Jesus to be born into this world

to SAVE us from our sins. Praise Him.

The photo on the right is of our daughter Elizabeth and some of the children during the 2007 Christmas time.

This week we have seen two of our children leave us. One was a 13 year old boy called Peter, who had been part of the Jacaranda Family since 2004. He had been picked up on the streets and taken to the Eldoret Rescue Centre. He was supposed to be an orphan and destitute. However the truth was that he had run away from his home three times. Recently his real birth mother had come to visit, looking for Peter. They had a very emotional meeting, and the upshot has been that they have joyfully been repatriated. Peter's mother has a Stall in Eldoret Market, and is a very pleasant and motherly lady. It was very evident that both she and peter were VERY glad to have found each other again.

The other was a girl of 13, Faith, who had been in Tyndale Cottage Family also since 2004. This was a very different case since she had come into the Homes by deceit. The grandmother had come imploring help since her daughter had died leaving a family of three, and she herself was dying. leave us.

The truth was the mother of the children was alive and well, and the plan was just made in order to find a way to get the children a place in Testimony School. Over the last year an 'aunt' had been visiting always giving Faith money or clothing before leaving. Then this year Faith has gone missing only to be found staying with this 'aunt' who now has been proved to be Faith's birth mother. Both cases were taken to the Children's Office, and after verification both cases were dealt with. Peter, as I explained, was allowed to return to live with his Mother, and Faith was also returned to her mother (she is quite financially able to care for her).

NOT EASY for us when this happens, but on the other hand we are not here to care for children who have viable home and family.

On Wednesday I attended a by-monthly meeting of the Eldoret Court Users Committee, which is an opportunity for the Magistrature to meet with heads of District Departments and others that use the Courts. I was there as a Member of the Probation & Community Service Case Committees. Always a good and constructive time, and keeps us in touch with a great deal that is going on within the Municipal and County Administrations.

Gordon and Joyce Lovering left us for Nairobi on the way to UK on Thursday. We had a lovely time with them both.

Everyone is well including Daryl and all our houseparents and the children. The RAINS? Well up to yesterday the rain continued to pour down heavily upon us, and temperature remained COLD as ice! Today the sun is shining - but still cold. Has the rain GONE? I'll tell you next week. God bless you all.

John and Esther

REFLECTIONS .......

ROBERT EMSLIE, (right) seated with Steven Green in 2009. They grew up together in many respects, and are close today. Nice to see a photo of them both, and good also to be able to say that Robert is progressing well after his road incident.

The amputation of his right leg below the knee went ahead, and all seems to be healing well. We spoke to him on the phone a day or two ago, and he sounded fine. It is also a time that has made it necessary for Robert to look to the future - he is unlikely to continue to drive heavy long distance lorries.. Also it has made him think deeply about his relationship with Jesus which had been weakening. Thank you for praying for him, and please do continue. The hospital bill will be very high finally, but we are believing that God will see it all paid, and again we have to thank SO MANY Testimony Family Members for contributing already, and lending their support to Francina as well. It was this photo that made me look back to our 40th Anniversary in 'o9 when so many of our old boys and girls returned to celebrate with us, and also with our own children who had also joined us for the occasion. SO many photos - like this one above - were taken on that day, and it will be an everlasting joy to have them always to hand. Some of our 'children' are now in their late fifties, married and with children of their own. Others still young, only just left and still building their lives. Each one with memories of their time with us, and of course, many memories of our own about each one. NOW we see our dream of 'family' being manifested. So many have grown up and left us to start their own lives and families, but they have not forgotten the home and family left behind, and we are more and more realising that Testimony IS a great and growing ' Family.

AND then we also remain surrounded by those still with us, more than 140, of all ages and sizes. And we have to Thank God for the wonderful ties that continue to bind us all together and that have given us all that special sense of belonging. I will try to bring a few of these photos together here just to give a little representation of this big 'family' of ours.

