WE GREET YOU ALL
at this wonderful Time and Season.   EASTER is so very special, so necessary to REMEMBER and To OBSERVE.     Ours started last night as each of our five families cooked a meal of Roast Lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread to eat as we shared and remembered the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus with His Disciples in the upper room - and of course they remembered PASSOVER so we were drawn into that as well.

The First sharing of Bread and Wine with the revelation of Jesus Himself as God's Lamb and our Passover.     A wonderful time.    We actually began to do this in 2009 for the first time, and it moved so many that we have continued ever since - BUT the first time we did it all together in the School Hall as in the photo.     Thereafter we felt it was more easy to confine it to each family home - you know 'A Lamb for a Family.


TO DAY -  'GOOD FRIDAY'  400 of us met in the School Hall for a Service of EIGHT READINGS from Matthew 27 together with Hymns, and Lessons from members of our staff.   Again a very blessed time which touched the lives of many.     And Sunday and the JOY of His Resurrection is yet to come.

OUR PRAYERS are for each of you, dear brothers and sisters, that YOU also will have a very special Easter, and the the Real Presence of Jesus will be evident in your homes and families as you enter in to the Quality of His Love for you.
PLEASE ALSO remember US, as visitors begin to arrive tomorrow.     Such a very great joy and privilege to have people come into our little home.

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GOD BLESS YOU each and every one as we step into a NEW spiritual Year with Jesus by our side.

Lovingly
John, Esther and Daryl.

WHEN YOU HAVE DONE ALL - JUST STAND!

THESE ARE NOT KIDS FROM THE PAST, but children from the present; children also in need of home and family.    The problem of homeless children is not less pressing than it was, but with 'enlightened' Governmental legislation it has become less and less possible to provide the loving security and care that they crave for.      IN THE PAST children like these would find immediate help from the local community, who would take them in to their own homes.      I learnt from their example, and we based TFH on the pattern of love and community care that was then still practised, but was fast vanishing due to increasing URBANISATION.   Today, with continuing urbanisation has come what is assumed to be necessary organisation, and BUREAUCRACY.      You can no longer see a child in need and, putting your arms around them, draw them to yourself and love them, even giving them a home.  First you must 'apply' for permission to do so, and this will only be granted if it is proved that you are 'able' to care for them, provide for them and so on - all sensible provisions, but gradually the requirements necessary in order to dispense your love and charity increases until your freedom to love - to encircle a needy child with your own arms of loving concern and care - is removed in favour of whether you are considered suitable enough, safe enough, and rich enough to do so.     No doubt all very much sensible and responsible - but often at the cost of what the child needs - immediate human love.   Sad isn't it.     Man's wisdom definitely is from the Earth.     But it is the Wisdom from above with its more immediate application and and remedy that is needed.     But TODAY Man knows best!   SO the queue grows longer and the time to remedy the need delays the answer.     Children can and so grow old WAITING.

MOST of the children that arrive here, have been alone, and away from home and parents for a while
Some put a bold brave face on it, but within a few days in one of our 'family' homes, they are running to be included in the spontaneous hugs and loving care of Mum and Dad, and to see if the sense of being a family and of being safe is for them as well.     They all seek for it; hunger for it -like the four friends opposite, who are now 'at home' with us,      When we see them - all strangers to each other, but who all had in common the desolation of having 'no one and nowhere' to belong to - when we see them relaxed and happy, safe and becoming sound - this is our reward and JOY.    Also to the right is a photo of two brothers just a week after their arrival with us.
BUT as I have intimated above, Government Trends in Child Care and Placement are more and more controlling private charities, and bringing them into conformity with their own Rules and Regulations     This, though arguably necessary, has the effect of slowly eroding and virtually destroying OUR long term ability to ensure the future for our resident children, and - if they were made aware of it (and they they are) - would and will once again bring uncertainty into their lives once again.
We do not see any way this situation might change, since it is being directed and stage managed by The United Nations and, indeed, by the world sociologists and legislators.      This is a challenge to all those who just want God to reach out and LOVE unconditionally.   OF COURSE the social climate of our current world dose not encourage this since moral and ethical state of humanity has taken a dive in the last fifty years with all kinds of perversion and moral criminal activity coming back into play.       Precautions MUST be taken, and protection given against anything that might spoil or endanger -  so much so that fifty or more percent of our humanity has been. already, been pared away, restricted, and even rejected as good behaviour.  Thus our affections toward one another are all in disarray,  and our trust, and good will toward each other seriously impaired.         It seems to us that our children are in danger of never having the chance to be 'as free as children'.    Everywhere there is danger and risk.     Play time is restricted, and heavily supervised,     Both parents are hard to find in what is becoming a more and more acceptable ONE parent society.   Hardly any children left as they are forced, more and more, to become little adults, grown up in every conceivable way before they are 12.     Even 'innocence' is a rare commodity; the introduction of the knowledge of everything from how to have intercourse inter-sexually;  experimentation with drugs and solvents of almost ANY kind, no holes barred;  ALL this has kidnapped innocence.
THE STRANGE THING IS no one is saying anything about it.     It seems we are AWARE of it, but not bothered too much about it.   Or probably everyone has somehow found themselves too much in awe of those 'more qualified than themselves', and thus keep quiet.   BUT real knowledge and spiritual perception come from Above, where God IS.     The Bible says it is put, by God, in every man and woman - but we have been deceived into listening to another voice until God's Voice is blotted out.    Oh my!     I pray all the timed that more and more, who KNOW Jesus Christ, would STAND UP FOR GOD, before we find ourselves ALL led astray into lies and falsity of life........

