THIS IS A 1977 PHOTO OF PART OF THE TESTIMONY FAMILY.
Back Row - Paul Ngugi, Charles Green, Isaiah Sambuli, Samuel Macho, Mwangi Macharia, Michael Rufroni, Hendrik Ajwong, Hellen Chepkoris
Middle Row - Timothu Njugunah, Joseph Kipwabok, Anthony Kipkoech, Christopher Kiptizia, Steven Green.
Back Row - Michael Green and Nicholas Mwangi, deputy director at the time
On the top row Left you can see an eight year old boy standing. His name is Paul Ngugu. (also seen left when he was 15 in his wheel chair). Paul came to stay with us in July 1974; he was three and a half years old. On the face of it he was an abandoned baby who had poor sight due to neglected measles; Someone had also tried to strangle him to death. Having accepted him into our Testimony House Family we discovered Paul had a terminal disease known as Hurler's Syndrome; a disease that would progressively, if he lived, render him paralysed, deaf, disfigured and eventually, mentally, a vegetable. He would also lose his sight completely. Life expectancy was up to the age of 10, over recorded incidents of one in every ten thousand. Paul lived with us in Testimony House until October 201l, when he died - he was then 40 years old. When he first arrived he was unable to walk or do anything for himself, but by the time he was ten he was walking, and he could still see colour and shapes, but we then began to see a serious depreciation. He had an eye operation, but it was unsuccessful, and went on to attend two Blind Schools, but had to discontinue because his sickness attacked his skin and muscles so that his appearance rendered him a laughing stock. He then stayed at home and worked with Braille. He was very intelligent, well informed in general knowledge, and speaking three languages fluently.
From then on Paul's physical life was a battle for him and for us. BUT he never complained, and was very sure that God Loved him in and through Jesus, and that whatever happened to him it was for some special good. He never wavered from that belief. And, indeed, Paul WAS to be a blessing all his life, first to those he grew up, and lived, with, and then to all those who came to know him. He was often in pain, and suffered the frustration of being totally dependant on others, but few people knew this. He was always the one to pray for others, to comfort, council, and generally encourage those who needed it. WE could have turned him away on the excuse we really did not have enough staff to care for him, and could not be sure if we would financially afford to support him. But we did not turn away - we welcomed him into the family, and into the home that would be his till he passed on to a better place. And the 'Family' rallied around him, loving him, caring for and affectionately being his eyes and ears, as well as his legs. His funeral turned out to be the BIGGEST gathering of Old Boys and Girls, Family and friends we have ever had. ((The FULL STORY of Paul Ngugi was printed in the Blog of 22nd October 2011 - just in case you might want to see more))
On the top row Left you can see an eight year old boy standing. His name is Paul Ngugu. (also seen left when he was 15 in his wheel chair). Paul came to stay with us in July 1974; he was three and a half years old. On the face of it he was an abandoned baby who had poor sight due to neglected measles; Someone had also tried to strangle him to death. Having accepted him into our Testimony House Family we discovered Paul had a terminal disease known as Hurler's Syndrome; a disease that would progressively, if he lived, render him paralysed, deaf, disfigured and eventually, mentally, a vegetable. He would also lose his sight completely. Life expectancy was up to the age of 10, over recorded incidents of one in every ten thousand. Paul lived with us in Testimony House until October 201l, when he died - he was then 40 years old. When he first arrived he was unable to walk or do anything for himself, but by the time he was ten he was walking, and he could still see colour and shapes, but we then began to see a serious depreciation. He had an eye operation, but it was unsuccessful, and went on to attend two Blind Schools, but had to discontinue because his sickness attacked his skin and muscles so that his appearance rendered him a laughing stock. He then stayed at home and worked with Braille. He was very intelligent, well informed in general knowledge, and speaking three languages fluently. |
| Paul at 40 - kept his hair long as he used to feel cold around his neck |
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The Month of August has been good for all of us. Oh, yes, it has been a rainy month, and the children all home from School has made it quite a noisy month. Thank God we have all been fed, and in the shelter of each Home, have been loved and cared for. For Esther and me this is our 44th year together - all of it lived in a very topsy-turvy Extended Family of very different children and young people. And don't be deceived - Esther is into her 71 this year as well, even if she does look a good decade younger than me in this roguish photo. Both of still in love, and very glad for all the years that have past, and for the present that finds still in reach of so many of our BIG Family. God has been SO good, so Faithful, in the midst of every day, even the very darkest of them. He has been and REMAINS our strength, our Happiness, and our Eternal Hope in and through His Son - Jesus.
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School will open in about a week, so the kids still have some freedom left. They seem to have really enjoyed the Holiday, and our cows also seem to have continued to settle into their new surroundings and are providing us with plenty of milk. Looking forward in September to seeing our friends Ian and Diana Hogley, and also Stuart and Brown who will be coming with them - an opportunity for the latter to see the NEW Jacaranda, although they will actually be sleeping with Joshua and Miriam Mbithi in Neema Children's Homes just a few kilometres up the road. Always nice to see visitors about to arrive.
Our Love to you all in Jesus Name - John Esther, and Daryl Green
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