FIRST photos of Faith Kavithi, (right) hiding behind the flowers, and training as a Nursery Teacher..
And then on the left, a group of Tyndale girls with our grand-daughter in the pink dress - Ton-ton! These are just handful of random photos of some of our family. The majority are all employed in different fields, and full of dreams for their own futures. Many are engaged full time in God's Service as pastors, accountants, teachers, agriculturalists, electricians and so on. Lastly, this time round, a group photo of some of more elderly family members!!

From the left in a white suit is Mark Owour, now a Primary Headmaster and senior inspector of Schools. Next to him Wyckliffe Ondanga recently retired, and now Chaplain to Testimony School. On the far right is Moses Ongonga, now pastor of one of the largest churches in Eldoret. (his wife Miriam is in the red costume - she also works as School Cateress for Testimony School. Next to her in white is Eunice Lahol, Francis Lahol's wife. She is now Mother in Tyndale Cottage. On Miriam's right is Anthony Bones wife. then Miriam Ondanga, Wyckliffe's wife, and then Emily Stuma, Steven Stuma's wife - he is standing the back next to Moses. Moses Stuma is one of our old boys from Testimony House, and he and Emily have previously been houseparents in Tyndale Cottage.

ON THURSDAY this week we were thrilled to receive to friends from way back when we first arrived in Eldoret in 1972. Gordon and Joyce Lovering from the UK - only they had come from Southern Sudan and not the UK!! In the early 70's Gordon and Joyce both lived in Eldoret. He was a Teacher in Moi Girls High School and she was nursing in the Eldoret Nursing Home. They left in '74 and returned to UK, but last year accepted a call from the Lord to set up a school in a very remote area in the newly created state of Southern Sudan. In their late sixties this was quite a challenge since the area is SO remote as to be almost totally without any modern conveniences and demanding a VERY spartan lifestyle. Their stories and experiences have been pouring forth and kept us both on the edge of our seats. Truly God, our God, is GREAT, and with HIM any of us can do anything. They will be with us for another 8 days and then will return to the UK to consider the next step for Jesus.

It was also THANKSGIVING on 24th November, and Esther and I, and also Carol and Daryl plus their kids were invited to a large gathering of multinational missionaries whose American members hosted a Thanksgiving Feast for us all. It was a VERY blessed occasion, and although we were more than a hundred in number and from many different ministries and denominations, the sense of ONENESS and Love was wonderful to see and experience.

The RAIN has continued - or restarted....? Nobody quite knows what it is doing. Normally the sun should be shining the warmth of the sun increasing daily. BUT it is sodden and COLD still. Good for the gardens, AND for the cows since it assures them of more grass and so on. God is Good to us.

It was also our half yearly medical check for all the children this week and we had our usual team from our doctor's clinic here for two days. All were found well and healthy Thanks be to God. Naturally we try to take good care of each of the children's health as well as our own, but we also are required by government to ensure every child is seen at least ONCE a year.

NOW everything is gearing up for Christmas, and already the children are practicing for the Christmas Play, Carols and the Christmas Services. In between there is soccer and basket ball and general play as well as the daily chores of housecleaning and so on. Busy, busy, busy time for all. We shall be praying and remembering you all and our prayer will be especially that you will know Him even more perfectly during this time of Rejoicing in Him.

God Bless and be with you all

John and Esther

ANOTHER GRADUATION DAY!!

EVERY YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME, Primary and Secondary students completing their respective Syllabi Graduate from Testimony School. THIS year - for the first time - the NURSERY Section also decided to Graduate their Top Class. NEXT year they will, God Willing, all enter Class 1 of Primary School.

