Friday 31 July 2015

HOPE OF BUTTER AND CHEESE?

THIS IS TESTIMONY DAIRY STATION.     This was built two years back by Tyndale School who once again felt an urge to help us make the 'dream' of our own Dairy come true.    They built the Dairy as you see it above, and in the other two photos.       It is sited on the Jacaranda Cottage Compound, just across the drive from Tyndale Cottage.     Regretfully it suffered setbacks almost from the word go.       We had actually begun to plan for a Dairy in 2011 and quickly purchased two cows with which to commence an 'intensive' project.     For a while they did well but then all at once caught a local sickness and died one by one when we had built up the 'herd' to some six animals.       We had only one cow left in 2013, to which we added one small heifer.        At about this time our dairy man left us, and we employed someone else.   Our vet warned us that he seemed in -experienced, and by September 2014 we had lost both animals and had an empty Dairy unit, as per above.        The cow-man had taken the cows out without telling anyone, and grazed them by the roadside and also in our School grounds where the rains had brought forth lush new grass.   They died of 'Bloat".
Needless to say we were very disappointed and I, for one, was not too keen to continue the project. But there again ,to leave such a carefully and lovingly constructed Facility to just decay did not seem either right or wise.   Just before this year's Tyndale Team arrived an old friend of the Homes came and donated us a very nice Guernsey type heifer, now in calf.      Tyndale School also, before they left, donated us funds to purchase a second Frisian type heifer also in calf!!      SO it looks as if we should continue on.
The cows we have had before have not been very friendly, almost 'stand-offish' in their attitude.  But our two NEW cows are very outgoing, full of curiosity and contentment.    We also have a new Dairy-man who is well experienced and very keen.      The LORD knows his plans.

These two animals are predicted to be able to supply, once more, enough daily milk for all four of our Homes AND also milk for the School Children as well!      A great SAVING financially.
Well I will try to leave you with a few photos of 'Gert And Daisy' as I like to call them!


This is DAISY!    My name for her.    Doesn't  she look welcoming and ready for a chat?     Well she is indeed just like that, and I am sure to be drawn to have a word or two with her from time to time.
Many years ago in 1966 when I was a student at I.B.T.I. in Sussex, England (The International Bible Training Institute), I used to practise my early sermons to a field full of such kindly and rather amused Guernsey cows. They were always ,most attentive and would come from all over the field when they saw me perched on their five bar gate; interrupting their grazing to just come and gather round to listen - or was it just to stare in the hope of an extra handful of something.    They always stayed to the end, and then turn away to continue what I had found them busy with.     They did me a power of good, though probably did not improve my preaching ability over much.
Well it is easy to fall in love with an animal, and especially so when they seem to be willing to start a relationship!!


AND THIS IS GERT - not quite as welcoming in this picture; and was perhaps a little annoyed to have my camera disturb her feeding program.     But she is a dear really.    Rather larger and more sleek than Daisy, but she is not a bully or one to use her size to impress another, or even  shove them out of the way.    She and Daisy although strangers to each other, and quite well disposed toward each other, and already enjoying each others company.
LET ME CONCLUDE by including A.A. Milne's lovable poem

                                    The King's Breakfast
The King asked the Queen, and the Queen asked the Dairymaid"
Could we have some butter for the Royal slice of bread?"
The dairymaid said "Certainly!
I'll go and tell the cow - now - before she goes to bed.

The Dairymaid, she curtsied, and went and told the Alderney:
"Don't forget the butter for the Royal slice of bread
The ALDERNY said sleepily"
You'd better tell His Majesty
that many people nowadays like Marmalade instead!" 
The Dairymaid said "Fancy!" and went to Her Majesty

She  curtsied to the Queen and she turned a little red:

                                                                                       "Excuse me Your Majesty, for taking the liberty,
                                                                                              but Marmalade is tasty if it's very thickly spread!"

The Queen said "Oh!" and went to His Majesty;
"Talking of the butter for the Royal slice of bread,
Many people think that Marmalade is nicer,
Would you like to try a little Marmalade instead?"

The King said, "Bother!" And the he said "Oh dear me!"
The King sobbed, "Oh deary me!"  And went back to bed.
"Nobody," he whimpered, "Could call me a fussy man;
                                                    I only want a little bit of butter for my bread                                                                              

The Queen said "There, there!" and went to the Dairymaid.
The Dairymaid said "There, there!" and went to the cow.
The cow said "There, there!  I didn't really mean it!
Here's milk for his porringer, and BUTTER for his bread

The Queen took the the butter, and brought it to His Majesty,
The King said "Butter, eh?" and bounced out of  bed.
'Nobody', he said as he kissed her tenderly,
"Nobody" he said as he slid down the bannisters.
'Nobody my Darling could call me a fussy man..
BUT
                                                                           I do like a little bit of butter to my bread



AND THIS IS WHERE I WILL CONCLUDE FOR THIS WEEK!
I a,m a day early this week - due to the Server who is busy relaying, joining, and otherwise enjoying fun and games with their fibre optic cable which has once again got into a tangle somewhere.    Might be unable to get to the Web again until Monday, or even later.    Such the advantages of living on the Equator in the RAINY  Season,     The MOON is full tonight - could mean a change in the weather for us - or it might mean ANOTHER month of RAIN.

Our love to you all in Jesus

John, Esther and Daryl Green






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