NOT A VERY GOOD PHOTO, but a very special one.     On Wednesday evening, in Testimony House, we were saying Farewell to one of our daughters who grew up in Drakeley Cottage family.   PAULINE came to us in 2003 when she was only seven years old.    For most of that time her Dad and Mum were to be Francis and Eunice Lahol.    Now, after 18 years of being daughter to many, and sister to many more, as she grew up, she is leaving us to begin an independent life as a NURSE.     It has been her ambition from when she was still young, and now she has attained it, graduating with Distinction.     She is to join the Africa Inland Church in a newly commenced missionary enterprise, initially in Athi River, south ease of Nairobi..       To begin with she may be the only Nurse there!      She is so happy, and we also happy with her, and rejoicing to know that she goes hand in hand with Jesus, her Lord and Savior.      We sent her off with a little party held with members of her Drakeley Cottage family ( now abiding in Testimony House ) with Mum Eunice, and a few others including ourselves.      Cake, Soda, a Presentation Bible and a small monetary Gift to  start her off with; it was a GOOD time!    We know we will keep in touch, and this the way we hope each and every one of our children will one day be able to step confidently out to begin their own life!      It does not always happen, and instead we often lose sight of one or another as they rush to please themselves away from us.          Thankfully many of them do return later to tell us GOD met up to them, and they realised how much their stay with us all in TFH, this finally come to mean to them.        IT IS ALL OF GRACE!  

OUR AIM

From the onset, before we were married,

the Holy Spirit spoke to us both,

and told us to open our hearts and home

to children who had lost both home and family.

Yes, we would have our own home and family,

but we would share it with those children who had neither.

                                                             

We tried have hard to accomplish this!

It was harder than we thought.  Our hearts hurt sometimes

But we pressed onwards, knowing we were bound to make errors in our parenting.

We have, but we have learnt.    We have continued to pursue the Vision.

NOW we have four extended families, each with a married couple,

doing their best to be Dads and Mums to children not their own;

NOT their own, but just as if they ARE their own in Jesus Name.

==========

DO YOU SEE THE IDEA?

It hasn't changed - though it has been contested!

Contested by our own imperfection in letting it BE diluted here and there!

And contested by sociological changes made by Government in the way they see 

how needs of homeless children should be provided.

BUT we CONTINUE to pursue the Vision.

Both for the Children, God brings to our doors,

AND for the men and women who proclaim their calling to work with us.

WE STILL NEED to accept being One Family Together in the wider sense

This was our family in 1987

there are more than 450 in our Family so far

WE would ask you to join us in prayer.    Pray for us that we might be prevented from sliding out of the concept of being a family, into the equivalent of a secular institution, with groups of orphans who sometimes feel away from, instead of AT home; and Mums and Dad who feel like 8 - 6 Care-workers who are sometimes on duty and sometimes OFF, rather than loving parents always there and on call for their children.        This can happen - is happening.       We are forgetting to be family,   Staff are becoming 'individuals' working together, instead of brother and sisters together in a Family - Staff not Mums and Dads.      And our children are beginning not to 'FEEL'  brother and sister, sons and daughters in one big family complex.      They might begin to feel shepherded, guarded, instead of loved, valued.    There has become a feeling of  ourselves being 'employees',  and the children as work-load.

I guess  it could be a case of  taking things for granted, and forgetting to  keep up with  the inspirational moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives together.      We ARE working on it, and there IS an assurance that we shall be restored and improved, if not perfected.      We are not sitting back satisfied that all is as it CAN be, we are striving afresh and anew towards the high mark of our Calling.     Hope you might grasp  just a little of what I am trying to convey.        We are not depressed or cast down, but enlivened to dust ourselves down and press on.       You all  know the Enemy and his Wiles.     Well I think he nearly had us sleeping with our eyes open, and just not SEEING what was happening.

=============

We do Thank God for continuing to supply our daily Bread, and we also Thank all those who, on hearing the prompting of His Spirit, re-acted to offer themselves as His hands and feet = together you combined with His Love and Care to provide for us.    Blessed be you all in Jesus Name.   We have all continued to be well, and the School Holiday has gone well.    We should re open on the 10th MAY, and we are looking forward to it.     Secondary Form 1 may open later this year.     There has been quite a lot of messing about with the Termly timetables, and it will probably not get back to normal before next year.

Covid 19 Update.

Curfews are still in place since my last report.

Numbers being tested vary from day to day -    from as few as 400 up to 5,000 +

As of yesterday, 22nd April this was the situation

Cases Tested 5,673                 Cases Positive  904

NAIROBI still top of the list for daily Positive Cases

Cumulative totals

Cases Tested     Positive Cases   Recovered     Deaths

 1.624,663              154,392              105,367       2,560

Current Positivity @ 15.9%

MOST of our Staff now having had their 1st Jab.   2nd one due on 24th May.    NO effects noticed by anyone .

YESTERDAY it actually RAINED heavily for about an hour.     It is forecast to continue rain LIGHTLY FOR THE NEXT WEEK.     We shall see.      We were more than thankful for the little received yesterday - today, so far, no sign of any more!     

