TESTIMONY SCHOOL CELEBRATING!

TESTIMONY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR, under the able direction of Mr. Vidonyi, their conductor, singing a little novelty number entitled 'My Table Two'.    Below the is the Top Class of Nursery School - they will all be in Primary Class One next year.   Below them is a group of other primary kids performing a traditional dance routine. They were all performing on the stage of our School Hall today, part of the afternoon School Concert for Parents during the 32nd Annual Parents & Prize Giving Day today.
This usually takes place on the last Saturday of July, annually.     The Guest of Honour usually arrives at 10.30a.m. and commences a tour of the School with the Management, followed by parents who arrives about 11.      All the School is decorated and there are Class Exhibitions to view.    The 'Walk-around' takes about 1 and a half hours.    THEN there is a Luncheon for the Guest of Honour and party whilst the parents also are given lunch in the School dining rooms..   Thereafter the Concert in the School Hall- packed out again today with the usual four to five hundred parents.     Children (apart from those taking part) do not attend school on this Day having viewed the Concert Dress Rehearsal the day before (Friday).     Its a very busy and demanding day for all School Staff and others of the Administration.   Esther and I together with Daryl MUST attend, and quite a number of others connected to the School and Homes such as Joshua and Miriam Mbithi, County Education and Children's Officers.
THIS YEAR our Guest of Honour was an age mate of mine, who has also been an admired member of our Eldoret Community for many years - in fact he was MAYOR of Eldoret for more than 15 years.  In the photo to the left he may be seen standing next to the French Ambassador in Eldoret a few weeks ago.   A man of personal integrity, and Christian principal, he is still an active and respected member of our local society.
His name is Joseph. K. Lesiew, a man I have really appreciated and valued.   Not a University or College man, but a self informed man who used every experience of life, carefully observed, to build a life abounding in common sense, sound doctrine and regard for his fellow man.      The last time he attended a function here was in 1987 at the 18th Anniversary of the Founding of Testimony Faith Homes.   He was then in the midst of his Mayoral marathon!    I will include an extract here from his 'Speech' given today, in his 75th year.

'Chinua Achebe, one of Africa's most celebrated and renowned writers, said

"When old people speak it is not because of the sweetness of words in our mouths;

it is because we see something which you who are younger do not see"

From what the Lord has allowed ME to see,

I would like to speak to you about a value that I think this generation needs;

a value that can help us begin to restore our society, and even our Country as a whole,

so that it can grow into the healthy, and moral direction that all of us are called to.

This Value in INTEGRITY.

For Integrity to be realised we must begin with character,

because character is essentially a composite of our habits.

Only through integrating certain principles into your basic character can you truly achieve excellence.

One of the most important of these principles is INTEGRITY.

When you are a person of integrity your actions speak for themselves.

Your thoughts are guided by an internal moral compass.

People recognise this difference in you, and more often than not people will be drawn to you

because positive behaviour is very attractive

Unfortunately, in our society today, such an indispensable value has been made to seem

dispensable!

Many of our youth are making wrong decisions.

Many are ending up as drug users, consumers of alcohol, both of which can end up

controlling their lives.

I have seen beautiful young minds wasted and destroyed because of these dangerous addictions,

and it deeply saddens my heart.

We have a responsibility to our children to help them see the preciousness of Life,

and to not take it for granted.

We parents have a need to show our children how fleeting life is; how easy it is to wast it.

Young people need to seize the opportunities granted to them by our Precious Lord,

and to find out what their purpose is in the world,

because each and every one IS created to fulfil a particular purpose.

Each and every one matters.

We matter to God, to our family, our community, and our Country.

Each one of our children is unique.   We should not allow their potential to do good to be drowned out

through following wrong influences. 

LET US STAND FIRM IN OUR INTEGRITY for ourselves and for THEM.

Everything went well.    The day was sunny - only NOW  at 8.30p.m is the Thunder making itself heard again.    Everything went to time and plan.    A very successful day.

And now I must turn to my Message for tomorrow.     It seems I must continue with the Ten Commandments this Sunday - The 3rd  - You shall NOT take the Name of the Lord your God in Vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name in vain.      

Our chaplain is in hospital right now having just endured an operation for an Umbilical Hernia.   He has come through it well, and we hope he can be back at home tomorrow.    Remember to pray for Wykliffe Ondanga., and his dear and loving wife Miriam.

And now please forgive me for closing.    There is still a NEED for you to pray for Testimony Faith Homes.

It is not a financial need - even though every day we MUST pray for our daily bread - but something deeper spiritually, and which must soon be resolved and settled.     The Enemy is having a go!    BUT please do not be anxious for us - we are at peace within ourselves.      

God Bless and BE with you all.    Lovingly in His Grace and Mercy

John land Esther & Daryl and Carol.