The Celebratory function took place in the School Hall. There were Presentations, Songs and even a Traditional Dance, all to follow a special Luncheon for all the graduates, and their teachers plus a few guests. I did not attend. I guess I am just not modern enough to believe that holding Graduations for Nursery Students is really necessary. Sorry parents - know you just love to see the kiddy-widdies up front an all¬!¬! Well I did not try to stop it from happening after all, and I am grateful my staff did not insist on them all wearing gowns and mortar boards as is the custom of other schools around us. I never did get to wear one - and I have no complaint since in those days you could not wear one till you got to University and had obtained a Degree. I did not manage to earn that privilege. I did not feel underprivileged about that, and have continued to respect and honour the intellectual prowess of all those that were able to so prove themselves. My sorrow today is that in many cases the Degrees awarded are not always of the high standard one might expect. The honour not so much of an honour - at least in Kenya.

SO why try to kid the kindergarten child that he or she too is an academic genius worthy of applause, glitz and glamour! Well because its just NICE for the parent. WE did not invite the parents. This was just a little SPLASH for the kids to mark the end of the first chapter in the learning process - not quite so ostentatious or pretentious as it might have been. But each did go away with a colourful Certificate to certify they had indeed completed their Pre-Sch00l Course - each with a clear, distinct, photo of the whole Class printed upon it as a Memento of their time together.

They had a good time - starting at 1p.m and going on until 4p.m. - and I thought you would like to see a few photos. Children start Nursery / Pre-School / Kindergarten in Kenya by the time they are three. - They enter Primary ONE when they are 6. By that time they should be able to read and write in English and Swahili, and do simple arithmetic + + +!! Classes start at 8am Monday to Friday and continue on to approx 3 in the afternoon. For the very young there is time to sleep, and for all time to just play. Each year in our Nursery Department, approximately SEVENTY move on to Primary School out of a total population of about 120.

NOT ALL of the graduates from our school will continue on into Primary with us. ONLY those who have passed the Primary ONE Examination, Primary School has set, and if the parent wants them to do so. There is always a waiting list for places in our Primary School so the competition is quite stiff. Our Primary Entrance Exam too place on Saturday 29th October.

ON THE 9th November one of our Old Boys - Robert Emslie aged 31, married with two kids; a long distance lorry driver, was involved in an incident which has confronted him and his family with life changing challenges. From what we have been able to gather, as he was driving towards Nairobi in the early evening, and nearing the lake town of Niavasha in the Rift Valley, his lorry overtook another which, as he was passing steered into him, hitting his vehicle. Having passed, Robert then stopped and got out of his cab to go and talk to the driver of the other vehicle which had pulled up a little way behind him. THEN, as he was walking towards this vehicle, the driver, who was still sitting in his cab, moved off, and drove toward Robert as he was coming towards him, knocking him down and running over him!! He then drove off.

A number of people were in the vicinity by the roadside and saw the whole incident. There seemed no real provocation. The lorry driver was eventually stopped further on and gave himself up to the police. Robert was taken to Naivasha Hospital. He was unconscious, and it seemed that at least one of his legs was broken. The hospital admitted him but did not have any medicine!!! Nothing was done for him, but they notified Francina, his elder sister, who works in Nairobi and told her to come immediately since his condition was very serious. They refused to tell her what was wrong - imagine her anxiety and fear.

On arrival early the next day she arranged to have Robert moved to a private hospital in Nairobi. THEY did have medicine, and looked after him, but at the end of the day told Francina that Gangrene had set into both legs and that they would need to be amputated.

She panicked and again had Robert moved to yet another private hospital for a second opinion.

THEY assured her that his legs were safe and that all would be well. At THAT time it seemed he had broken four ribs, and one leg in two places. The Hospital then operated on the leg and put in steel pins to hold the broken parts together. However, the leg continued to swell and show signs of renewed infection. THUS on Thursday they informed Francina that it would have to be amputated otherwise he might lose his life as well. Quite a 'medical saga' - one that had cost up to that moment £2,000 (not yet paid). So Robert has lost his leg. By yesterday he was still very unwell, and hallucinating. Much prayer will be needed to pull him through, and to enable him to re-arrange his life. It is VERY unlikely he will be able to continue with his driving job. He is not highly educated. Unemployment now at its highest and most unhopeful stance.