We try to remember each of you as God lights up you name, day by day.    We need to always lift up each other, for every day we need help, encouragement, and the proof of His Life in us.   God Bless you all, encircling you with His Everlasting Arms, providing you with His Love and Mercy.

John, Esther and Daryl Green                             

 

THESE are the 34 out of a Class of 59 who attained between 350 to 416 out of a possible 500.  BETTER than in 2019, even with the disruption caused by Covid 19. with a Mean Score of 69.8%

We truly congratulate our Teachers, our Management, and each and every student who had to tackle never before experienced conditions inside and outside of the Classroom - We give ALL the Glory Honour and Praise to God, in Jesus NAME.    And THANK you parents who have been SO faithful, in trusting us to honestly have stood with them, and with their children.    It was HARD for all of us.  BUT there has been a great success in with ALL of us needed and have appreciated the other.

This year the HOMES only had SIX children in their Final Year, and among the 59 that made up the 

 full Class for 2020 taking their Final Exams on the 22nd March 2021!!    It was very out of place, as the Exams are usually taken in November.  

SECONDARY students still finishing their Finals until Wednesday next week, and then we will wait a little while for their Final Results to be published. 

SCHOOL, generally will open on 10th May.      

===========

STILL SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE.      We do have some little storage capacity, but the pressure has been so  low that the water cannot reach the tanks.   The supply varies from day to day, without any surety when or if it will be ON or OFF.  We ARE managing, but it is quite difficult, to say the least.

The need to find OUR OWN water  increases, and we are praying for the Lord to open up a supply of our own, possibly from a Bore Hole, if it could be drilled for.       The weather is still dry and  quite warm with temperatures up to 80f ., falling to mid 70sf  at night.      RAIN will come, but maybe not a soon as we would like.

We safely brought James Manu back from Tenwek Hospital yesterday,    He was very tired after to 200 kilmeter trek, but none the less he managed to eat some of his Birthday Cake with us during the evening.  We all very Thankful to God, for the National Hospital Insurance paying the entire hospital Bill on this occassion.    It had not been assured, and we did not finally hear until midday on the day he was leaving the hospital.        He has some pain, and he has to keep the eye covered as much as possible.    He has to return to Tenwek in two weeks time for a check up - it all goes well he will then be able to get a LOCAL check up monthly nearer home.     We shall not know how all this will safeguard the little sight he has left, but we are praying, and we know  Jesus cares.

He will stay with us for a while until he feels little more himself - TWO stressful operations in the space of a month has taken its toll.     But otherwise he is in his usual good spirits.       Thank YOU all for joining in prayer with us,

====================

EVERYONE in the Four Families are continuing well, and happy in Jesus.    DAD and MUM Yego, (Micah and Catherine Senge), have been away from Tyndale Cottage for about three weeks with their  own two  small children, for a rare holiday.    They just returned to day and it was good to see how glad the children were to see then once again.     But they had not been left alone,  Aunty Grace (our floating Relief Houseparent) had been with them day and night, a well known and loved family member often there to give a short 'breather' to all our Mums and Dads.    

And so another week has gone by.   Many thanks to the many who have been writing in.  It is great to get a little window open out to us, and let our mind be refreshed and even renewed, as we hear from you, and find more to think and pray about that just our own little world here in Testimony.   Bless each one, you do indeed brighten our days.

Our Love in Jesus as always

John, Esther and Daryl, and all of the Family here in TFH-Kenya

 SOON!   Yes Soon ALL exams will be over,  BUT many have completed, and will soon be able to relax!

The Last time I  wrote I included photos of our Primary Candidates, who had finally completed their National Primary Examinations which are the Entrance into High School.

TODAY,  I want to add photos of OUR High School Graduates, who having completed their National Examinations, are now having to wait and see where their labours will lead them - University, College, or other Training,    It has been quite a gruelling and demanding time for them all, and I am sure the majority will feel great relief in just FINSHING.     In the photo we see the High School block built in 2013,  To the left, out of sight is the Swimming Pool, and behind the camera are the Science labs, where our 4th Year students have just completed their Practicals. 

The Labs are all fairly spacious, airy, and well lit. The work benches were presented to us by Sir. John Johnson, British High Commissioner, on behalf of the Commission when we opened Form 1 and 2 in 1994.    The timber used for the bench tops is a special hard wood from Uganda.  They have worn well.   The School has Labs., for Physics, Biology, Home Science and Computer.    Generally the students have behaved themselves well, and with sobriety, and still having to observe the need to wear masks, and for spacing  in and out of Class.    Also some are not local, and have homes as far away as Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru.  Thus they have had to BOARD with us during the period of the examinations.     Currently Nairobi and Nakuru are locked down, and no one can travel in or out.  This may make a problem for those living in those areas to immediately return.   We are waiting on word from the Ministry to let us know.    Currently daily Positive C.19 cases remains as at 2o/100 .  

