A START HAS BEEN MADE, and already work has begun on erecting a Broiler and Layers House. IN THE PHOTO are some of our friends from The Tyndale Christian School in Southern Australia who are here with us just now - in fact they leave us on Monday morning having been with us almost two weeks. These young people have entered into our labours with all their heart and have been busy throughout. THIS chicken House, though simply made, will cope with about 150 broilers and 100 layers at a time. We should have the first lot in within two weeks, perhaps earlier. It is sited in the compound of Jacaranda Cottage. ANOTHER one is going up in the Home of Joshua and Miriam Mbithi, at NEEMA Children's Home using the same labour force as ourselves.
SO FAR we have ploughed up all the land we had earmarked for development, and should start planting next week. The new Economy wood stove has also been installed AND the two washing machines - all with the assistance of our friends from Tyndale - and it is hoped to commence our new centralized plans for cooking and laundry by next week. This is FAST progress, and we do Thank the Lord for not only giving us Vision and Sight, but also the financial ability and physical help to bring it all to pass! AMAZING. The weather has also been on our side, with rains continuing with intermittant sunshine and warmth. There is a very definate sense that we have turned a corner, and walked into a new chapter of life.
During these days we have been reading the Book of Joshua in the early mornings. Recently we read in Joshua 3v3-5 -

'Commanding the people...

When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God

being borne by the Levitical priests,

set out from where you are and follow it.

YET A SPACE must be kept between you and it

........come not near it,

that you may be able to see the ark

and know the way you must go,

for you have not passed this way before

And Joshua said to the people,

Sanctify yourselves (that is seperate yourselves

for a special holy purpose)

for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

The LORD had given Esther and me opportunity to step back and, in some respect, even distance ourselves from the work of TFH, when He took us to the UK for those months. And from a distance we began to SEE new things in a new way. TOO close and we stop seeing all that needs to be seen. We had needed to take that step back, and still need to keep our distance! Do you see what I mean? We can be so blind when we live right up close to each other, to our work, and even to the LORD.

Joshua says take a step or two back and get a BETTER view, a clearer view of the Lord and where He is going. Especially NOW because He is going to take you places you have never been before!

YES we feel on the way to places we have not been before. A sense of great expectancy and anticipation - HE will do 'Wonders' amongst us!

So keep praying for us, that we do not lose our way, and that all will be well with us as we follow Him from a respectful, viewable distance.

oooooooooooooooooooo

TODAY is the 30th Parents & Prizegiving Day for Testimony School. A bright sunny morning fully of promise. The Mayor of Eldoret is the Guest of Honour today, and some 500 people are expected to attend the function which includes a School Walk Around, lunch, and a School Concert in the afternoon followed by Prize Giving. Quite a lot of work. I am escaping from the Walk Around today since I have sprained my foot and it is still rather painful. Will manage all the rest of my offical duties.

AND TOMORROW we have our Morning Service in the open air in front of the Baptistry - more than FIVE to be Baptised. It will be VERY cold water!!! Always an exciting service, and we expect a great Blessing. The students and teachers visiting from Tyndale School will also be with us, and at least one of their number is also to be baptised. THEN on Sunday evening the Team from Tyndale will host a supper for EVERYONE - all the children and staff - in the Homes. Should be a fun evening for everyone and a chance to take farewell of each other. It has been a VERY full week..........We thank God for His Providence and Goodness to us all.

Much Love to you

John and Esther