How quickly life can change. How completely unable each of us is in being able to predict the next few moments of our life. How devastating to meet such an unexpected catastrophe without Faith. This is going to be hard for Robert - hard on his family. They all need our prayer - they all need to KNOW GOD for themselves in a way that will enable them to face the situation with the confidence that HE is ABLE to see them through.

We do not have an up to date photo of Robert, but I am publishing one here of him taken with his younger brother Steyn (left), and his elder brother Gordon (right), but now working south of Nairobi.

Of course we are all bound up with everything that happens to our children. They are not orphans to us, but sons and daughters God brought to us to love and care about. Robert was only SIX when he came to live in Testimony House. He did not get on well at school and only managed to complete his Primary Education. He was then 14. In the interim he has grown up, become responsible and is the breadwinner of his family. At 31 we still see him as a son of ours. Some may feel this is too much to take on. But it is what the Lord required of us both, and still requires. Even those coming in today, quite new, are non the less seen as 'Family'. We are not Mum Dad to these, but they find us here as 'grandparents' now. .

Yesterday Esther and I had the blessing of being taken out to lunch by another mad couple who God called to do just what we are doing. It was a special privilege to be able to just be with them and for the four of us to be able to share our vision, and aspirations AND experiences. It was encouragement of great immensity to us. They are beautiful people. They also do not look after orphans - but children! Children who have been orphaned, but now have found a home and a family to replace the one they lost. Praise God for His great Mercy and Compassion. And Thank Him for being a parent, and acting like one toward each one of us.

Love you all, and pray your blessing and happiness in the coming week. And Remember Your Father in Heaven is with you to give you status and worth wherever you go and whatever happens to you.

John and Esther

THERE ARE TWO WAYS........!

THIS IS A PICTURE FROM THE PAST taken in 1978, thirty-three years ago! On the left is Moses Otunga with his wife, Elizabeth, and on the right is Daniel Koech with his first wife.

Daniel came to us when he was about 17. He was a Probationer that I had met up with at a Probation Case Committee Meeting. His parents had died in a ferry that sank in Lake Victoria when he was a very young child. He survived and was brought to Eldoret. His guardians at the time were not bothered about him, and he ended up on the street, becoming involved in crime. This led to him being on Probation. We offered him a place on our Mechanics Course, and later he also trained in electronics.

During his training he stayed with us in Testimony House; a period of about two years only. He worked for a while in town, and then later partnered with Nicholas Mwangi in a small electronics business in town. He was the practical and senior partner. Mwangi was the business head. Initially they did quite well. But as they prospered Daniel turned to drinking too much. Dan had never shown interest in Christianity or any religion. His was a godless life. He had purchased a small plot of land though and built a house on it. But little by little he was able to work less and less, and business went down. As his drunkenness increased his wife left him. Later he married again, and for a little while it seemed all was well. But then one Saturday people he owed money to accosted him and his wife in their house and killed them both before robbing them.

They also raped the wife before murdering her, and then threw her body headfirst into the water well in the garden. They left Danial sitting dead in his chair staring at the place where the TV had half an hour before been entertaining them. (NB - the salient facts related here are as they have been given to me. They may not be quite accurate, but regretfully generally events would seem to be very similar if not exactly the same as I have written. My apologies to any who may know better or more than I do in this matter.) A very bad end, no matter what. And nothing left to show for a life lived hard and for the most part unhappily.

MOSES also came to us when he was also quite old - 15, in 1971. Instead of joining Secondary School after completing Primary, Moses went to Nairobi and studied Painting & Signwriting at the Christian Industrial Training Centre, and went on to work as an Instructor in various Polytechnics. He made a very definite decision for Christ, and later he later founded his own Church denomination, Children's Home and Industrial Training Centre in Korongocho slums in Nairobi. Recently he wrote to me saying - .