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TO DAY IS OUR SCHOOL SPORTS DAY - It rained heavily last night, but with the dawning of the day the Sun has come out and the heavens above are gloriously BLUE.     Wonderful, and as always it will be wonderful turnout.      Our School Field is not in too good a condition so we have been given permission to use the Eldoret Sports Club field.      Most of our 800 students (including all those from the Homes) are there, and a good many parents of children learning with us from the locality as well.    One very popular Annual Event.

YESTERDAY,  Daryl hosted a BIG Meeting in his Office (about 50) individuals from various Children's Homes from 8a.m to 4p.m. In actual fact the Meeting was hosted by ACCIK (Africa Children's Institutions of Kenya) and the Program presented by the Kenya Children's Services Department for the County of Uasin Gishu.     Daryl is the Country Rep. for ACCIK.    Basically the meeting was to advise and inform Children's Institutions in Kenya of Government innovations.

Daryl was taken ill in the afternoon, and had to be taken off to the doctors.     He was forced to rest in the afternoon.      Too many white blood cells caused by Stress AND a current bout of 'flu that he has been battling with.  

ON MONDAY our friend Dr. Frank Guinness arrived and stayed with us till Wednesday evening. We had really good and happy fellowship with him.     He had to return to Uganda prior to returning to UK and thus took the night bus from Eldoret.    It was supposed to leave at Midnight, and so Daryl arranged to drive him down to the Bus Stage at 11.30p.m. only to find that our gates were LOCKED and our Watchman nowhere to be found.     Frank, at almost 76 had to climb over the gate to get out!

All rather dramatic and alarming.     But when they got to the Bus stop they discovered the bus was delayed and would not leave until 2p.m.     Not a very good way  to leave.

Half an hour AFTER he left we discovered out two watchmen both asleep!     WE have replaced them.

ON TUESDAY we received a transfer from AENON Trust forwarding Gifts from any friends.   We were in a VERY difficult position once again, when they arrived, so we REJOICED greatly.   We had in fact been waiting and praying for funds for more than two weeks.     Another one of those 'Are you still trusting in Me alone?' times - they seem to come more often these days.   He knows our frailties.

ON WEDNESDAY,  the Lord provided against my stolen computer,    Through the kindness and love of  a dear friend, AND one of our old boys  I was able to replace the loss entirely.   I am therefore very HAPPY and THANKFUL to be using it today to send this BLOG;    Hallelujah!    Thank you both again, dear ones.

NEXT THURSDAY we shall  begin to Celebrate EASTER.    As usual each of our four Homes and ourselves will be sharing about the Last Supper in the Upper Room, and remembering Passover as well, just as Jesus and the disciples did.     It is always a wonderful time.   After the meal of Roast Lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread (+ vegetables) we share the leftover bread and drink with each other just as Jesus did.......then we sing a hymn and pray a little..........   A good preface to our Good Friday Service.     This is always a Service of 8 Readings following Matthew 27 throughout, with someone giving a short thought about each reading as we go along.