The top photo is of the Form 4 Class of 2020 who are now currently taking their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

 prior to selection for University.    Below is a group photo of the same with 11 members of Staff.

=================================

Well since writing on the 1st April, Esther and I have heard that our 2nd JAB will be on the 24th May, and there now seems no hang up on Vaccinations being available.   Most of our staff have now all been vaccinated.      Momentary crisis when 'Blood Clots' caused an initial furor of anxiety all over the Country, but this seems to have been satisfactorily  dealt with, and people are seem now quite willing to take advantage of it.     None of us have had ANY discomfort or other problem after being vaccinated.

DARYL is now out of his self imposed Isolation, and is back in circulation refreshed and quite well in every way.    We Thank God for His Care of each one of us all.

MANU has now quite recovered from his operation, and is now considering  getting his EYE operation within the next month - he will attend his Clinic next MONDAY for their assessment.    He very much would like to get it all over with as soon as he can,     The cost - approximately 80,000/= - is hoped to be carried by the Kenya Hospital Insurance.     We are grateful to see him up and about so speedily.

ESTHER's family in Nairobi are all now out of danger, and at home safe and sound.    Thus we are encouraged on all sides, and inspired to pray more and more believing in the Mercy, and Lovingkindness of our Father in Heaven, in Jesus Name.

Enough for this week.      We are hoping to find ways of expanding knowledge of our little Witness here in Testimony Faith Homes - especially as it seem not to be the Lord's will for any of us to travel and visit loved ones and other friends - our circle of is in fact shrinking little by little, and this has only underlined to us the Wonderful Faithfulness and Ability of God to PROVIDE for our needs, and at such a time.        We - I - am endeavouring to attend to correspondence with more alacrity and regularity, so please do feel welcome to be in touch.

God Bless and continuing to KEEP you all safe and confident in JESUS.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

 TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES 

& SCHOOLS

BELIEVES IN THIS GOOD NEWS

AND IT IS EASTER AGAIN

THIS is the TIME to look BACK and see the Moment in History when God, in Jesus Christ, DIED; taking upon Himself the Punishment for the SINS - the  wrongdoing - of each and every one of us, past present and future, and taking our condemnation upon Himself so that we might be forgiven.

THIS is the time to make an honest appraisal of our lives, and recognizing our shortcomings before God,  seek His Mercy, and New Life in  the Name of JESUS CHRIST

HERE,  on THURSDAY, our FOUR Family Homes will remember the  Last Supper, shared by Jesus and his friends in the upper room.    A supper where he  plainly tried to convey to His friends that the next day He would lay down His Life for them, and for all who might believe it for themselves.  He told them -

This is my body, my life, given for many

for the remission of their sins;

EAT and DRINK in remembrance of this, as often as you will.

In each of our Family homes, they will REMEMBER as they share their evening meal together, one and another sharing in taking part in telling the story of that night.

ON GOOD FRIDAY we all wake up to a Morning Service where we trace through 6 Bible Readings with a brief three minute thought on each by different members of the congregation, interspersed with items rendered by  the Choir, and finally summed by a short Word from our Pastor.

On SUNDAY it  will be Resurrection Morning and what is always a wonderfully joyful Meeting  together where we all REJOICE as we once more rehearse the TRUTH of  Christ's rising from the Tomb, and the FACT of his ongoing and very present LIFE available to everyone who Believes in                                                                                                                       

ON SATURDAY of last week, the day after I sent the Update, we heard that Kenya had opened up Vaccinations of Astra Zeneca for those over 58.    SO on Monday Esther and I, plus Manu and some of our office staff, took off to be jabbed.   Manu because he is  diabetic and our other staff because they work among vulnerable children.  We actually booked in advance on Saturday, but when we arrived at 9 a.m. on Monday they told the had run out of doses and directed us on to another hospital about 7 kilometers away.     On arrival we found it crowded out. I was checked in at number 97, and the rest behind me.    Everything was so well ordered, quick and enjoyable!   We were all through in 30 minutes, and on the way home again.      So far no ill effects of any kind........BUT sorrowful news that Kenya's source may be drying up, and our 2nd dose may be delayed.......?     And,  what is worse, the new suggestions by German scientist researchers, that 'blood clots' ARE connected to our vaccine. and that some Countries have banned.      WELL,  Thank God, we have a RISEN and ALIVE and PRESENT Saviour;  our trust is in HIM, and HIM alone.          We agreed with our Doctor in this, BUT we did not think it right not to help  the millions without faith not be helped to grasp some hope to offer life - and so we have acted in accordance with what we feel Father would have had us do, and got vaccinated.  HE dosn't want anyone to die - not even the greatest sinner.  It is good that we do not encourage any one to do so - by every means.

     TWO more group photos of Primary Graduate boys and girls just before they all left. We shall miss them after 8 years of seeing them all over the place.       Secondary photos still to come later.

All for now.    Be Blessed, be ENCOURAGED, be filled with HOPE

John, Esther, and Daryl ( he is now up and about again, and feel good. Hallelujah)