'I want to thank our heavenly Father for making Testimony what it is to us today. I thank God for the way He used our time in Testimony to transform our lives for his own GLORY. Do you still remember when we used to have a family devotion, and you used to beat (out a rhythm) on a drum. I can remember you now singing -

It's coming down! It's coming down!

The Glory of the Lord is coming down!

When the saints begin to pray

the the Lord will have His way;

So the Glory of the Lord is coming down

.

I can testify now how the Glory of the Lord DID come down and it transformed our lives into what they are today. AMEN! Thank God for Testimony Faith Homes. It has been God's divine purpose to use it to bring transformation in our lives - and in return He has and will use some of us to transform the lives of many other children in our local communities where He calls us to serve. I am called to serve in the slums of Korogocho.

I never experienced such a loving and caring family as was given to me in Testimony Faith Homes. The Love I learned there helped me to bring up my own children and support them all, so that they were enabled to complete their High School Education - even though I never managed to do so myself. The LORD even provided friends that helped them go to university. This is God. I never went to a formal Bible School, yet God has helped me to complete my Master's Degree in Theology. Who could have thought a Primary Class 7 boy, dropping out of school, could have managed such a thing. Who could have imagined that he would build a school and employ university graduate teachers to teach in it?

This has taught me never to ignore the potential there is in every child we see around us. God is no respector of persons - we just need HIM to BE in our lives. May the Grace of God God be with you always - Your son in Christ, Moses Otunga; and Elizabeth sends her Greetings.

TWO BOYS, teenagers! Both with difficult childhoods, and both with so much potential. One makes shipwreck and dies ignominiously. The other reaching out for the Hand of God grows

And all that DO make the right choice do so by the GRACE of God, and He alone receives the Praise and the Glory for it.steadily from strength to strength, on the way imparting strength to others in God's Name, the Name of Jesus. They are typical of all the children that pass through our hands. And it has been a wonder and privilege to see the hand of God on so many, and a heart breaking disappoint-ment to see others turn to the venial things of this world and so being deceived by them fail and sink, cut off from God. Truly there ARE two WAYS. One will lead to DEATH and everlasting sorrow. The other will lead to LIFE and eternal happiness. For us brought here to be carers and encouragers, it sometimes is a hard thing and humbling to realise how little we can actually do for another. Everyone makes their own 'furrow', their own choice, their own. We long that ALL would make the RIGHT one, but they cannot be forced to do so. Testimony Faith Homes and those of us that have been Carers there cannot say ALL that have come left transformed - though some were later, and perhaps are yet to be - in retrospect. Some left unaltered, and some maybe, even worse. What each of us does with life we go through it remains very much what we choose to make it.

Last Sunday I asked one of our High School leavers from the Homes what he desired for his future. He had at 17 recently given his heart to Jesus, witnessing immediately in the Sunday Service. He looked at me, and said - 'I would like to serve God. Rather than go to university or College, I would like to enter Bible College and prepare myself.' Born into great poverty and neglect, with both feet facing back to front, he had little initial hope of anything. Now tall, and his feet having surgically been turned to face the right way; an indefatigable footballer; and a playful nuisance to his teachers, SUDDENLY the heavens have opened, and LIGHT has shone and CHANGED everything - whilst we all stand back in amazed joy and happiness. God IS good and He IS Faithful, and WILL answer our prayers for HE IS ABLE to do what we cannot.

If a 'butterflies wings' gently folding and unfolding can affect the weather on the other side of the globe WHAT can the simple prayer of one believing heart achieve for others, however far away?

ALICE, our second cow, has been ill this week with a bout of Milk Fever. The vet came and she was fine again a day later. The vet was a bit cross with us for not knowing a newly delivered 'mother' cow needed special diet as her body was trying to adjust to her new state. Well we were very sorry to be found ignorant but glad that we have been in time to learn, and that we will not let it happen again. She is very proud of her new son,

who is a handsome youngster and the darling of all the children.