ON SATURDAY our friends are arriving from England, Paula and Georgina White.    The four part Life of Christ produced by Franco Zeffirelli will be shown in the afternoon with short intervals between each part.

THEN, on SUNDAY, we shall all meet to REJOICE because HE HAS RISEN.     A Wonderful Beginning to a NEW week.

We are all battling still with the dregs of a kind of influenza marked by an aggravating cough.  Partly this has been encouraged by the DRY, dusty, and WINDY weather, accentuated by the heat.    A little rain has been  appearing briefly over the last few days, and this is alleviating us a little.      God Bless you all land our Thanks always for your care of us in Jesus

 John, Esther and Daryl Green

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THE WAVES OF THE SEA...!

JUST A FEW MINUTES AFTER writing the Blog last Saturday, I got up from my desk in our sitting room and went and sat on the veranda to have a cup of tea and some fresh air.

It had been a beautiful day weather-wise and I had been for the most part couped up in the house.     It was 4.15p.m. and after some fifteen minutes I went back inside to complete some other work on the computer.     As I neared my desk I realised that where the computer had been was only a BLANK and BARE space.    It had GONE!    And not only the computer, but also my mobile phone which had lain next to it.     Whoever had gained entrance had come through the back door.   They would have to have been watching carefully since I was sitting on the veranda with my back to the big plate glass window - the 'thief' would have seen me clearly - and if I had turned I would have seen him - or her!

IT WAS TOTAL SHOCK.       The back doors had been left open by our own trusted house-girl, but it seems she had only left the house briefly.    Nothing like this has ever happened before.    We have found no clue as to who may have been brave enough to do this,  BUT for the rest of the week-end we became disconnected from everyone. I have missed it (exactly as the one illustrated to the left) as it had done me good service for a number of years, and I was very used to it.  I  also use it continuously.   Now I have to get used to another, and all its foibles.   But, amazingly, the very evening after this happened we had an unexpected visit from dear friends, who without knowing what had taken place left me with a gift that almost completely paid for a NEW computer!!     My phone is another matter.     But I am managing.     It also made me aware of how dependent we can become on new technology, to the point of feeling paralysed and helpless without it.       ANYWAY we do Thank the Lord for restoring our losses, and permitting us once more to be in touch.

ALSO during last Saturday one of our Form  IV boys, who had obtained an unexpectedly low Result in the national examination, began to show signs of mental disturbance.     He began by accosting a lot of us to talk to him.    He said he was not worried about his Result, but rather was concerned with his own personal Identity  'Who am I?'  'Why am I?',  and so on.   He said he needed prayer, and wanted to be Saved. He was well counselled wherever he went but it did not seem to assure him, and on Sunday he suddenly lost control of himself, and his houseparents had him admitted to hospital where he was sedated.   He remain in hospital for four days, and was then returned to us apparently in his right mind and quite his usual self.   Joseph is a boy who has never fully known about his past or his parents,    At eighteen this has become a concern to him,    On his own admission he had been dallying with Marijuana over the last six months, and our doctors believe this, and the admix of his unwanted Result, and his own inner questions about his own worth and human inheritance had just thrown him into a depression.     I went through something very similar myself when I was about his age.     It was the Lord who brought me through that time, and it has been the same for him.   Home from hospital he has confirmed that during his 'breakdown' his underlying urge had been to be close to God, and this never left him.    On Friday he gave his life to Christ amidst tears and joy.   He is overjoyed and continuing on with his goal to be an Engineer.