One of our old boys, Richard Ochieng who is in Business in Eldoret and has a small farm of his own, has just donated the maize stalks from his five acre harvested field to help feed Alice and her 'sisters'. We are glad and thankful to Jesus for sons and daughters that remember us, and provide us with encouragement even in the midst of their own challenges and needs. Hallelujah.

THIS WEEK the old and ailing mother of a boy we used to sponsor arrived in my office. Her son had long ago been Head Boy in our Primary School, very bright, but from a VERY poor and needy family. He completed his Secondary Education and got a place in Nairobi Polytechnic as a aeronautical engineering student. He was due to graduate in two weeks time. His mother came to tell us that he had died two weeks ago in Nairobi in the bomb blast that had blow up a small cafe - initiated by All Shabaab terrorists. A great shock to us. But his mother was more shocked that the cafe in reality was a bar, and that they boy had turned to drink. Another 'choice' perhaps - we had not heard from him for some months and had begun to consider contacting him to find out why.

The Primary Finalists completed their exams on Thursday and now have all gone home.

The Secondary Finalists will complete on Monday morning. The rest of the classes will continue on for one week doing their normal term end exams, and then the school will shut down for the 'summer' holiday until January. A quiet few days thereafter...........maybe!

Thank you for your prayers. God BLESS you, each and everyone!

John and Esther

SHIFTING SAND

'THE EARTH IS DEFILED BY ITS INHABITANTS!

Because they have disobeyed the Laws, changed the Ordinances,

and broken the everlasting covenant.' - Isaiah 24v5

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister, the Hon. Mr. David Cameron, has come under further criticism for threatening this week to withdraw Aid to African Countries within the Commonwealth that follow anti-gay policies. It appears that David feels very charitably toward those that make up the World's 6% community of Gay people. Enough to attack the moral integrity of independent Nations and their Sovereignty.

He is already under attack for assisting to undermine the National Sovereignty of his own Nation by refusing to obtain the national opinion of his countrymen in relation to giving away The United Kingdom's sovereignty to another power collectively known as the European Union. What DO the British people think about the many far reaching decisions and laws being made by a handful of men and women that act more like a Dictatorship than a Democracy?

A number of FOREIGN Leaders are already showing considerable disapproval of this current threat on behalf of gays.

None of them - including David Cameron - are in fact perfect or beyond making a gaff or two. Not the least of them all is the current President of the Republic of Ghana - John Evans Atta Mills. He has made an unequivocal and very plainly expressed statement of his position and that of his own Nation. He says -

'NO ONE can deny Prime Minister Cameron his right to make policies, take initiatives and make statements that reflect his social norms and ideals. But he does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do especially where their social norms and ideals are different from those which exist in Prime Minister Cameron's society. I, as President of this Nation, will never initiate or support any attempt to legalise homosexuality in Ghana. As a government, we will abide by the principles enshrined in our constitution. Let me also say that while we acknowledge all the financial assistance and all the aid that is given us by our development partners, we will not accept any aid with strings attached if that aid will not inure to our interests.'

WELL DONE say I, for here is a man who stands on the sure unquestioned ground of his Country's Constitution. It is the GROUND of governance based on the nations history and moral traditions. No SHIFTING SAND there. And his integrity cannot be bought either!

UGANDA, our neighbour, is also considering to forge ahead with new laws confirming that Homosexual acts are unlawful. THESE laws are in fact NOT new, but OLD. Oddly the Laws that are still on their Statute Books and now up for re-affirmation all originate from the British Colonial Legal Code of a bygone era.. What has caused this total turn around by the British Law Makers? A turn around that finds no reason from their own history or moral belief.