IN 2007 the Kenya Government passed an Act of Parliament 
which, among other things laid down that every Employer had to pay Fifty Kenya Shillings per month for every person employed, towards 'training costs'.   For some reason we did not see the announcement in the paper, and went merrily along in ignorance. THEN a letter arrived in 2014 putting us in the picture and demanding payment.    However, we found it quite confusing, since the demand appeared senseless to us - we had no one in training, and no need to train anyone.    We decided to ask our Lawyer to look into it, and to find out if Charities like us still had to pay.     After a few weeks he told us to just ignore the matter; that it would not apply to us.
THIS week, after hearing rumours of others who had ignored the issue being sued, Daryl went to Town to see what he could discover.      On meeting the County Head of the Department for Trade Training he was told in no uncertain terms that we had ignored the Law and faced a fine of TWO million Kenya Shillings plus payment of all our dues going back to 2007.     After lengthy discussion Daryl was told that if a letter was written explaining our 'default' then the Fine might be remitted, BUT we would have to pay the Dues (more than 4 thousand pounds before the 31st December this year.  The Officer seemed fairly sure the fine would be remitted - but this still leave us with quite a problem.        We have also heard from Joshua and Miriam Mbithi that they have also ignored the Act, and may now face a similar situation.
It has been a recurrent and progressive sadness to us, that although we came with every intention of bringing FREE aid, and even a free gift of help to Kenya, we have felt threatened continually by Government legislation calling on us to have to pay more and more for the gift given!   From a small MUD house 20ftx40ft we have seen God provide FOUR substantial Homes for Children and a large and well equipped School for more than 800 students.   Additionally we have, in the process of this development been able to provide jobs and income to more than a hundred Kenyans.   Not a SMALL Gift from the heart of God, but one seemingly unnoticed or appreciated.       We predict that very soon, in the next three or four years, it might be impossible to truly be charitable, or to give charitably in Kenya since more and more of what is given for direct help to the poor and needy is being eaten up by Taxation and more and more government levies.      Very disheartening, and very short sighted of the Government, which in the end might find AID being diverted elsewhere, and their poor become poorer.       We view this matter as a further indication of the Governments lack of appreciation for the free aid it receives through Charities and NGOs in general.      We are still going to look into the matter further in the hope that some sympathy will be discovered to relieve us of this demand.   But please do pray for us.    Fifty shillings a month is not a lot.   We have 118 paid staff.    If we had understood our liability from the first we could have born it,    We would never have profited from it of course, but we would have been spared what is now to be seen as an inordinate burden put upon us.

EXPECTING A SURPRISE VISIT from our long time friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Frank Guiness on Monday next week.   Hopefully he will be with us for at least three or four days.  We are also now expecting Mike and Dani Potter from Adelaide to be with us from about 16th to 22nd April.
We seem to be 'filling up' and maybe we should take a more serious look at the possibility of becoming the host and hostess of Green Cottage Lodge.     Certainly the weather has been more than enticing for those living in the northern hemisphere.    Temperature between 70 and 80f with cool breeze, azure skies.....lovely!      Still we are getting near to RAIN ...in fact we had two days of continuous heavy rain early this week!    It is expected to set in soon - late March/April.  but it is really unpredictable these days.

WE have just heard that another transfer is on the way from AENON so, with all our thanks, do expect one of our written updates soon.     Our love always in Jesus.

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

WHEN ALL HAS BEEN DONE - JUST STAND!

FORM 1V STUDENTS CELEBRATING EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS IN THE 2015 NATIONAL EXAM THIS WEEK!
It seem that Government Schools have everywhere excelled in reaping the best results ever - one school having more than 280 'A's.   GREAT satisfaction for the Government who has for years been trailing PRIVATELY run Schools, and has been doing its best to turn the tables on them, in proving their's are ultimately the best Schools with the best chances, even if less materially blessed.     Of course it would obviously seem to be what we ALL want - to see 'E's and 'D's being erradicated in favour of more 'C's, 'B's. and 'A's.
Our own Examination Class of 37 did better than in 2014, in that our Index number has risen by 1 this year which is ever encouraging.     However, We had nothing beyond 'B-' in individual results - and we had 13 'B-'s  - although in our Mocks we had 'A' and 'B+' students.     This was quite a shock for many.      We felt, looking at our results generally, that there was every sign they may have been marked DOWN.     Comparing this with Results from other 'Private' School, somehow substantuates this opinion, which is troubling.      Last Year Government teachers went on strike, and government schools even closed, whilst 'Private' schools continued to function the whole time.     Might this in someway be 'revenge'?    BUT looking back all the way from when we commenced School in 1981 there has been this kind of government resentment as their schools were increasingly being put in the shade by private enterprise.    Probably good for them in the long run, but I feel they may have wanted to hurry things up, and to somehow redeem their educational reputation by seeming to put the private sector MORE in the shade.      This has seemed to be the case increasingly over the past three or four years.     Sad and disappointing and not something to be condoned.     And not something to give in to.      The Gauntlet has been thrown down - it is for the Challenged to pick it up and prove themselves in fair and open combat.  
For our own youngsters, B- still permits them to be called to University, and certainly they will find openings into Certificate and Diploma College opportunities.  Although, to some extent, their ardour has been little dampened by their results, they have also rejoiced, and are now anxious to press on to the next important chapter in their lives.
THE IMPORTANT ISSUE HERE is to be able to see both Government and Private Education pulling together to offer the best to all our students throughout the land.   It will be ruinous to see one section working against the other.    This, even if not a planned scenario, can happen due the caprisciousness of 'parents' who are always shopping for 'better' schools for their children.     NOW, for example, many will be considering moving their children from Private to Government Schools - and if this were to happen then the brightest in one or other Sector would move out to the other, leaving the poorest behind.    A real and possible setback for REAL progress in our School System, and for our students in particular.    
IN OUR OWN CASE if our patronage were to decrease and student population diminish then we might have to face the possibility of eventual closure, since we would not be able to meet our financial responsabilities.        This threat, especially in the area of Secondary School, is certainly closer than a year ago.  BUT we have endured all things and been overcome by none through these many years.    IN GOD we are well kept and secured.      We shall not fear or tremble at the advent of future trends and ideas.    We shall STAND where we stand, with GOD, and press foreward toward the Mark.      He called us to finally build a SCHOOL for the good and prestige of our orphans - and it is built, and active and advancing - so that, as I mentioned earlier, even though we may have been marked down on individual performance the School has none the less moved UP in its general Index.      Hallelujah!