According to the Word of God I would say it is because they have chucked that Word out of the proverbial window, and adopted there own misguided ways. The erosion of the ROCK on which our National Identity and Character is built has been chipped away at for some years already, but NOW it seems great chunks of it are being broken up until now we do not look to the Bible and our Christian foundation any more but to the humanistic EEU and the Bill of Human Rights for guidance and even governance.

KENYA is not one of the Nations apparently threatened. However Homosexuality is not smiled on by people of this Country. Indeed the Anglican Church of Kenya has been on the verge of withdrawing from the Church of England communion because the whole issue of Homosexual marriage and ordination into the priesthood.

If we were in England today, conducting this ministry (Testimony Faith Homes), we might easily be shut down for NOT teaching that homosexuality is acceptable to our children - just like the coloured couple in UK who after 19 years of being successful foster parents, have now been barred from continuing because they refuse to agree to teach children in their care that gays are living an acceptable lifestyle! Amazing.

Does it really matter? After all traditions, and even law changes, doesn't it?

NOT if it is God's Law. God does not change, and the result of ignoring His revealed Will has not changed either.

BUT I am not in favour of inaugurating a 'witch-hunt' for gays. I do not condone their persecution or victimisation. They are human beings that God made and loves. He did not create them to be homosexuals any more than He creates one to be murderer or a drunkard.

There is no trustworthy proof that its in the genes. NO my problem is not with the Gay person, but with the Gay Life-style. The Bible clearly teaches that That cannot be condoned, or encouraged by any God conscious person. Fornication, which is sexual activity of any type outside of normal marriage, is against our own physical health (1.Corinthians 6v18). It is AGAINST God and His Character. SODOM, was destroyed by GOD (2. Peter 2) to demonstrate how much sodomy (homosexual practice) was against His Plan and Purpose. He says it will stand for ever as an example to the rest of us of what will happen to all those following the same social status. Paul the Apostle, having seen this clearly himself, states more than once that such people who do such things will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 1.Corinthians 6v9

Should we as Christians not be concerned when our society is slowly being allowed to slide into one matching that of Sodom - and indeed actually encourages its neighbours into the same?

SORRY! I know some of you will be groaning and wishing I would shut up. I know news of the children and the farm is more welcome, and that this is what I should concentrate upon, but regretfully I HAVE to comment, when comment is necessary. The CHURCH is more and more silent and even IGNORANT about the Law of God, AND consequently also about the need to uphold it in a lawless world.

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HERE ON TESTIMONY FARM, the drip feed piping has at last been put in place. In the photo you can only see SOME of it. The rest is hidden under the crop foliage. We are now able to ensure water is there year round on both sides of the allotment (Testimony AND Jacaranda).

However it is STILL raining!!! We are indeed thankful for its continuance as well - but I suppose we would like an opportunity to see if the new system actually works.

TODAY we had a Prayer time for the Class VIII Primary students who will be sitting the National Exam on Tuesday next week. The 70 odd students plus their parents and the Teachers all joined together in the School Hall for about three hours for prayer, and encouragement. Daryl and I joined them a little late as we were also attending a Memorial Service 10 kilometres away for a fellow missionary who passed away recently Everything went very well and continued to about 1p.m. Now Daryl has gone off with Jesse for a Pizza.

During the week I attended the District Probation Case Committee. We went through some 40 Cases. Currently the full case load stands at about 800 cases. Out of these 80% have committed crimes related to alcoholism! They are also unemployed. The two factors going together. Very sad and provoking. There are Rehab Centres around but they charge up to £200 for a three month stint. Well above and beyond an unemployed, poverty stricken persons means. Began to wonder about the possibility of getting involved into the REHAB business.

Well, you never know!!

This must be all for this week.

God be with you all and give you clear spiritual sight and judgement in the midst of so much confusion and debunking of world society.

John and Esther

PUPPIES and EGGS!!

THIS WEEK our hens are producing!! One egg a day from our 26 first layers. Great excitement as each of our Homes shares out the first round of eggs to be laid! A further 27 layers out of our 100 hundred chicks are growing apace and will soon be joining those already laying AND already a further 100 layers chicks coming up behind. There will be EGGS galore in the not too distant future. We are very happy, although we still need to add more nesting boxes and perch sites. Little by little things are progressing, and finally we know we shall have a good little poultry unit really assisting in our little economy.

On the same side of the road - the Jacaranda

Cottage side - the Allotment is also doing well. The entire plot is now under cultivation. In front of the Poultry Unit seed beds are giving way to individual growing areas, and then over towards Drakeley Cottage the maize is coming on well, as also the potatoes. All this development since July this year is changing the general look of the compounds a great deal - all for the better. A real face lift, which as well as improving us is also tidying us up, and making us more self supporting. All this activity has also attracted quite a lot of local attention and many wander in to have a look at how we are managing the land and the livestock.

ADDITIONAL BLESSING has come to us during this month with the advent of a litter of puppies. Now some weeks old, our FIVE little 'bears' are quite a handful, and Mummy is finding their inordinate appetite for food rather tedious and tiring. They will soon go over to more solid food and thus give her some relief. We shall be selling some and keeping some. All are pure German Shepherd.

THE PAST WEEK has been quiet - and wet! Yes we are told these are the 'Short Rains' though they usually occur mid-November rather than this early. Good for our gardens, but oddly they have ushered in a season of influenza probably due to the sudden drop in temperature. The Laholls, in Drakeley, the Yegos in Tyndale, and the Mulli's in Testimony are all having a dose! Also our Pastor who has handed over his Sunday morning Sermon to me, in order to give his throat a rest. Hallelujah. Good to be a 'back up' which really is what I am more and more becoming. Slowly I now begin to see the wisdom in taking a step back and away from the front row of Management. Daryl is going ahead well, and as he finds his feet as a CEO it is very interesting to see other key players in running the work learning to come to terms with a quite different personallity at the Top. It looks good! Thank you Lord.

TODAY the Primary Standard 1 Interviews have been taking place. Some 70 kids attended to do the Interview, accompanied by their parents. We have 70 places in Primary Class 1 (two Classes of 36 student places each) This has been a good turn out - and there will still be others trying to get in later. Each child is interviewed and also is required to tackle a short though comprehensive Test to assess their basic knowledge in the three Rs. At least half of these children will have been attending our own Nursery School previously, probably since they were about 3 years old. Those competing for a place in Class 1 Primary today will be between five and a half and six years old.

ELDORET remains crowded, busy and PEACEFUL. Bomb blasts in Nairobi and the shadow of the Somali Terrorist Groups such as Al Shabaab continue to be in the news, and in one sense this does bring some apprehension. But we are not currently anywhere near the real theatre of 'war' or even terrorist activity. This so far is limited to the Nairobi/Mombasa and North Eastern corner of the Country. The School children, nationally, are all in School, and the National Examinations are all either in progress or about to begin. Life is proceeding normally though still with stringent economies and privations in many areas and communities.

AND FINALLY THIS WEEK, an old Harry Furnis Cartoon drawn for PEARS SOAP in 1889

Apart from finding it amusing, I include it here because a few weeks ago I happened to find some Pears Soap on sale in Eldoret in our Supermarket. It has hardly changed in appearance from the day it was first made in England in the seventeen hundreds. BUT the ingredients have changed a little in recent years. I bought a cake of it, and have been using it. I have been quite amazed to find that it appears to have arrested a 'dandruff' problem that I have been suffering from for some years. I have tried practically every kind of remedy including some well known modern shampoos. No luck - until now...... SO I went back to get some more today only to find the whole stock has been removed from the shelves - no reason given. Ah well, I still have a little left of that experimental cake. After that is gone, perhaps I also will use 'no other'!!

God Bless you all, and keep you safe and witnessing.

John and Esther