A YEAR OR SO AGO a dear friend and sister in Jesus passed on to glory.   Unknown to us she had arranged in her Will to leave a small Legacy to the work and ministry of TFH.     It still has not reached us, although we were in fact notified about it last year in the month of December.     It seems somehow to be coming to us via the good offices of U.K.E.T.      I must say I have never heard of anything of this nature taking so long to reach its destination.    And we having been in great need of its expected relief for almost the day it was donated.      Sure the donor, would be 'turning in her grave' with righteous indignation at the thought of the diversion of her wishes.   But of course our Father in Heaven is aware.     So is the Devil, I guess.    Just be aware and careful about what is yours - I mean when you have 'passed on',  someone else will be in charge of it, and its use.    They may not have your  purpose in mind when they become your Executor.     Forunately I have nothing to leave behind for another, so no one will feel the loss of, or the delay in receiving it.       Probate,  of course, can delay things, but surely in any ordinary matter, not for a year plus.     I have wondered if Monies left in a Will can be deposited in some Bank Deposit A/c to accrue Interest - we have seen this happen here in Kenya - where banks sometimes hold up incoming funds  just for the sake of making a shilling or two on the side.    They never give any extra to us!       These days there is so much corruption everywhere - Kenya has just been rated the 3rd most corrupt Country in the World.

SINCE FEBRUARY 1st we have been experiencing a normal HOT/DRY Season here. Beautiful weather.    Another month still in front of us.    Water still rationed, and nights unbearably hot and sticky.      Esther and I have just been getting over a dose of 'flu, and today the whole place - Homes and School are busy with a Swimming Gala with competitiors from among our own children in School and Homes, as well as others from five more schools.    An all day affair, but perfect weather for it.   This is the 2nd Gala of its kind to be held here, and has become intensely popular due to the fact that our Pool is the right 'competition' size.      A BIGGER four day Competition is scheduled for mid August this year, with Teams from Uganda, Tanzania and other States around including, of course, a National Team from Kenya herself.

LOOKING FORWARD this month to a visit from Paula and Georgina White from Folkstone in Kenya, England.    They will be with us from 26th to 8th April.   Then shortly aftwerwards our old friends from Huddersifield, Ian an Diana Hogley will be with us again.       Probably we might also have a visit from our little daughter Helen and baby Abigail who are now in Niarobi, where Helen is now into her 2nd month teaching at her old School, where she was employed in 2013.    Abigail will be 2 on the 19th of this Month.   They hope to come in the April School Holiday period.

Our children, Steven, Michael, and Elisabeth were all able to attend the Memorial Service for our dear friend and brother Stan Hyde held in Brixham, Devon on 25th February.
Our dear brother and sister Nicholls of Aenon Trust also attended.    It was a very wonderful occassion.

We do continue to Thank our Father in Heaven for you all, for your care and for your faithfulness in praying for us.      We did have a collection passed on via AENON on the       February, and after the next transfer we will as usually be sending our Update to all those who may have contributed.    Bless you all, with all our hearts.

John, Esther and Daryl